Our top scorerKevin Nolan has been chatting to the press and said that Newcastle United must win today against Doncaster Rovers or we could have another ‘crisis’ on our hands, then goes on to state that Mike Ashley isn’t so bad once you get to know him.
About today’s game, Nolan said:
“I accept that if we don’t beat Doncaster at home then even some of our own fans might describe the situation as a crisis.
“That is down to their expectation and there is nothing wrong with having expectations. The fans should have high expectations, especially in this league with the quality we have got in this squad.
“We should not be losing three games on the run at Championship level anyway. It is an expectation that we put on ourselves.
“If it does happen on Saturday then no one will be more disappointed than the 11 lads that leave the field in Newcastle shirts. We need a reaction.”
Which I suspect is exactly what there’ll be if we lose. I doubt our decent start has pleased the press much and they’ll be as eager as usual to carry reports of our demise (ooh, that’s bitter and cynical Hugh). (more…)
Awarded £1.5m costsKevin Keegan is to be awarded costs after winning the tribunal for constructive dismissal against Newcastle United.
The full disclosure is as follows:
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1. Introduction
In paragraph 54 of our Award dated 1 October 2009, we identified a number of consequential issues the determination of which we postponed in order that the parties could provide us with written submissions on those issues. We have since received detailed written submissions from the parties and, in this Supplementary Award, we set out our determination on those issues.
2. Award
First, we conclude that there is no basis for altering our award of £2m plus interest in favour of Mr Keegan. Clause 14.8.1 of the Contract is not subject to mitigation, as the Club agreed at the hearing. It is subject only to Clause 14.8.5 which does not apply here since Mr Keegan is not employed by ESPN. (more…)
Shake on it?Well it seems the big fella has followed his words with actions and verbally offered Chris Hughton a permanent contract as Newcastle manager. It’s a pity the offer will be clouded slightly by his ramblings in The Sunday Times, which leaves us under no illusions who is really ‘the boss’ around here.
As for Hughton, it’s arguably an offer that he deserves given where we are in the table, recognised by the league when receiving his Manager of the Month awards. Moreover in being able to do this with the cr*p state of affairs he’s had to put up with.
Many will argue he’s the wrong choice and point to failed previous attempts by Richard Dinnis and Glenn Roeder to successfully move their decent caretaker record into a permanent role. Chris will now potentially have time to prove or disprove those fears as real or not.
Hughton told the Chronicle today:
“I am honoured to be offered the job, we are still in negotiations, it is something we hope will get resolved.
“I’ve always felt that the manager’s situation was an issue, but not the most important one. “Getting results has been the most important thing.(more…)
Mike's been there, seen it, got the t-shirt!No honestly, I really do. I mean he’s clearly absolutely crackers. What, you think all of this apparent contempt towards Newcastle United fans and his bad behaviour is all down to arrogance and spite? No man, he’s nuts. How else do you explain his actions and this reckless and continual ‘p*ssing on his own chips’?
I mean for the big G’s sake Mike, where do you pick up your PR finesse from? It’s out of this world, really it is. You’re clearly on a different planet. He generally says nothing for such long periods that you’d expect when he does that he’d say something that would have a big impact. Well he does, but not for the right reasons. Even following the tribunal result and the monumental cause and effect, there followed no explanation, no excuses, no apology, nowt. I’d heard rumour while at work today that he’d been speaking to The Sunday Times and then I read the brief summary piece that .com did and both found what he had to say astounding and myself agreeing wholeheartedly with their response.
Thinking of us?The traditional Sunday trawl of the back pages has begun, except technically I’ve gone all modern these days and access the back pages online (partly because I’m hungover and don’t fancy the walk to the paper shop). Anyway, so what do they have to say?
Well first of all, an amusing story of Freddie Shepherd and his righteous and gallant spirit in not pursuing the two million pounds, that he claims the club owes him from his contract when Ashley took over the club in 2007. This is because until Ashley makes indications that he will be here for the forseeable, Shepherd doesn’t want to jeopardise the sale of the club. He’s all heart is Fred…….In the same article from The Sunday Sun, they also mention the latest takeover news but there is no more conclusive evidence of who the ‘new suitors’ are and it’s just speculation that it’s an Indian-based group, as is the suggestion Moat and Sheard have sat down for a chat about poolin’ resources. Just speculation you say? Well it is Sunday. (more…)
