Cheer up, it could be worse
Newcastle United may not have signed any players so far this summer but things could be a lot worse than you think.
This time last year we were all probably ready to give Sam Allardyce his chance at Newcastle United and while some people may feel he got that chance, others will feel he may have had too long.
It would have been brutal had Mike Ashley gave him his cards before a ball was even kicked but you always got the feeling that he was on borrowed time when the Toon board kept insisting: "He's not our appointment."
Twelve months down the line and now Blackburn appear to be falling over themselves to give Big Sam the job at Ewood Park.
Well will he be a success?
It's certainly possible at a smaller club with a smaller mentality but didn't Sam say he was "too big" for Newcastle?
If that's the case is Blackburn not too small for him now?
To be honest Newcastle fans won't give two hoots if Allardyce gets the job or not but during this time of uncertainty at St James's Park at least Kevin Keegan is in the hotseat.
And that certainly wasn't the case this time last year.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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I Don't think there is one supporter that was sad over the sacking of that big useless idiot BSA.
Thank goodness for KK, he's our last hope and I think if the board ever get shot of him then a lot of fans will pack it in. He loves us, we love him, he's the right man for NUFC. Hope MA backs him this transfer window.
Blackburn Rovers are not a club I hate, in fact they appear to be a soundly ran club, which makes me wonder why Manchester United man, Mark Hughes (Another man I respect) has jumped ship and joined the blue half of Manchester- Not a great progression in terms of a managerial step up.
The one thing that Manchester City can offer that Blackburn canâÂÂt is money, lots of it, but there is not job security with Thaksin Shinowatra around. You get the feeling Hughes will be out inside 18 months donâÂÂt you?
If IâÂÂd been Mark Hughes, IâÂÂd have just âÂÂstuck it outâ at Blackburn till Sir Alex Ferguson retires (Three years, If you believe the man himself??) and gone after a proper job, with real prospects.
Manchester City are now in uncertain territory, the Japanese one is certainly trigger happy, sacking the man that has given the club the best finish in the top flight for goodness knows how long- IâÂÂd like to know how much he knows about Mark Hughes, I bet his advisors are telling him the score. DoesnâÂÂt this sound familiar? Very close to Newcastle United situation.
Onto Sam Allardyce- I donâÂÂt give a fig if he gets the Blackburn job, nor any other job for that matter, whoever appoints him deserve what they get, but IâÂÂd give them a warning âÂÂBe Afraid, VERY Afraidâ as he joined the good ship Newcastle United that was afloat with a small hole in the bottom and left it having struck one almighty iceberg.
Blackburn you have my deepest sympathies.
On the plus side, if heâÂÂs back in the Premier league next season, thatâÂÂs one less side to worry about- So go on, Fill your boots Blackburn. In the meantime, IâÂÂd go in with a sneaky ã9m bid for Mort Gamst Pederson and/or Santa Claus. They both score goals you know? So wonâÂÂt be required under Fat Sam.
Finally to Kevin Keegan- IâÂÂll say again,- I hope the scouting trio, DONâÂÂT have a separate agenda to run the club their way and not KevinâÂÂs and that they go into transfer negotiations with 100% to get KEVINâÂÂS man, not theirs.
There will be a period of transition next season, for two clubs, Blackburn and Manchester City, so there are two places in the league Newcastle United should be looking to âÂÂMop upâ as it were. The beauty is Newcastle United have had that transition with Kevin since January and must be ready from the off, which means all transfers must be in place before the first game,- Not by the deadline on August 31st as games will have gone by the wayside by then.
This is one season Newcastle United must get it right.
Paul.
Lee,Regarding Sam Allardyce, I'm not particularly bothered what happens over at Ewewood Park.It's the lack of positive activity coming out of St James's Park that troubles me.I'm beginning to question Ashley's motives in buying out the last regime and just wonder if he's prepared to back "Special K" and take us forward or whether its gonna be more of mid table obscurity at best!!.As a "Hack" with connections, whats your take on this??.
To be honest I am terrified of the new season and despite the wave of enthusiasm for Keegan based on sentiment I eblieve that the decision to appoint the man is hugely incompetent. It is typical of the club to look back ratehr than forward, Kevein was a great amanegr and I grew up watching his time entertain me after a brief Ardiles interlude. However in 2008 his time has passed and he certainly will eb uanble to take us to the next level he ahd funds at city and failed to achieve success there, and his tactis were widely questioned with England.
