Kevin Keegan, the Newcastle manager, has told Newcastle fans not to worry about the decision to sell James Milner to Aston Villa for a reported ?12M transfer fee.
Kevin Keegan – Newcastle fans shouldn’t worry
Kevin talked to the Times today:
“Sometimes you just get to a point where you sit down and say, ‘Yeah, it’s the right time to do this deal,’ ” “You could argue that the clock on the wall, with the deadline three days away, makes it a bit more tricky, but I am pretty confident that we can overcome the loss.”
“It’s a win-win. James has got a fantastic move to a club that he knows, because he’s been on loan there, and we’ve got some more money in the pot. So in the short term it looks: ‘Wow, why have they done that?’”
“But over a period of time it might be: ‘That’s why.’ We have got to get three or four players in and I am confident we will do that. But I’ll be judged on Monday at 12 o’clock.”
“Although I am really disappointed to lose James, we can make a plus out of this. We can maybe slightly go in a different direction.”
“The fans shouldn’t be worried,” “I’m certainly not and if I was worried I would tell them.”
If it’s one person we completely trust at the Newcastle club, it’s Kevin Keegan.
And following his press conference yesterday, we were buoyed by Kevin’s positive attitude, and the fact he thought Wednesday’s meeting with Mike Ashley and Dennis Wise was great.
We must remember (we include ourselves in this) not to get carried away too much by what the popular press is reporting, because they hardly ever get anything right, and always look at the worst possible case, and are always trying to denigrate Newcastle United.
Did I get that right?
A win tomorrow at Arsenal is both possible and required, to revitalize the Newcastle United faithful, following a confusing and sometimes depressing couple of days.
We think the lads can do just that.
Comments welcome.
113 comments so far
GraemeR
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Comment #1I supose we hae been here before – remember KK on the steps of SJP remonstrating with the fans about the sale of Cole.
Hoping that the money is used wisely – not Arseshaving
MOUTINHO
DERDIYOK
BURDISSO
LARSSON
INLER for me
Ryan
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Comment #2Kev always justifies his actions and restores my faith in the club. I remember when we sold Andy Cole and Keegan had to come out and justify this on the steps of st james park of all places…he then went on to buy players like Ginola and of course Shearer…the bloke knows what hes doing
liquid ice
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Comment #3win today at arsenal dont ya mean?
Spyro
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Comment #4yes, than k you Ed, a new article, hopefully we can keep the discussions on here about NUFC
SuperShearer
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Comment #5I trust KK and think he knows exactly what he is doing. My worry is that we take a horribly long time to tie up deals and we are almost out of time. Of course it is not beyond the realms of possibility that come midnight on Monday we have signed all manner of brilliant and exciting players, with Wise and Co declaring it was the plan all along so as to ensure that other clubs did not snipe as at the last minute, but I just find that hard to swallow. All I will say is that Martin O’Neil has spent a lot of money this summer so the pressure is on him.
pete stone
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Comment #62-1 to the toon the day
BenjiToon
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Comment #7Let’s not put unreasonable pressure on the lads. Yes, a win would be great but a good performance with some quality and passion is evidence enough that Milner’s departure hasn’t affected the club internally. Even a good draw could be uplifting.
I’ve tried to stay out of the frenzy on here since Milner’s Villa transferwas confirmed. We all had a lot to say before he went but now he IS gone and we must carry on as before. One player out (or in for that matter) does not determine our whole season.
“5.30pm Saturday – Newcastle, guided by a confident and positive Kevin Keegan, are cheered with pride by 1000s of Geordie’s at the Emirates and 100,000s watching in their homes.” That’s the only headline that really matters tomorrow….
…although a couple of signings would be nice too!
Spyro
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Comment #8agreed SuperShearer
james gray
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Comment #9milner gone, owen to follow either now or jan, im starting to fear the worst, sure, the lads we have signed are looking good, but without another 5 players (half of our squad havent palyed prem footy) we are doomed.
thanks ashley for fu*k all!
tightest billionaire in the world.
as for the champ manager lads, get a grip – it wont happen – take a dose of reality!
clinta
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Comment #10WE can go in a different direction?? does that suggest we can buy extra quality, instead of just cover for james then? thought we had money to spend on the right players anyway, so what difference should this sale make?
has been a couple of interesting if typical nufc days, but KK’s right he’ll be judges come monday, that is fair.
