After having such a great season last season, most people will be a little surprised at the negativity that still seems to exist around the Newcastle club.
Chris Hughton – has built excellent squad so far
That negativity has been caused by the statement from Mike Ashley that no new capital investment will be available for players this summer.
Whether that means no money will be made available we don’t know, and why the Newcastle club hasn’t just come out and clarified that statement – we have no idea.
To have an idea would mean we understand Mike Ashley – and we don’t.
But the Newcastle board have long suffered from their inability to communicate well with the Newcastle fans. If they are willing to make a little money available to Chris Hughton – say as little as £10M – then why on earth will they not come out and say that?
Their inability to clarify that statement, when it would be so easy to do just that, continues to amaze us.
But even if no money at all is made available for incoming transfers, there is always the loan market, where we should be able to get a couple of very good young players on a season-long loan deal – the only question being who will the club bring in on loan.
We’d love to see Tom Cleverley and Jack Wilshere on Tyneside in August.
And then there are some free agents available – the only problem there is the club have said they’d like to bring players in who are 25 and under, and most of the free agents are older than that – although there are some very good players available.
Players like Bayern Munich’s Hamit Altintop, Cardiff City’s Joe Ledley, Manchester City’s Martin Petrov, Lyon’s Kim Kallstrom to name but four who could do a job at Newcastle.
And then there are players like Youssuf Mulumbu of WBA, whose agent has been talking to Newcastle United, and the Tyneside club is said to be very interested.
It will probably take a few million to sign Mulumbu – if we can get him – so why would the club be very interested if no money was available for transfers?
And the squad we already have is much improved from last year with players like Harper, Enrique, Nolan, Guthrie, Carroll and ranger all improved from last summer, and new players like Williamson and Routledge looking like baragin buys made in January.
We only need 4 good players and we should be well positioned to be able to avoid a finish around mid-table – so why all the negativity?
Remember that with Newcastle’s new investment in youth and their world-wide scouting system, big transfer money shouldn’t be needed to strengthen the Newcastle squad each summer.
That’s also helped by the fact that more and more players are playing out their contracts and being available as free agents.
It’s natural for fans to be concerned that no money may be available this summer for incoming transfers, but things are not half as bad as you would think.
We don’t want to come over as Pollyannas, but the sky is hardly falling in at Newcastle – in fact it looks pretty clear to us – with the club having an actual direction or strategy going forward – for the first time in many years.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
43 comments so far
listie
May 25, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Comment #1The thing is we don’t know if we do or don’t have any cash to splash! No one is 100% sure what the statement capital investments means to spending or not spending, this is what is causing the glum faces.
I dont see how we found cash in the last window that we can’t find any now espicially as promotions to the EPL is now estimated to be worth £90 m. I think Newcastle are playing their cards very close to their chest and we might be pleasently surprised come the start of the season, 🙂 stranger things have happened!!
Ericles
May 25, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Comment #2Ashley wants to appear as an astute business man. Trouble is he is not the sharpest tool in the box. In spite of his posturing about making NUFC into a sure economic prospect he still retains his off the peg mentality. The only reason he is a Premiership club owner is because of the magnificent efforts of others – CH, his staff, the players, and fans and supporters. I will not for one make excuses for him – the sooner he leaves our club the better.
Colombus
May 25, 2010 at 4:07 PM
Comment #3It’s going to be a very interesting summer of transfer-speculation. Let’s hope though that Chris Houghton has the abillity to build an offensive system that can make goals in the prem. We dont just need a couple of new offensive players with flair, we are gonna need a system that suits them as well. Will CH do a good enough job in the offense???
JSYproject
May 25, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Comment #4maybe because that would mean tellin all our competitors and probably all the clubs we may be lookin to purchase from how much we have to spend.. Which may lead to us bein held to ransome for players we could have got on the cheap? Just a thought…
Howay The Lads
May 25, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Comment #5Something that appears to be going on is people complaining we haven’t signed anyone!!