Ultimately the best way to look at it is this, if George Graham was appointed by Arsenal now, after having won leagues and fa cups with his former club, the north London fans would be furious and go into the new season with great trepidation. Newcastle employ a manager who despite the brand of football won no trophys and we celebrate like the second coming. It not really good enough. i hope to be proved wrong, but regressive attitudes sucha s this and a failure to adapt to changes in the modern game are factors holding the club back. The fans never gave Allardyce a chance and whilst I had my doubts I deserved more than half a season.
Innovaters are required to move the club forward.
I hate Stephen Jones.
Souness was successful at Blackburn remember? As was Kenny remember? So BSA probably will too. As for the real issue, the Toon, it would have been nice to have had a signing in but perhaps we are better scouting the Euros as we certainly will be and picking up one or two stars from the tournament like Kev did with Hottiger and Albert.
Payback for them giving us souness
I'm sure after a couple of months the likes of bentley, santa cruz and McCarthy, will not like his long ball tactics and don't be suprised to see bentley playing RB, considering what he did with Charlie
Don't worry about the lack of transfers, most ppl are on holiday at the moment, so just wait till after euro 2008 then the market will pick up
ARE WE GOING TO SIGN ANYBODY, IF NOT SACK THE BOARD THAT ENCLUDES ASHLEY
I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SEASON
REMEMBER WE WERE ONLY A FEW GAMES AWAY FROM THE DROP ZONE WITH THE PALYERS WE HAVE ???????????????????
EVERY CLUB BIG PROFILE CLUB SEEM TO BE AFTER TOP PLAYERS, WHILE WE ARE LOOKING AT CARLISLE UTD FOR PALYERS, WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU.
WHAT ARE NEWCASLE DOING,
WHERE ARE ALL THE MILLIONS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PUTING IN TO THE CLUB FOR PLAYERS??????????
I'm sorry, but with every passing day I see the top six spot for the Toon receding. With the top four light years in front of us, Spurs are spending big on class, now there's Man City with a good manager and plenty cash to spend, West Ham if they can keep them all fit, Aston Villa planning to spend well, and even Pompey, if they can keep it going, we will be lucky to scrape into the top ten. All my excitement for this season is beginning to drain away, and a feeling of gloom is descending. I'm sorry but I've seen all these signs before. I feel there is to much uncertainty surrounding the club and it's owner, and this London faction always rearing it's head. I am now starting to get the feeling that MA is on the lookout for a quick profit, with a greatly reduced wage bill and debt free club. A few good signings made soon will cheer me up, but I'm beginning to doubt it. Only time will tell, but Mike, I hope it's not going to end in tears.
HE WILL NOT LAST TILL CHRISTMAS-KEVIN KEEGAN FOR EVER AND EVER!!!!!!!
I hate Stephen Jones too, so do his parents!
I do feel sorry for Blackburn.
Firstly, I think they'd come to terms with the fact that Mark Hughes would be one of a select few touted to talk to Manchester United when Sir Alex calls it a day. And I think they fully understood and accepted this.
But Manchester City? I understand his frustration at seeing other teams throwing money around while he can't, but I'm filled with concern for him for all the reasons already written here about Shinawatra. This guy is exactly what we don't need in football, full-stop. I wonder whether he'd even seen a Premier League match until he'd completed his takeover. Then suddenly he's an expert who knows what's best for the club, despite what its fans are telling him. Laughable.
Back to Blackburn though, and their apparent interest in the Sam the Loon. If they want to undo all the good work of Hughes in 4 or 5 quick months, then they should fire away. It'd be Premier League suicide.
From what I hear on Sky Sports from Blackburn fans, they all want Alan Shearer to take it. This would be a far better appointment for Blackburn, and Newcastle for that matter. Shearer has one overwhelming attribute which Allardyce doesn't, and it's a pretty simple one...Al knows what a goal is.
Still though, I can't help but agree with several previous posts in thinking that Bentley & Santa Cruz will be off double-quick if ProZone's main shareholder takes over.
Lee -do not be so insular and patroniising.
'Small mentality' Blackburn have won a league title and a league cup in the last 12 yeas -thank god our aspirations are that modest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think we should stop with this post SKY -big club/ small club claptrap. Blackburn have had a better mentality than Newcastle for a number of years -looking for astute signings (as opposed to big mentality Beverley Hills footballers) and played good football. Whilst they were buying pedersen and bentley for pennies with their small mentality we were buying big mentality Luque and Duff.
