Wax on, wax offAston Villa’s attempts to lure Newcastle’s Joey Barton to the midlands club looked doomed to failure.
Villa are in Premier League freefall at the moment and Gerard Houllier has had his eye on Joey Barton as one who might pull the emeregency ‘chute and help them avoid a relegation battle.
Rumour has it that Houllier was trying to tempt Newcastle to let go of Barton with some cash, Nigel Reo Coker and an old motorbike.
Today’s reports suggest that rumour was wrong though (particularly about the old motorbike) and that Barton’s £6m fee and £67k/week wages just proved to be too much for Aston Stinky, who already have a £71m wage bill that they’re desperate to reduce.
Barton himself has allegedly expressed a desire to remain at Newcastle but I wonder, though, if we should try to sell him.
Now, before you all tar and feather me and run me out of toon, I’m well aware of the fantastic contribution Barton has made to the team this season. At his best he can pass the ball the width of the pitch and land it on a sixpence and he’s a genuine play-maker. He’s not too shabby in the tackling department either. (more…)
Mike Ashley - Staying or selling?Just what is it with these new contracts at Newcastle? Since the summer we have seen Andy Carroll, Nile Ranger, Mike Williamson, Tim Krul and now Steven Taylor all tied down to long-term deals with the club.
This is, of course, good news for Newcastle United and gives us a bit of stability with regard to the playing staff going forward, but does it signal that there could be more going on behind the scenes? Could Mike Ashley be making the business more saleable?
There is no doubt that the offering of new, long-term contracts is good for the club, but it would also be good for Mike Ashley’s bank balance in the event of a sale. After all, a stable club with it’s best potential assets tied down to long-term deals would be worth a lot more money compared to a club that was floundering along with no forward planning. I mean, even the manager has a contract that could last over five years, although there is a rather cunning clause put in by Ashley that will allow Pardew to be disposed of for minimal compensation, something that would appeal to both Ashley and any new owner who will more than likely want to install their own man in the event of a change of ownership. (more…)
Hughton speaks.Chris Hughton has spoke publicly today for the first time since his sacking from Newcastle.
In an interview with Sky Sports News, Hughton spoke of the disappointment upon hearing the news that both he and Paul Barron were to be axed, his thoughts on the sacking, and his plans for the future after what was an unexpected sacking that caused an uproar from many quarters.
I’m trying to transcript what was said, so be warned that it may not be exactly word for word, but I’ll try and get it as spot on as I can. First off, Chris was asked about what happened on the day he got sacked and how the meeting with Derek Llambias was called.
“I got a phone call in the morning from the managing director, Derek Llambias, it was for myself and Paul Barron to meet him at the stadium after training, and of course I was told then.
“It was a surprise, and I think the fact that Paul Barron was with me made it more of a surprise. If it was a meeting on my own then perhaps I would have had a thought that perhaps something could happen, but it was a complete surprise”(more…)
Carroll is going nowhere.I see the Sunday papers are reporting en masse that Tottenham Hotspur are set to launch a January bid for Andy Carroll.
There are even reports suggesting that David Bentley and Peter Crouch could be used as makeweights in any potential new deal.
It’s all bollocks of course and is just the latest in a long line of clubs that Carroll has been linked to, including teams that are infinately bigger that Spurs, like Chelsea for example. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have some for all of those dirty journalists out there – Andy Carroll is going nowhere!
You see, there has been no mention of anything about Carroll leaving around these parts, other than what has been written in the newspapers – quite the opposite in fact. I suggest that these journalists get their collective head out of the arse of the bigger clubs, give their tongue a rest, and do some investigating. (more…)
Is Ashley selling up?I’ve noticed that there seems to be a bit of momentum gathering pace with regard to the Qatar royal family wanting to buy Newcastle.
Questionable source after questionable source has now reported the ‘news’, but I personally remain sceptical of the whole thing to be honest.
Many of these stories are cooked up with the intent of causing unrest amongst fans in the hope of us supplying them with their next story – we’ve been here before remember. This is why it is amusing me when I read comments from people who are getting all starry-eyed at the prospect of a mega-rich tycoon takeover. My message is simple – be careful what you wish for!
I’m no fan of Mike Ashley, but then who is to say that the next owners would be any better? There seems to be a view that any potential new owner would willingly splash the cash, and that same view was shared when Ashley took over Newcastle three-and-a-half years ago. See my point? (more…)
