Getting ready for the long road to Hull and back and by the way, what happened to the money?

JOHN GILROY wrote...

Newcastle’s net spend to date £1.8 to 2.0M, this spent before Ashley took proper control of the club. Dyer is being allowed to leave and rumours today that Martin will be allowed to leave. Looks like Big Sam is trying to raise cash presumably because Ashley isn’t going to provide any. Fans, forget your dreams and optimism if we finish 13th this season we should be grateful.

JohnG

Posted by: JOHN GILROY  | July 31, 2007 11:38 AM

Rob from Baku Azerbaijan wrote...

Like i said on the previous mail, it is a time for concern re-our new board and backing for big Sam, we need a good start to this coming season and Sam needs the players in to do this, the board are being very quiet on this issue and should come out and say that Sam is their man and he will get the cash, or they should come out and tell us different. Sticking your head in sand and hoping we dont notice this is not the answer. If the board want to get the backing of the fans then they have to show willing and fulfill all promises that have been made to us fans that money will be made available, (War Chest was mentioned) What does the great AO know of this issue, surely he has some inside info he can generate.

Posted by: Rob from Baku Azerbaijan  | July 31, 2007 11:51 AM

Brian wrote...

Didn't we go through the same thing last year, and ended up scrambling around for every one else's cast off's on the day the transfer window closed.

Not much changed then in 2007

Posted by: Brian  | July 31, 2007 12:47 PM

noforce wrote...

I had hoped that we were going on a spending spree, but it seems that all hopes and dreams have gone out of the window. If we finish mid table it will be a miracle! Owen is our biggest hope!

Posted by: noforce  | July 31, 2007 1:23 PM

jackie w wrote...

Bring Back Fred !

Posted by: jackie w  | July 31, 2007 1:43 PM

Ronnie ( Busker ) Lambert wrote...

Totally bewildered!!! Is Mike Ashley a mackem in disguise ? or did his vision initially include Keegan, Keegan/Shearer and not Big Sam. Does he not like Sam ? I do not for one second accept that his perception about St. James' finances/debts was not inscrutably clarified beyond doubt before he embarked on this mission. This can only be that he doesn't see Sam as the figurehead of his dream for N.U.F.C. Well Mr. Ashley, for the sake of our shredded nerves would you please make a statement on your U-turn on the 50 million war-chest, just out of decency, please ?

Posted by: Ronnie ( Busker ) Lambert  | July 31, 2007 1:47 PM

Michael wrote...

Does it strike anyone as a coincidence that Mr Ashley has a number of business concerns at the moment outside of NUFC? Bottom line is the new regime hasn’t delivered on any of their promises of support in the transfer market. Have to say, I am no fan of Shepherd but we were never a selling club under him. The sale of Martins to fund a defender purchase would be a travesty and would demonstrate the new regimes real level of support. Not a great start.

Posted by: Michael  | July 31, 2007 1:52 PM

dean wrote...

Martins leaving????
I'll be amazed if martins goes now. However id be over the moon when Dyer leaves. Give us some real stories to talk about, like who is this 'defender to come in this week for a free transfer???'

Posted by: dean  | July 31, 2007 2:39 PM

jc wrote...

Very distressing. Big fear here has to be that Mike Ashley does not like Sam and wants Keegan back. Sam is exactly the type of manager we need, one that can provide us with stability and have us challenging the top 4.

Posted by: jc  | July 31, 2007 2:46 PM

JC - Aberdeen wrote...

We're selling Zog now http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/6924296.stm

This is an absolute disgrace. Mike Ashley and Mort are going to have to make their intentions clear. Otherwise they can clear off

Posted by: JC - Aberdeen  | July 31, 2007 2:50 PM

Sid wrote...

Obviously something is wrong somewhere. Perhaps Ashley is finding it is more difficult to be ruthless in football where its much more high profile.

Perhaps not giving total backing to a manager the players are behind and has just delivered an impressive pre-season is a situation Ashley is facing that he wouldn't have encountered in sports retail...?

If they aren't going to communicate with us in a respectful way, we are entitled to speculate as we see fit - as I have just done. PR in football is a tricky business...