Whilst we were buying big time viduka and Owen on ã200k a week combined wages there 'small mentality' was buying Santa Cruz and McCarthy.
If we had the same mentality as Blackburn (with the extra money and fan base to boot) we would be in a far better place!
But if you think our 'big mentality' is so much better please explain how?
I agree with Ben Miller.
However, other than the incredibly poor Alan Smith (who was supposedly picked over Elano!), BSA really did not do too poorly in the transfer window. Beye was a GREAT buy, Faye was good as well, Viduka did all right, Enrique's purchase was a long-term move, and Barton might have had a good year if it weren't for his early injury.
Cacapa, Geremi, and Rozenthal were poor, but they came cheap. The mistake fatty McSam made was sticking with his poorer purchases too long, when he should have had the humility to admit when he's made a mistake, like all the great managers do. Not to mention his crappy tactics and negative attitudes distroying confidences left and right.
He did all right with his selling as well. He should have ditched Ameobi, but he did get good fees for Parker, Dyer, and Solano. Luque was showcased for buyers in the preseason, then finally shipped out. Bramble, who was theoretically a Allardyce type player, was sent to Wigan. He actually made the moves to free up enough money to buy the impact player he wanted (if he'd made the right choice, he'd likely still be employed).
Don't get me wrong, he HAD to go, but he bought 3 of the players that by the end of the season formed a competant back 4. Smarter midfield buys, and he'd have set up KK for even more end of the season success. I honestly believe that with two impact players - McGeady and Crouch would be my picks - NUFC can achieve Beye's top 6 hopes for next season (plus some more injury cover at the back, although Edgar did well when given a chance). Fat Sam ruined last season, but he left the club in a better position than it was when he came.
Hi Lee.Blackburn are welcome to the fat man --He made us look the worst team in the premier last season-cant remember how many games we played home and away where we never had a shot on goal-feel sorry for the Blackburn fans who are going to be bored out of their seats -I certainly was and I truly thank god for KKs return-also Stephen Jones -is he for real -or is he a mackem but too ashamed to admit it. Ben Miller you are right to hate him. My main worry is will MA really back KK cause if he does not then there will be blood on the Tyne -we love KK he is one of us and always will be -we trust him -we will give him and any team he sends out our total support- I just hope there is no dirty dancing going on behind the scenes KK means everthing to us he gave blood as a player for us and he ignited a sleeping giant when he came back the first time as the manager-I just hope he can lead us to at least one trophy-as much for him as us because he has black and white blood in his veins and I know he would love Newcastle to win something . God help us if he ever goes --Shame on you Stephen Jones.
It could be worse but it could be better. It should be better. Reading previous comments, already theres so many uninspired fans and im beginning to feel the same.
Last seasons team was poor, surely Ashley could see that.
After initially being excited at the prospect of his ambition for the club im rapidly losing faith in him.
I dont rate the Sinatra fella at city but atleast he's going for it, not saying we need a few seasons to stabilise before we can challenge for anything.
1 thing, I hope we dont get Crotch, anyway didnt he call the NUFC fans 'vicious' when we played liverpool. If he did why would he want to play for us?
Ive given up thinking of players I hope we get 'cos I cant see it happening.
The only possible positive thing if Sad Allerdyce took over at blackburn is he may want to take the prolific Smith with him!
Paul Patterson I`m shocked!Japanese heh heh.
I hate Stephen Jones too and he types with his elbows
Hanging around for the Euros to finish before signing anyone is suicide.
Take the wingers mentality into the transfer market, be fast, be direct, be brave.
Yes lads it could be worse i suppose. We could all be Sunderland supporters.
Stephen Jones
With all due respect I believe you are talking rubbish. Had BSA been give the time you are talking about we would be in the fizzy pop league next season not the PL. He had already shown that he was incapable of motivating the players we have or indeed even coming up with a system that they could comfortably play in. He was a mistake from the start and my only regret is that he was not sacked sooner.
KK on the other hand, may not be the best manager in the world or the best tactition in football but I firmly believe he is a vast improvement over BSA and will make NUFC into a better side. He is capable of motivating the players and plays the type of football most toon fans want to see. Even if we still don't win anything, I would still prefer to watch a Keegan side than the pitiful, painful dross that BSA served up in his short stay at the toon.
