There have been reports that West Ham want Jonjo Shelvey this month, but we’d be really surprised if Rafa would OK that move and help a club also struggling with relegation.
Jonjo has played well in the last few games for Newcastle, and we thought the combination of Jonjo and young Mikel Merino in central midfield against Luton Town looked solid and had some creativity – which we are really short of this season.
Newcastle have a big game against Swansea City on Saturday, one of Jonjo’s previous clubs, and it’s a game we should be winning if we are to avoid the drop this season.
Jonjo has fond memories of his time at Swansea, a club he joined in the summer of 2013 from Liverpool before he joined Newcastle in January two years ago.
But he says they have suffered by changing their manager too often.
Jonjo Shelvey with Rafa Benitez
That’s what Newcastle did under both Freddie Shepherd and Mike Ashley and it’s difficult to have any sense of building up the team with managers have different opinions on players.
There tends to be a lot of player churn – players coming and going – and it’s also very expensive for the club.
Hopefully, we will not be changing our manager for a very long time and that malady is past and gone.
This is some of what Jonjo has said on nufcTV about his former club:
“They have chopped and changed the managers to be fair and I don’t think that has helped them,”
“I think they need to get back playing the way they played football.” “Even when I was at Liverpool you wouldn’t see the ball for a lot of the time.”
“When I went there everything was about ball possession, all of our work was about the football and we were battering teams at home with the ball – even against the top teams.”
“They have gone away from that a little bit which is obviously down to whatever manager they had in at the time.”
“They have lost quite a few big players, to be fair,” “They have lost Gylfi Sigurdsson, they have lost Llorente but Swansea is a great club.”
“It is a great family club, the stadium isn’t the biggest but the supporters get behind the team.”
“As soon as I found out Newcastle were interested there was only one place to go but obviously I don’t want to see them go down because I want to play against them and I have mates in their team.”
“But football is a cut-throat business and I would rather we stayed up than them.”
“It is a relegation battle that we are in and whoever comes out on top will be the worthy winners.”
We are hoping we can keep our 100% record for this year and get our third successive win to start off 2018.
Comments welcome.
319 comments so far
Online Guy
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:09 PM
Comment #41GPPPOWYENKA
You made a comment to me about my post on the pages that total nine pages ..it’s on the ninth page…and you refer to a page number I posted on about Muhammad Ali.
It looks like Iv said Ali was a racist the way you have wrote it …it’s as though you have quoted me as saying that when it’s you that said it.
I’m sure you meant no harm ..Can you clarify it was your opinion ? Thank you sir.
GPPaweyyekna
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:13 PM
Comment #42https://twitter.com/GaryPhilipson1/status/951456777928888321
Online Guy
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:17 PM
Comment #43Nufc-83
Twas no I that hijacked your account as you said happened yesterday . Are you insinuating it was me ? If so could you please repost the posts that where made In your name as you alleged. Little n I think you say ? It’s all news to me so Is it me your accusing .
Not me Kidda.
We can take this further ..Please ask Ed what happened . Before you accuse me. Or insinuate it was me ..I would not know how so perhaps it’s an apology that should be forthcoming .
If you don’t clear this up on your NUFC 83 thing being hijacked ..I will sort it out with Ed for you.
Also yesterday you claimed that Mr Tuff, Online Guy, and Rupert Pink, we’re all the same person and you had reported it to Ed..well , did you get your Answer ? I trust Ed told you that they are real people and there is three separate individuals and not multiples ..Ii think another apology is in the offing from you ..I don’t need one in this case but the other two guys might feel aggrieved and maybe even you could tell them you got it wrong and apologise to them. Let me know if I can help you to sort it all out .
Bambams
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:20 PM
Comment #44Boys
I have not offered any deadlines when takeover would happen. I have only shared what my mate heard from his source within the club. That’s not my source but I am happy to share what I am allowed.
However……
I am standing by my source who I now work with but have known over 3 years. His source is his brother in law.
The brother in law works in London in finance/company takeovers and although knows nothing about football was happy to tell his brother (from someone he knows in Stavely camp) he was told ‘ Mega MEGA Rich and Royalty made money from oil in middle east ‘
My source could not recall the name he was told but when we sat down with the names suggested the one that ‘rang a bell ‘ was Mohammad Bin Salman
I have asked him to try and find out more but I am not sure if something has been said between them because he has not come back with anything. I had been given permission to share what my source told me but maybe he had not cleared it with his brother in law.
