No, not that sort of model! As I was sat at my breakfasting table this morning, fending off a dog and two cats who had designs on my bacon sandwich, my thoughts turned to the subject of models. Not the size zeros that act as clothes pegs on the catwalk though – I’m talking about football club models.
In Mike Ashley’s statement following the Keegan departure, he tried to defend what he called his ‘Arsenal Model’ for the club but, as the last bit of my bacon sandwich disappeared into a grateful dog, I realised I was a bit bemused by what the Arsenal Model actually is.
In terms of finances, I can only see two models for a football club. Either you look to make a profit (or at least break-even) or you have an owner with deep pockets who doesn’t mind funding things at a loss. If you’re going to try and make a profit then it makes sense to look for young up and coming players you can get at a decent price who either give you good value for money as your future stars or you sell them on at a profit. There are ‘in between’ scenarios where for example you might borrow some money against future success but ultimately you either make a profit or have a rich owner who doesn’t care. I am not sure how clubs like Liverpool, who reputedly owe many millions, are going to achieve financial balance. (more…)
A place for wor Al with next owners? You only have to read blogs like this to understand that every fan is on tenterhooks and every fan is watching with sore eyes for just a glimpse that this club we love so much, can finally move forward. Well, depending on your disposition to put faith in generic ‘sources’, we’re led to believe something is happening after all. I don’t know about you but I always somehow find it easier to believe ‘sources’, if it suits my needs. But then it’s always healthy to have a reality check. It’s alleged that this Friday could bring The Cure for the club’s current debilitating condition.
According to the The Chronicle Live, sources in London have confirmed we should finally hear at the end of this week what the future holds for us.
It’s claimed by The Chronicle Live…
“Shearer has been made aware of imminent developments which may belatedly hasten his permanent appointment as Newcastle manager. We understand the former England captain has been invited to a meeting – also on Friday – with United’s remaining top brass to bring him up to speed with the situation. (more…)
Kwai Chang NUFC I was quite upset a few weeks ago when David Carradine died. I was an avid fan of the ‘Kung Fu’ TV series in the 70’s, so it was a shock to read that Kwai Chang Caine is no more. I particularly liked the way he used to preach pacifism, tranquility and peace but always ended up kicking ten bells out of someone before the end of the programme.
Kwai Chang Caine was a Shaolin Monk of the Zen Buddhist persuasion and such people believe that all suffering in life is caused by craving and expectations. If you don’t crave anything you won’t suffer when you don’t get it, if you see what I mean.
Bear with me, I’m getting on-topic now.
It is fair to say that Newcastle United supporters could teach Zen Monks a thing or two about suffering. Since the era of Sir Bobby Robson – and possibly even before that – things have been steadily getting worse for our club, mainly, I’d venture to suggest, because it has been run by clowns. First it was Freddie Shepherd rigging up the bucket of water to fall on our heads and then it was Mike Ashley ensuring we were never short of a custard pie in the face. Oh how we laughed, and so on and so forth.
But you know all that. What I’m wondering is what constitutes a realistic set of expectations from here on? (more…)
It's that man again. Well a lot of the whisperings in the press suggest we could find out as early as today if Alan Shearer will be our new manager, as the battle hots up between the 4 parties who are still in with a chance of being first past the post and claiming ownership of our treasured institution.
Should he or should he not be manager? Well it all seems pretty immaterial now as he seems to be the favoured candidate and for the sake of the short term stability of the club if he is selected as manager we need to put our full support behind him. No whingeing and griping about his lack of experience, his suspect tactics, the massive ego etc. We need to stand behind and support the manager despite some bad decisions he will undoubtedly make or poor results he may achieve. We’ve been on the merry go round of swapping and changing managers at least a few times a season for years and look at where it has led us. We need to embrace the change to new ownership (please god let it not be FFS as that may be too hard to stomach) and to a new management structure who we hope will help take NUFC back where it should be in the top flight. (more…)
A place for wor Al with new owners?Finally, it would seem we have something we can get our teeth into…
Reports on Sky Sports News are telling us that all current buyers will be given an opportunity to confirm they would be happy with Alan Shearer as manager going forward, should they be successful in their attempts to buy the club. If the vote is unanimous in it’s approval then it’s implied that he would be given the job asap. Quite whether that would be on the basis of a rolling contract or a permanent contract that could be agree by all parties, remains to be seen.
“There could be some movement regarding Alan Shearer at the end of this week or early next week,” Llambias told Journal Live.(more…)
