There’s a good interview in the Chronicle today with former striker Mick Quinn and Mick would like to see a head coach come in and in Mick’s words would be “a coach who is strong, who is a character and who will grab the club by the throat and get the fans back onside.”
Lee Charnley and Mike Ashley
If we understand Mike Ashley and how he operates – then that’s the last type of coach Mike will want at the club.
Kevin Keegan was that kind of coach, and he lasted all of eight months before he felt that Ashley did things behind his back that were unacceptable to Keegan and he left – very quickly – in September of 2008.
The new head coach will be expected to accept how the club will continue to be managed, with players being sold at the convenience of the financial records, and players brought in for relatively low transfer fees, and the playing squad taking second priority to the finances.
Lee Charnley has already emphasized that he will expect the new coach not to get upset (and complain) if players are sold when the financial opportunity arises.
And according to Charnley at the last Fans Forum meeting, Mike Ashley will continue to run the club like he has done over the last eight years – and that has garnered only one finish in the top nine in the Premier League in eight years.
When Alan Pardew came in back in December, 2010, he accepted the restrictions fully, and although Alan wasn’t a yes man by any means – he finally got fed up with not being to build a squad on Tyneside that improved every season.
That’s because Ashley kept selling his best players and would not bring in new players when they were required – like last January – and we think that was the final straw for Alan Pardew at Newcastle – and he left – quickly.
It seems Alan Pardew thinks he will have a much better chance at Crustal Palace of building a good side, and we’re sure he got the promise from Chairman Steve Parish that he won’t sell their top players.
That’s an assurance he never got from Mike Ashley.
This is what Mick Quinn has said today in the Chronicle and he doesn’t think Mike Ashley wants a strong character either:
“I’ve met John Carver but I don’t know him well,” “From the outside, I was pleased he got his opportunity to manage the club but he has to show he’s more than just a cheap option for Mike Ashley.”
“Has John Carver done enough in the games to say he should be in charge? I’d say no.” “Some of the players look like they want to get away. The attitude against Everton was embarrassing.”
“That’s where man management comes in, to make sure you motivate players.” “For me, what it requires is manager to come in who is strong, who is a character and who will grab the club by the throat and get the fans back onside.
“At the minute, the fans are absolutely numb.” “It’s a huge frustration to watch a club that is lacking investment and which won’t strengthen.”
“But I don’t think Mike Ashley wants a manager who is a character.”
John Carver agrees with everything Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley say – almost by definition.
If they want to do something then John will agree with that – like he agreed with Lee Charnley back in January, that we didn’t need any new players brought in.
Not too many fans agreed with that position, and common sense said we were going to be short of players through the second half of the season.
That’s what’s happened and it’s not like it’s rocket science – it’s common sense
So as Mick Quinn says – John Carver is both a cheap option and a (very) easy option for the club, and whatever his record at the end of the season, he may still get the job.
And that means Newcastle will continue in the way we have been going for the last eight years (in short – nowhere), and we may even hit on success again – like we did in 2012.
It’s always possible – like winning the lottery is always possible – but that would be by accident more than by good design.
Sorry to be so negative, but we just cannot see Newcastle being successful under Mike Ashley – who will continue to do things his way – because he owns the club.
And his way is totally about the finances of the club and having them be stellar – and he’ll continue to be very successful at that.
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50 comments so far
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:11 AM
Comment #1Anyone seen Mitrovic? what kind of player is he?
Can’t see Ashley shelling out over 10m on one player… players from belgian league seem to accumulate value though:ie :fellaini, benteke, de bruyne, Lukaku
Not sure serbian forward players have the greatest adapting to the premier league record?Markovic hasn’t settled that well and i remember in recent years Tosic and Ljajic (2 great players) failing and before them Kezman though I suppose tadic has done well at southampton
midweek weekend
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:14 AM
Comment #2Can only see carver getting the job, but last couple of seasons have been terrible in the transfer market really can’t see that changing now, we need two new cb for starters and let’s face it that might cost 10-12 million just never happening under Ashley
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:16 AM
Comment #3You and Fat Quinny have kind of missed the point Ed.
That is why the emphasis has shifted to Head Coach.
I’m sure Ashley and Charnley don’t want a manager shouting the odds about wanting this player and that player , in the modern game not many club owners and CEO’s do.
That doesn’t mean they cannot have a coach who has a strong character vis a vis the players
Lilongwe Geordie
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Comment #4I’m not sure Keegan was strong as such. He was overly emotional, and it more often than not got the better of him.
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:24 AM
Comment #5Lilo
I do remember a radio interview with KK (Metro I think ) where he said he’d like to buy Thierry Henri
Lilongwe Geordie
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Comment #6Rotonda,
Are you now saying that Anita and Rivi aren’t up to it, because you use to used both of them as a stick to beat Pardew with.
For me, I think Anita has been misused and mismanaged. Rivi is just a poor player.
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #7@lilongwe – I actually think the opposite 🙂 For me from what i’ve seen Anita is poor, had his best game for us as a full back.