There are a number of factors that I still think suggests it has happened.
– the info from Sparky ‘re needing the money
– the escrow account has the money
– Rafa is cool as cucumber
– no more meetings heard or arranged
– the curry night
– SD shares buyback
The silence is defeating. But as Frank has said this is just rumours and what folk are offering to their best professional judgement.
If it all turns out incorrect ‘Only then do you deactivate a source’….if they are correct then it’s a good yardstick for the future but nothing is ever guaranteed. Situations change.
Sorry I can’t offer anything concrete but I will continue to share what I am told
‘if allowed ‘….
GPPaweyyekna
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:20 PM
Comment #45Online Guy
Comment #40
Hi Online Guy,
Nope, not what I was suggesting. I took your comment as if you were saying that your idols were Ali and Martin Luther (or on the lines of that).
The irony of that (in my opinion) is that Ali himself was very racist.
Wasn’t a dig (no pun intended) just know a little about him.
Cheers
Online Guy
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:25 PM
Comment #46Nufc-83
You really need to find out and reprint ..(copy and paste) the words that were written in your name …so we can all see them..you obviously read them as you seen them as that’s what your complaining about ..so you seen them ..please reproduce them here so we can have a look.
Did Ed get back to you after you reported Mr Tuff, Online Guy, and Rupert Pink for bieng one and the same person as you said and you also said you reported it to Ed ..but now Ed should have replied to you and told you they are 3 individuals and that your wrong. ?
Online Guy
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:27 PM
Comment #47GPPPOWEYEKKA
Sorry if I have you moniker spelt wrong .
But thanks for clearing that up ..your a gent , and a brave one at that. All the best mate.
Bambams
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:28 PM
Comment #48Days off today…..
Watching ‘Best PL Goals 95/96 on SKY.. .
Every third or fourth goal is from the Toon
Albert goal against Wimbledon….forgot about that one.
Such great times
Little h
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:31 PM
Comment #49On a completely unrelated note I’ve just been beat up by 3 gypsys coz they were trying to steal the chickens out of my range little did they know o was stood right behind them currently on my way to A&e think I’ve lost a few teeth and have a broken hip by the sounds of what the paramedics saying so keep the banter going boys gonna be a lonely night in hozzy for me as I don’t do Facebook etc and I’ve gotta find someone to pick me hens eggs up for next few week….. filthy unwashed breed
Corv
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:31 PM
Comment #50Hibbit
Yes, according to the Chronicle at 5am this morning the meeting with the player is happening today.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/peter-beardsleys-newcastle-united-future-14135973
Would be nice if the press we’re there for something more positive.
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:32 PM
Comment #51Spot on BamBams
I totally get where you are coming from and appreciate anyone sharing info
Apparently twitter is a wash today with more rumours of big meetings being held today and Ashley helicopter info
Again it’s all pinch of salt stuff
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:33 PM
Comment #52Hollie Taylor
@Geordie_Hollie7
This helicopter spot only fuels my source who told me last night that face to face talks were happening today #NUFC
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:35 PM
Comment #53https://mobile.twitter.com/ToonBliss/status/950842200316895238
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:35 PM
Comment #54KNM09 seems to be a flight number, but is still associated to Ashleys Heli (G-MAOC).
https://www.radarbox24.com/data/flights/knm02#604303372
For what its worth, the tracker says it left Newcastle at 1:51pm
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/g-maol#10185bbb
Maybe he’s been dropped off to deal with ‘stuff’, and its heading back south?
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:37 PM
Comment #55ToonBliss Retweeted
Marc Johnson
Marc Johnson
@Mojo293
·
1h
Replying to @ToonBliss
Ashleys helichopper has landed in/near Leeds at lunchtime. Looks like he might be headed North. Hopefully the Transfer Budget and/or takeover is nearer being sorted.
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:38 PM
Comment #56Hollie Taylor
Hollie Taylor
@Geordie_Hollie7
·
1h
Replying to @stevewraith @MsiDouglas and @lee_ryder
he could just be visiting Leeds and Newcastle… but I think it’s interesting. It’s his REG
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:38 PM
Comment #57steve wraith Retweeted
Hollie Taylor
Hollie Taylor
@Geordie_Hollie7
Replying to @stevewraith @MsiDouglas and @lee_ryder
this confirms it’s his REG flying about this lunch time
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Comment #58Could be nothing
Could be transfer budget related
Could be other ?