Posted by: Sid  | July 31, 2007 3:01 PM

iain wrote...

i would hope through their love of our club big al and king kev will tell ashley were to stick his job offer and that big sam must be backed.

were not talking £50m, how about starting spending the new £30m tv deal like every other club is, there not taking out loans or getting all the money from rich owners although they will be getting some help.

when your desperate for defenders and outspent by the likes of wigan, fulham, sunderland you know something is up.

Posted by: iain  | July 31, 2007 3:25 PM

iain wrote...

i would hope through their love of our club big al and king kev will tell ashley were to stick his job offer and that big sam must be backed.

were not talking £50m, how about starting spending the new £30m tv deal like every other club is, there not taking out loans or getting all the money from rich owners although they will be getting some help.

when your desperate for defenders and outspent by the likes of wigan, fulham, sunderland you know something is up.

Posted by: iain  | July 31, 2007 3:26 PM

Terry. wrote...

We need to demonstrate our backing for Sam, Keegan and Shearer, dont make me laugh, Keegan bought Shearer then threw the towel in five months later, he did not even turn up for Shearer's testimonial. Shearer's never even run a pub team yet and Keegan is a quitter, we need to drive these opportunists (Ashley and co) out of our club, come back Freddy, at least you provided the funds for new players. Stop buying season tickets and demand a refund if you already have until these outsiders start spending and spending big, bad feeling is welling up and troubled times lie ahead, be warned Mr Mort as it looks like you will be facing the flack.

Posted by: Terry.  | July 31, 2007 4:03 PM

ZORRO wrote...

IS IT TRUE SAM IS PUTTING MARTINS UP FOR SALE ...WHAT IS GOING ON ..WE NEED TO ADD NOT BLIDDY SELL OUR BEST PLAYERS..I THINK ASHLEYS ONLY HERE TO MAKE PROFIT AND NOT HELP TOON SUCCEED..TO BE HONEST I THINK NOTHING GONNA CHANGE ..JUST BIGGER POCKETS FOR ASHLEY AND MORE TROUBLE FOR BIG SAM..HE LEFT BOLTON COZ HE HAD NO FUNDS ..GUESS WHAT SAM ..ITS NOT GONNA CHANGE MATE.

Posted by: ZORRO  | July 31, 2007 4:06 PM

tony tolhurst wrote...

AS ever at the toon we are all looking short term and looking to half baked press talk. we have spent millions before and won nowt. we have spent nowt before and won zilch. ashleys plan will be long term. bottom half is realistic so dont get yourselves excited

Posted by: tony tolhurst  | July 31, 2007 4:28 PM

tony tolhurst wrote...

AS ever at the toon we are all looking short term and looking to half baked press talk. we have spent millions before and won nowt. we have spent nowt before and won zilch. ashleys plan will be long term. bottom half is realistic so dont get yourselves excited

Posted by: tony tolhurst  | July 31, 2007 4:28 PM

No wrote...

I am hoping we are getting worked up about nothing, re: C'Ashley's apparent unwillingness to get his wad out, but it doesn't look good. Worse still when you read this from a normally reliable, unsensational writer: http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,2138169,00.html

If it's true our finances look worse to Ashley now than before, would it be panicking to suggest we might be at risk of being asset-stripped by an owner seeking to undo the damage of a hasty purchase?

Posted by: No  | July 31, 2007 5:05 PM

sean peterson wrote...

WHAT THE HELLS GOING ON?, when mr ashley was in process of buying OUR club, all the talk was of his plan to win premier title in so long and then challenge in europe, DONT MAKE ME LAUGH!!, funny how ambition seems to have changed in 2 months of the new regime, money was to be no object and the mistakes of the past, i.e buying injured players, escape clauses, players too old etc.now it seems that the new regime dont like the idea of big sam in charge and are making things difficult!!.if thats the case, sam has to be man enough to say `ENOUGH IS ENOUGH` and go, because the first oppurtunity ashley and mort get he`ll be away.
the squad is no way near big enough to cope with the season coming up.so lets cut through the pr spin gents and say what the real situation is, and reports of another free transfer signing is`nt going to go down well with the geordie public!!.

Posted by: sean peterson  | July 31, 2007 5:44 PM

Glenn Roe wrote...

