We didn’t expect a lot of signings this summer, given that we brought in five good Frenchmen in January, but this summer has to be the slowest we’ve experienced since we started this blog back in April, 2007.
Darren Bent – Newcastle balking at fee – that’s a surprise
And with Joe Kinnear’s announcement as Director of Football, having a specific person in charge of transfers, we would have thought that would have provided some impetus and momentum to get things moving in the transfer market, and get the two or three players we needed through the door this summer.
And then when Joe Kinnear said he was the best Director of Football in England, and could get any manager anywhere in the world on the phone, we maybe should have been more upbeat – but somehow we weren’t, as it seemed another example of Joe’s delusions about himself. 🙁
But no, nothing has happened other than we seem to have missed out on two of our summer striker targets in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who went to Borussia Dortmund, and Wilfried Bony of Vitesse who Swansea were able to afford at £12M, but we suppose was too much for Newcastle, although it’s not clear we were really after him.
And there is some news today that Newcastle are balking at the £8M or the £6M Aston Villa are asking for 29 year-old Darren Bent – and that will not be very surprising to most of our readers.
It’s all very good to get bargains, but as we’ve said before, sometimes you just have to pay out a decent fee for a good player, and we had the ridiculous saga last summer when Newcastle refused to sign Mathieu Debuchy from Lille because of the transfer fee.
But we’d love to have found out what fee Newcastle paid in January for Debuchy, and what fee Lille wanted last summer, and we would bet there’s not too much difference, if any.
Perception is reality – and the perception this summer is that Newcastle are moving like snails in this summer’s transfer market.
But hey, we have to look on the positive side of things, and it’s not like we need a lot of players brought in this summer, and at least Joe Kinnear hasn’t given another one of those daft interviews – not yet anyway – and we at least have to be thankful for that. 😀
I feel a lot better now.
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255 comments so far
SecretSausage
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:12 PM
Comment #1jesper,
You are right. I nearly didn’t bother posting it.
But what was interesting was his enthusiasm for the situation. It was as if they had mapped something out and it is running very smoothly and is going to work.
I asked about PEA and he said he couldn’t say much about it but that what I’d read was probably true but that it wouldn’t affect any plans as it was expected.
SecretSausage
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:12 PM
Comment #2FIRST
SecretSausage
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:12 PM
Comment #3and SECOND
SecretSausage
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:13 PM
Comment #4OMG and THIRD
SecretSausage
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:13 PM
Comment #5I’ll stop it there
Sazzer
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:13 PM
Comment #6Rafik Djebbour – The Terrorist of Olympiacos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35oMSKuW0TU
kevymartins
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Comment #7@Secret sausage , let me stop you right there, every ITK has the same problem, they can never name their source so you tell me ”who your guy is” and I will believe it, but if you can’t then I will go on about my business and if you get anything right I will just take it as a good guess. Don’t take it the wrong way or anything just me and a lot other people’s opinion.
Markaccus
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Comment #8SecretSausage
Best blogger name ever.
Also a game Jimmy Saville used to play,
and as someone else said, a game loic remy wasnt very good at!
Sazzer
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Comment #9NUFCfans ?@nufcfans
Greek press – #NUFC have “made a bid” for Olympiakos striker Rafik Djebbour. He’s 29, Algerian international, top scorer in Greece. #Rumours
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Comment #10croftus
I agree with Cisse and I really want us to bring another top striker that can play instead of him or as well as him. We have Goofy and Shola/Campbell up there too so that would be a must for me.
Hopefully Goofy and Ben Arfa can weigh in with a few more goals this season but I also want another player in that position who can weigh in with a few goals.
I’ve said since the beginning of the window that I want to see a top striker and an exciting winger/attacking midfielder brought in. I’d be more than happy if the latter can also play upfront, but not so happy if we combine that into just one player…
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:16 PM
Comment #11Sazzer
Come on…we know that’s complete rubbish. No way are we going to sign a 29 year old with no experience of the PL.
BandB
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:17 PM
Comment #12Jail,
As you might recall, I was a worried as you last summer that hubris was at work within the inner rectum (sorry..I meant sanctum)
They admitted later they’d under-cooked in the summer, and tried to put it right in January. What they must not now be allowed to do now is claim they did THIS summer’s business early, and I will dance on the first apologist who offers this as a reason. They can’t have it both ways. We still need players.
