Cheick mate. Signed, sealed, and almost delivered!Newcastle have made signing number four of the summer by securing the services of Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote from FC Twente for a fee believed to be around £3.5 million.
The move is still not 100% completed as both clubs and the player have to wait and see whather or not a work permit will be granted for the 24-year old.
That shouldn’t be a problem in all honesty as the lad has had enough caps at international level for it not to be a problem. Once that is granted though, Tiote will join up with The Magpies squad and take his place alongside the other new recruits of the summer – James Perch, Dan Gosling and Sol Campbell. (more…)
What are they up to?There is one piece of Newcastle United’s latest statement which has caused much consternation with some fans, it reads:
“The first team squad that won the Championship this year will form the basis of the team for next year in the Premiership, there is no plan for new capital outlay on players”.
This led to a rash of disingenous and sensational stories from the usual mischief makers in the media, led of course by the Guardian’s Louise Taylor declaring that Newcastle United will definitely not be buying any new players for the coming season. Now, this may indeed be the case, or it may not, only time can tell for certain on that one. However, to clear up a misunderstanding, saying that there will be no “capital outlay” on players in the 2010/11 season does NOT necessarily mean that players will not be purchased under any circumstances, or that existing players would have to be sold before any new transfers could be even contemplated. (more…)
These two are going to face a backlash.Well the anticipated statement has finally arrived, and although it stops short of putting the club back up for sale, the contents aren’t pretty.
I am honestly a little bit lost for words right now having quickly skimmed over the contents, but my initial reaction is that it doesn’t sound pretty and we should settle down for what is going to be a long hard season next year. The statement begins by summarising the accounts from last season, with the headline being an operating loss of £37.7 million for the accounts just filed. It then goes on to forecast estmated losses of £32.5 million for the season just gone whilst also indicating that we have a £20 million overdraft that is fully comitted. Dire financial circumstances indeed which is something I think that deep down we knew all along. Those financial circumstances could become even more dire when I reveal the most chillng words of the whole statement in my opinion.
That is the fact that there are no plans for any capital outlay on any new players, and that the team from this season will form the basis of the team we will start the Premier League season with. Any new additions will have to be self funded by player sales by the looks of it. I am actually lost for words as I really thought that there may still be a surprise this transfer window and that Mike Ashley had learned that that the playing staff needs investment. Apparently not. (more…)
The quiet man hasn't let us down so far.With the start of the transfer window a little over a month away, the tide of conversation is understandably shifting towards the signing of players that will aid in our attempt to stave off relegation next season.
The thought was that given the fact that Newcastle United have gone about the business of promotion quietly and efficiently, and secured their Premier League place for next season in record time, that this could signal some early transfer activity as we seek to get a headstart on other teams who are also looking to strenghten. People are now starting to point out that other teams are beginning to strengthen their squads, with Liverpool capturing the signature of current Charlton midfielder, Jonjo Shelvey. But that is the only confirmed transfer activity as yet so I feel the early activity of other teams is being somewhat overstated. (more…)
Hoping to help Hughton?There have been some worrying murmurs recently about our club treading over old ground again and looking to appoint another person in the role of Director of Football. Thing is though, do we really need one?
Owner, Mike Ashley, is apparently looking to appoint someone who has experience in negotiating the financial aspect of transfers and player contracts whilst holding extensive contacts throughout the game to aid in the role at board room level. Now this could be a dangerous tactic, as we have had our fingers burnt with a certain Dennis Wise in his role as Director of Football, and we all know how that turned out! One would hope that Mike Ashley, who has appeared to be learning from the mistakes of the past, will continue learning and recruit someone who is good for the job and will help Chris Hughton, not undermine him. We really need to get things right next season, and making sure the board and manager are singing from the same hymn sheet will be vitally important in avoiding any repeat of last the turmoil of last season. (more…)