I too am delighted that we are shot of Allardyce and now have King Kev.
However it has to be a concern that "Director of Football" Wise cannot even persuade a youngster from Carlisle United, Madine, to sign for the Toon. This is not forgetting the failure with Ashton and it seems every other player he has gone for. Also a concern that any notice is taken of Wise's opinion on who to buy. I'm sure like most Toon fans that it's KK we want to steer the ship not the little cockney boy who was never popular here even as a player. He is only the errand boy for KK.
It's about time things started to happen with quality players wanting to come to SJP - NO SIGNS AT THE MOMENT!!!
Difficult one... It's early June, and no signings, but then, really, who else has anyone else signed?
Spurs, once again, linked with all and sundry, yet signed only one player so far?
I'd rather us make some decent signings, no more Duff and Smith Journeymen signings, who hinder rather than help the team.
Not sure about waiting til Euro 2008 is finished as the prices will no doubt rocket and maybe MA doesn't want to pay big bucks? In which case, we will end up buying other teams cast off's when they spend big instead.
I might like Stephen Jones if he learnt how to spell.
I'm not sure how much our transfer balance is since Asley took over (+16m?) but we've spent peanuts compared to around eight other teams - how are we supposed to get a top 4-6 finish.
Time Mr Megabucks got his cheque book out and stopped playing around.
Perhaps if he spends as little as posible, but we avoid relegation, and 50,000+ of us idiots turn up each home game and buy pies, pints, shirts and programs he's on to a good thing?
It is obviously that with BSA things could be a lot worse than they are.
Hope that Blackburn cannot get BSA a job.
Looking into next season we do not have a clear plan what and who we want.
Obviously everyone expecting to get
into top six however it would be hard to go up with a ballast. I do not think that with A.Smith & L.Barton we able to do this. We have to be honest with ourself that Smith is obvious flop of the season and also L.Barton who unlikely regain his form due to chronic problems with alcohol.
Another thing - we have to tell truth that big names unlikely will join NU during thi summer as we just about to escape from relegation (THANKS TO KK).
Realisticaly we must focus on young prospects who already established themself and still cheap...
?Remember SAS Forse (Sutton&Shearer in BR in 1994)... Look on Ferguson and Wenger who let talanted young guys to shine. Of cause it will take couple years to buid the team but I hope that KK came to be here at laest for 4-5
years.
We do not need Revolution like last year when BSA dispose 11 guys and braught 9 new. It would be again another "trabsitional " season.
We just need some improvements in every line. 3-4 new signings would be enough but they must have Geordy attitude...
What we have now with new Wise's team - just broadened geographi of links. Look at this list of lads linked with NUFC for the last few weeks:
Colloccini (Dep La Coruna)
Negredo (Almeria)
Riise (Liverpool)
Crouch (Liverpool)
Cisse (Marseille)
Westwood (Carlisle)
Aimar (Zaragosa)
Madine (Carlisle)
Cardozo (Benfica)
Arteta (Everton)
Amorebieta (Bilbao)
Fernandes (Valencia)
Albelda(Valencia)
Juahasz (Anderlecht)
Gudjohnsen (Barselona)
Davis (Fulham)
Veloso (Sporting)
Deco(Barsa)
Moutinho (Sporting)
Modrich (Zagreb)
Gomis (St.Etien)
Emana (Touluse)
Vukcevic (Sporting)
Sidwell (Reading)
Dunne (City) etc., etc...
So What we want?
What is our strategy?
What is the weakest link in current squad?
What KK's opinion?
What M.Ashley thoughts? (Last year he promised 50m to BSA who was not "his appointment" and now he wants even cut salaries).
Everybody is awaiting for new raitings after Euro-08 to start signings.
Please do not expect something after Euro-08 as prises will rase . Obviously it will be not a problem for MU, Chelsky, Arsenal and Liverpool to sign new stars.
Let think about real targets who are not involved in the Euro-08.
Remember SAS...
Let KK take decision and get him money RIGHT NOW
Despite the hate in the room for Stephen Jones only he and Anonymous are living in the real world here.
The good news here is that Alan King Shearer it taking over at Blackburn, if not, then put a bid in for Benny and Santa Claus quick time BSA (was a good bike in its time, but also left a lot of c**p on the garage floor behind it as well).