SecretSausage
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:18 PM
Comment #13OK Kevy,
My sauce on that one was Alan Pardew. But if I’ve no useful info I won’t post it. I didn’t take offence either. It’s no probs.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:19 PM
Comment #14I see that Gouffran is the latest player to claim we’re good enough to win a cup.
Goofy, we are. But we won’t.
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:22 PM
Comment #15JfA
Please do point out where I took it to the extremes!!
I think if you assume the top 4 will be Utd, City, Chelsea and Arsenal, I’m afraid I still think we’re a distance away from Spurs and Liverpool. That’s mainly because they have bigger squads who have been playing together for longer and experiencing successes that our club haven’t had for a hell of a long time. I’m not saying that we couldn’t sneak top 6 but even if we spend £50M, I’d still say that we’d be outsiders.
I think we’ll make a £12-15M investment this summer, I really do. And I think the target should be 7th above Everton. If we are exceptional or a top 6 club is dismal then you never know…
For me, top 6 would be excellent, 7th/8th would be good, 9th/10th would be just about acceptable if we are close to getting higher and anything below that means that the manager has to go.
kevymartins
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:22 PM
Comment #16@SecretSausage You post what you wan’t man, it’s the nufcblog, just because me and many a few others doesn’t agree with it doesn’t mean the rest of the guys won’t.
Personally I have said all along be patient and the signings will come no point in rushing it nor over paying.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:24 PM
Comment #17Spurs haven’t experienced sustained long term success. A few seasons ago they finished something like 11th and now they are realistically challenging the top 4. Why? Because of smart investment, ambitious ownership and intelligent management.
None of which we have at our club.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:25 PM
Comment #18Repost
TDsarf,Why do you always take it to the extremes, we’re not asking to sign a load of players just the three or four we all know we need and on the flip side of where to target why should a team that finished fifth target top ten when a 12 to 15 M investment would have at least given us hope of finishing in a Euro spot, and please don’t mention Leeds or Portsmouth because around that amount wasvspent in January andas far as I know we didn’t get docked ten points for spending it.
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:26 PM
Comment #19croftus
The thing about our club is that I think it should be a very exciting club to join. All of the facts point to the fact that we are the 7th/8th biggest club in the PL right now, that’s just outside the really lucrative European places. There have been plenty of comments from ex players about how special it was to be part of our club and how loved they were…can you imagine how wonderful it will be for the players who win the next trophy for us?
So for sheer enjoyment of playing football, it should be a fantastic project for them. We’re a big enough club for players to get plenty of recognition for national teams and also CL teams if they are desperate for the latter too.
toonarmydownsouth
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:27 PM
Comment #20The truth
Ahh I see so instead of calling him on his crass snide little barbs before he starts cowering like a school child I should of attempt to educate him on his shortcomings!
Righto
SecretSausage
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:27 PM
Comment #21Kevy,
I agree with you. There are too many pretending to be ITK. Im not ITK but I happen to bump into people and they tell me stuff thats all.
You are right the signings will come. Im quite excited.
croftus5678
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:29 PM
Comment #22@16 kevy
well carr is great at getting just the right players in and does not have many that do not make the grade (for the main team)so you may be right.
others (which include myself) are just scared after what happened last summer after we did not sign anyone and i think we do have some right to be a little scared tbh after all the time we spent on remy to get nothing and pea “aparently” was our first choice this year.
75% of me is sure we will get a striker in though but that chance of not will not go away untill we do.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:30 PM
Comment #23TDsarf,
You tell people not to panic and expect us to sign loads of players which is extreme as we only want a few.
Sazzer
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:31 PM
Comment #2410 CL league games 😛
Agent link most likely cause he doesn’t look that good even though he has record of 156/78
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:33 PM
Comment #25Ruddy
Spurs finishes in the last 10 years have been
5th
5th
4th
5th
4th
8th
11th
5th
5th
9th
That looks like sustained long-term success to me. I don’t mean CL football every year, Spurs simply aren’t good enough for that yet, but they’ve definitely been catching Arsenal up.
And I agree with you…smart investment is crucial and I’d say we’ve done pretty well with that. Yes, they should have signed a defender and an attacking player last summer, yes they should have signed a striker after Ba left but the only clubs who always get the signing they want are those who grossly overpay.
