Back to business

Stephen wrote...

Hopefully Mr Ashley will pay a visit to our training ground where he will notice the tumbleweed blowing past our meagre first team squad.

Posted by: Stephen  | July 7, 2008 1:54 PM

Nick wrote...

As usual we like every other club have had the usual transfer speculation this weekend, but two players in particular who have been mentioned are Anton Ferdinand and Steve Sidwell, both of which i would really like to see at St James Park.

Ferdinand could add that pace to a partnership with Taylor and Sidwell is a very good all round footballer. Sidwell could either be a replacement for Barton or partner him in the long term. We would have 3 central midfielders in Barton, Butt and Sidwell who could all keep and pass the ball prpoperly.

Both Ferdinand and Sidwell are a very good age and seem to be available.

I feel both players are definitely better than what we currently have i those positions.

Lee what likelihood would you rate either of these players being brought into SJP?

Posted by: Nick  | July 7, 2008 2:29 PM

Big Si wrote...

Only 13 players for pre-season !!!! What a joke, how on earth do the management expect KK to get the team organised for the new season when he hasn't been able to get any new players in other than one, and he was a right winger that we really aren't so desperate for. KK needs a centre half a left back a centre mid and a striker as a bare minimum. If Ash doesn't release the purse strings shortly we will end up watching largely a reserve side next season. I dread to think what the scorline will be at places like Old Trafford etc.

Posted by: Big Si  | July 7, 2008 3:01 PM

DAVE ROBSON wrote...

yet more takeover rumours, it ok Derek Llambias slamming these rumours,but why does,nt the so called main man ASHLEY put an end to all these rumours once and for all, i know he has the right not to speak or why should, but would it hurt to give the you or alan a no holds bar exclusive interview, to answer all the toon armys concerns, were u could get the toon army to email u questions, that they want answering with total honesty from ashley, with no half truths
this could kill the rumours once and for all.
has this ever been put to ashley, lee
because since kev left for the 1st time, there is just too much negativity surrounding the club.

Posted by: DAVE ROBSON  | July 7, 2008 3:40 PM

Dave Mac wrote...

We could do with another signing coming in just to show these southern hacks that Ashley means business and backs the club. Even McNally reared his ugly head yesterday. A typical McNally story.....Newcastle are in serious trouble, players are asking to leave, the owner is selling, their season ticket price is the highest in the known universe, they charge more for their change kit than anyone in the world, by the way S....land are doing magnificently, have absolutely no problems about bringing in world class players who all want to play on wearside, and there was a snow flurry over the notrth east today, only the bit that fell over the Stadium of S...
were actually rose petals. Makes me sick !

Posted by: Dave Mac  | July 7, 2008 5:19 PM

phil matues wrote...

Just what the hell is going on??
We need help and need it fast!!!

Posted by: phil matues  | July 7, 2008 5:58 PM

Sy wrote...

I agree with Stephen. Our squad is far too small. As I see it, we can only call it 17 first teamers. The 13 who started today, plus Jonas, Barton, Viduka & Carroll. The other two on the injury list: Kadar & Baheng can't yet be called first teamers while they haven't made an appearance.

I remember a couple of years ago when Jose Mourinho surprised people by saying he only wanted a first team squad of 22, which was considered small. If that's small, our 17 is pathetic, particularly when this season I understand team sheets will for the first time include 7 substitutes rather than 5.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting on any discontent bandwagon or anything, but we do need to see some activity over the next couple of weeks.

That said, I'm not convinved by Sidwell and don't feel that an unproven player warrants such a high wage. I'd much rather see us spend this money on Pablo Aimar who has a solid top flight and international pedigree.

On a positive note, I hear that after ankle surgery today, Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to miss the start of the season. So if he is still a Man Utd player by then, hopefully he'll miss the first game of the season and if last season is anything to go by, we'll stand a much better chance of getting something!

Posted by: Sy  | July 7, 2008 6:09 PM

al jardine wrote...

