While Newcastle fans are being held in limbo as the financial guys at the club see how they can accommodate Alan Shearer, let’s take a little look forward.
Alan Shearer – new manager, voice and image of Newcastle United?
It will certainly be better than looking back – which has been so depressing for most of us this week, and the only respite we’ve had on this blog is by bashing Michael Owen every day.
During the Shearer meetings this week some progress will have been made because Alan will have indicated which players will leave, how he wants to structure the club, and he will surely have provided a list of players he wants – so hopefully some progress is already being made – on the implicit assumption that Alan will be appointed within days.
The other progress is that Mike will now know what Alan’s vision of the club is – and we’d be surprised if Ashley didn’t like what he heard – but Mike’s problems is how to financially stabilize the club, while at the same time giving Alan what he wants and needs.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, Mike is nobody’s fool financially – and he knows if Alan walks – his time as Newcastle owner will is essentially be over – but the club will be lurching around again, and relegation next year could even enter the annals of possibility.
So that will not happen.
Here are some of the things we would expect to happen once the annoucnemnt is made:
- We would like (and expect) to see a press conference for the fans and press, to lay out the new policies at the club. We’d like to see Alan and Derek run that conference, with even Mike Ashley sitting in – the new management team must show solidarity in this new huge challenge facing our club.
- With Alan in charge we would expect to hear good things about Mike, and how they have worked well together this week – only because that seems to be what is happening – and Shearer’s methods are that he wants everybody to row in the same direction for the club – nothing wrong with that.
- We’d also expect to know what Alan’s new back-room team will be, and if we are believe the reports, then it will be Iain Dowie, John Carver, Paul Ferris and former player Rob Lee. Even though we are in the Championship these coaches will be well compensated and probably on a huge bonus for getting the club promoted this coming season.
- There will be a list coming out with all those players made available for transfer, although Newcastle may just issue a statement saying all players are now available. They MUST reduce the wage bill by around £35M before next season.
Here’s who we think will be on any specific list:
Owen, Viduka, Smith, Barton, Cacapa, Edgar, Nolan, Xisco, Martins, Coloccini, Gutierrez, and Geremi – and maybe even more. - We would expect Shearer and his team to go into immediate action, where the last 8 weeks will appear like a vacation compared to the next 4 weeks. They will be wheeling and dealing in the transfer market, and we have to hope Shearer has a big attraction to players.
- Alan will want to set the tone for next season, by talking to players who will be important to the club for next season – players like Steven Taylor, Damien Duff, Habib Beye and what is expected of them – and of course our great youngsters like Andy Carroll, Nile Ranger, Haris Vuckic, Tim Krul and Fraser Forster, Tamas Kadar as only a few examples.
- We also have a sneaking suspicion that Shearer would love to announce that Seb Bassong has agreed to stay at the club. That’s why he is meeting today with his agents, and presumably will put the new deal to them that we expect has already been worked out with Derek and Mike.
If Alan can do that – it would be a huge coup for Alan and the club – rise Sir Sebastien Bassong. 😀
If not we’ll just have to take the £15M. - We need to arrange our pre-season scheilde buit that will be only with local teams, we would assume.
So there’s no doubt that once Alan is announced, the new management team will launch into warp speed, with all the work that needs to be completed before the new pre-season starts on July 1st – a very short 32 days off.
35 comments so far
gibbotwg
May 29, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Comment #1Enrique wants to sty according to setanta 🙂
ELFER
May 29, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Comment #2I repeat myself: We need a CB who has great experience to guide the young Taylor and Bassong. In my eyes this would be a perfect task for the free agent:
Sol Campbell! Get him now, before some one else comes in!
Oleg G
May 29, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Comment #3Have to ask – why Gutierrez, Martins and Nolan are on that list?
Because of the money? or because they are not good? Gutierrez and Martins said they dont want to stay?
Everybody else i agree. although depend on how much money we will have, maybe keeping Xisco.
We didn’t see nothing from him at all. becouse he wasn’t playing, and maybe he is not PL material. at least we can keep him for this season?! No ?!
Oleg G
May 29, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Comment #4Elfer, I agree !!!
if he is a free, then why not?!!!
Good Idea.
Big Dave
May 29, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Comment #5I just hope it is going to happen and happen real soon. as it has went real quiet over the last couple of days and i suppose it could be just the legal matters etc to be put in black and white.
Johno Toon
May 29, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Comment #6is campbell on a free?
Big Dave
May 29, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Comment #7Oleg G are you just asking if Gutierrez wants to go or has he said anything ? as i havent heard anything about him
tilley
May 29, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Comment #8I was thinking of Sol as well, with the players stepping forward and saying that would like to stay, the prospect of next year in the Championships doesn’t seem so daunting.
Some say its a blessing in disguise, I can kind of a agree as we can now of load the dead wood at the club
owen, martins, viduka, barton, colocini, ameobi
I would like to think Nolan would stay and Ryan Taylor but who knows. Smith I’m unsure of he could potentially be a good championship player but weather his ego thinks that or not
tilley
May 29, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Comment #9Johno Toon, Campbell is out of contract
Stuart79
May 29, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Comment #10Apparently the talks have all finished now and the club expect to make a decision this afternoon.
