Magpies are handed the toughest start possible

brad wrote...

if we have a bad start the fickle geordie fans will get on the players backs , then the mistakes will start. this is going to be a hard and long season. i really think we will struggle. On paper with the players that have left i think we have one of the weakest squads in the prem. we are a million miles away from teams like spurs. They are signing quality players that i could only dream about us signing. we are linked with shorey and arda turan who are not world beaters. I want a dos santos, modric or a villa to lift this club. hate to say it but we could be in for a relegation scrap.

Posted by: brad  | June 16, 2008 11:19 AM

dick wrote...

does anybody out there know if we will be getting any new player before the season starts ,i am starting to get very nervous, i'm starting to think 4th bottom will our target for this season

Posted by: dick  | June 16, 2008 11:40 AM

Paul Patterson wrote...

This opening day fixture doesn’t bother me in the slightest, as Newcastle United are traditionally slow starters, the only exception being- That time we went twelve points clear. Put that fixture to one side, we need to get MAXIMUM points against Bolton and Hull, and should. Not what Sam Allardyce called an ‘Unbeaten start’ but maximum points from fixtures we SHOULD win.

I’ve said before, it’s not what we do against the top four, its what we do against the rest that will determine, if we improve on last season or not. Dropping four points against Hull, like Derby last season, is NOT an option, getting beat off Wigan away is NOT an option, only taking two points off ‘Boro is NOT an option, Reading beat us away- NOT an option next season- See where I’m going? I hope so.

Some people are obsessed with what we do against the big boys, and yes, it would be nice to ruffle their feathers, but it’s not essential to where we finish- Unless we have aspirations to finish in the top 2, which we don’t.

Lee, you say that the trip to the Emirates is as difficult as a trip to Old Trafford- I couldn’t disagree more, Arsenal are a mighty fine side, but if we ourselves get a decent enough but not brilliant side together, we can beat them, AT the Emirates. They are not as difficult as Manchester United away, which is a ground I’m happy to just keep the score low, something we haven’t done this last season.

All this is pie in the sky, for we have shipped out a lot of deadwood, (All sales agreed with by the way) but these have to be backed up with good imports and holding on to our good talent and prospects ie:- Milner, Carroll, Owen, Martins, Taylor, Given, Harper and the experience of Butt. Lose any of these and I will not be happy, especially if it’s in the name of ‘cost cutting’

You get the feeling that, if given the chance, this current regime, Keegan excluded, would sell anyone for a fast buck or to save wages, but this is not the way to run a football club. Ashley allegedly summonsed Kevin to London, because he wasn’t happy about Keegans admission that Newcastle can’t compete with the top 4. Well if this ‘cost cutting’ keeps going at breakneck pace, he will be proved spot on, in fact at this rate the only four we will be competing with will be the bottom four.

I read (Just rumours) that Portsmouth are lining up, Peter Crouch for £8m, if he were to go there, without us making such as an inquiry, it will be an absolute disgrace. In fact here’s an idea, lets flog the first team and put the under 18’s out at St James’s against Bolton.

You don’t serve Beans on toast with tea if your customers (And manager) want Lobster and Champagne.

Paul.

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | June 16, 2008 11:58 AM

Dave Mac wrote...

At least we get a couple of the harder ones out of the way at the start. Unlike last year ! I just hope we manage to get Gomis, Arda and a couple of decent defenders in before kick off. Don't fancy Younis from Spurs as some papers were mentioning,I would still like Ashley to test Chelsea's resolve with a bid for Bridge or even Shorey from Reading, but looks like we're shopping in the bargain basement. We definately need a centre back and a full back, oh and please don't let James Milner go anywhere, isn't he the kind of up and coming English talent we need for the future ? Any suggestions on defenders Lee ????

Posted by: Dave Mac  | June 16, 2008 12:45 PM

big Si wrote...

If we don't get some signings in shortly we'll be fielding a reserve side at OT and we'll get hammered. I'm more than a bit worried about the goings on at SJP, rumours of wage cuts, players having to buy their own club suits, rumours of a 40k wage cap, not made any signings yet, when is ashley going to let KK loose on the transfer market ?

