Paul Merson predicted that Newcastle would beat Swansea on Saturday 2-0, so that was the kiss of death on the win – right there.
🙂
The truth is that Merson has come around to Newcastle after our good run of 7 points from 4 games over Christmas and he is a big supporter of Rafa Benitez.
And the Sky Sports pundit claimed on Soccer Saturday that he would not be too shocked if Newcastle – for a second January running – don’t bring any players in to strengthen the squad.
Paul Merson – he doesn’t get it – translation –
he doesn’t understand Ashley
This is some of what Paul said:
“It wouldn’t shock me at all. Not one bit if they didn’t buy anyone (in January).”
“I don’t get it. You’re talking a big football club, 52,000 every week, and they can’t buy anybody!”
It is now January 14th – almost halfway through the transfer window, and Rafa said last night – no player is close to coming in.
That’s why some Newcastle fans are thinking – maybe we’ll get nobody in at all just like last January.
We have never fully understood Mike Ashley, and it would not shock us too much if that is what happens.
But if that happens again then the owner could lose about £150M on Newcastle’s value if we are relegated – and it would serve him right.
Mike Ashley is a miser, and he’s never liked spending Newcastle’s money – he’d rather see it in the bank.
That’s one big reason the owner had never understood what success in football really means.
In normal businesses, it does mean money in the bank – big revenues and huge profits – but not in football.
You make money as an owner by what the club is worth in the market.
And the price of a football club goes up the more successful they are on the field of play.
So significant investment is needed if you are to have a successful club (and good players) and therefore be successful as a football owner.
Mike Ashley has never understood that premise – which is why he’s been terrible as the Newcastle owner for almost 11 years now.
Newcastle fans hope he will sell up and quickly too.
And there will be a new beginning at Newcastle is United when Rafa supported fully in the transfer windows by ambitious new owners.
That’s the hope!
Comments welcome.
189 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:38 AM
Comment #1We don’t get it either. Jane does though, so that’s ok.
catchy in norway
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:38 AM
Comment #2catchy in norway
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:34 AM
Comment #3
Jail
I think you miss the vital part of this 80 million spent, Shteve had 80 million spent on him in the same way Rafa had 80 million spent on him.
everyone knows that at that time Carr bought all the players.
so Rafa had that of that money too.
and to be fair to G Carr, all of those players were good value,
Tell me why 30 million pounds worth of new talent started on the bench, don’t deflect from the question, what about 15 million from the season before, Sells, Lazzar, Hanley hardly used.
but you keep defending him.
that’s why your a rafa clapper
calvinho
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:40 AM
Comment #3I don’t understand Rafa saying that no players will leave unless we get replacements in. Surely Mitrovic & Mbemba can go. He never includes them in the squad. He would put Perez & Atsu up front before Mitro. So let him go. I can’t even think who we could bring in……we won’t spend more than 10m on a player.
OneAlanShearer
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:44 AM
Comment #4Ok I’m going to dare to dream. IF we sold Mitro 15m, Mbemba 12.5m, Saivet 1m, haidara 500k, colback 4m.
So 33million in.
I’d go for Carroll 15m, gabbiadini 12 m. Get in loans with a view to buy only, goal keeper, left back, dm, number 10 using cash for loan fees.
Gabbiadini not getting a game at Southampton. Carroll supposedly not fit to play yesterday but I’d love to think he’s on his way to us.
Dreaming but I’d rather that than focusing on the misery Ashley brings to the table.
OneAlanShearer
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:46 AM
Comment #5Calbinho – I think he said players that start. I think If we get decent offers for mitro and mbemba with deals lined up for incomings rafa will allow it. Same for colback and saivet. Haidara too. Thing is only had loan offers from what’s been rumoured.
Slank
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:50 AM
Comment #6Jail,
I’m very flattered to think you have been studiously recording all my postings for the last ten years.
Such a devotion for such a long time, you must be very proud of your efforts.
I hope your complex and fixation on people isn’t something you do in public as it could lead you to serious questions being asked by serious people in serious places.
Legolas
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:54 AM
Comment #7OAS,
I think Daniel Sturridge would be a better option than Carroll. I just wouldn’t want him back. I would love us to get Sturridge. Just my opinion like.
Bambams
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:54 AM
Comment #8Did somebody mention the other day that there would be an embargo on club transfers whilst the takeover is happening. This is because the club is valued on everything, players included.
If any were to be sold or others brought in by current owner it would alter the value of the ‘agreed price’
I have read thus somewhere but no idea where or if it is accurate.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:58 AM
Comment #9Slank,
It would be fair to assume that you haven’t just started defending Ashley and he’s been here over ten years. Is noticing who and who doesn’t support Ashley a fixation. No, I don’t think so either.
