Great minds think alike?Having so far failed in his efforts to raise the funds to tempt Mike Ashley into selling Newcastle United to him, Barry Moat has now gone on record to suggest that the famous St James’ Park name wouldn’t necessarily have been safe in his hands either. It appears he can see exactly what Ashley is doing and why he’s doing it, and it could have been part of his business strategy had he been in the position.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Moat said:
“I think you have to explore things like naming rights, you have to do that.
“Unfortunately we live in a world where football is big business, and the gap between the Championship and the Premier League is getting bigger all the time.
“So you have to do things to close that gap. We need to get back up to the Premier League as quickly as possible.
“I think if you have to do some of those things, by taking the commercial benefit of a sponsor, then as far as I’m concerned if that gets the right players on the pitch, gives you the right entertainment on a Saturday, then where do I sign?” (more…)
Injection of pace?In contrast to Chris Hughton’s recent statement that he was more than happy with the squad he has leading into the festive period, it’s being reported that Newcastle are interested in signing what be the latest in a line of French wingers.
Apparently following in the footsteps of David Ginola and Laurent Robert, Fabrice Pancrate could be joining us if rumours are to be believed. The reports are coming from France Football, who are generally well regarded in the game with regards their information. Basically, they won’t mention it unless there’s any truth in it.
Of course they are some French boots to fill as both Ginola and Robert offered something unique and exciting to the team. Admittedly, I don’t know anything about this fella but he’s described as a striker/attacking midfielder. He’s currently out of contract after his deal ran out at Paris St Germain, although he’s still training with them. He’s had a loan spell at Real Betis and is apparently being pursued by a number of French and English clubs. He was pursued in the summer by Portsmouth, Everton, Sheff Utd and Burnley.
The suggestion is that our pursuit has come out of the blue and that we now stand at the front of the queue with potentially a deal being struck quite quickly. He’s apparently like **** off a stick, so that could be the pace we’ve been crying out for this season. (more…)
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…)
Empty promise?Poor attitude, poor touch, just in it for the money. But enough about my career as a masseur, I’m talking of course about our half-hearted centre forward Marlon Harewood. Currently loaned to Newcastle by Premiership outfit Aston Villa, judging by performances so far, it would seem to most fans there were no flies on Martin O’Neill when he agreed the deal.
With the return to fitness of Shola Ameobi possibly coming sooner than we imagined, thoughts turn to Shola’s early season form and the expectancy or hope that he will fall back into that vein of form. If so, then he will almost certainly be a starter for Hughton and if you consider that we also have Andy Carroll improving with each game, Nile Ranger waiting patiently and capably in the wings for his chance and Peter Lovenkrands back on the books, you’d think Harewood would be fighting tooth and nail for a permanent move.
Of course that would imply he wants to be here but going on the effort he’s put in since his arrival, he’s looked like he didn’t really care much about it. And only in the Peterborough game has he looked anything like a striker of Championship quality never mind Premiership quality. But the more frustrating aspect being the lacklustre attitude in games. However, he has since stated his desire to turn this into a more permanent gig and to respond positively to the criticism. (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…)
