For the second time in four years, Newcastle United are looking at coming over to America, although the last time it was a tough trip given the size of the country and the long journeys involved to get from Kansas to Florida, as the club did last time they were here.
Lee Charnley – arranging the deal
Last time Newcastle had three games arranged against the Columbus Crew in Ohio, Sporting Kansas City in Kansas and Orlando City in Florida.
There’s a report today in the Shields Gazette that Newcastle are indeed looking again at the states, and certainly in the four years that have passed, Americans have become more involved in soccer as they call it over here, to differentiate it from their football (American football).
We shouldn’t get carried away with the popularity of soccer in America though, and it’s still not in the top eight sports over here – with (American) football. baseball and basketball still easily the most popular sports – and that’s both at the pro and college levels, and then there’s golf and NASCAR.
But we have seen NBC Sports embrace Premier League football and they put on great coverage of all the Premier League games – for every single match – whether on TV or available on the internet.
If Newcastle do come over again then maybe they should arrange their games all on the east coast, or even on the west coast which will restrict the distances they have to travel – and that seems to be one thing that dogged them last time – plus the time changes.
So good planning is needed this time around so there are not vast distances between the games.
I always remember when I was trying to arrange the flights back to Raleigh for my family once, and one travel agent in Newcastle wanted to send us London to Dallas and Dallas to Raleigh, until I told him that Dallas was over 1000 miles south-west of Raleigh so why would I ever want to do that?
Newcastle could get a good deal to come over to the states with the Premier League clubs being popular over here because of the TV coverage – it’s just a pity we couldn’t be higher up the league table.
Here’s hoping.
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42 comments so far
geordie157
Mar 25, 2015 at 9:32 AM
Comment #1The summer is a chance for Ashley to win back some of the fans and to show some ambition.
Just can’t see it happening, it’s a major rebuild this summer thats needed with Head Coach, some coaching additions and signings all required.
If we can get for example Garde, a couple of his coaching staff. 4-5 new signings that would be a good start but Ashley would need to back that up with another 2-3 signings in Jan otherwise it’s the same problem, lack of depth.
Jury’s still out on Sammy, some sort of incentive based contract might be an option.
Not sure what’s going on with Aarons.
Jonas and Raylor, ideally we let them leave and wish them luck with new teams but we may need to give them 1 yr deals if they accept it, add experience and versatility to our squad.
Ideally need to move on Marveaux, Tiote, Obertan and Williamson.
Plus maybe Anita and Elliot.
On that basis we need about 10 additions even with the two Forest lads joining.
John Tudor
Mar 25, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Comment #2getting reme garde
ha more chance of coco the clown
geordie157
Mar 25, 2015 at 9:36 AM
Comment #3What we need a signing from Asia, like the Leverkusen South Korean, that would boost our interest in the far east.
The MLS is improving but slowly, crowds and interest in soccer is growing at a fairly fast rate.
Oba Martins is a superstar over there
hibbit
Mar 25, 2015 at 9:36 AM
Comment #4jeff the boro academy was in poor shape till McCLAREN brought in dave parnaby in 2003 who changed the whole system to what it is to day a very well run outfit and very well staffed the boro academy has twice as many coaches with about the same amount of players as newcastle….. just shows we are run a shoestring
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 25, 2015 at 9:49 AM
Comment #5Hibbit
Welcome to Mr Harrison’s blog conveyor belt don’t stand still or you may get knocked down by a moving article
hibbit
Mar 25, 2015 at 9:52 AM
Comment #6jeff if you don’t like it don’t come on your choice
lesh
Mar 25, 2015 at 9:57 AM
Comment #7Good planning required? Good planning from an owner and MD who were happy to sell their manager without a suitable replacement ready to step in?
Ed, you jest. Charnley couldn’t make a cup of tea without Ashley’s input.
What a state of affairs.
Wayayman
Mar 25, 2015 at 9:59 AM
Comment #8REPOST FROM PREVIOUS THREAD:
Lilongwe, Lindisfarne & others, fantastic discussion on the previous thread re coaching.
I believe it costs a ridiculous amount of money to get up the coaching ladder in this country compared to abroad, which really does make a huge difference at grassroots.
Both of my kids (son 12 daughter 9) play and are coached at different local amateur clubs. One has access to astroturf each week for training, and the other trains on grass most of the year. The team who train on the astro keep the ball on the ground and pass the opposition teams to death on a Sunday morning when they play on grass. They are smaller than a lot of the more physical teams they play against but their ball retention is staggering for their age group. The coach (a 22 yr old superb player himself doing his badges) is positive that regardless of how physical the oppo is, they will all tire out when they have to chase the ball around. The boys all (including the 2 keepers) can play in any position on the pitch -and they often switch around during a game when needed.The team just won their league with a 100% win rate and a goal diff over over +100 with a game to go.