Bambams
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:58 AM
Comment #10Nice comment by Lascelles who is obviously not one bit bothered about having a pop at the current owner…..
‘So I think we should do our best to make sure Rafa is comfortable and for me they (the board) should be giving him what he wants because they won’t find anyone any better than him.’ – Lascelles. #NUFC https://t.co/hlV60lOJli
catchy in norway
Jan 14, 2018 at 9:59 AM
Comment #11i don’t understand why anyone would want sturidge, it was once said at liverpool they could not find any injuries but he said he was injured.
very strange
Slank
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:00 AM
Comment #12calvinho,
That is a true conundrum by Benetez as you say.
He complains about his budget but what is stopping him selling Mitrovich (especially) and Colback as he never plays them and appears to have no intention of doing so in the future unless of course he has a cunning plan for later in the season, which I very much doubt.
Also, what about Haidara ? Dummitt is back and Manquillo is cover. Same is true about Saivet.
Reilly
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:00 AM
Comment #13Bambams.ashley did it the last time he put the club up for sale.so could well be.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jul/17/newcastle-united-transfer-embargo-takeover
Optimistic Panda
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:00 AM
Comment #14We had dozens of chances yesterday and people still whinge about the style of play Rafa uses.
The mind truly boggles.
Let’s change the formation or tactics because that will instantly make our players 20% better and more able to finish the chances they then create. Crazy plain crazy.
catchy in norway
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:01 AM
Comment #15come on jail, you even said i’m an ashley supporter, and your reasons were i wanted pardew out,
Nufc-83
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:01 AM
Comment #16I think if you sell a company then it is valued on assets which I guess are the players in this case so in a normal company sale you wouldn’t purchase more or sell any once the value was agreed. With a football club that has a tight transfer window to operate and the potential of relegation if no investment is made then you would expect an agreement to be made between both parties to allow funds to be released.
Rotonda heights
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:02 AM
Comment #17There must be an echo in here. the same people keep repeating the same ignorant things over and over as if that somehow makes them right.
that team yesterday to a man was pretty much our regular championship team
Some joker on here rated OGS and Mclaren. Enough said.
For the mitro and colback lovers, that queue of would be buyers is starting where exactly?
The disparity between what previous no mark managers and Rafa is a canyon wide.
Rafa has called Ash out where previous managers wouldn’t dare.
The result, Rafa is starved of funds. How dare he be ambitious and want the club to go forward!
People complaining how we played yesterday obviously weren’t counting how many chances we created. Trouble is we have no PL standard strikers to convert them. Ooh didn’t think of that!
The best some can come up with is the tired old ”FSW” remark. Shame on you.
Reilly
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:02 AM
Comment #18you can only sell players if theres a buyer slank.
Legolas
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:05 AM
Comment #19Catchy,
Because he has scored nearly 50 goals in just under a 100 games for Liverpool. Obvious to me.
hibbit
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:07 AM
Comment #20i honestly believe a deal is in place
this has to be the the week for it to be implemented for us to have any chance of getting the players we need through the door
i don’t believe for one minute Ashley will risk 150/200 million £ on the sale price of the club and the ripple effect on all the clubs revenue sources even taking into account this seasons prem money and parachute payments
Slank
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:07 AM
Comment #21Bambams,
Yes someone did say that transfers are verboten during a takeover. Don’t know how true that is.
But I’m wondering whether the players are classed as Assets in the accounts and as such are part of the valuation of the club. And if so, I can understand it.
Perhaps some accountant out there can clarify.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:08 AM
Comment #22Catchy,
Rafa had to attract players to a Championship side. Top players do not want to play in the Championship. Hanley didn’t play much because Clarke, Lascelles and Dummet were hardly ever injured. Sels and Lazaar were pants. The manager made a mistake in buying them. Shall we sack him for it and bring in OGS.
Jib
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:10 AM
Comment #23Slank
on previous thread Q2 is easy
All business in or out has been
put on hold until takeover completion
Slank
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:11 AM
Comment #24Reilly,
‘..you can only sell players if theres a buyer..’
Does this mean, contrary to what many on this blog say, that there isn’t a buyer ?
Or is it that some event has yet to take place which determines that there is a buyer ?
hibbit
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:14 AM
Comment #25if mitro was half the player some on here think he is is clubs would be queing up to buy him ??????????????
stu mel
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Comment #26Catchy
That’s money was spent getting us out the championship job done. Since then nothing has come in. But Why the love Ashley?
Slank
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:17 AM
Comment #27Jib,
Thanks for that.