Jesus, give it a little time first , eh. For all we know Hughton has quite a bit to spend (doubtful). But the fact is we’ll just have to wait and see. And by the time we find out how much he has to spend we shouldn’t be thinking about being angry – just about helping the team in any way we can. Not complaining about how bad they are and how they’ll get us relegated
geordielad880
May 25, 2010 at 4:39 PM
Comment #6What did everyone think of the england display last night? what your team be for the first game at the world cup? i think far too many players are still get selected on reputation and not form, carrick and ferdinand both shouldnt be in the side imo.
I would go for this team in the next friendly, and see how it goes:
———————–Green
G.Johnson—–Terry——–upson——A.Cole
————————parker
———–Gerrard—————-Lampard
Lennon————————————–A.johnson
———————–Rooney
jarnytoon
May 25, 2010 at 4:50 PM
Comment #7i agree with you ed, kallstrom, ledley, altintop and petrov….who cares if they’re just over the 26 year old policy (some more than others i will admit). But they are all class and can score or create goals from anywhere!
our midfield is hard as nails with smith, nolan and barton. but we need a flair player!
emre was at points but we all know he could never stamp his mark in the midfield! never got a good run!
n as for loans i reckon onouha, ireland, cleverly and maybe a cheek bid for robbie keane would be class!!
up the toon!!!
SeanDougy
May 25, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Comment #8I read this blog near enough every day and I recognise that it’s pretty up to date on everything and has some decent opinions but I cannot believe that as a promoted team with the same squad that got us relegated and no money to strengthen, that anyone is confident about next season. The article above talks about players on loan and out of contract, okay, there are some good players out of contract but I’m guessing we aren’t the only club to have noticed that, those 4 that are listed there are good players and you have to wonder now – what can we offer that other Premiership teams can’t offer? We’ll probably be outpriced in terms of wages and we’re a newly promoted team, not great incentives for top class players to come here and I know what you’re thinking, there’s the atmosphere and St James’ Park but that’s not enough to persuade someone to sign I’m afraid. As for the loan signings, I recognise that Cleverley and Wilshire are good players but I am massively underwhelmed by this notion, I recognise they both done a good job on loan last season at their respective clubs but it’s a testament to how monumentally far we’ve fallen when we have to take other Premiership teams’ reserves to strengthen our first team, I cannot for the life of me understand why people are impressed that we’re after players on loans and that every player we seem to bring in permanently is a kid – they will not save us next season.
The team had a great season last year flying back up to the Premiership but was I the only one who thought that we didn’t play very well most of the time and that it was more that the opposition were rubbish than we were good? I just feel that when we get back to the Premiership, we’re going to get found out again. Seriously, how many players from our first team are good enough? Enrique, Gutierrez (who still can’t deliver any end product), Guthrie and perhaps Harper, Taylor and Coloccini, that’s it. Carroll has done well because he’s been up against bums, he’s got no first touch unless someone pings it at his face, his control with his feet really is abysmal. As much as I like Nolan, he doesn’t seem to be the box-to-box player he was at Bolton anymore.
I’m not trying to sound negative, honestly I’m not but I think that if anyone thinks that we aren’t in a precarious state going into this season, they need to take off the rose tinted glasses as soon as possible.
JSYproject
May 25, 2010 at 5:27 PM
Comment #9The team had a great season last year flying back up to the Premiership but was I the only one who thought that we didn’t play very well most of the time and that it was more that the opposition were rubbish than we were good?
that certainly did seem the case in alot of games to me but im being positive and i’ve adopted the ‘wait and see’ attitude with all of these ifs and maybes.