Ive just cancelled my holiday after opting to pay for 2 season tickets by monthly direct debit only to find the full amount taken from account instead of going away i have to stay home & read of our new owners spending 1.75m which we will of made in pre season Ashley vison for us is low outlay & stack the shirts high & sell em. Why should he be any different with this buisness. hes not a recluse hes hiding we carnt even spend sky s money

Posted by: Glenn Roe  | July 31, 2007 6:50 PM

Derek wrote...

What are the odds on SA quitting before the season starts?? Seriously though, Chris Mort had better learn quickly that PR up in the north east has to get a lot slicker than this. Rumours flying around everywhere about which (of our better) players are to be sacrificed to fund Sam's own spending. Turmoil in the 1st week since FS left. I don't want Freddy back (no way) but come on Mort/Ashley, be honest with the fans - WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
p.s. how about our local press lads pushing for an interview with Mort to ask the key questions the fans would like asked?>

Posted by: Derek  | July 31, 2007 7:06 PM

John Winter wrote...

Never mind challenging for the top four. Bearing in mind that all our rival clubs are strengthening whilst we are struggling to put 11 senior players on the pitch, we will do very well to stay clear of the bottom four. If Dyer and Martins go, we will be SEVEN players short of a decent squad, five of them defenders, plus there is talk today of N'Zogbia going as well. Fascinating to see who lines up against Hull City on Wednesday, and will we be meeting them again in the Championship in a year's time?

Posted by: John Winter  | July 31, 2007 8:05 PM

Stuart wrote...

Has it occured to anyone that the new owners are being very shrewd. They pretend that we have no money to spend so that the clubs that we approach do not inflate the price of out targets. Just a thought.

Posted by: Stuart  | July 31, 2007 8:17 PM

Stuart wrote...

Has it occured to anyone that the new owners are being very shrewd. They pretend that we have no money to spend so that the clubs that we approach do not inflate the price of out targets. Just a thought.

Posted by: Stuart  | July 31, 2007 8:17 PM

Egya wrote...

I scan the news everyday for transfer news and it just isn't happening. All the excitement about Ashley taking over has gone. His takeover means nothing if we don't get the right players in. I don't know how loyal Owen is but I hope for our (fans) sake he shows some committment and bangs in the goals. If not, he should go home to Liverpool.

Posted by: Egya  | July 31, 2007 9:02 PM

Adam wrote...

It’s strange to imagine a time with NO transfer windows, or further back when there was only one substitute and he always wore number 12, a goalkeeper’s jersey was green and it didn’t seem like players were injured all the time!
You'd flick the kick at subbuteo round at your mate's house, then back in time for tea, the full time results and Doctor Who.
Two jumpers for goalposts, uhm?

Posted by: Adam  | July 31, 2007 9:50 PM

RAY WILSON wrote...

Well it seems like not only will Dyer and Martins be sold but also we are going to give Zoggy to Fulham for £3 million. The situation at Newcastle is now becoming absurd to say the least. Mike and Mort or should we now call them M and M as they both appear to be to sweet and sugary now for my liking are making us a laughing stock as though we had not been one already. Sam has spent less money than scrooge would have done and he must now feel completely let down by M and M. The only thing I can see happening now is a very rough and bumpy ride for M and M. Seems there is a hidden agenda here in these stories of bringing in KK and AS. Sam has every right to feel let down and if anything like that happens it will be a real tradegy for all of us who love and follow Newcastle United. Tell me are these guys from the city thick or what? we wait years on Freddie to get it right ,then we have two city slickers come in and muck it up.NOW WE KNOW WHY FOOTBALL NEEDS ONLY FOOTBALL MEN AT THE HELM The cheque book aint ever gonna come out Im afraid. One things for certain if Sam resigns he wont want for a job and we the faithful as usual will be the losers. If he stays he will get magnificent support from the fans . However the M and Ms are not going to know whats hit them when the Toon Army begins to wake up to their naive and imcompetent handling of our club affairs to date.

Posted by: RAY WILSON  | July 31, 2007 10:02 PM

Mark wrote...

What a nightmare, bring back Freddie, this Ashley will bleed the club dry for his own profit,he has no interest in football let alone Newcastle. Feel sorry for Sam as given some support he would do a damn good job. The lack of communication from Ashley and his muppets is insulting. DONT BUY SEASON TICKETS, DONY BUY MERCHANDISE, STARVE HIM OUT!! The guy is a laughing stock in the city as his sports world empire is already crashing.