Posted by: big Si  | June 16, 2008 1:20 PM

HenryA wrote...

well what a pessimist you are!

There is one way to make sure you won't win and that's to believe you won't.
I bet Kevin has already totted up his 9 points for Augusts manager of the month.

A doddle, a walk in the park, money for oold rope.
We cannit lose man!

Right I'm off for my cruise on the Titanic, see you in August.

They're coming to take me away, ha ha he he...

Posted by: HenryA  | June 16, 2008 2:29 PM

Alex Hogg wrote...

To be honest, I'm glad to get this fixture out of the way early. It would be much more of a hassle if it came at the the end of the season with the toon needing points from it.

Also, who's to say we can't make a winning start. What better time to play the best team in Europe when they haven't played a professional game together for months.

To prove my point look at Man Utd's opener last season, drawing at home to Reading who weren't even good enough to stay in the league!!

I'm not saying it would be easy, but with a bit of luck, a few new faces (fingers crossed) and the right conditions, we could even sneak the 3 points come August 16th.

Howay the lads!

Posted by: Alex Hogg  | June 16, 2008 2:34 PM

Anonymous wrote...

I’m sure this will have been mentioned before on this site several times, but remember MA saying a few months ago after appointing KK that he doesn’t see much point buying a football club if you can’t have a lot of fun (combined with success), and that he wants to see us playing Chelsea off the park, holding our own against Man Utd etc?

Personally, I really enjoy supporting the Toon regardless of whether we’re that successful or not, but that’s beside the point. Oh, okay I hate it when we get trounced by Man U, of course. But when you consider MA earlier statement then surely he must realize that his hopes can only bear fruit if he seriously invests in new players. The only other way is a longer-term Arsenal style plan or extremely shrewd buys. But I wonder if he’s about to surprise a few with some ambitious signings after the clear-out.

Looking at it the flip-side up, why was KK "relieved" that Blackburn had dropped their interest in Faye if he wants to keep the player?
Surely we should get to keep who we want, and I can't see Faye asking to leave because he's not that type of player. So are we obliged to MA to accept cash for players if it's offered? It's all a bit confusing at the club right now, but I'm still going to take the optimistic side that we're secretly ready to build a much stronger squad within the next few months.

Posted by: Anonymous  | June 16, 2008 3:27 PM

Andy wrote...

Yes it is the toughest of games to start with, however, it's probably best to play them first game.

They won't have any form to take into the new season, most of their players have been competing in the Euros. So they won't quite have a proper pre-season, and hopefully the whole ronaldo story might still be running on.

Id rather play them first game, mind you at home, than play after they have got a few games under the belt.

We'll have our new signings, a load of football hungry kids with any luck, who just want to play against the best team in the world, backed by the best supported team in the world.

We can do it.

Posted by: Andy  | June 16, 2008 3:33 PM

Kevin wrote...

It's discouraging to see this defeatist attitude. We have to play them anyway, when it happens is almost irrelevant. Let's buckle down and fight for points early in the year!

Ryder reply: Wins breed wins and vice versa, so in my opinion it is relevant.

Posted by: Kevin  | June 16, 2008 3:58 PM

Anonymous wrote...

Well, here we go again the Newcastle luck returns??? Manchester united first game of the season, I suppose you could look at in another way get the game over and finished.

Lets just hope this Ashley Board ? Buy some quality players or we are in deep S—t before the season even starts.

Nearly every club in the Premiership are been associated with top players around Europe except for Newcastle

I am sorry to moan but the signs are not looking good,

I think this board are only after one thing for the future of Newcastle and that is to make a quick profit then sell up????????????????????????????

Posted by: Anonymous  | June 16, 2008 3:58 PM

M Simpson wrote...

Its good to get this one out of the way early.

Posted by: M Simpson  | June 16, 2008 4:14 PM

Pete Bravey wrote...