The difference their facilities have made to how they train is unquestionable. Times during the winter when the ground is frozen solid the astro is always in perfect condition. I used to think theyd suffer when playing on poor grass pitches but they really don’t. I think the FA really need to expand the artificial facilities as much as possible, but also to encourage younger lads to coach as they really have a different connection with the kids and they have grown up watching Messi, Iniesta, Pirlo etc where people of an older age may have grown up watching Bryan Robson and Billy Whitehurst.
It’s like looking at Lisa Riley and Heidi Klum and wondering how they are the same species.
lesh
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Comment #9Are they serious about the US tour?
Are they seriously thinking about marketing a club by using second-rate unknown players and playing hoof-ball?
It’ll be a stall at a Hicksville lynching more likely!
lesh
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:04 AM
Comment #10Jeff
Do you never sleep? You’re never off the Blog.
Your fans need a break.
Too much of a good thing can spoil their appetite for your wisdom and wit.
Wayayman
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:04 AM
Comment #11Geordie157@1 Incentive based contract for Sammy? It’s shocking that we have to think like that when the reality is that the kid probably earns more in a week that some of us do in 3 or 4 months.
I’d love to think that to the lad himself, a Geordie, playing for NUFC and getting paid very well for it would be all the incentive he needs. I’m sure it is really, I’m sure he does try his hardest but we’re quick to judge because of his older brother’s lack of workrate. Sammy has probably already ran more this season that Shola did in his entire career! He has spent a few weeks baby protecting Haidara, Raylor and then Colback which is why he’s not been as effective going forward.
Shame the coach doesnt see that, eh?!?
Ron Knee
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:10 AM
Comment #12Wayaman
I understand Sammy has asthma. Maybe that has an effect on his performance.
martoon
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Comment #13Jeff from previous thread – fair point McClaren has his limitations but it probably is a bit unfair to bracket him with JC. Also I find it best to post early or wait till lunch time when there seems to be a lull in Ed’s posts (oops I’ve just broken my own rule 🙂 )
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:22 AM
Comment #14It just cracks me up sometimes
No wonder Welshie and others come on here
It can be an absolute hoot
Whatever subject is broached by Ed the usual suspects jump out of the woodwork and put the worst possible spin on it.
This morning it has been the US tour and Lesh is all over it like a rash , earlier it was Peter Lovenkrands is an Ashley lickspittle because he fancies a job at Rangers.
It’s great stuff
Comedy gold
Keep up the good work lads
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:26 AM
Comment #15martoon
I’m pleased you got the light hearted nature of my comment , unlike sad sack Hibbit
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Comment #16Janmaat has been speaking in Der Telegraaf about his recall by Hiddink.
Apparently Gus dropped him when the ball went in the Dutch goal off the back of Daryl’s head against the Czechs.
He also says in passing that he and de Jong get on real well and there is quite a little Dutch community with himself SdJ Vurnon and Tim and they are all excited about next season (whatever that means)
geordie157
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Comment #17Hasn’t Luuk De Jong also earned a recall to the squad recently?
Still not sure he would have suited the premier league but for 3-4mill he was worth taking a chance on. Much better than the money wasted on the Ferrerya loan.
hibbit
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Comment #18your a sad little toss pot jeffery who has to take the the piss out of every one to get some sad little perverted pleasure you can give it out but you can not take sad little git
sickandtired
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:50 AM
Comment #19Call me a cynic, but Ashley sent the Club to Oz & NZ because of his MySale purchase.
That company has done badly in all but the US market and now we are heading there for a pre-season.
Ashley using the Club to raise the profile of one of his retail companies – who would think such a thing!
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:53 AM
Comment #20hibbit
“your a sad little toss pot jeffery who has to take the the piss out of every one to get some sad little perverted pleasure you can give it out but you can not take sad little git”
My case rests M’Lud
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 25, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #21sickandtired
And Man U ,Chelsea ,and Lpool going to Asia are nowt to do with shirt sales of course.
Do me a favour
optimistic prime
Mar 25, 2015 at 11:03 AM
Comment #22Wayarman
Reading between the lines the best part of that young lads coaching IMO is not pidgeon holing the young kids into one position.
They’ll learn loads just playing in different positions and that will massively improve their all round play once they finalise a position.
Pretty helpfull having all weather training mind, when living abroad especially in Germany I was always amazed at the quality of pitches for amateurs and kids.
beermonkey
Mar 25, 2015 at 11:03 AM
Comment #23jeff
big difference there going to asia to boost there clubs profile we go to the states to boost sd and ashleys interests its not to do with Newcastle’s profile
BoyDoneGood
Mar 25, 2015 at 11:06 AM
Comment #24OorToon
From yesterday:
Agreed – Cazorla may have been in Ozil’s shadow in 2013-14; but Lallana has moved to Liverpool, stuffed with great midfielders, and play that went through him at S/H is likely to go through Sterling or Coutinho at L/Pool.