However, there is a smell of lack of ambition and uncertainty emanating from SJP. We don't want to end up with leftovers and hasbeens to appease fans desperate for any signing, we need 3 or 4 quality players. Can we even compete with Portsmouth - a team we ought to have beaten down there - or Spurs (who we beat twice, deservedly on both occasions)?

Posted by: al jardine  | July 7, 2008 7:17 PM

squidgy wrote...

Isn't it about time, all the chairmen/managers of our football clubs got together to stamp out speculation by the media especially certain sports writers who deliberately cook up stories in order to sell newspapers.

'We are sick and tired of it'.

They should root out these mischief makers and refuse to deal or grant interviews with these papers - we all know who they are. Just as well our canny 'chronicle' keeps things in perspective.

Posted by: squidgy  | July 7, 2008 7:18 PM

Anonymous wrote...

only 13 first team players!! looks like some more transfers need to happen

Posted by: Anonymous  | July 7, 2008 9:57 PM

Dave B wrote...

Lee - My main concern is that while NUFC are cutting the wage bill other clubs have never had it so good.

It pains me to say that we will beaten to signatures by the likes of Villa, Portsmouth, Spurs, and say it quietly, possibly even Sunderland.

Existing squad members are not safe either if the Barton wage cut (understandable) and the Oba non-delivery on promised made (not understandable and unforgivable) are anything to go by.

All this said as a bloke who earns in a year what most premiership players get in a matter of days I can understand big MA's intent. NUFC have been a relative soft touch for too long. Like most 'revolutions' the hurt comes up front and I expect the hurt will come this summer.

Posted by: Dave B  | July 8, 2008 9:20 AM

Siomi wrote...

Cozy, that's what it is!

Who needs a vast squad with lots of rivalry and discontent?

11 players with 5 subs/replacements. Thats all we need!

Bring it on!!

Posted by: Siomi  | July 8, 2008 9:26 AM

Ben wrote...

I am becoming increasingly worried about the going`s on at SJP, Having spoken to a lot of other season ticket holders there`s a lot not renewing there tickets next year and I wonder if for the first time since we got promoted that we might see a 80% full St james`s at certain games next season.
There`s still plenty of time left yet, but we have got rid of a lot of dead wood in the squad and some high earners but we havn`t spent a penny when u look at the money we will recieve of the Emre deal, and our recent purchase from Spain would not have cost anywhere near the 7mil quoted as he only payed up the remainder of his contract.
We are supposedly in the market for a target man so why havn`t we put a bit in for Crouch?? or got the shorey deal sorted? We only seem to be intersested in signing young unproven players or bargain buy`s who want around 30k or less a week!!
All the current board has done to date is make the club look more attractive to perspective buyers!! I think its getting to a certain point were we have to think what direction the club is going in? Lets not forget that we didnt spend a penny last year under Big Sam when you way up how much he recouped.
Its time to either put up or shut up as far as the board is concerned. As I said there`s still plenty of time and I hope they do stick to there word, but we will all soon find out what direction they are taking our club.

Posted by: Ben  | July 8, 2008 10:39 AM

jon wrote...

this is absolute nonsense.
we need to buy quality players and prove ourselves. anyone can open their mouths and talk. ashley prove it to us!show us that you are for the toon's interest!

now we can't even compete with portsmouth villa?? we shld be over riding them!

Posted by: jon  | July 8, 2008 11:22 AM

Adam Knox wrote...

Although i do agree that we are very thin on the squad size, i think a few people are overreacting here. IF you look around the premiership, how many clubs have extensively added to their squad through transfers?

Spurs have bough Modric and Dos Santos, thats the only example i can think of a clubsigning morethan one player, one at an inflated sum and the other? well Dos Santos has some serious attitude problems (would have fitted in well here!)

Basically a lot of players are still on holiday or only just returning to training, if they played in Euro 2008 theywill be on an extended break and hardly likely to want to discuss terms.

IF we're still at this point on the day before the start of the season, then yes we should be askign why... but it feels like some people would be happy if we wasted money on players, just for buying sake... Then the same people worrying now would probably just complain about that.

RELAX! It's the summer man...

Posted by: Adam Knox  | July 8, 2008 1:10 PM

Adhip Somanna wrote...