I'm Happy with the fixture list...!
what's a better way to get our season off to a flyer? A new look Toon side lead by a proud Keegan, relishing his 'first' season this time round.. A good showing agians't the europian champians will set out our stall, massively boost confidence throughout what will be a young side, which seemed to be a big problem throughout the middle part of last season. we just need to get our signings in early, enjoy a fruitful and injury free pre
season.. and steak a early claim for a top four place,.. If we can do that A top eight finish will certainly be achievable.
Especially with new signings: Arda, Gomis,van der vart, Huddleston,collocini & arshavin. and new contracts for milner Owen and Taylor... the latter proudly wearing the armband and leading the side out at old trafford.
I had a moment of clarity today... it is nieve to have our brains washed by southern press and nay sayers..,. Proper Toon fan's greatest attribute is blind optimism! lets be positive,. have faith in MA and true faith in KK, because lets face it if things were as bad as we are all led to beleive, Special K would have walked weeks ago... The irons ARE in the fire, players will be coming in,
And we are gonna win the league!!

Posted by: Pete Bravey  | June 16, 2008 7:41 PM

STEVE wrote...

DICK,BIG SI,and the rest,we all seem to have the same reservations on the current toon situation.Are we going to sign anyone or NOT ??? the signs are the poorest since ive been a mag, now 35 and been going since i was 8. we just dont know where we stand,are we an early warning system of good players to spurs (of all teams)or have we really got ambition?? while i think we all agree that the lucky gits get payed ridiculous amounts,..this buying your own suit carry on...eh? what purpose does it serve other than telling potential signings not to join the toon??? VERY,VERY CONCERNED(and the season ticket reminders were a fiasco) and we thought the previous regime was bad!!!!! TOON FOREVER

Posted by: STEVE  | June 16, 2008 8:34 PM

RAY WILSON wrote...

There is a fog on the tyne and it needs lifting-we have the perfect manager to take a team forward and in his own words --give it a right go--still think Kevs been held back somewhere along the line and its bad news all round if we sell Milner just for the dosh--What is MA playing at -wage caps- drive down wages-reduce the playing staff--how on earth does he think we will survive--and he had the cheek to summon wor Kev to london because he was not happy with his comments -better grow up fast MA --you wont need to cut the wage bill come next May --carry on like this and you will have the wage bill cut for you as we wont be paying premiership wages and we wont have premiership players. This is really awful -first time in years we have a manager who can take us to better things and looks like he womt get the support to do so.Hate to say it but we need a Geordie business tycoon to rescue us--the London gang just dont know what its all about.

Posted by: RAY WILSON  | June 16, 2008 11:45 PM

M. Sebastian T. wrote...

Nothing seems to change with Toon fa ns. Up in clouds, down in the dumps, up in clouds, down in the dumps .... We want more new players ....

My guess is that KK and his men would settle now for halving one point before September and hoping that the rot does not set in early again.

Posted by: M. Sebastian T.  | June 17, 2008 9:35 AM

Trevor wrote...

When is NUFC going to challenge the unfairness of the premier league fixtures? Yet again 2 seasons on the trot, NUFC have been drawn away on the opening and final game of the season, how does that work? Can any one also remember when the last time NUFC played at home on boxing day, yet again another away day over the festive season. Its time NUFC officials complained to the premier leagueto obtain a level playing field for newcastles loyal fans.

Posted by: Trevor  | June 17, 2008 10:58 AM

Ben wrote...

I am pleased to get this fixture out the way early doors, And as Terry Mac said its probably the best time to play them, They have in the past slipped up on the first day.
I am trying to be optimistic at the moment but I must admit I am becoming increasingly worried about the goings on and noises that are going on at around newcastle, IT has become aparent that we will do buisness as far as selling Millner is concerned, Now if I am not mistaken at the moment all the club is harping on about is bringing in young talent and developing it! so why the hell would you get rid of Millner? And replace him with who???Reyes who couldnt settle in london? what logic is there in that? THen there is Owen and Taylors contracts??? They still havnt been sorted and nor has Martins? Players such as Crouch Shorey Risse Lennon Wright-Phillps Cueller arn`t at the euro`s so there is no excuse for us sitting on our hands and waiting for somebody else to snap them up!! KK stated at they end of last season that there would ony be a few departures and we would strenghten our already small squad. Yet that squad is already depleted and it looks like were going to replace players with the likes of Guthrie and he wasnt even first choice at Bolton last year!!
When KK took over Ashley stated he would have significant funds to streghthen the squad! and that the club was a honny in witch he wanted to enjoy, Well now`s the time to act!! so far he just looks like a an esstute businessman who is all talk and hot air!
Lets hope we are all not getting taken for yet another ride!!