I do feel alot of players came on massively last season and the confidence rolling over from all the wins etc wont hurt, i also feel with black pool scrapin through that we have safety cushion in that aswell. So i dont think its gonna be straight back down for us although alot of the people on here claimin top 8 finishes are just deluded.
jaynufc89
May 25, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Comment #10Newcastle have got money mark my words. I also know some done deals. Our team next season will be
harper
Simpson ouahno taylor enrique
mcgeedy ireland nolan gutierrez
boyd carroll
Ouahno £2million
Mcgeedy £4million ( I was shocked but its true )
Ireland Season Loan
Wiltshire season loan
Boyd Free
ebondo free
Vela season loan
Charlie austen £1million but willl be loaned back
Mulumbu £1.5million done deal.
out-
Ranger loan
forster loan
lua lua loan
tozer 1million
xisco 1.5million
best 1.5million
young italian youngster 2million
Ibmen loan
austen loan.
R.Taylor 2million ( maybe not certain
Watch this and wait and see. we will do well next year We will spend around 9 million with 8 million coming in thru transfers.. Steven Taylor will be made captain. my friend works at Shearers bar and has said these are 100% true
JSYproject
May 25, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Comment #11my friend works at Shearers bar and has said these are 100% true…
yeaaaaa im sure they have all the transfer targets and done deals printed on the back of the bar staffs pay slips :S
Howay The Lads
May 25, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Comment #12Jay, I really think it’s time for LuaLua to move on. At Brighton he’s looked like an average player, here he’s looked like a player with potential, but is he really better than what we could get.
I think he should be sold to increase funds for:
Ledley – Free
Onuoha – £3 mil
Senderos – Free
Skjelbred – £1.5 mil
Whittingham – Free
Liam Lawrence – Free
Richardson – £2 mil
Santa Cruz – Loan?
Out:
LuaLua – £0.5 mil
Xisco – £2 mil
Krul – Loan
Forster – Loan
Inman – Loan
Ranger – Loan
Hardly much for Ashley to fork out, like, £4 million, is it?
After that I hope we could begin to build with players like Austin, Cullen, Maynard and others coming in. And by add a bit more class along the lines of Petrov, Kallstrom etc if we could get them.
wilko
May 25, 2010 at 6:42 PM
Comment #13imo there is a system which will give ch what he wants and what works for the club, if all parties are agreed then business can be done, in other words , there are funds if used correctly , this is a good way of doing business
wilko
May 25, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Comment #14this is also a good way of keeping business in house and not public consumption for those press rats to get hold of , it’s never been any of their business, i would like some respect from them , but that may be a bit idealogical
geordielad880
May 25, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Comment #15I think it might be a good idea to try and sign maynard, and maybe send ranger on a season long loan in return, good deal for both sides, they gets some decent money, and a replacement.
geordielad880
May 25, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Comment #16In my opinion from our squad the only players who are really good enough for the premiership are:- guiterrez, enrique, collocini, s.taylor. harper, barton, nolan, the rest have question marks, but the team has earned the right at a crack at it, they deserve the chance, if things arent working out, we can strengthen further in jan, I would just sign a striker, a winger and a full back this summer, maybe maynard, stephen hunt, and luke young
flair20
May 25, 2010 at 7:19 PM
Comment #17Good post – well written and well finished. We are in the early stages of Ashley’s good, sensible plan that is already starting to work. Negativity is unjustified and harmful. As for the infamous club statement, let’s wait until September before we cast judgement.
Some crazy suggestions as ever though on the transfer front! Players like Altintop and Kallstrom will NOT be joining us, nor will Stephen Ireland join us on loan. Not sure how wise it would be to loan out both Forster and Krul as well – who would be our sub keeper? Soderberg?!
Ebondo would be a good free, Wheater would be a good signing if the price was right. Whoever Hughton is after, I have faith in him to make the right decisions, just like he did in January. People might talk about him not being experienced in the Premiership but he wasn’t exactly experienced in the Championship before he won it!
Here’s to a patient and positive summer. Howay the lads!
Howay The Lads
May 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Comment #18Nah, get in a back-up keeper and have a clause so we can recall them. It would mean we would only play one game at the most with the back up player.
DanNUFC
May 25, 2010 at 7:35 PM
Comment #19jaynufc89…
how does your friend know this from working in Shearer’s bar and is he sure?
i would be happy with those transfers
MacToon
May 25, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Comment #20Agree with Ericles , post 2 100%
also agree with SeanDougy, we didn’t play well for most of last season.