Forget about 13!!

The premier league has 7 subs this year (correct me if i am wrong lee)

and 4 of the 13 were
Given
Harper
Krul
Foster

which leaves 9 outfield players

Ryder's reply: It's a good point. You aren't wrong. However, four have to come back from extra break, four are injured and the transfer deadline hasn't passed yet.
But anybody can see the squad is low on numbers.

Posted by: Adhip Somanna  | July 8, 2008 1:42 PM

John Best wrote...

Sadly , we have become a VERY small club; with blinkered mentality.A bottom 6 position is a reallity.Too many players simply dont care, as long as the cash rolls in. This is almost as bad as the Shepherd era.Ashley needs to appreciate that the club is not going to be worth £42M. , if it drops in to the CHAMPIONSHIP.

Posted by: John Best  | July 8, 2008 2:52 PM

Danny Shiels wrote...

bring back sheppard!! least he spent on players

Posted by: Danny Shiels  | July 8, 2008 8:21 PM

dave w wrote...

If these numbers are correct who does the huge wage bill go to? If, as you all say have only 17(?) first teamers how do you end up with the 5th biggest wage bill in the Premiership?

Posted by: dave w  | July 8, 2008 8:40 PM

Mal wrote...

I cannot believe that some supporters want Shepherd back. Yes we would have had some signings by now who HE thought were good (like Kluivert) but HE was the reason why we had the 5th biggest wage bill in the premiership. We've knocked around £10million off the wage bill by clearing out deadwood who were useless or who spent all of their time on the treatment table. The decks have been cleared - it's only the 9th July - give the manager and owner a chance.

Posted by: Mal  | July 9, 2008 12:25 PM

Mal wrote...

I cannot believe that some supporters want Shepherd back. Yes we would have had some signings by now who HE thought were good (like Kluivert) but HE was the reason why we had the 5th biggest wage bill in the premiership. We've knocked around £10million off the wage bill by clearing out deadwood who were useless or who spent all of their time on the treatment table. The decks have been cleared - it's only the 9th July - give the manager and owner a chance.

Posted by: Mal  | July 9, 2008 12:25 PM

ROBERT SMITH wrote...

Whilst wishing to see NUFC run in a financially prudent manner in order to avoid the excesses of the past - Ashley needs to spend some in the transfer market in order to protect the value of the investment. Quality players cost money - NUFC need at least 4 - bidding for Crouch would have been a good start. Season ticket sales are down on last year - a poor start to the season will make matters worse. Football is not immune from the real world. The credit crunch means that no one will pay over the odds for the Toon.

Posted by: ROBERT SMITH  | July 9, 2008 12:30 PM

Dave wrote...

c'mon Lee you seem to be a man in the know, what's going on? crouch to pompey! fair enough they're in UEFA but howay are they a flair team & guarantee they be struggling to avoid relegation this season. sidwell to the villa, what have they got? has dennis the dwarf fallen a sleep at his desk? cos if our football director doesn't wake up soon & sign a few quality players then we could be fighting another relegation battle.

Posted by: Dave  | July 9, 2008 1:55 PM

Nenad wrote...

I hope we don't sign Sidwell! He could have signed for Newcastle last summer, but he opted to sign for chewsea and sit on the bench.

So why would we pay 5 million for him now? Sidwell has played few games last season and he'd take some time to recover that level of form he was on about 13-15 months ago...

Someone else, please :)

Greetings from Belgrade!

Posted by: Nenad  | July 9, 2008 9:39 PM

Phil wrote...

Siomi - 11 players plus five subs enough? What happens when you're missing players through injury, African Nations Cup, or other reasons. We do not have the depth.

Posted by: Phil  | July 10, 2008 11:47 PM

Mal wrote...

Why are we upset about not signing crouch or sidwell. Did kk want to sign either of them? Has there been any statement from any reputable source in the club that we wanted to sign either of them? Some fans seem to want us to sign anybody as long as they cost a lot of money - which is why we are where we are. Give kk a chance. Judge him by what he has signed by 31/8.

Posted by: Mal  | July 10, 2008 11:57 PM