Posted by: Ben  | June 17, 2008 11:33 AM

arthur locker wrote...

I am confused. Why is there speculation about the departure of Milner and Carroll ? Surely this the kind of talent, like Taylor and N'Zogbia, that should be developed further. it would be criminal for them to go elsewhere and come back to haunt us.
By the way, don't look at the fixtures at the start, look at the the last three home games of the season.

Posted by: arthur locker  | June 17, 2008 1:13 PM

Dave Robson wrote...

I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THEY PROMISED KEVIN WHEN THEY BROUGHT HIM BACK, BECAUSE KEV BEEN THE MAN HE IS WOULD NOT HAVE COME BACK TO THE RESTRAINTS HE APPEARS TO BE HAVING PUT ON HIM.
MARK MY WORDS ASHEY IS NOT IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL,
I JUST GOT A FEELING WILL GO, AND I DONT THINK ANYONE COULD BLAME HIM IF HE CHOOSES TO, AS THIS WAS NOT IN THE BROCHURE HE WAS PRESENTED WITH WHEN THEY ENTICED HIM BACK.
TIME FOR ASHLEY TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE THIS AINT JUST ANY FOOTBALL CLUB ITS NEWCASTLE UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB, YEAH WE HAVE'NT WON ANYTHING FOR GOD KNOWS HOW LONG BUT THESE ARE SPECIAL SUPPORTERS WHO DESERVE BETTER IF YOUR NOT WILLING TO GIVE KEV FREE REIN, GET OUT OF TOON.

Posted by: Dave Robson  | June 17, 2008 1:30 PM

Bill wrote...

So Man U and the Gooners as our first set of away games! I can see us on nine points after we beat Bolton in our first home game! Then it is Hull at home, then WHU away, then Blackburn ...... we'll be 12 pts clear by Xmas!

PS Just read on a site from a Rangers Supporters Trust link (not the most reliable of organisations, mind) that we have lodged a £5m bid for Cuellar.

Posted by: Bill  | June 17, 2008 2:00 PM

David K wrote...

Isn't it both disloyal and unsettling for the fans to be bottling it pre-season?

We're going to have to play each of the so called big four twice next season. To me it doesn't matter whether you face them at the beginning the middle or the end of a campaign. If we field a competent and more importantly a committed side, what have we got to be frightened of?

In any case, if last season proved nothing else, it showed that with the right formation and the right mentality we had the ammunition to shoot these high flyers down. Give KK and the lads a chance to show a bit of consistancy, show real support, and the target of a top six finish would be a walk in the park. Sew seeds of disquiet before a ball's even been kicked and fasten your seatbelts for a repeat of last seasons lean spell.

Posted by: David K  | June 17, 2008 2:22 PM

matt.j.newton@btinternet.com wrote...

well i think the season will be a good one regardless of what you lot think! yes we havent signed anyone yet but has man utd?, has arsenal? has villa? has half the other teams in the prem yet? no!!! only spuds have done this because they would know they would loose out in a straight fight!!! STEVE you wrote about players having to buy there own club suits why shouldnt they? i mean most are on what we earn a year and they still get petrol allowness and free tickets!!!! can i please say also that we should get rid od of that clown KK or special K as you call him because as we know when the going gets tough he walks out on us and then claims it was the boards fault not his own [i mean yeah tha board lost us a 12 points lead.] lets get some real management in like the team up stairs in dennis wise i personally would love it just love

if you lot disagree you kjnow my email addy!!! reply

Posted by: matt.j.newton@btinternet.com  | June 17, 2008 2:41 PM

ron lambert wrote...