I will never forget the way this owner has tret the fans and employee’s of this fine club, how he lied to one and all, tried to change the name of the stadium and now we have black cats on our bleedin strips….
negative, not really, just realistic. Living in Newcastle and having lived and breathed NUFC for decades this simpleton owner we have has made me as uninterested as I have ever been about my club. I will celebrate the day he leaves.
I’ve not seen many people here moaning that we haven’t signed anyone yet and I’d imagine there’s many like me who will not be holding their breath………..
Solaidback
May 25, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Comment #21I’ve 2 points to make, firstly SeanDougy, the team that won the fizzy wasnt the same team that got relegated, are you forgettiong the 11 first teams players we sold, loaned or got rid of before tha season started??? Yes we still had a lot of players who were from our PL season but only the one’s who wanted to stay & fight & thats why we won the Fizzy so easily!!!
Secondly – The transfer window only officially opened TODAY, so that maybe why we’ve not done any deals & also the fact that NO PRESS COMMENTS will be made by the board regarding Newcastle affairs, so give it a chance before we start to bring some in yeah, I mean if you believe what the crap-loids are saying, CH stated that it won’t be until the end of July before we start to see movement on the player front… thats about 8 weeks away lads…
So sit back, get a few bevies down your hole & watch all the players we’re not going to buy play footy atthe world cup, then we can start to moan about what money we have or don’t have yeah 🙂
HWTL
MacToon
May 25, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Comment #22lol Solaidback, don’t worry our m8 in Shearer’s bar has a hotline to our recruitment office…. ofc lmao
jaynufc89
May 25, 2010 at 8:30 PM
Comment #23I know these are true because he takes food and drinks up to hughton and he has heard him speaking about these players and also seen Ireland and Boyd at SJP. Its already been said that Newcastle have spoken to Mulumbus agent and the deal is all but done just needs to be finalised Hughton has been doing alot of work and started his transfer plans 2 weeks before the end of the season as he said he was going to in a press conference. Richardson won’t be coming to Newcastle. one reason being is he is a sunderland player and another hes happy at sunderland. Hughton rates Gutierrez highly and thats where Richardson would play so it wont happen. Steven Taylor will be made captain in a bid to keep his focus away from the so called clubs after him he’ll also pen a new deal in the coming months. Good times lie ahead for Newcastle you dont have to believe me but when it happens you’ll see for yourself. Irelands loan could become pernament in Jan for around £5million. and Lua Luas loan could also be made pernament if he impresses. Also David Wheater has been seen in Newcastle today and yesterday was also seen with Mike Ashley 3 days ago me or my friend don’t know weather hes moving to us or not but you would have to suspect its a move!.
geordielad880
May 25, 2010 at 8:42 PM
Comment #24lol s.ireland,wheater, mc geady, i think your friend works in a glue shop, our wage bill is high now, no way would we sign any of them players, will only sign young players from the europe with potential to improve ie bassong, or players from championship, scotland, scandanavia etc
flair20
May 25, 2010 at 9:06 PM
Comment #25Ireland – ridiculous
Wheater – not gonna happen this week as Hughton is on holiday
Boyd – I doubt it, he has a suspect character and various people at the club have been saying we only want players with the right character
Taylor for captain – think I’m gonna have to second geordielad880’s suggestion that your mate must be working in a glue shop!