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Comment #59All pinch of salt
Bambams
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Comment #60Frank
Something is happening fella. Just keep an eye on his whereabouts
Laters
canny lad
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:46 PM
Comment #61Usual chancers on here still making out to be ITKs. Deal done according to them – weeks ago. Why is anyone still reading ? Maybe that’s the sad life of a NUFC lifer, constantly dressing up any old wild, unsubstantiated rumour as a fact. Newcastle’s worst enemy isn’t Ashley, it’s the gullible fan base.
lochinvar
Jan 11, 2018 at 2:53 PM
Comment #62So Ashley’s helicopter has landed in Leeds.
Must be stocking up on Fat Rascals
lochinvar
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #63Perhaps he’s nipped over to Whitby to stock up
https://goo.gl/images/AfWuuC
lochinvar
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Comment #64Ashley needs to speak with his pilot –
https://goo.gl/images/2SPkzV
hibbit
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Comment #65Little h hope your ok mate
cyprus
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:10 PM
Comment #66From the Guardian:
For some of the relegation-threatened teams the default setting in those fixtures seems to be to try to avoid a hiding and pilfer a point by parking the bus – tactics that have arguably been exposed by Bristol City’s much more adventurous approach against Manchester United and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup, when a Championship club proved what can be achieved against higher-calibre opponents by pressing high and playing with ambition, belief and courage.
Black'n'White'n'BroonAllOver
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:13 PM
Comment #67Bambams, keep any info you hear coming mate.
Like most folk on here I don’t know you, any of the other ‘ITKs’, or any of your combined sources.
None of us, whether we believe you (plural) or not, know whether you and your sources are genuine.
Some, all or none may be genuine.
FWIW I absolutely believe that both you and your source are repeating information in good faith.
I believe it because the weight of evidence supports the info, not because I’m a gullible sheep like the pessimists might think.
I know eff all. I have no inside info. I have no proof, and despite having a convincing, credible sounding source neither do you (and you’ve never claimed to).
But proof is not the same as evidence, and there’s plenty of evidence.
Individually, each can easily be dismissed. They could all relate to something else. But collectively, the probability is that at least some is related to it, and it suggests we’ve been sold to new owners.
– The curry house PR stunt was without doubt arranged with the full knowledge of all parties. Possibly by Desmond, or perhaps by Bishop.
Please tell me nobody believes that was just a lucky pap getting lots of nice, clear pics of Mike Ashley, Amanda Staveley and Richard bleedin Desmond punching the air outside a curry house in a sleepy, pap-free suburb of north london!
Would two parties, in the middle of a difficult and tense negotiation, really agree to being publicly photographed together when there’s a real chance the deal will collapse?
Ashley then immediately went off on holiday. Is that really what you’d do in the middle of a such a negotiation?
– The activity immediately after NY at companies house.
For both parties to be conducting unusual business activity at this precise moment in time, activity that could relate to lots of things, but which would be the expected activity of two parties engaged in the final stages of purchasing a football club – now that would require an unreasonable degree of coincidence if it is unrelated.
– Lack of transfers as yet.
This backs up, rather than undermines, the deal theory.
Where we are right now feels like the very definition of ‘limbo’ to me.
The complexities, and level of ‘my word is my bond’ type trust, required between the parties for a ‘loan of funds’ deal to be arranged when a deal hasn’t been officially ratified, would be unimaginable with anybody, more so with Ashley. No surprise to me there’s no movement if we’re waiting for the go from the FA.
– Rafa’s demeanour at the moment.
Just cannot believe he’d not be more vocal if it was still being negotiated. Put pressure on Ashley to agree a deal or release funds.
– Lack of inside info backs up the theory too.
For weeks the takeover has been the favourite topic of journos in the NE, several articles every day on the state of negotiations, figures being mentioned constantly, folk on here telling everything they’ve supposedly heard from well-placed sources.
Then after NY, all sources, both professional and online rumour, dried up all at once. Now it’s just the occasional bit of repeating what’s been said since November in the press, some vague stuff about loans, and nothing except ‘done deal’ from the ITKs.
Seems weirdly coincidental to me for everyone’s info to dry up all at the same time, followed immediately by unusual activities at companies house.
I believe the ‘inside info’ is, in general, genuine.
No hard evidence to support the theory that it’s Mega-Money, only word-of-mouth from credible sounding sources.