I dearly hope I'm wrong Lee, but the feelings growing amongst the relatively few fans who frequent this blog, with all due respect mate, are reaching similar conclusions to mine on their own. I realise that my thoughts on the Toon are very passionate at times, and of course what you print must be carefully scrutinised from a legal perspective, but the signs are there and I hope you log my warnings. Buying their own suits must be a first in Premiership history, what will the southern press make of that? Unless they know something you guys don't, or won't discuss yet.

Posted by: ron lambert  | June 17, 2008 3:30 PM

James wrote...

MA is trying to make Newcastle profitabe by cost cutting, but as everyone knows the only way to make a club really profitable is to splash the milions it takes to get the best players (to sell Shirts) and get into Europe. a Obvious example is David Beckham leaving madrid and going to America LA Galaxay they made a killing on shirts and TV rights and poor Madrid are still hurting from the millions they lost. what im trying to say is you got to spend and take a risk to have a chance to rake in the cash.
MA i hope you reading!!

Posted by: James  | June 17, 2008 3:37 PM

Dan wrote...

I think this is actually a really good draw for us, if we are gonna take on Man U, best do it at the start, especially if they end up losing Ronaldo, even though they are currently the best football club in the world his departure would leave a giant hole in their style of play which would take a few games to adapt. Man U and Arsenal away have also been balanced out with two home games against teams that we should be looking to beat. As for the big four, well they're very nicely spread out, unlike January where we got Man U and Arsenal twice, boy was that depressing. As for signings, they'll come and remember that every sides pre season has taken a knock from this tournament, but think of it this way, how many of our players are going to the olympics? I think some of the other teams will not be as lucky in that respect.

Posted by: Dan  | June 17, 2008 4:48 PM

John Best wrote...

Old habits die hard, the malaise is well entrenched at NUFC.Cash in; on as many of our squad as possible, I cant think of one exception to this stratagy. 6 gone is good news, lets get another 6 on the same bus. KK is not the man to bring us out of recession, the game has moved on and we have stood still.A foreign coach is needed to bring us up todate.I predict a difficult season for the 3 NE clubs.

Posted by: John Best  | June 17, 2008 5:35 PM

Ewan Marshall wrote...

How can Ashley and Co justify an increase in ticket prices. The product hasn't improved since last season, when is he going to invest ON the pitch?

Posted by: Ewan Marshall  | June 17, 2008 6:12 PM

Ewan Marshall wrote...

Lets be realistic, what we have at SJP is "not good enough to challenge the top four", these were the words of our Manager.
OK fair enough, so what do we need to do to make this a successful football team for us and a successful business venture for MA?
Are there anymore Andy Coles from Bristol at £1.9m I don't think so and if there were Premier Managers would be too scared to risk playing them.
How about recruiting Van Galle who has a bit more confidence about his managerial abilities, and lets turf out the Viduka and Co who have hearts the size of peas!
I'm still not sure where the Wise Guy fits in the system nor what his role is. But we need quality throughout the club.
"If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it!"

Posted by: Ewan Marshall  | June 17, 2008 6:27 PM

Ptarquin wrote...

It is interesting reading all these comments almost everyone commenting on the lack of transfer activity. Compare it to previous years when every day brought another rumour, another big name player linked to St James's Park.

I wonder if this is all just part of Mike Ashley's hatred of the media. He apparently did not appreciate it when Keegan started negotiating with him in public, saying "We'll never challenge the big four" one interpretaion of which could be "Stump up the money or else..."

I also thought Allardyce's departure was very sudden and it was around the time Diarra's transfer was being negotiated through the newspapers. Maybe Ashley had tried to stop him talking to newspapers in the Summer and, if the Diarra rumours were emanating from Allardyce, he had just had enough.

So maybe Mike Ashley just hates being pressurised through the newspapers and we will have to get used to finding out about transfers when they are all agreed.

Longer term, we have to be in a stronger position than most. We have no debt at a time when the likes of Portsmouth seem to be getting in deeper and deeper in their efforts to challenge the big four and they aren't the only ones. And this season - perhaps we should just be grateful if we get to see entertaining football and stay out of a relegation flight.