I’m biased towards Riviere as was huge fan of his in France but I feel he has been used wrong. He’s lacking confidence though and has rarely played in the position that he was successful in in France
Lilongwe Geordie
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #8Jeff,
Was that not during his first spell though? I seem to remember us being linked to Henry after we played Monaco, similar to being linked to Pires after playing Metz.
Rotonda heights
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Comment #9you would think common sense would permeate the boardroom just a tad.
They surely know if they appoint another lame duck manager like carver that ST sales will plummet.
I know Tv money will be in place but even so, bottom line for ash is bums on seats to offset using tv money to cover wages etc.
Ash could still grow the club organically by upgrading the coaching, scouting and medical staff. I would much rather chuck 6M at a good coach who could develop players, rather than another Riviere or similar.
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Comment #10Lilo
No he was playing for the Arse at the time
Lilongwe Geordie
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Comment #11Jay,
Rivi has virtually no redeeming qualities, or anything to suggest he could be a success in the Premier league. He was an average player in France, which generally translates to being a poor player here.
Anita has more football intelligence and spatial awareness than any of our other midfielders. However we don’t play a game that suits him either, and he doesn’t have the physical attributes to adapt to our style. For me this is a case of the scouting team providing the wrong type of player for the manager in place.
I’d move both on in the summer.
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Comment #12@Jeff – the head coach position is prominent through out Europe but there are still strong characters operating in this job. The biggest would probably be Guardiola who doesn’t get final say in transfers at Bayern. Had Lewandowski and Gotze put on him by the powers above I believe. He nearly walked over lewandowski and even did an interview in Germany where he was sad that the club where forcing him to play with an out an out striker which wasn’t his way.
No way Ashley is taking a punt on a big character for head coach. He’ll pick someone up that no1 else in the top division would hire. O’leary is my big fear.. that way they’ll take a lot more of his crap as this will be the best job they ever have
croftus5678
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Comment #13@6 lilong
agree on river he just doesnt have the quality needed to play in the prem imo ! he may put himself about and tries and even get a few goals if he’s given the chances but i doubt he will ever become the player we need him to be.
anita would be a great little player in another league but i think he doesnt have the hight / strength and vision for the prem ! some small players have the edge about them and can easily adapt but anita doesnt seem to learn from when he plays and seems to get worse by the game not better ! think its best for him and us if he goes if he can find another club.
Lilongwe Geordie
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Comment #14Jeff,
I don’t remember that, I just remember Modric and Schweinsteiger being mentioned second time around.
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:37 AM
Comment #15@lilongwe – I didn’t see much of Anita in Holland, but theres no denying his technical skills are high and I agree we definately play the wrong system for a player like him. Think he’d be more successful in Spain perhaps?
Just think if we’d have utilised Cabaye, Anita, Marveaux and Abeid we’d have had a midfield capable of playing Tiki Taka
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:39 AM
Comment #16pretty sure I remember seeing pictures of Modric at St James’ park getting a stadium tour and viewing the training ground but he was only young, no doubt he visited half the clubs in europe! Similar to Odegaard did
croftus5678
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:39 AM
Comment #17what gets me is why when we are in so much trouble with reguards to goals that we are not playing goofy up front !
he was bought as a striker who could get 10-15 a season and on the odd occasion he has played there for us he’s done very well and scored a few.
he’s wasted in the wing imo as he’s a more effective river ! play him up front or failing that lb as he isnt creative so he either scores goals or he’s defending and i’d rather him defend in a defensive position.
Rotonda heights
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Comment #18Lilo
No, I’m saying carver isn’t up to it either because they must have had something to warrant those sort of fees, so I’m guessing they don’t fit 2 consecutive English coaches philosophy.
But I also think 12M would be better spent on 1 outstanding player rather than 2 reasonable ones.
Lilongwe Geordie
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Comment #19Jay,
I don’t think Marveaux was ever going to cut it here. Flashes off the bench, but virtually every time he started he was anonymous. He could have done well for us as an impact player though and could create chances against tired opposition when gaps start to open up.
Spain maybe for Anita, although I think he would be better served heading to a lesser league like Portugal, Holland, France or Belgium. At least for a year or two so he can gain confidence again. However wages will be an issue, so it depends on his desire for regular football.
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:44 AM
Comment #20@croftus – funnily, Gouffran left Bourdeaux because they kept playing him wide of a front 3 and not up top central… in the one season he played centre forward he had a great season and think they won the title? In france he was one to speak out on occasion too, seems the opposite at Newcastle. Unbelievable almost. I’d definately try him up front though
geordie157
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Comment #21Anita goes missing too often and games pass him by, never see him making tackles, he does close players down and is a decent passer but he just doesn’t seem suited to the league.
Our poor coaching hasn’t helped and he’s possibly another who’s suffered from being versatile.
Riviere needs to play on the right or left of a front three, I don’t think he’s awful and hopefully he’ll come good.
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Comment #22Lilo
Which characteristic (I’m thinking specfically NUFC here) of a head coach is most important.A disciplinarian with the total respect of the players or a tactician and trainer with total admiration of the players.
Please don’t say both.
