NUFC sale

Along with the rest of the NUFC fans around the world I was thrilled to see news that Mike Ashley may sell NUFC appear in this weeks media, however this was followed by the release of a club statement denying any potential sale.

A Toon statement read: “The truth is Mike Ashley remains committed to Newcastle United.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this means that for the remainder of this season and AT LEAST until the end of next season, Mike Ashley will not, under any circumstances, sell Newcastle United at any price.

“The Club cannot be stronger in stating its position on this matter.”

Now we all will see this as a kick in the teeth - many of of may have expected this simply because we are not used to good NUFC news. We have been through the mill so many times that until we see Mike Ashley leave Tyneside with our own eyes we will not believe it.

One interesting and potentially pivotal point I picked up from the statement is that the club state that "Until the end of next season" This interests me as that is when Glasgow Rangers could potentially be back in the Champions League.

We have all know the Ashley already owns a percentage of the Scottish giants, however there is little money to be made from them until they return to the Scottish Premier league & European football. Ashley will be excited by a full house at Ibrox and the Champions league cash cow.

Can we read between the lines of this latest club statement and pin our hopes on a potential end to the Mike Ashley era? I certainly hope so.

Come on Rangers!

HBA: A different perspective

 My pal Ross was featured on radio Newcasltes football phone in last week where he shared a different perspective on the whole Ben Arfa & Pardew situation. I wanted to share his thoughts so here you go.

After burning rage on Monday night watchin deadline day, I have changed to merely simmering discontent after listening to same balanced Ben Arfa debate on here last night.

My experience of closely observing international level sportsmen in my athletics club is that an athlete's performance is 90% down to the athlete themselves & only 10% to the coach, maybe even less. 

Although brilliant, I think Ben Arfa should therefore take this proportion of the blame for his own demise.

However, Pardew had made his point strongly & could have accepted him back whilst still looking like the boss. By forcing him out, Pardew has missed a massive opportunity to win back favour & has again let his vindictive, stubborn & brash side take him to new lows of popularity with the fans. It's this attitude and behaviour rather than his actual ability to coach the players that has left him almost universally unpopular with fans.

Please David Moyes or Eddie Howe, come & save us.

Ross

Dr Ross Thomas Floyd

Howay The Toon!

Our next manager is....

So inevitably after a frustrating end to the transfer window coupled with a struggling start to the season the pressure is stacked once again on Alan Pardew.

After HBA and M'biwa left the club late on Monday evening with no replacements arriving the level of frustration and anger went up a level on Tyneside. 

NUFC had the opportunity to build bridges with the fans and it did appear during the summer they were making an effort in improving with the squad. Signings like Cabella, De Jong, and Jannmat excited the Toon Army. However we all know we are at least 2 quality players short and are only 1 injury away from a defensive crisis.

Alan Pardew has never been Mr popular on Tyneside and now I really believe there is no way back for him in the eyes of the fans. His decision making is poor, his communication is weak and we cannot trust a word he says. I fully expect the return of the toxic atmosphere which we experienced at SJP last season.

This week the Independent newspaper ran the story at AP has 2 games to save his job. Next up we play Southampton away & Hull at home - both games we lost last year. So if the Independent is to be believed - and they usually are, then the chances of Mike Ashley firing his manager have to be high. 

With this in mind I wanted to look at who I realistically feel could replace AP at St James Park.  

Lets start with Tony Pulis. I have never been a fan of Pulis although any football fan has to give him credit for the job he did at Crystal Palace last season. However prior to that lets not forget the awful brand of football he created at Stoke City. Yes he kept then in the league for many years, but we need to be aiming higher than survival football. I would rather than Big Sam back than Pulis. 

The attraction for Mike Ashley will be that Pulis is current without a club so not compensation would be due, however Pulis walked away from Palace due to a interfering chairman so I could not see him working under the Ashley regime.
Also I cannot respect a manager who wears an awful club shop cap on the sideline!

David Moyes - After his short spell at Man Utd I think Moyes would jump at the chance to manage NUFC. He did a cracking job at Everton with a small squad, and a tight chairman - exactly what we have. He cultivated a great team unity and spirit which enabled him to get the best out of his team who regularly overachieved. Moyes would take no nonsense and could be trusted to run the club from top to bottom. I believe Ashley has tried to recruit Moyes in the past and I really hope he will return for Scotsman if AP is shown the door.

Frank De Boer - The Dutch legend is currently managing Ajax who he has lead to numerous league championships. You might ask 'Why on earth would he leave Ajax to come to NUFC' well for the same reason we signed the Ajax captain Siem De Jong. This being that the Dutch league is nothing compared to the Premiership where everyone wants to work. We did get a small mention from De Boer back when he was linked with the Tottenham job  “I see opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur, just as Liverpool and Newcastle, they are sleeping giants". Well realistically none of the top jobs are going to be available any time so soon De Boer may well see us as his best opportunity to lead a Premiership team.