But that’s not the point. Lallana’s price was based on 2013-4. Just as (say) Riviere’s price was based on his most recent season. Nobody can predict the future.
A common refrain here recently – which I don’t get – is that the PL is a “poor league”. Somebody reckoned there are 8 or so better leagues. It was also said that British players struggle to live up to expectations on the continent. I think that’s based on one or two examples of players going out to Barca, say, where they are surrounded by top rank players. But the reverse is commonplace. Many, many continental players can’t find their old form when they come to the PL. Pace and physicality are often mentioned, but really it’s really strength in depth – Man City can’t expect a walkover against Leicester, for example – and number of games without a winter break.
martoon
Mar 25, 2015 at 11:16 AM
Comment #25sickandtired @19 – I don’t really have a problem with that as long as it benefits NUFC as well and there are a lot of U.S. supporters who get the chance to watch a game.
The thing I’ve never understood with Ashley is why not go the whole hog – ditch Wonga and make SD our shirt sponsor – most of the cost would be tax deductable to SD anyway.
martoon
Mar 25, 2015 at 11:55 AM
Comment #26I’ve broken the blog 🙂
Ron Knee
Mar 25, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Comment #27It will rise again like the phoenix.
optimistic prime
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:06 PM
Comment #28http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/03/jonas-gutierrez-opens-up-on-how-he-was-treated-by-newcastle/
Jail for Ashley
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:09 PM
Comment #29Shirt sales that would benefit their respective clubs and not the owners private enterprises.
Martoon,
I don’t think we’re far away from SD being the shirt sponsor tbh, especially now we’re turning a profit.
optimistic prime
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:10 PM
Comment #30http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jonas-gutierrez-never-forgive-newcastle-8915656
beermonkey
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:35 PM
Comment #31prime
there is not a line this regime will not cross to save a few quid
TacoFlavoredKisses ForMyBen-arfa
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:45 PM
Comment #32there is too much focus on the existing debt and the fat man taking profits while not repaying it. The clubs value includes a deduction for the debt. Its no difference if he repays all the debt now and gets an exta 100M when he sells or if he keeps the debt where it is and lines his pockets with the money. Youd think making NUFC more attractive debt free, but the fattness knows what hes doing and it probably looks better on the books to have it this way. Either way, its should no longer be a topic for discussion.
optimistic prime
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:51 PM
Comment #33Beer
If you looked under a snakes belly Ashley would be there!
mindshaft
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:56 PM
Comment #34On the previous post I have to agree with Ed – Steve McClaren whilst possibly not as bad as Carver is certainly not much of a step up..
towards the latter end of his tenure at Boro, McClaren was criticised by some supporters for using negative tactics and earning Middlesbrough the tag of a “dull” side.Some observers attributed Middlesbrough’s success to the senior, experienced players in the side rather than McClaren’s managerial ability.
He was also poor for England, Wolfsberg, Notts Forest, Twente ( 2nd time) and after having Derby in prime position for automatic promotion now has them looking doubtful for playoffs having picked up 2 points out of the last 18
beermonkey
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:57 PM
Comment #35prime
i bet the club fine him now for talking to the press
mindshaft
Mar 25, 2015 at 12:57 PM
Comment #36Sadly I don’t think the Fatman will ever employ a foreign coach …
beermonkey
Mar 25, 2015 at 1:11 PM
Comment #37mindshaft
its not about whether there British of foreign its about getting the right person
but alas we will be stuck with carver till xmas by then we will be in the bottom 3 and will have to bring in a pulis type to try and stop going down
optimistic prime
Mar 25, 2015 at 1:18 PM
Comment #38Beer
They Can’t help the lad but happy to use him to sell match programmes and try to create some good feeling with fans.
Tret like a asset not worth repairing, fans are customers not people and NUFC is a buisness not a sporting institution.
Heritidge and history have no value, customers buy the product as it’s the only one available for them, customers may complain about the shoddy product but who cares it’s still selling.
hibbit
Mar 25, 2015 at 1:29 PM
Comment #39op only one man to blame he makes the rules the rest just follow orders if he says jump they say how high
AncientC
Mar 25, 2015 at 1:30 PM
Comment #40” Its no difference if he repays all the debt now and gets an exta 100M when he sells or if he keeps the debt where it is and lines his pockets with the money. Youd think making NUFC more attractive debt free, but the fattness knows what hes doing and it probably looks better on the books to have it this way. Either way, its should no longer be a topic for discussion.”
The club’s financial position makes a big difference to the club. Keeping the club in debt means the club isn’t going to grow as it should, it also means funds for transfers are limited.
Why do you think anybody associated with Rangers didn’t want Ashley taking over their club?
You are seeing this from Ashley’s bank account perspective instead of the NUFC club angle. They are not the same thing and have different interests.