PS I never thought I would see Portsmouth as one of our peer group.

Posted by: Ptarquin  | June 18, 2008 9:07 AM

David K wrote...

With all due respect to Ewan, it's not just a local problem that managers seem not to be able to see past overpriced, often over-rated, foreign imports when there's a gap in their squads. Even the likes of Van Gall and the rest of the european coaches that get touted every time a mangerial change is mentioned don't seem to have the guts to fly against the wishes of the suits in charge and give a run out to raw young talent that, at the end of the day, pose no more risk in selection for a premiership side than a player that has been showing promise in a French, Spanish or Italian team. The only business advantage of the foreign import is that there has probobly been a bit of advance publicity for them in the press.
I maintain my opinion that, if given the freedom to build a proper squad with a better mix of young and experienced players, KK has as much, if not more chance of bringing success to the club as any of the high profile foreign coaches that the press seem to champion.
No, the likelihood of dicovering another Andy Cole playing in the Conference are at best slim but, going back to the original point of this blog, we have nothing to fear from the fixture list at the beginning of the new season, even without bringing in "names" from other clubs. Especially if KK makes wider use of the resources he has already available to him, and more importantly, if MA lets him.

Posted by: David K  | June 18, 2008 10:17 AM

North West Supporter wrote...

Would fans of Liverpool, Man U and the other top clubs put up with the dross that NUFC dish out each week? I don't think so. Time to boycott all future matches. When the directors of NUFC see the gate revenue drop things will change and very fast!

Posted by: North West Supporter  | June 18, 2008 5:26 PM

David wrote...

is it not the case that in the opening weeks of the season anything can happen so lets get arsenal and man u out of the way and maybe we can snatch something. its not as if playing them later in the season will see us reap greater rewards

Posted by: David  | June 18, 2008 6:18 PM

Richy Wilson wrote...

First of all I cannot believe some people are saying that KK should be replaced by a foreign coach 'to bring us up to speed with modern football' how can you possibly say that. Fair enough I do not agree with his very large salary, he is proven at every level of English football and we were starting to play some really inventive, ambitious and successful football towards the end of last season and all of the existing players loved playing for him (especially Oba Martins, which I cannot stress how important he is to keep). As for foreign coaches, I know this was a while ago, but didn't Ruud Gullit alienate every Geordie possible in his time in charge and was a big failure apart from the FA Cup final.

As regards to the fixtures I am personally delighted with playing Man Utd and Arsenal away at the start of the season (even great arrogant diving cheat Christano Ronaldo wasn't firing on all cylinders until October last year) Arsenal nearly got beat off Fulham at home last year first game (Fulham, quite possibly the worst team ever to stay in the premier league)

In Regards to transfer I will be gutted if we cannot get our hands on Andre Arshavin, although he looks like his mother hit him too many times when he was boy and never ever smiles, what a player. I have just finished watching the Sweden game and all can say is wow. In a good side (I still class Newcastle as good side although clearly alot of you disagree) he would have an absolute field day. MA get your cash out and buy the Russian Magician please.

Lets be optimisic it only June man, everyone is being far too pesimistic lets have some geordie optimism.

Posted by: Richy Wilson  | June 18, 2008 10:51 PM

STEVE wrote...

In the not too distant past we had a realistic(even though the odds were still against us)chance of getting a draw against the mancs,or maybe even a result against the arse.....not now...and the way this transfer window is going it may get even worse....it makes not a jot of difference when we play these,we might as well write them off anyway.i renewed my season ticket,in blind optimism that we MIGHT get some quality in,this optimism is disappearing day by day....

Posted by: STEVE  | June 19, 2008 7:21 AM

JAYS wrote...