I also wanted to give a noticeable mention to Lee Clark & Peter Beardsley - both are NUFC legends who would pour their heart and soul into the club - but for me this not enough anymore. These two Geordies would be popular appointments who would get the backing of the fans - Lovely lads, just not top managers.

A surprise candidate could well be Glenn Hoddle. We all know Ashley is a Spurs fan so appointing a Spurs legend with a solid managerial background cannot be ruled out.

For me Moyes is the obvious choice followed closely by the impressive De Boer. One thing for sure Alan Pardew's days on Tyneside must be numbered. 

De Boer to follow De Jong to St James?

Happier times for Moyes

De Jong blow

You really cannot make this stuff up - Summer signing Siem De Jong has picked up a injury which will keep him out till Christmas.

This leaves NUFC without a player who is key the way in which AP wants us to play. Of course the irony of this all is that AP just let HBA leave on loan - the player in our squad who could replace De Jong in the number 10 role.

In the 2 games he has already missed due to injury it was obvious his link up play between the midfielder and forward was missing - Riviere was so isolated.

Just where the goals are going to come from in this team worries me. This De Jong injury just further emphasizes how weak our squad is.

AP needs a win badly or by the time he returns from injury De Jong could find himself playing for a new manager.

De Jong injury: Big blow

Pardew out on Loan?

While i would never call myself a Pardew sympathizer I would say I have always had a clear understanding that he is simply a puppet controlled by LC and MA - however after the shocking transfer dealings yesterday I am done with AP and want him as far as possible away from St James.

LC & MA are ruthless business men who will see the transfers of Ben Arfa and Yanga-Mbiwa simply as a way of shifting big earners off the wage bill - Pardew however is supposed to be a football man and therefore like all us fans he must know we needed a forward & a centre half in during this window. For the club not to bring in these players is worrying, but for us to them loan out two quality players is shocking. The mis-management at our club is nothing short of a disgrace.

My frustration & anger is turning to Pardew as it is becoming ever clearer that his is happy to align himself to MA and LC - he seems to have no problem with how our club is being ran. If he wanted two players in why not come out and tell us he was let down. If he didn't want to get rid of Ben Arfa or M'biwa then tell us - this would at least gain him some credibility with the fans. I understand not wanting to ruffle and feathers and not speaking out against your boss - however there is a line where your own morals and character have to come first. Can Alan Pardew honestly say he approves of the way our club is being ran?

Just a few weeks ago when we bought two promising youngsters from Nottingham Forest I remember Stuart Pearce sitting in front t of a Skysports camera stating these two players had been sold behind his back and that we did not agree with the sales at all. Peace kept his job and has had cracking start to the season. What chance Pardew makes a similar statement in the coming days? No chance - men like Stuart Pearce are cut from a different cloth to Alan Pardew.

Of course the irony of it all is that there is every chance both HBA & MYM will go onto to have great seasons at Hull & Roma which will only heap more pressure on AP. I wish them all the best and am sure they will flurish under new managers. MYM has made a great move to the top of Serie A and the Champions league....yet he is no better than Mike Williamson eh Alan??

On the field we are weaker than we were at this time last year and I can only see us continuing the for we showed during the second half of last season. Off the field I can see the toxic atmosphere returning to the stands. Obviously this helps no one- but the club have brought this onto themselves and Pardew will bare the brunt of the Toon Army's frustration.

After a summer where we could all finally share in some optimism, a fresh start, and a new NUFC -we have been brought back down to earth with a bump realising it will be another poor season full of disappointments.

Happy now AP?

Ginger Pirlo

I've decided to kick off my blog again with a look back at the first few weeks of the season & how we stand going into the last few days of the transfer window.

On the field I have been impressed with our performances. There were plenty of positives to be taken from the City game. A defeat was always expected, but the performance was impressive. All of our new signing's performed with Colback & Cabella standing out. Our obvious lack of a cutting edge up front is worrying as Emmanuel Rivière do does seem to be a natural finisher. For me Pardew's selection of Williamson & Dummett over Haidara & Mbiwa is a concern but to be fair we looked like a solid unit who were undone by two moments of quality from City.

At Villa park we controlled the game and did create chances - unfortunately that cutting edge was lacking again as we ended up scoreless against VIlla. Again for me plenty of positive were there to be seen. WIth De Jong integrating into the team will will improve & this will help Riviere and offer some support in and around the box. Again defensively we looked solid and our midfield was solid & busy at the same time. Colback impressed again and I cannot wait to see him patrolling the engine room with Tiote by his side. 