PDiddy
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Comment #11After seeing the press conference I am positive we will get the players we need. If there is one thing Keegan cant hide it’s disapointment and he defiantely seemed to be upbeat and excited.
THE MIGHT TOON win 3-1 tomorrow!
brutooooon
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Comment #12yupz i m still disapointted with milner’s departure but we can cure it with 3-4 excellent signings…….its better be quick.
playing at emirates, i wouldn’t gave too much optimism because arsenal is in good form and we might just lose 1-0 or 2-1 and the best would be just a draw…
Sloop Jon B
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Comment #13A little hint from KK’s interview that the transfer money may not be spent in this window.
Such is life.
I think our squad had a total of 17 when we first came into the Premiership and we did pretty well then.
Different game now?
Not when I last checked.
Spyro
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Comment #14its not an issue of money clinta, what i think KK is trying to get at is, Milner offered a certain dimension to our RM, now he has gone, we can replace him with a different kind of player to fill his spot in RM. Yes we could have signed the extra winger anway, but would Milner be happy sitting on the bench when teams like Villa want him in their first team? i doubt it.
toon-broon
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Comment #15i think owen will go before the end of the window, and i think our squad is so thin we will be found wanting againg when the chips are down
fostino
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Comment #16finally a new blog, milner gone lets move on fast, preferably before the window closes, as we need some faces in!!
i have full faith in keegan, if he says it was his decision to let him go, then i repect it!!
12 million for milner is good business if we can find a good replacement!!
i cant see us bringing in 4 or 5 players before monday tho, we’ve had all summer to do so, why leave it so late!! i no at the end of the day, it comes down to players decision, so il be glad to see tuesday morning when we can bomb ahead with our squad without all the constant rumours!!
BenjiToon
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Comment #17PDiddy – you’re right. KK isn’t one for hiding emotions or opinions. He does play the media game a lot more canny than some people think – praises players to boost their price for example. But he can’t totally fake what he feels about something.
On Friday he looked unhappy about losing Milner but not that unhappy. He was convincing when he said it was the right decisions and his optimism about signing players did not seem at all false to me.
Lets see what happens.
Sloop Jon B
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:44 AM
Comment #18PDiddy-
Agreed with your observation on KK’s ‘Iron Mask’- I’m sure he’s genuine with what he says otherwise he’d look rather down in the mouth.
james gray
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:46 AM
Comment #19keep the blinkers on lads – and keep deleting my posts admin, anyone with a grasp of realism will see we will be in freefall when owen goes.
shearer's right foot
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Comment #20if keegans confident than im confident
im pleased about this in a way because im a big enrique fan so it looks like he’ll be getting his game more now
i think we’ll see a lot of last minute buisness all over the place(other clubs) due to the lack of activity this transfer window so don’t be too surprised to see a few faces coming in to the toon
personally i want any from skjelbred/inler/burdisso/derdiyok/larsson
tommy
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Comment #21I hope we do get a couple more in, even after hearing what KK has to say, i still have this gut feeling that we wont get anyone in? i’m not to fussed cause from what we have seen so far we do have team spirit and some real quality.
About Barton, i think he is a good player, and hopefully this season KK really gives him a chance to show us the player he can be! I think with KK at the helm, he will knuckle down and work to try and win himself some respect among us as fans and his own teammates and do KK proud for the faith he has in him.
BenjiToon
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Comment #22Fostino – lets not be in too much of a hurry to get to Tuesday! We CAN still sign players to help us out by then. But yes, please lets get back to the thing we all really care about…THE FOOTBALL.
Oh, on Owen’s contract – did anyone notice KK’s comment earlier in the week about the deal having to be right for “both parties”. Reckon there’s been an internal chat and they’ve decided a line that is accpetable t the club.
I am 1000
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Comment #23I’m convinced that KK wil bring in some good players come Monday because KK wouldn’t get of one of our best players so close to the end so i’m confident, unlike KK to let us down.
Sloop Jon B
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Comment #24james gray-
when did NUFC and realism ever get to together?
clinta
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Comment #25On Milner I hope he gets the reaction he deserves when he returns to SJP with Villa.
That is one of appreciation for what he put in and applause from the toon army
booes would not be right in this case.
toon time
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Comment #26i ll show my arse in fenwicks window when we sign MOUTINHO DERDIYOK BURDISSO and (most of all) INLER
Sloop Jon B
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Comment #27this from todays Sun-
NEWCASTLE bad-boy Joey Barton claims Portsmouth will snap him up if the Toon try to get rid of him.