jaynufc89
May 25, 2010 at 9:30 PM
Comment #26Flair20. Think what you wish. But when these happen I personally want an appology from you. Wheater met with Mike Ashley 3 days ago and my friend isn’t my only source on that one. its on all the rumour websites even Boro fans are saying Wheater is leaving and admit it willl most likey be Newcastle. Ireland – city will pay part of his wages and Ireland will take a pay cut if he signs pernamently. mcgeedy his wages arnt that high at celtic at the moment and we can afford them. As for Taylor. Hughton expects big things from him next season and with Butt now gone we need to asign a new captain. Taylor has captained the under 21 england team and has been reconmended by Pearce. plus its another factor to keep taylor at the club. Hughton wants a goalscorer and boyd is that. Birmingham are signing Zigic which gives every indication they have missed out on boyd. Sunderland have turned to an Eygptian full back which tells you they’ve missed out on Onuaha . I can back every single one up . As for Boyds character.. thats bullshit he was one of the best behaved players at Rangers.. I’ve seen things on here linking us with Mcgregor.. wasn’t he banned from the scotland team?… ! My point exactly…. the players I’ve stated are not on big wages . Irelands is maybe a little but not that much and every player wants first team football. Hughton on holiday?.. that was ” rumoured ” yesterday. How do you actually know hes on holiday for sure.. Also he has an assistant manager and the club has a chairman and Owner and other staff at the club who could be working on Hughtons behalf. or he could use a phone and speak to agents himself whilst on holiday.. Did you lot not think of things like this..?. I know my stuff and so does my friend he told me we was signing Owen from Madrid and I didn’t believe him yet we did.. he told me about every signing in Jan. before it was announced on the official website.. also told me about the ebondo deal which would of happend had they not of raised their price. Watch and see. it will happen.
geordielad880
May 25, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Comment #27it aint going to happen, i wouldnt want boyd anyways, very similar to the strikers we already have, we need someone with pace and movement. Man city are looking to sell ireland, not loan him out, and he could go anywhere, villa, everton, why would he sign for newcastle? and if mcgeady comes to the EPL it would be to birmingham i would imagine. I would put money on not one of the mentioned players signing for the toon
G
May 25, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Comment #28Don’t want boyd or mcgeady to be honest, both players look average playing in a poor league. Besides, mcgeady would want massive wages which his displays don’t warrant imo. I love your list jaynufc1989, but read your first post back again and you have to admit, the wording is a little bit ‘dubious’ at best. Frankly, you have named some good players, but the rest of your story is a little ludicrous sounding. For what it’s worth though, I hope your mate isn’t telling porkies.
Captain Beefheart
May 25, 2010 at 9:43 PM
Comment #29Silly season is in full swing on the NUFCBLOG I see. Great stuff. Hughton on holiday as well, where? In the middle of the Sahara out of touch with civilisation? Come on, Gents, life goes on and I’m sure the business of running the club goes on with it. The electric telegraph is a wonderful invention.
If negativity were gold dust, Tyneside would be the Yukon delta. We seem addicted to complaining. And what would this blog read like if Blackpool had dumped us out in the play-offs? I shudder to think.
geordielad880
May 25, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Comment #30hughton is a very shrewd manager, we wont find out anything, unless the selling club go to the press, until any deal is done, and im happy about that, its how transfers should be carried out, and there is no way s.taylor will be captain, a.smith or k.nolan will be captain
geordielad880
May 25, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Comment #31hughton been on holiday is of no relevance really, as charney and llambias conduct all transfer and contract negotiations,
jaynufc89
May 25, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Comment #32Exactly. The chairman does the transfers. and these will happen. Celtic are in debt and need money Mcgeedy just wants to play in the premier league and Birmingham are going after other targets after failing to land mcgeedy in the last 2 transfer markets. Birmingham have agreed a fee with Valencia for Zigic. Also Leon best won’t be at the club next season he’ll be at Scunthorpe is a deal involveing Gary Hooper. It doesn’t matter who you want.. your not the manager.. Boyd will give us goals so will carroll and Lovenkrands.. Hooper has pace and is an exciteing player. Smith will be a squad player next season and Nolan will have to fight for his place as at times last season he looked a bit out of puff. Mulumbu that deal is already done. Onuaha will come to Newcastle.. and As for city loooking to sell.. ?. its not like they need the money.. Ireland just wants to play football .. at Liverpool or Utd he’d be a squad player.. at villa he’d have to fight for his place.. at Newcastle he’ll be in the first team every week thats why hes coming to us. and its a brilliant bit of buissness by Hughton. the Mcgeedy deal wont happen untill Late July we are already winning the race to sign Ebondo. and Onuaha is already in talks with Newcastles ( CHAIRMAN ) ” LLAMBIAS ” as we need a full back to replace Simpson. Ryan Taylor is going to either stoke or blackburn. Steven Taylor will be made captain because Hughton is looking for a long term leader and not somebody for 2 or 3 years . Nolan is in his late 20s and may even be sold this summer if we can get the right deal with Ireland and Mulumbu taking up the midfield voids. and Geordielad. I’ve tried to play along with your rather stupid thing that Hughton is on holiday but am going to break it to you now. Hughton is infact in France getting ready for a french tournament which starts in a few days time also scout Graham carr is their aswell its called the Toulon tournament . my friend has never been wrong in the past.