Don’t hold ya breath on good news- that doesn’t happen here!
hitman
May 29, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Comment #11jonas says he will make a decision after the argentina qualifiers
reetpetite
May 29, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Comment #12haha. Your a first division team yet you still think you can attract players like sol and keep bassong. A few of you are about to be brought down to earth and realise you arent anywhere as big as you like to think.
tilley
May 29, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Comment #13It has to be good news MA has learned to listen to the people, people want hope, people want change
MA: I am please to announce barrack obama will be the next manager of Newcastle
Journo: When you were doing your usual TV research trying to listen to the fans and all that, it was Sky Sports News and not Sky News, that you were watching?
Stuart79
May 29, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Comment #14I’m getting the impression that Shearer said I need this and Ashley has said we can only do this.
So it’s up to Shearer and he will say thanks but no thanks!
reetpetite
May 29, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Comment #15if jonas stays(along with all your internationals) he can kiss his place in the argentina world cup squad goodbye. wont happen.
Johno Toon
May 29, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Comment #16Cant see jonas staying myself , no way he would get into the argentina squad let alone the team if he stays with us
Stuart79
May 29, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Comment #17Still in negogiations to try and persuade Shearer to take the job.
That means they are not prepared to spend anymore money and Shearer isn’t buying it!
If Shearer doesn’t take the job I’m sending my season ticket back as it will mean the club are only selling and not replacing the players. We’ll be fcked!
stevep
May 29, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Comment #18jonas has been really poor for me, bit like smith but with a bit more skill – ultimately looks great but no end product. Not bothered if he goes
reetpetite
May 29, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Comment #19stuart79- how much are next seasons season tickets out of interest.
Stuart79
May 29, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Comment #20Reet
Dunno paid for the next three years up front last June.
reetpetite
May 29, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Comment #21stuart79- woops.
Stuart79
May 29, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Comment #22My feelings exactly
geordie deb
May 29, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Comment #23Stuart 79
From virtually every post I’ve ever read from you, you appear to be a ‘glass half empty’ kinda guy. Please have a look at your posts and try to post something positive for a change. I know you will say there is nothing to be positive about yada yada, but come on you seem to be perpetually negative about everything
Whumpie
May 29, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Comment #24Stuart!! Take a chill pill and stop panicking. No evidence for what you’re saying, so stop upping the stress, please.
Benny!! Go play with your drado collection!!
Anyone expecting to keep the likes of Jonas: which part of “saving £35m in wages” aren’t you getting???
Whumpie
May 29, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Comment #25Actually, Stuart – I think you’ll enjoy next season a lot more than the last. Not saying much, I know – but I really think it’ll be fantastic watching (hopefully) these young lads being given their dream chance and taking it.
As for me, I can afford to attend a few matches for a change.
Toon_Ksk (Huh? u mean David Craig is real?)
May 29, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Comment #26I think Smith should stay, but only with a cut in wages. We should also be keeping Barton, Nolan, Edgar if we want to have a decent chance of getting back up at the first attempt.
As for Gutierrez, as much as I like his work rate and dribbling skills, his end product is worse than Milner. He is a luxury the club can’t afford, and that goes for Colo as well.
Little Willie
May 29, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Comment #27I repeat myself: We need a CB who has great experience to guide the young Taylor and Bassong. In my eyes this would be a perfect task for the free agent:
Sol Campbell! Get him now, before some one else comes in!
——–
Taylor and Bassong should’t need guiding in the Championship tbf.
Little Willie
May 29, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Comment #28Actually, Stuart – I think you’ll enjoy next season a lot more than the last. Not saying much, I know – but I really think it’ll be fantastic watching (hopefully) these young lads being given their dream chance and taking it.
As for me, I can afford to attend a few matches for a change.
—–
Expect the crowds to drop off at the beginning but if we do well in the Championship then the majority will come back, similar to what happened at Sunderland when they were down there.
ELFER
May 29, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Comment #29little willie: I disagree…they desperately need someone to guide them!! A calibre of sol campbell on a free transfer would be fantastic in case of experience! Get him!
Macas35
May 29, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Comment #30We don’t need Campbell in the Championship, and he wouldn’t be able to deal with the pacier players. If we lose Bassong I’d play Beye and Taylor in the middle and bring in some fast attacking full backs.
Oleg G
May 29, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Comment #31What I asked about Guttierez was, did he say that he want to leave, or you are guessing he wants to leave, or we will have to sell him because of the money issue ?!
I understood from someone here that he will not be able to keep his place in the Argentina squad if he stays with us. hmm… dont think that is 100% connected.
Hope At least 2 of the 3 will stay – martins, guttierez, B-song.
Oleg G
May 29, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Comment #32Elfer –
dont forget, also a free agent is – saving money.
something that our team have to think about.
AndyT
May 29, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Comment #33Gutierrez and Oba will definitely be gone this summer. Both want spots on national teams for the World Cup and wouldn’t even get a look if they were in the Championship. We won’t be able to afford their wages either!
xfer
May 30, 2009 at 4:41 AM
Comment #34Edgar? Why would we want him gone? Hes a much decent player than Colo (though most of our defenders are).
Tom_Toon
May 30, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Comment #35#############