Midfielder Barton is back in the Magpies squad for the first time since being released from jail.
But he is not happy that the club attempted to cut his wages and considered sacking him.
A club insider said: “Joey has told his team-mates Portsmouth will have him if Newcastle don’t want him any more. He is very confident.”
BenjiToon
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Comment #28God, will the rumoursnever stop. The Sun (can’t believe I’m even quoting that rag!) are saying Barton could go to Pompey. Once again the notorious ‘club insider’ said: “Joey has told his team-mates Portsmouth will have him if Newcastle don’t want him any more. He is very confident.”
Doesn’t this kind of nonsense story – surely even Redknapp is not that stupid! – show how mental this window has been? Don’t believe anything over the next couple of days unless its on nufc.co.uk or comes out of KKs mouth.
Sloop Jon B
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Comment #29did Milner have any convictions for assault etc?
he didn’t want to play for the club anymore and that’s fair enough, couldn’t we have chucked Barton in as part of the deal though?
Sloop Jon B
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Comment #30It’s not true until it’s been printed in The Sun!
Spyro
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Comment #31dont believe it guys, it is just a pathetic attempt to get us to boo on him tomorrow, so they can then write about it on sunday.
black magpie
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Comment #3212 mil 4 milner- how much then is martin, arteta, walcott, SWP
anyway i trust kk always have always will
lets concentrate on Arsenal- i think zogs will be given a chance to terrorize aresnal i hope i passes the ball at the right moment- he is still a rough diamond i agree but i feel given has the hammer and chisle
love an attacking mid and striker!! to come in
Sloop Jon B
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Comment #33JESUS!
this also from The Sun…..
FITNESS fanatic Lisa Appleton was reunited with thrilled hubby-to-be, Mario Marconi, after becoming the eleventh housemate to leave the Big Brother house.
In one of the closest evictions in Big Brother history, Loopy Lisa received 52.6 per cent of the public votes in a nail-biting head-to-head against Aussie minx, Sara.
REALLY SORRY.
fostino
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Comment #34re: benjitoon
dont get me wrong mate, im looking forward to the rollarcoaster ride of emotions like you for the next few days, i love the deadline day and seeing what it crops up for all the clubs, its gonna be a fun few days, but it wont be good for the heart!!
i agree, i do hope we get a few new faces in before tuesday…..simply because we badly need them, our squad is too bare.
also i hope keegan realises he hasnt got rid of all the deadwood jusst yet, there’s still a certain few high earning bench warmers like ameobi, smith, geremi (he’s not too bad tho) and even duff (showing glimpses of his old self but is on very high wages i imagine)!!
Gazzatoon
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Comment #35well firstly i have faith in king kevand im sure we will definatly bring in a quality midfielder and maybe a striker and left back
as for beating arsenal, cannot see the im afriad. Can see us getting hit with a dose of reality and going down 3 or 4 – 0. hope im wrong tho! just cant see us scoring with only owen upfront against gallas and toure.
Sloop Jon B
Aug 30, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Comment #36Gooners won’t fancy fancy playing us today- despite what th southern based media put about.
Remember we were going to get tonked at Old Trafford, and have two of the best CB’s in Europe.
Arsenal….. they don’t. Although we did try to sign Senderos apparently. That would’ve helped them if we had.
Is Nasri fit?
fostino
Aug 30, 2008 at 1:05 AM
Comment #37no way are the gunners gonna thump us, i can see us nicking a point!!! not a big fan of 5.30 kick-offs tho, however neither are arsenal going on last weeks performance!!!
Leo
Aug 30, 2008 at 1:05 AM
Comment #38yes dont boo barton when he plays tomorrow it will just give the journo’s ammunition
Spyro
Aug 30, 2008 at 1:10 AM
Comment #39exactly Leo, everyone needs to see this for what it is. The rags are counting on us booing Joey tomorrow as it will give their lazy arses a story for Sunday. This is just their cheap ploy to ensure that happens. It is no coincidence that this “insider” contacted them the same day as our match.
ziad
Aug 30, 2008 at 1:10 AM
Comment #40lets leave transfers to KK after all thats his job!!! Lets hope for the best support the lads ! I think kk is confident then we must have good replacements ! And on milner good bye and good luck…