Willie give yoof a chance?It seemed only a few months ago that Newcastle and it’s fans had reached an impasse. Having been roundly exposed at the infamous Keegan tribunal and having alienated fans, the club’s owners could literally sink no further in their fans’ estimations. And they’re still struggling to gain the respect of the fans, following mistake after mistake though good results and number one spot have momentarily halted some cries for Ashley’s head.
But arguably one of the more disappointing casualties of the long-running saga, was the departure of Richard Money who was no doubt influenced by the off-field shenanigans at Gallowgate. Hardly something to be proudly associated with after all. Of course, he was also apparently keen to rejoin a club he was fond of, but it’s surely no coincidence that he left during a time of uncertainty.
Money only lasted a year and a half or so as Academy Director at the Toon, but in that time built up a good reputation and was making good progress with the talent at his disposal. His departure to Luton Town was a big signal to some fans that the board had effectively dropped their priorities on the youth side. Which in itself fuelled the rumours that Ashley was only here for the short term and to get the best price he could from a future sale.
Of course that might still be true but the appointment of Willie Donachie may also go some way to contradicting that theory, and illustrating more long term intentions. The former Scotland international Willie Donachie has been appointed today at the club’s Benton Academy, and the ex-Manchester City and Oldham Athletic coach and Millwall manager, seems chuffed to be part of it all: (more…)
Mr Reliable?Derek Llambias has made a timely statement to suggest that Chris Hughton will be backed in his bid to bolster Newcastle United’s bid for promotion at the first attempt. Llambias has also spoken about his belief that the fans are coming around to some sort of acceptance of Ashley, due to the stirling work of Hughton so far this season and insisted that Mike Ashley is committed to giving Hughton everything required to get the club promoted.
Having been impressed with the start we’ve made to this campaign, it would appear that they do not want to jeopardise the good work and insists that there are no plans to let any players leave in January.
He also apparently revealed (though he’s not quoted), that they are close to finalising permanent moves for at least two players ahead of the January transfer window, with Sheffield United centre-back Matthew Kilgallon on the verge of sealing a switch to the North East.
“We have been absolutely delighted with the job that Chris has done,”
“There is a fantastic spirit in the camp and he has managed to change the whole atmosphere surrounding the club. It seems like a different place to what it was a few months ago.
“To see a crowd of nearly 50,000 people inside St James’ Park last weekend was tremendous and shows what a fantastic football club this is.(more…)
Decision time?Despite another three points on the board, with the loudest cries of the day demanding the owner to take leave of his current involvement at Newcastle, the latest article in the News of the World suggests Toon fans might get their wish sooner rather than later. The paper claims that Mike Ashley is ready to reopen talks about selling Newcastle next month.
Despite the no-show of funds from previous prospective buyers, NoTW claims that new parties, including one from America, have made contact. Their inference is that relinquishing control of the club would allow him to concentrate on the forthcoming case with the Serious Fraud investigation over alleged price-fixing. And presumably a selling point would be that new owners would have time to invest and help ensure promotion to the top flight. (more…)
Still a flying Frenchman?Well he might somthing like that if he turns down the recent pleas of former Newcastle favourite Laurent Robert. Robert is a free agent after being released by Larissa FC of Greece and had been training with Fabrice Pancrate at Paris St Germain. And it’s Pancrate who is acting as the go-between after Robert asked him to put a good word in for him with Chris Hughton.
According to reports in The Journal and The Times, Pancrate has passed on Robert’s phone number and left it up to Hughton to make a decision on whether or not to bring the former French international back for a second spell at Newcastle and Pancrate is quoted as saying via an interpreter:
“I had a lot of conversations with Laurent and he told me about how amazing this city was, how incredible the fans are and how much I would enjoy my time here.
“As soon as I walked through the doors I realised he was right.
“I think Laurent is in talks with Paris St Germain at the moment, but he told me that he would like to come back here.(more…)
Loving it!It was something we were crying out for and something even Big Al couldn’t muster amongst the n’er do wells that passed themselves off as professional footballers last season.
Having rid ourselves of some inflated-egos following the drop, we hoped for some solidarity this year. Unity in the camp and everyone pushing for the same things and nobody better or more deserving than anybody else. That way everybody would have each other’s back and we’d be a ‘team’ again instead of just individuals who happened to be wearing the same shirt and kicking in the same direction on a Saturday.
One thing we probably didn’t expect after relegation though was for this to be much fun for the players. Although some of us tried to see opportunity in adversity and treat it like an adventure, we didn’t expect a beaming squad of player at the prospect of capped wages and capacity crowds lower than five figures. However, Steven Taylor has gone on record to say that it’s all smiles around the training ground at the moment and it sounds like life couldn’t be better for the young defender. He said: (more…)