I’d say we do have ambitious ownership but in a different way to Shepherd. As for intelligent management…we’ll know in a few months…
Indian Magpie
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:33 PM
Comment #26What does a guy need to do to be taken seriously
Sack Pardew
foggonridiculous
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:34 PM
Comment #27Welcome secret sausage (boy does that sound wrong!!)
and fair play to you for taking kevymartins post in the right spirit.
With a bit of give and take hopefully we can all get along.
on another angle…with it being so slow news wise I don’t expect it will be too long before the press run the:
“This Toon ain’t Big Enough For both Of us!”
headline be it Pardew to JFK or vice-versa.
I have dusted off my “Ignoring it” hat in readiness.
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:35 PM
Comment #28JfA
When did I say anything about signing loads of players? I just said that Arsenal and Utd haven’t actually signed anyone of note yet. I’d be happy if we signed 2 players of note to be honest, though it would be great if we got 3 or 4.
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:37 PM
Comment #29TDS
Will it really take a few months for you to come to the conclusion that Pardew is woefully out of his depth? I’m wondering whether you are incredibly tolerant or just very naive.
I disagree with you about the ambition of our owner, and I’ve made that point very clear.
Smart investment isn’t just about the quality of the first XI, our squad depth is poor in terms of quality and quantity, and the lack of movement with the academy is very worrying.
In many ways, Spurs are run much better than us and unless our owner changes his ethos or we get a new owner, that sad fact will not change any time soon.
Markaccus
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:38 PM
Comment #30According to the adverts on my screen, its time to learn hebrew.
Iain Dowie
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:41 PM
Comment #31we are not in the market for average players. Most the players on the list are based in the premierleague. Stop worrying about us not signing anyone just yet, talks are ongoing with 3 players, 2 being Bent and Remy as every body is aware of due to the press. however i know for sure that we are interested in Victor Moses from Chelsea.
i know nothing from inside the club i am just fan, however my mate works at chelsea and has just told me.
ToonDarnSarf
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Comment #32Ruddy
Our squad depth was just fine in terms of quantity when we also had Perch and Simpson. In fact it would have been way to bulky to fit into the 25 rule. We currently have 26 players that we’d need to register so at least 2 have to go before we can sign anyone (Gosling will be one I presume).
As for the lack of movement with the academy, there was never going to be any movement that would be made public. The next thing that we’ll hear is that either Newcastle has been granted Category One status or Newcastle has been demoted to Category Two. There’s no middle ground there.
As for Pardew, he’s our manager and he got us to 5th place. Changing managers is definitely no guarantee for success so I’d rather see what he can do rather than make a rash decision. Every fan seems to have a different idea of who they want instead, some delusional (Rudi Garcia, Benitez), others over-confident (Poyet, Clark). There is no consensus, there is no Bobby Robson waiting in the wings.
Spurs are currently better run than us and it takes a hell of a long time to get there. The academy is taking time to sort out, and this has been neglected for years, the scouting network has been improving, commercial deals are improving (financially at least) but there’s more to sort out.
The only way to catch Spurs rapidly would be massive investment. That’s not going to happen with MA.
repo
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:48 PM
Comment #33I heard we wont sign anybody this summer and a couple more players going out. So dont build up your hopes..
the truth will out
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Comment #34Are you capable of that Markaccus it will be a truly great accomplishment unless you are making a snide remark to our Jewish brethren
Sazzer
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Comment #35Iain Dowie
You know anything about Piazon, Josh McEachran, ?
Thump
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:51 PM
Comment #36@Indian: You’re still here?
Indian Magpie
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:52 PM
Comment #37yes!
kevymartins
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:53 PM
Comment #38@repo people are just anxious, I for 1 came straight on the laptop as soon as got got home from tech today,thinking jfk is back it’s time to conquer the world with our signing’s but that’s not the case I think/hope there just taking there time, making sure they bring in the right players.
Markaccus
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:54 PM
Comment #39Wtf, the truth????
It is one of the ads on my screen. Why would i randomly have a pop at the jewish??
Your sentence structure and logic process almost exactly match john tudor. I am willing to stick my neck ot and say you are he.
Bambams
Jul 15, 2013 at 5:57 PM
Comment #40Off to play football. ….. Hope to hear some good news when I get back.
Just one or two signings would make my week ….
Wont hold my breath 🙂