But since the rest of the info seems to fit the evidence I’m allowing myself to be feel tentatively hopeful on that score too.
I appreciate that anybody in the rumour mill could, and will be, making stuff up, and the evidence could be purely circumstantial, but it all seems logical and credible, and more importantly is supported by the evidence.
For all it to be completely unrelated seems too much of a stretch.
Black'n'White'n'BroonAllOver
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:14 PM
Comment #68Sorry, just realised how long that post was!
willowdalerez
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:14 PM
Comment #69Never glass empty / glass half full under Ashley the pitcher is empty and the cupboard is always bare and the missus is out back selling the family silverware to pay the utilities.
Know transfers in. no serious links and no takeover news… Well at leats there is the Swans game Saturday! Win that game and I’ll feel miles better even if we have a true “Ashley window” that comes and goes without transfers in.
One thing’s clear, all the supposed ITKs on here have no clothes, their “sources” are no better than drunks on a bar-stool in a Sunderland local.
Rotonda heights
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:16 PM
Comment #70Hibbit
No one wanted you to make a self imposed exile from the blog, but you vowed you would only return when the deal was done. What am I missing?
simon376
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:24 PM
Comment #71Bambams, let’s hope it’s positive. Would have thought deal would have been done in London or even Shirebrook, but if what Frank is posting is right (not doubting you Frank, just hope source is correct) then maybe something up here, let’s all hope done very soon with new players by 20th as well
Rob1971
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:24 PM
Comment #72Cyprus Bristol City deserve praise but the thing they are missing from that article is the fact they still got beat, it was a cup semi final I think most teams would be more adventurous than in the league where you survive over the full 38 games.
willowdalerez
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:24 PM
Comment #73Feel bad for Woodman,
Poor kid wants a loan to develop into a starter for us but because of our lousy owner he is probably going to have his but planted firmly on a chair for the remainder of the season because we can’t get a loan in to cover with Elliot out injured.
If he never ends up developing into a starter it may well be down to Ashley ownership rather than any question of talent.
OneAlanShearer
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:24 PM
Comment #74Rotonda- is there any point to pressing hibbit over this really?
Frank pingles come sock
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Comment #75Black n white broon all owa – good read that
Looking at all the info it does appear something is going on
God knows what though – I do know it’s hampering transfer window massively and if it collapses we are in the dog mess
ToonToon
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:27 PM
Comment #76Hey hibbit don’t take it personally fella. Am not attacking nee one pal… A just think you and the shirebrooktoon fella are full a crap…making it up as ye go along… that’s just me opinion.
hibbit
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:32 PM
Comment #77Rotonda heights
i trust my sources and the deal is done why its not been announced i don’t know
only time will tell how right i was
but i’m sticking with what i said the club is sold i don’t know who the buyer is or why its not been announced
only time will tell how right / wrong i was
till i hear different i honestly believe what i have been told, at this moment i have no reason to doubt him going on his past history with me
firebug666
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:34 PM
Comment #78ToonToon
PMSL! how can someone not take it personally when you are telling them they are full of crap. If you find something hard to believe that’s fine, but you don’t have to be insulting about it.
catchy in norway
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:36 PM
Comment #79My All time Fave player, he had it all, well not the looks, but everything else.
i feel sorry for him, in his day all these spoiled kids would have cleaning boots all day, the whole training complex if they stepped out of line, they would been treated like dirt and slaves by the club Pros. While i do not agree with Racist behaviour from anyone to anyone, sometimes you have to develop thicker skin and use it as fuel to make yourself the best you can be.
i hope this kid has put all the money he has made from NUFC in some sort of pension, as i dont think he is going to get any big offers when he leaves NUFC, 1 he isnt good enough,2, he will be looked at as a trouble maker, so he may have just ruined the rest of his football career.
willowdalerez
Jan 11, 2018 at 3:39 PM
Comment #80My team for Swans
Darlow
Mbemba-Lascelles-Clark-Dummett
Murphy-Shelvey-Diame-Atsu
Perez
Gayle
Not really a shocker there but wouldn’t be surprised if Mbemba doesn’t even make the squad and one or more of Atsu, Shevey, Diame, Clark, Dummett or Gayle on the bench as subs. Only ones I am really confident will start are Perez, Darlow and Murphy. Now that’s Rafa for you… He mixes our team up as much as Pep except without the player depth and quality 😉