Posted by: Mark  | July 31, 2007 11:11 PM

Tom Prentiss wrote...

I've been a supporter for the last 40 years, was a season ticket holder for a decade which included the Keegan years. Although I now live in the U.S. I am forever a die hard toon army fan.

Therefore, I was elated when Ashley finally took control of Newcastle Utd and thought that things had finally turned the corner. I am therefore, somewhat dismayed that big Sam has not been given significant transfer funds to strengthen the team to date. However,with the premier league season start fast approaching messrs Ashley and Mort better get their fingers out or we are going to struggle as we have in previous seasons with injuries and a depleted squad. (Our injury crisis to date does not make happy reading and the new season is less than two weeks away.) If we don't invest and quickly then I fear that we may end up fighting relegation this time round as the lesser teams have been recruiting players all summer.

To think that the Mackems and Wigan have spent more than us to date on players makes us a laughing stock especially as we have a billionare owner now.

I believe that Sam was an excellent appointment and with time will give the long suffering toon army much to celebrate. He has demonstrated already that he is able to motivate players in a way that previous managers were never able to do.

The chairman must therefore, support him immediately with the necessary funds to allow him to compete succesfully within the transfer market before it's to late.

Posted by: Tom Prentiss  | July 31, 2007 11:50 PM

andy s wrote...

mr Ashley, Mr Mort history lesson 1.
No offence to the clubs or supporters mentioned.(or direct comparisons to achievement)Bill Shankly Carlisle/Liverpool. Brian Clough Darlington/ Derby/ Notts Forrest. Alex Ferguson Aberdeen / Man U
Bit of time, bit of care, alot of forsight and investment.Great success and alot of pleasure. Sam Alardice? Bolton ? . I hope you realise that you may not pick up a manager of this calibre when you please. You dont want to learn this the hard way. Look at the trouble Shepherd had with all of the good intentions he had when he had to make appointments after he had sacked some big profile managers. The current manager may be a blessing you had not forseen You will have to look very hard to find one that will come to the club and grasp the nettle as Mr Alardice has. . He may not be the manager in the calibre that i have previously metioned,he could well be. But he could have similar status up here if he won a trophy.

Posted by: andy s  | August 1, 2007 1:01 AM

Luke wrote...

Calm down. The transfer window doesn't close for another 4ish weeks. It's a major plus point that the new boys i.e. Ashley/Mort and BSA are NOT rushing in signings/avoiding panic buys. What we have brought in so far has been quality and what we've got rid of...I don't hear anyone complaining about. The new boys have already said they will continue to seek to bring in [2-4] new players before month end August i.e. they're not sitting on their hands. So again, calm down.

Posted by: Luke  | August 1, 2007 1:27 AM

apan wrote...

come on lads its not confirmed yet or anythin right? dont believe those rumours, i heard so much that im gettin headache from it for now i just www.nufc.co.uk well people can make speculation but i only believe wat came out of BSA mouth!

Posted by: apan  | August 1, 2007 9:52 AM

gav wrote...

isnt everyone forgetting that the club is currently 80 million in debt im not surprised ashley is a little reserved about squandering mass amounts of cash , cant everyone be patient yes its true we do need more defenders but its not like nothing is being done about it , its gonna take time to turn this club around a, a new manager and a new owner will do this but first getting our heads above the water is the main priority anyone who expects instant success is just kidding themslves

Posted by: gav  | August 1, 2007 10:14 AM

Ian wrote...

Most of the people who have added comments on here need to have a serious sit down and calm themsleves.

The club has gone through unprecidented change in the space of a few weeks.

We are not selling everyone the papers say we are selling! The completely made-up Martins story in yesterdays Chron is just the latest example of the kind of think that makes fans panic. And Zog IS NOT going to Fulham!

We may have to accept a not-so-great transfer window while Mort and co get the club in order, it's a small price to pay for long-term stability.

Cheer up for God's sake.

Posted by: Ian  | August 1, 2007 11:43 AM

Terry Wiseman wrote...

Mike Ashley
What a con god knows what tail he told the previous owners, but we have been sold down the river without a paddle, I am sorry to say but relegation is a possibility.
If not we will be fighting at the bottom of the table again?
Come Back Freddy all is forgiven?

Posted by: Terry Wiseman  | August 1, 2007 2:06 PM

Bill C wrote...