Against Gillingham we simply avoided a Banana skin which is all you can ask. These early round cup games are all about making it to the next round and we did that. Ideally we would have seen a goal for one of new forwards which would have boosted confidence, but that wasn't to be. We move to the next round and that is job done. To hear some fans comment that we could only beat a Gillingham with an own goal is laughable. 

In terms of the remaining days of the transfer window we must invest in a new forward. This has been plain to see in our opening games. Riviere is a big strong lad who will work his socks off, but he is not a natural finisher. De Jong will play in the 10 role and will be quality but again he is not a 15+ goals a season man.

Todays news is that Loic Remy has once again turned us down and that must put a end to our interest in him which is a great shame. He was my number 1 target all summer simply because you know exactly what you are getting - Goals.  We must move on to our next target which appears to be Lacazette from Lyon - good, go get him. If not him we move onto the the next one until we deliver a goal scorer. 

Defensively it appears Mapou Yanga Mbiwa could be moved on which for me is a mistake. I would move on Taylor and look to bring in Micah Richard who I would start alongside Colo at the heart of our defense. 

To see Jack Colback win an England call up is great for the lad. He made a big move across the Tyne this summer which takes guts & he has been rewarded. Jack is one of us who can have a big future at the club. I must admit I was not his biggest fan & did not really see him making our first 11, but he has been so impressive already. Thrilled for the Ginger Pirlo!

I have to end this post with a complaint. First let me say I love supporting NUFC, I love the Toon Army but I absolutely cannot stand the negativity which haunts our club right now & the constant negativity towards our manager. Love him or hate him Pardew is our gaffer and we just need to support the club & see how the season goes. Pardew can never win - If we lose its his fault, if we win its the players. Lets give him a fair crack of the whip. 

Howay the lads

Born Black and White, Die Black and White

By Philip Burn

Mr. Webster defines apathy as the feeling of “not having much emotion or interest.” Synonyms include indifference, lack of interest, lack of enthusiasm, lack of concern, impassivity, etc. Need I continue?

I have always considered myself as fanatical and committed a supporter as the next proud Geordie. Living in exile in Dallas, Texas (it’s a hard life but someone’s got to do it!), I have gone to great lengths over the years to make sure that I get to see the lads play.

Today, US TV coverage of the Premier League is excellent but there was a time that my only chance of Newcastle news and commentary was via the patchy reception of the BBC World Service on my short wave radio.

The second half of this season has stretched my support like never before.  I feel like I should send an apology and ‘get out free card’ to all of my American friends that I have indoctrinated to the ways of Newcastle United. Wouldn’t it be great to be a Liverpool supporter right now? Crap, I’d even take being a Southampton supporter!

Of course, we all agree that there is simply no option to which team we support. Unlike American sports, where ‘franchises’ are bought and sold like cheap shirts in Sports Direct, there is no question of our allegiance to Newcastle. We were born black and white and will die black and white. But does life have to be so hard!? I feel guilty for my apathetic attitude right now but it’s getting harder to watch the circus that is my beloved Newcastle United and listen to the spouting of the garrulous, inept Pardon’t.

Pardon’t is really working his ticket. Hopefully, before long he’ll be buying his ticket back to whatever stone he crawled from under. The drivel he comes out with in his interviews is nothing short of scandalous. I work in Communications and I know that Newcastle United has a PR Department.

Why don’t they write him some talking points on interview days and instruct him to stop telling bare-faced lies? “We had 10 pros out today” – no you didn’t. “A win will settle the fan’s frustrations” – it wouldn’t be a bad start but with only 13 points from a possible 48 you’ll forgive us for not being too optimistic. “It’s the media’s fault” – nope, wrong again. “Stoke are a very, very good side” – no, they’re a team of Neanderthal long-ball merchants!

His tactical decisions have been typically baffling in recent weeks. Today’s 3-5-2 was horrific! Shola and Gosling? Really? Taylor’s positioning is weak at the best of times but to throw him into an untried three man back-line is nuts. How Mbiwa and Ben Arfa cannot get into that team is simply beyond me.

It’s plain to see that change is desperately needed at the club. Change in the boardroom, change in the dugout, change on the training ground and pitch, and perhaps most difficult of all, change of our expectations as supporters. I hate that a mid-table finish is considered success but I’m afraid right now it’s a fact. The season is ending with whimper. Is it too much to ask for a bit of honest hard work, passion and commitment?

I think I need a timely reminder from Sir Bobby; “What is a club in any case? It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.”

That’s more like it. Roll on next weekend!

Keep on, keeping on. Howay the lads!