baro
May 25, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Comment #33jaynufc89
That would be the best thing ever if those are done deals. But, please tell me how the hell do you know this? And how the hell u know this is true, confirmed?
Brisvegas
May 26, 2010 at 1:25 AM
Comment #34jaynufc89 – sounds like Billy Bunter and his lass aal ower again.
jaynufc89
May 26, 2010 at 2:23 AM
Comment #35I have my sources and over the past 5 years they have yet to let me down. Another one of my sources also tells me Wayne Rooney will move to Real Madrid once Jose Mouriniho becomes manager the fee will be around £68million
Geordie_Pants
May 26, 2010 at 3:43 AM
Comment #36NEW
NEWCASTLE
KIT
PHOTOS
http://www.footballshirtculture.com/10/11-kits/newcastle-united-2010-2011-puma-shirts-leaked.html
Toon Sweden77
May 26, 2010 at 9:17 AM
Comment #37As much I would love to see my Swedish compatriot Kim Källström at Newcastle I can inform you that hes signed a new contract at Lyon until 2012
Trent Toon
May 26, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Comment #38Come on ed,
On the statement it says no investment, so what else can it mean???
I think this is a smart option by the board to make up the losses from last year perhaps free up the 20 million pound overdraft that is fully commited and stop paying ridiculous interest!!
As it has been well quoted that newcastles books are not like normal books (probably still paying off shearer)… So probably for the first time in a decade a finacially ‘right’ desicision has been made at the club… By that im mean it may not be ideal but it is important for the club…
Hughton is working day and night to sign some awesome players on free transfers. He is probably working a lot harder than most managers in the window to secure free transfers (saving the club probably 10-15 mill).
We may not like it, but we dont like seeing our club in finacial trouble either!!!
SO STOP WHINGING ABOUT HOW THERE IS NO MONEY AND THEY (MIKE) CANT COMMUNICATE WITH FANS, WHEN IT BLOODY OBVIOUS THAT THERE ISN’T ANY.
Craigg
May 26, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Comment #39Trent Toon
Football clubs reveal there yearly figures before player trading.
In the time frame Ashley stated our losses we have sold:
Emre: £5m
Rozenhal: £3m
Faye: £2m
Milner: £12m
Given: £6m
N’Zogbia: £6m
Bassong: £9m
Martins: £9m
Beye: £4m
Duff: £4m
Edgar: Tribunal
Geremi: Undisclosed
Total £6o.5m
Think how much in wages the club has saved off the above and Owen, Viduka, Cacapa, Carr, Ramage and a host of young kids.
We have apparantly if the figures were correct when applied to Blackpool brought in £90m through the promotion and Premier league TV cash and we also have a renewed sponsorship deal with Northern Rock and a new kit supplier contract with Puma which the club were talking about £15m combined.
We havent spent anywhere near the same ammount on players and wages, The income last season wasnt hurt anywhere near as much as most speculated with attendances and merchandise selling better than 95% of the premier league and we were televised more last season than in the last 5 years.
The only other debt is Ashleys loan which he has already said he doesnt want repaying any time soon.
I cannot see how there is no money for the manager.
JSYproject
May 26, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Comment #40the tickets were a fraction of the cost of premier league games. Its funny how many of newcastles accountants post on this site.