It’s been pointed out many times that when we were relegated seven years ago we had players like Steve Harper, Kevin Nolan, Steven Taylor, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton, Nicky Butt and others pledge their futures to Newcastle and helped us get out of the Championship at the first attempt.
On the other hand some of the bigger names at Newcastle left the club that summer and couldn’t get out of the door quickly enough – those players who interestingly hadn’t exactly pulled their weight that season.
Rafa Benitez – manager of Newcastle United
In the end everything turned out very well and the lads fought like crazy to get us promoted from the Championship at the first attempt with a great 102 points.
In the same way this summer a number of players have already pledged their futures to Newcastle, but some of our bigger stars – notably Gini Wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko – seem to want to leave the club.
There’s simply no loyalty for Newcastle from these two players and yes – we know there’s not much of it left these days at the top levels of football.
It’s no coincidence these two were two of our biggest failures last season – but there were others too.
And to be fair – Gini was our best player in the first half of the season, but he tailed off badly in the second half.
Both players disappeared too many times in games when the going got tough – especially away from home.
One of the unpleasant things clubs have to put up with they are relegated is that other clubs come in for your players and expect to be able to get good deals.
You become second class citizens for a while in the football world.
We have no real problem if we lose Gini and Moussa this summer, although we’d like them to stay and pledge themselves to the club.
But if they don’t do that then we should only let them leave on two conditions.
One is that we get huge fees for them – £20M for Moussa and £30M for Gini sounds good.
And the second thing is that we replace them before the end of the summer transfer window.
If they want to leave then so be it.
Former striker Mick Quinn has a very good positive piece in the Chronicle today saying that while it’s heart-breaking we are down in the second division, it’s also an opportune time for everyone associated with Newcastle United to get right behind the club.
We need to be pulling in the same direction – and that includes the club, Rafa Benitez, the coaches, the players, the fans and the media too.
It even seems the club are trying to do their part by lowering season ticket prices appropriately, offering some good deals and not laying any of the non-playing staff off.
Newcastle need to be United – now more than ever.
Howay The Lads!!
21 comments so far
Rotonda heights
Jun 15, 2016 at 12:59 PM
Comment #1earlier point made about kadar was that at least he was 6 foot plus, whereas midgets simpson and perch had to play against Holt.
Rotonda heights
Jun 15, 2016 at 1:02 PM
Comment #2don’t think we’ll get anything like 50m for moussa and gini, but pointless keeping unhappy players, though do they seriously think they’ll ever play for a better manager
Harley
Jun 15, 2016 at 1:14 PM
Comment #3Rotonda I remember that, when they crucified us in the air and ran up a cricket score. Everyone was crying out for him to play kadar. Bizarre selection.
I’m glad he’s doing well for himself.
DubaiMicky
Jun 15, 2016 at 1:24 PM
Comment #4The sooner the glory boys (as they perceive themselves) are sold the better for the Toon.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 15, 2016 at 1:34 PM
Comment #5Rotunda,
I always thought it was Santon and Simpson that played at CB, I’m Santon played a game at CB once and we got slaughtered.
BeeGuy
Jun 15, 2016 at 1:45 PM
Comment #6Must sell the one that want to go. Any promise will be false, as they have shown that they cannot cut it when the going gets tough.
martoon
Jun 15, 2016 at 1:46 PM
Comment #7I have to say that I’m on the 10 year deal and I’ve heard nothing about the 10% reduction. As you start paying for this season from April I’m not quite sure how they are going to do it – possible reduce remaining payments by more than 10% such that it works out as 10% overall?
estechco
Jun 15, 2016 at 1:48 PM
Comment #8Rotonda: Whilst he wasn’t much of a physical presence I think you’ll find that Perch “was 6 foot plus”…just!
expatmag
Jun 15, 2016 at 2:47 PM
Comment #9Goodbye Russia
and take your thugs with you
Jib
Jun 15, 2016 at 2:49 PM
Comment #10Fascinating to read this again
http://www.nufc.com/html/2011-12html/2011-12-10norwich-a.html
It is notable while Biffa bemoans the CB injuries situation , no mention is made of Tamas Kadar , who regardless of what some say – just simply wasn’t ready to be thrown into the fray !
manxpie
Jun 15, 2016 at 2:52 PM
Comment #11Bloody hell as soon as I saw kadar playing yesterday I thought rotunda would be on saying how the hell did pardew let this player go!! I was close enough haha
I remember there was stories of him being proper nervous puking before games the lot so I hardly think he would be anyone’s first choice if ya had to rely on him
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 15, 2016 at 2:56 PM
Comment #12In a way I am glad Slovakia are winning. It means England have to focus on winning the next two games to ensure qualification. I always prefer a little bit of pressure.
Jail for Ashley
Jun 15, 2016 at 3:01 PM
Comment #13JIB,
There was a mention of Tomas Kadar, they say that he never got a place on the bench despite being given a squad number?
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 15, 2016 at 3:03 PM
Comment #14Most international managers have thier jobs on the line for poor showings. You het the feeling that the russian guys LIFE is on the line!
Jail for Ashley
Jun 15, 2016 at 3:14 PM
Comment #15How did we not beat these?
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 15, 2016 at 3:20 PM
Comment #16Jail
First game effect. Russia were lucky to get us first up. I genuinely think we would have smashed them otherwise. Aweful
j.tudor
Jun 15, 2016 at 3:29 PM
Comment #17It still can be England to get the boot
j.tudor
Jun 15, 2016 at 3:30 PM
Comment #18Woy you ferkin plonker
lochinvar
Jun 15, 2016 at 3:31 PM
Comment #19The Premier League fixtures are out – and ok it’s just a side show to the main event but hey this is a football blog !
Think the mackems are in for a difficult start and may be lucky to have any points after the first five games. Time will tell.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Jun 15, 2016 at 3:36 PM
Comment #20England fans are down on every england manager. They are too easily swayed by the media. Woy will most likely be sacked after the euros, and the new bloke will throw out all of the good work done in developing a younger squad,in favour of pandering to the media. If they don’t, the media will destroy them, and turn the mostly over reactive England fans against them. I am generalising, but the most negative fans are the most vocal.
lesh
Jun 15, 2016 at 5:08 PM
Comment #21We’ve been caught before by selling players near the window closure and they haven’t been replaced as they proved too expensive for the Ashley and his chums.
So surely the trick is to get Sissoko and Gini’s replacements in before they’re available at the right prices. If they’re not sold, perhaps because our asking prices are too high for their suitors, then there’s nothing lost and everything gained – potentially by having a stronger squad. If Sissoko and Gini don’t like it, tough. They’ll just have to prove themselves worthy of the prices we’re asking, consistently and not when it suits their purpose.