Ketsbaia9
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:46 AM
Comment #23Squad for next season should look like this:
GK:
Krul
Darlow
Woodman
Elliott
Defs:
Raylor
Janmaat
Kolorov
Haidara
Lascelles
Mbodj
Coloccini
Van Dijk
Satka
Good
Midfielders
Cabella
Marveaux
Sissoko
Anita
Abeid
Andre Ayew
De Jong
Konoplanka
Grenier
Aarons
Forwards:
Mitrovic
Ings
Cisse
Perez
Lilongwe Geordie
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:47 AM
Comment #24Rotonda,
Fair enough, I don’t think we saw much in Rivi. I think it was a bit of a panic as we were really desperate. They probably assumed he would do better than he has, but it was a gamble, pure and simple. Same with Ferreyra.
On the 12mill, it depends who it is spent on, and how wisely spent. In principle though, that is probably right – although an outstanding centre forward, or midfielder cum flu back. Either way, our thin squad is left thinner.
beermonkey
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:47 AM
Comment #25jayphoto
keegan was close to signing modric but dekka and co deemed him not good enough
think its in the video that’s floating round when he mentions what they bid for hyypia after he had the deal done
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:47 AM
Comment #26@lilo yeah he must be on good money.
Think the club gambled on Marveaux recovering from injury and being the player he was before 2 years out. He was some player for Rennes before injury, a damn site quicker, more direct, similar to Remy almost coming in off the left.
Got to question the scouting as we’ve had a few skilled players that couldn’t adapt to the premier league and surely thats one thing that a scout should be assessing? Yanga-Mbiwa comes to mind
Ketsbaia9
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Comment #27Team for next season:
Krul
Janmaat Mbodj Van Dijk Kolorov
Cabella Grenier Sissoko Konoplanka
Mitrovic Ings
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:50 AM
Comment #28@kets – weirdly I can see them gambling on Grenier if the price has come down because of his injury.
No chance on Konoplyanka though. They turned down 16m from Liverpool last summer, he’s staring for the national team, price will only go up and chances are they know someone like Gazprom will pay 30m to take him to Russia.
Some nifty players in ukraine though. That Yarmolenko looked good and i’m a huge fan of Dragovic from Kiev. Petty sure they’ve got belhanda also
Rotonda heights
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Comment #29jay at 15
would have been awesome.
Carr has got so many technical players like HBA, marv, anita etc who were never going to fit in with pardew and now carver’s alleged styles.
Lilongwe Geordie
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Comment #30Jeff,
Given the distinct nature of the two you suggest, for me it has to be a tactician and great trainer. Disciplinarians fail at most of their clubs, although often find one where things click and they are well suited.
Not all Disciplinarians don’t have the other attributes though.
Rotonda heights
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:53 AM
Comment #31jay
i never knew why was never tried on the left of a front 3 with cisse and benny, after ba left.
croftus5678
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Comment #32i <3'd marvaux he was more creative than cabaye and could threat a pin point cross through the eye of a needle and was a very skillfull little lad to go with that !
just a shame he was worse than arfa when it came to consistancy and the fact he was such a lazy g%t that he was always a negative for the team more than he helped them ! another wasted talent 🙁
rolando / cabella / perez are our entertainers now with janmaat / sissoko / krul / cisse the only others with real class about them imo.
colback / abied do their jobs fine enough and dummett / goofy / vukic / bigi worth keeping as squad players imo.
Rotonda heights
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Comment #33why marv was never tried
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Comment #34maybe a disciplinarian would be good for Newcastle? Very young squad and very little leadership on the pitch. Some leadership off the pitch wouldn’t go a miss.. Carver seems to be trying hard not to upset the more influential players and be everyones mate….
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:58 AM
Comment #35The reason I ask, is , I fear JC falls down on both fronts.
You can have dual managers , Cloughie had eveyone shitting themselves and Peter Taylor putting his arm round shoulders a bit like bad cop good cop.
Shankly, Ferguson,vanGaal,Mourinho the list endless , all had/have good sidekicks.
An assistant is so important these days and I’m not convinced about Steve Stone
Rotonda heights
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:58 AM
Comment #36i wonder which camp SAF falls in to. a definite disciplinarian but master tactician too.
jayphoto
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:58 AM
Comment #37becoming a big fan of Janmaat! He’s a player I could see slotting seamlessly into Keegans 90’s team!
Hoping Siem De Jong turns out good. Talent wise he’s streets ahead of where our club is, we got him because of the injuries.
Dutch players always seem to take well to the premier league.
In eredivisie atm theres Depay, Narsingh and Maher tearing it up for PSV!
Also Isimat-mirin and Bruma doing very well as centrebacks
optimistic prime
Mar 26, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Comment #38http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/03/existing-medical-problem-meant-nufc-loan-player-could-never-have-played-for-rangers/
Stranger than a strange thing, I wonder what’s up with the lad.
Ketsbaia9
Mar 26, 2015 at 11:01 AM
Comment #39Konoplanka is available on a free bloke.
Jeff from Benwell
Mar 26, 2015 at 11:03 AM
Comment #40Kets
What the free bloke gives him a piggy back or summfing ?