Does that mean that Rafa’s protestations about his budget are an oblique way of saying the takeover is in process and there is bugger all I can do about transfers ?
Jail for Ashley
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:17 AM
Comment #28Why is catchy being moderated. Surely not for his insane and incessant whining about the manager. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Bambams
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:19 AM
Comment #29To me IF there has not been an agreement to sell then that would make it easier for Ash to actually buy someone to protect his ‘payoff’
Also if no agreement I would imagine Rafa would not be taking it so calmly when wanting players in.
I will be shot at for this and I am not in the know ‘re the takeover but the facts show there must be an agreement and the legal rubbish is just taking ages to draft up. No doubt PCP will want everything watertight when dealing with Cashley.
Just my opinion….
Anyone heard about the Mega MEGA Rich Middle East Prince spotted in The Pavilion Bar lastnight…..
Have a nice day
jazzyp
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:19 AM
Comment #30For the first 20 minutes yesterday we were a joy to watch. From the first kick of the ball we were o the front foot and Swansea were there for the taking. Then after that it was like somebody flicked a switch and we let the opposite team back into the game, And by half time we should have had the match put to bed.
The second half however I thought we were a pile of Sh@te and for the majority of the first 20 minutes there was only one team in it… Swansea who looked the home team.
You could see the goal coming and that was evident with the discontent within the crowd.
The problem we have is the players are probably playing to there maximum potential,Tho it’s clear to see they are not good enough for the Pl.
Overall a pretty poor game from 2 poor sides that will both be there or there abouts come relegation at the end of the season.
And on another note I can honestly say that I have never heard as many fans in the platinum on about ripping up there season tickets if the Takeover doesn’t materialize as I think most have had enough now.
Jib
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:19 AM
Comment #31It is an accepted accounting practice in the football industry
to capitalize the cost of acquisition of players’ registration
as ‘intangible assets’ which are then amortized over the
contract period of individual players
In other words if you think of a normal business
Players are not employees
They are more like the business delivery van
😀
jazzyp
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:22 AM
Comment #32Bambams
I posted yesterday that a group of middle eastern guys were being shown around the gantry where Ashley sits in the Corporate block 11.
But I didn’t see them again once the match started
sickandtired
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:23 AM
Comment #33@Catchy – “and to be fair to G Carr, all of those players were good value,”
Dear me. Those players got us relegated again! Carr / Schteeve had a net spend of almost 80 million and got us relegated. Rafa has had a net spend of 11 million and got us promoted.
The clubs net spend since Ashley arrived has been 9 million. 9 million over a decade!
Get your head out of the clouds, man.
calvinho
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #34i can see how Colback, Haidara, Saviet etc. aren’t going due to wages. Most clubs won’t be able to match the wages so have probably asked us to continue paying a %. However, Mitro & Mbemba would have attracters but I feel Rafa wants players lined up before. I agree that he has wasted money (Sells, Hanley, Gamez – high wages) so maybe theres hesitancy in letting him go spend.
Optimistic Panda
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #35Jazzy
Funny I was wondering if anybody had been spotted yesterday. Was thinking before the game Amanda or a owner may be there.
Jib
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:26 AM
Comment #36The example of Mansour buying Robinho
in advance for Man City would tend to put
potential buyers off anything similar.
He was a bit of a flop and Man City ended up
loaning him back to Santos
Slank
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:26 AM
Comment #37Nufc-83,
Thanks for the clarification on the assets.
I agree with you that you would think that an agreement on the valuation of the players to be sold and the players to be bought would have been made between both parties at the earliest given the fixed transfer date deadline.
Do you know who it is that makes the evaluations in the club ? I would guess that Benetez and Charnley play a major rule in determining the values but what about PCP Capital Partners as they appear in the media to have no experience of this.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:26 AM
Comment #38Jazzy,
There’s a huge group of seats in the top of tge platinum club that are never taken despite it being a sell out. Any ideas why?
thereallowickmag
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:28 AM
Comment #39Ashley is not risking anything. He is in a win win situation.
He waits until the end of the season to sell. If we are still in prem he gets the price that has been offered now (250 mill) for arguments sake, plus he has all the TV money from this year.
If we are relegated he gets (100/150 mill) for the club in addition to the (100/150 mill) TV money he will of already had which amounts to the offer he has now.
Not a chance he will sell until the end of season if at all. Nobody in his position would.
That’s not to mention all the free advertising he has.
hibbit
Jan 14, 2018 at 10:29 AM
Comment #40players are class as assets not employees. because of the sell on value which can be written up or down depending on various facets age length of contract form valuation are all taken into account in the clubs valuation