We reported yesterday that Andy Carroll wanted to leave and told Alan Pardew that, and that was it – he left for £35M.
Jose Enrique – when he was at Newcastle for four seasons
But Alan Pardew has also said the departure of Jose Enrique was different from that of Andy, and he seems more disappointed about it.
It seems that Jose had difficulty with what Alan calls the previous regime – but first of all – this is what the manager said about Jose’s departure from Newcastle last August:
“When a player looks you in the eye and says he wants to go like Andy did, and the fee was what it was, there is no going back,”
“José was different. I had many conversations with him and we couldn’t even get down to finance. The scars of the previous regime were deep and he definitely wanted to go.”
Jonás Gutiérrez and Fabricio Coloccini, Enríque’s closest friends in the dressing room, have signed since and perhaps they weren’t secure at the time.”
“Maybe José felt it was all falling apart but sometimes there is a bigger picture. Sometimes players can’t see that. José couldn’t see it.”
We haven’t missed Andy Carroll much, or Kevin Nolan or Joey Barton for that matter, but we have missed Jose at left back.
If Jose was in the Newcastle side now, we’d be a better team because of it, although Davide Santon should come through just fine, once he gets more games under his belt, and certainly Davide is a better player than Jose at the same age.
What Jose couldn’t get over was how Mike Ashley and Newcastle had acted at times over the previous two years, and once they sold Andy Carroll, when it looked like he was the talisman of our side, it seemed like Mike Ashley would continue to do that, sell his best players.
It looked like money was more important than building a good team, and some fans may still think that way, but the transfer window last summer changed a lot of that thinking.
The players we brought in have been good, some like Cabaye and Demba Ba very good, and it could be that this summer is even better, in terms of Newcastle getting some good players through the door.
The Brazilian center-back Douglas, a 6’4″ no nonsense center-back on a free transfer, may be just one of this summer’s top acquisitions.
But we don’t expect Newcastle to spend big money this summer, as long as they can pick up bargains they have managed to do, over the last two years or so.
But it was too late to convince Jose Enrique of that and he left, although we mentioned yesterday that if he had stayed through Christmas, things may have been different.
But you also cannot keep a player who wants to leave, as hard as Alan seems to have tried to convince Jose to stay on Tyneside.
But Jose’s gone, and we still expect Newcastle to bring in a left footed left back in the summer, as another way of improving our defense next season.
And we could well see Davide Santon at right back next season too.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
19 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:19 AM
Comment #1not having any change for the metro and then getting a 20 pound fine is too good for Ashley.
gaz 44
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:23 AM
Comment #290 minutes of laughter and booing is too good for a player that left for a bigger club yet finds themselves 8 points behind their previous club
Lee Dodd
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:24 AM
Comment #3We have to Move on We are Doing Far Far Better Than last Season . The Squad is Farr stronger and we are financialy better of. We have 2 good strikers with shola as back up . Midfield is good good goal keeper – just a few new faces in defence then its champions league time. Andy Judas Carroll Got to big for his size 12’s and Jose just wanted out we could all see it on the pitch . Lets Show them this weekend we don’t need them now…… we are a Premier league side they were Championship players then.. Goodbye and Good Luck !!!! Thanks for the £41 Million Kenny Ya Divy old Git !!!!!
Jail for Ashley
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Comment #4It wasn’t last summers window but the signing of Cisse,then Collo and Krul putting pen to paper that has made me think that Mashley might have some ambition for success.
HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris)
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:31 AM
Comment #5we need to not throw this in their faces. they moved on and it isn’t working out. concentrate on us winning rather than them losing if you know what i mean
ogm
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Comment #6@1 FFS grow up
@2 Couldn’t have said it better myself
@3Totally agree
Haway the Lads
Pecorino ( will let you figure it out)
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:37 AM
Comment #7Time to open up a can of whip-ass on Sunday.
Enrique I think at that stage could not be blamed in all honesty there where fans running around like it was end of the world…..
But it worked out better for us thank God…. But he does look awful in that Bindipper shirt….yuck…
HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris)
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Comment #8jfa im glad your mind is changing but also glad you still do the “…….is too good for ashley” stuff. its funny
Beattie25
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Comment #9With regards to Santon I dont think he was ever Enriques replacement. I think we felt we could convince Enrique and went to sign Santon to play RB. Enrique left, Santon came in and had to play LB but ultimately I think he will be a RB!
If you look at his control, pace, power, athleticism and all his other attributes he is going to be world class but too often he finds himself under immense pressure and unable to clear with his left foot.
Stick him on the right next year and we shall see so much more from Santon and I would go as far as to say he could be the est RB in the league.
As for Enrique he has been solid at Liverfool but not amazing and I don’t think if he was in our team any of the results this year would be different and that he would have added a different dimension.
WWJBD
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:40 AM
Comment #10JfA
I support ur right to add jokes to this blog so don’t grow up 😉
On topic El Toro left but he is still a great player another one I hold nothing against would have him back in a heartbeat
Oleg G
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:46 AM
Comment #11I think we should respect Jose for the time he was here and went down with the team that horrible season.
Before the game fans should respect, and during the game they should boo all the Liverpool, and Jose should get the same thing.
We are better now, so him going didn’t hurt us, so don’t think about it too much. We should be actually happy, because who knows how we would be if Jose would still be here.
So good luck to us and forget about these players (Andy should get a “good” reception thou)
HOVIS (the poster formerly known as cheick norris)
Mar 31, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Comment #12beattie im being swayed by santon being on the right cos we only seem to get linked with leftys. unique is one of their best players and i could only imagine him left santon right. would be great
jamesnufc86
Mar 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Comment #13Lol jail ur jokes are a highlight , Jose devestated me when he left and it makes me sick seeing him in red , but it was his choice completely , I have my tickets on Sunday and I don’t think he will get a nice reception -because he’s doing well makes people more sickened – Andy Carroll is an easier situation to accept, because well he’s shite
ArtyH
Mar 31, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Comment #14Just hope we win on Sunday, not bothered how just need the win. Would love to see Ba, HBA and Cisse score and Krul keep a clean sheet, that would be perfect!
Cool Hand Luke
Mar 31, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Comment #15Half of the toon supporters had similar gripes with the previous regime, i think he has copped a fair bit of unjust stick. I say just boo the whole liverpool team 🙂
JP...from The Rock
Mar 31, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Comment #16Jose Enrique is a good LB. Strong, quick and an eye for a pass. He also likes to perform an odd trick here or there like he 360 degree turn on the ball, but he ain’t all that. We’ve missed him-yes, can we get better in his place- yes. Santon is a better player and younger. Though more talented he is still clearly learning his game and I feel he is more at home at RB.
In the summer we should go for a LB, CB, one or two Wingers and Strikers and we’re sorted for at least another season.
I can’t wait for tomorrows match and if we win that one and one or two more Europe is ours again for sure!! 😀
HWTL
thebionicMAG
Mar 31, 2012 at 11:36 AM
Comment #17At Lee post 3
Great post Lee!
cupiddstunt
Mar 31, 2012 at 2:27 PM
Comment #18JFA @ # 1
I used to think let’s just say less than complimentary thoughts about you with your “whatever’s too good for MA” but as time has gone by and you have moderated it is becoming really quite amusing to read your little anecdotal comments on MA.
Sorry ogm I but have to give JFA credit for ingenuity and wit.
davo
Apr 1, 2012 at 3:16 AM
Comment #19Can’t blame Jose for leaving, At that point in time all we were doing was getting rid of our best players and spending nowt.Hardly ambitious.