Love it! :O)

Come back Kevin - all the sprogs named after you need to know what you look like!

Posted by: Bill C  | August 1, 2007 8:38 PM

Dan wrote...

I can't believe this. After years of protesting to get Shepherd out, people are already complaining about the new system and asking for fat fred back before ashleys even got his feet under the table. Wanna know why we can't attract the defenders we need. The 13th place finish the previous regime lead us to. Give mort and Ashley some time, they've just completely taken over a public club and turned it private and they are trying to sort a massive debt problem while reorganising the board and backroom staff, that 50m will just have to wait, and we'll see what we can get with the Dyer money. And stop talking bout relegation and bottom half finishes, we'll score more than enough goals to get in the top half.

Posted by: Dan  | August 2, 2007 2:35 AM

Gazza wrote...

Hey can a'have me money back ! Iv'e just paid £12 to see kids younger than me own try to kick a ball around - Hull City friendly. What's the point of playing kids in pre-season games , I thought this was meant to be a time for bedding in new players, building team spirt, developing understanding between players , etc, etc -last night was a joke !! I was never any good at maths as a kid but when No55 comes on you start to wonder if someone's taking the proverbial . A lot of people paid good money to watch this tripe , if I wanted to watch the academy kids I wouldn't be paying £12!!If you ever wondered how thin the squad is then last night showed you - it was that bad that Browny looked half decent when he came on to the pitch !!

Posted by: Gazza  | August 2, 2007 8:51 AM

Peadar wrote...

One for £35.
Ten for £350
Good arithmetic, but hardly an attractive offer.

Posted by: Peadar  | August 2, 2007 9:59 AM

Paul Patterson wrote...

Now whilst Im not a fan of just blazing into the market and signing like West Ham have, I feel caution isn't the way we should be going.

The figures don't add up.

Net spend is going to be about evens after the Dyer sale and Smith Buy.

Are the club starting to think: "Hey, that £30m TV money could pay a vast chunk of the debt off"

Well sorry, but if we don't aquire a good back four by late August, theres going to be a hell of a bigger debt at the club, because were simply not ready.

We won't get relegated with this squad, because I wouldn't swap our attack for anybodys in the league (I REALLY mean that)

But the back four will keep us from getting anywhere near top six.

Even Carr has looked a better player in pre-season, under Sams influenece, so who knows (Im prepared to forgive if he can transfer it to Premier League) but the left back is a MAJOR worry.

Plus like I've said before, Emre (Ankle) Butt (Groin) Duff (Ankle) Barton (Foot and potential Prison*) Owen (Thigh) Viduka (Cream Crackered) Taylor (Knock) we are short of numbers and we ARE Newcastle United.

*I wondered if the Barton thing would come back to haunt us, lets hope it doesn't, Im sure the club under new leadership, will have inserted a clause into Bartons contract, that if worst comes to the worst he will be released if imprisoned, which would be a shame as he's a good talent.

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | August 2, 2007 9:05 PM

Dave Russell wrote...

I CAN DEFINITLEY NOT CLAIM TO BE A "SHEET METAL WORKERS SON FROM GATESHEAD" BUT CAN PROUDLY CLAIM TO BE "THE SON OF A FITTER AND TURNER FROM JARROW"
LOVED KEEGAN, THOUGHT SHEARER WAS THE BEST CF IN THE WORLD BUT TOO MUCH INFLUENCE AT NUFC NOW WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNTABILITY.
LET'S STOP LOOKING FOR TROPHY PLAYERS AND INSTANT SUCCESS, DEVELOP THE YOUTH TEAM - SORRY THE ACADEMY- I MUST BE MORE MODERN IN MY OUTLOOK.LONG TERM WE WILL BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT THE KIERON DYERS, DAMIEN DUFF (WHO HE?),OWENS,MARTINS ETC OF THIS WORLD. HATE TOSAY IT BUT MUFC HAVE GOT IT RIGHT. TO BE A SUCCESS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD BALANCE - HOME GROWN PLAYERS AND PURCHASED PLAYERS (MERCENARIES?) -

JOURNOS HAVE TO MAKE A LIVING I SUPPOSE BUT DID YOUR MAM NOT TELL YOU IT WAS WRONG TO TELL LIES?

Posted by: Dave Russell  | August 2, 2007 10:25 PM