Jonas content but still urges Ashley to reinvest
Posted on February 25th, 2011 | 38 Comments |
Jonas Gutierrez has, I think, made a lot of progress this season.
In the past he has sometimes been criticised for his inability to deliver the ‘final ball’ but – as the two assists he gave in the Birmingham game prove – he’s starting to get much better in that respect.
His work rate has never been in much doubt and he’s tireless in his attempts to get the ball forward up the left wing, often ably assisted by Jose Enrique with whom Jonas seems to have an excellent understanding on the pitch.
But whilst Enrique’s future at Newcastle might be in some doubt, Jonas seems a lot more settled at the club, saying:
“I am happy here, and yes I do want to stay. My family is happy as well.”
He does however raise the same ‘issue’ that a few other prominent Toon players have raised, which is the reinvestment of funds in the squad. Jonas raises this issue subtly compared to the likes of Barton, but the implication is there.
“The only issue is that the club has to decide what it wants to do next season. We do not want to be back in a position where we have problems with relegation,” said the ponytailed player.
“We are in a good position at the moment, with the players to make a strong team, but we need to add a few more to make sure we continue to move forward. That is the key.
“We are all part of a group, and it is important that group stays together. Sometimes, things happen that mean it is very difficult for a player to stay. Look at Andy Carroll in January – £35million, Liverpool, that is difficult for the club and the player to turn down.
“But in general, I want all of the players at this club to stay. That will make it much easier for the team to be strong next season.”
I must admit I am beginning to wonder if this some sort of planned ‘assault’, with one player after the next coming out and encouraging Ashley to splash out on transfers in the summer. If so, what motivates it? Some genuine fear by the players that he won’t reinvest?
That’s pure speculation on my behalf of course!
Players come and go at football clubs and for all I know the club will end up much stronger after the summer transfer window. Providing there’s no ‘mass exodus’ of players and we add to the squad intelligently, I see no reason to be too pessimistic as we already have a decent core of players that looks capable of a mid-table finish or better.
But the proof of the pudding is worth two in the bush and all’s well that goes through the eye of a needle, as they say.
NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen
I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10).
Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.
I’m beginning to wonder if the players don’t trust ashley as much as some of us do?
I wonder if the sale of Andy Carroll is the equivalent of our bosses saying they aren’t going to close the office/site/department as they are a vital part of the company and then a month later closing it down. If you were still working for the company you wouldn’t trust what the boss said ever again!