A lot depends on these twoNewcastle United are sitting pretty at the top of the Championship right now. It’s a good reason to be optimistic perhaps but what happens if we actually get promoted?
Even the most pessimistic of Toon supporters would probably entertain ideas of us at least making a play-off spot this season. Sure, we’re only a third of the way through the season and there’s always the chance that injuries could seriously affect our small squad, but it would be a brave man who’d bet against us finishing in the top 6.
Promotion, then, is a distinct possibility.
In terms of our squad, what we have is more or less the players we had at the end last season minus nine regulars and with the addition of a couple of players on loan. Some of the nine we’ve lost won’t be missed but some people would argue that a few of our better players were amongst the leavers, such as Bassong, Beye, Martins and maybe even Duff.
Arguably then, on paper we have a weaker team than the one that got relegated last season. That’s not the full story of course because one of the reasons we were so dismal last season was because we kept changing manager every 5 minutes. This season we’ve had consistency in that area and Hughton’s managed to motivate the team. I think consistency is worth a lot in terms of results but is it enough alone that the current squad would be able to hold their own in – and avoid relegation from – the Premier League? (more…)
Gartside - man with a planPremier League reforms are in the wind but what will they mean for Newcastle United?
The Premier League has been undertaking a ‘strategic review’ since November 2008 and plans to have new proposals in place by December 2010. Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has put forward plans that would lead to a two-tier Premier League of between 36 and 40 teams.
The original plan would have seen Rangers and Celtic invited to join the lower of the two tiers but that plan was rejected and there would now be no place for the SPL teams. Gartside’s new proposal is however being ‘taken forward’.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said:
“As regards to Celtic and Rangers it’s a non-starter.
“So we’ve made a clear and unequivocal statement and we’re going to move on from there. No means no.
“The clubs constitutionally voted to say we’re not going to take this any further, Celtic and Rangers are not coming in.” (more…)
It's crazy!Danny Guthrie reckons Newcastle United won’t have it all their own way in the ‘crazy’ Championship.
The midfielder said:
“When you look at this division it’s a bit of a crazy one. Everybody is capable of beating each other. And that has shown in some of our games so far this season. It’s something we can’t lose sight of.
“Every team still sees us as a scalp and we’ve got to be prepared for it. We won’t have it all our own way this season, that’s for sure.”
Guthrie, who chalked up his fifth assist of the season against Peterborough, goes on to say:
“We’ve had a few games where we went through a period when the ball didn’t bounce for us. Things weren’t happening for us in front of goal. In our last two or three games it has done that, it’s evened itself out.”
Spirits sound high though and Danny Simpson’s still getting ribbed about his goal:
“It was definitely a cross, especially on his left foot! There was no way he meant to shoot. We’ll take it – we needed a bit of luck. It was an important goal as it put the game out of their reach.”
Is he or isn't he?Chris Hughton doesn’t rule out bringing Sol Campbell to Newcastle United.
I think Hughton is yanking my chain because back on 31st October I wrote an article suggesting that Campbell was one of his transfer targets but then on the 3rd November I had to write an article saying he wasn’t after Hughton said:
“There is no truth in this whatsoever. The first I heard about it was when it was on the television in the morning. We are looking elsewhere and it is an ongoing thing. Sol is an excellent player but there is nothing happening regarding him coming to Newcastle.”
However, it now seems Sol Campbell is a transfer target for Hughton after all. Hughton said yesterday:
“Sol is one signing that might possibly happen here.
“He’s still got a lot to offer the game and, although he’ll get a lot of offers, I wouldn’t rule him coming to Newcastle out.”
“I wouldn’t expect Sol to be fit enough to play again until after Christmas.” (more…)
Fan ownership campaign startsThe Newcastle United Supporters Trust (NUST) has launched its ‘Yes We Can’ campaign, which aims to raise enough funds to finance a fan buy out of the club.
The NUST’s plan, which has been dubbed ‘Barcelona on the Tyne’ by the financial community, aims to democratise the club and ensure that the ‘current situation at Newcastle United does not repeat itself’ (NUST’s words).
Fans will be able to invest in the club via a number of ‘financial opportunities’ and the money will be held in Escrow by local solicitors to provide proof of funds to Mike Ashley.
Fan ownership is of course popular on the continent, perhaps most notably at places like Barcelona and Real Madrid. At Barcelona fans pay £139/year to acquire ‘socio status’ and for that you get the right to buy the best season tickets and take part in the club’s decision-making process. There are about 172,000 ‘socios’ whose fees raise approximately £24m/year before selling any season tickets, television rights, merchandise etc. (more…)