DONT PANIC! DONT PANIC! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT PANIC! SO WE HAVE GOT A TRICKY FIRST GAME AND EVERYBODY KOWNS THE MOST LIKELY OUTCOME IS THEY WILL ABSOLUTELY PUMMEL US SEVERELY, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT KEVINS GOT TUCKED AWAY WE MIGHT JUST SURPRISE EVERYBODY WITH SOME VERY SHREWD SIGNINGS YOU JUST NEVER KNOW, AT LEAST I HOPE SO. HOW ARE WE GOING TO COMPETE WITH THE LIKES OF SPURS AND MAN CITY WHO ARE CHASING NONE OTHER THAN RONALDINHO BY ASSET STRIPPING AND COST CUTTING. IVE NO DOUBT MA IS A VERY SUCSESSFUL BUSINESS MAN BUT HOW ON EARTH IS HE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STAND IN AMONGST THE AWAY FANS NEXT SEASON IF HE IS NOT GOING TO BACK KEVIN 100 PER CENT, IF HE LETS KEEGAN LOOSE ON THE TRANSFER MARKET YOU JUST KNOW KK WOULD COME UP WITH THE GOODS. I DONT THINK MA REALISES HE WILL GET LYNCHED IN AWAY GAMES IF HE CONTINUES TO RUN THE CLUB ON 40K A WEEK WAGE CAPS NOBODY OF ANY QUALITY IS GOING TO SIGN FOR THE TOON IF THIS IS THE CASE. I DONT THINK ANYBODY WAS TO SURPRISED WITH KEEGANS "WE WILL NEVER FINISH IN THE TOP 4 WHILE IM HERE" IT IS JUST COMMON SENSE, THE ONLY MAN WHO HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE THIS IS MIKE ASHLEY HIMSELF AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT, WHY SHOULD HE QUESTION KEEGAN? WHEN HE NEITHER HAS THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME NOR THE APPARENT DESIRE TO TAKE NEWCASTLE BACK WHERE THE CLUB AND THE SUPPORTERS DESERVE TO BE. I JUST HOPE I AM WRONG WITH ASHLEY AND HE DIGS DEEP BECAUSE ITS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF INVESTMENT TO TURN THIS AROUND, I KNOW ROME WASNT BUILT IN A DAY BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO PUT OUT THE RIGHT INTENTIONS, WE HAVE JUST BEEN LINKED WITH A MOVE FOR ARSHAVIN BUT NOW WENGER IS APPARENTLY INTERESTED SO THAT LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER NON STARTER, JUST HOW MANY TARGETS ARE WE GOING TO MISS OUT ON BEFORE WE FINALLY SIGN ONE.

Posted by: JAYS  | June 19, 2008 10:29 AM

LEN CHARLES wrote...

Lack of news on the transfer market, why the suprise if Ashley is the astute businessman we give him credit for, he will be looking at the housing market. Over valued homes, people living the good life on the strength of house values,borrowing beyond their means,now looking at negative equity. Ring any bells? If Ashley delivers a solvent,responsible club, be happy. A lot of clubs may go down the tubes in the coming year.No one can escape financial reality. Not even the Premiership.

Posted by: LEN CHARLES  | June 19, 2008 3:20 PM

Ron Lambert wrote...

I've just watched the best of Amara Diane from PSG on youtube and he seems sensational. Of course the best of might be over 3 years but he's like a mixture of Asprilla, George Best and Ronaldo. Most interestingly, he was quoted as desiring to play for KK. If this is so, MA should pay whatever's asked by PSG immediately because Gomis looked like a rabbit in the headlights in his last two appearances and another French flop would be hard to take. Diane has real raw talent, with aggression. He ghosted past 5 or 6 men before slotting home against Renne in one highlight. Check him out Lee.

Posted by: Ron Lambert  | June 19, 2008 3:42 PM

Anonymous wrote...

i dont think its that bad, anything can happen on the first day

Posted by: Anonymous  | June 20, 2008 2:28 AM

Terry wrote...

I have just read that Chelsea are willing to let Shaun Wright-Phillips leave,
Come on Mike and Kevin sign him now before we lose out,

Can you just see it now Shaun sliding balls throw to Owen and Martins,
Top six no problem if we can just get KK and MA to splash the cash.
And another top Striker and the world is ours

Posted by: Terry  | June 20, 2008 10:02 AM