Shipping out? Don't you believe it!I really didn’t want to mention ‘the statement’ again, but it looks like I’m going to have to unfortunately so I will issue an apology in advance.
After sailing along relatively smoothly, along came said statement to ruffle a few feathers. It was a move that was supposed to ensure clarity between boardroom and everyone else, yet backfired spectacularly leaving fans with more questions than answers whilst managing to poke the press into action at the same time by having a sly dig at them and using words that could mean a variety of things. We seem to have finally reached an understanding as to what capital outlay is at last, but the sly dig at the press is a different matter and could run for a while yet. It could lead to problems in the future, as the press now have a licence to print what they want as they know the club are not going to deny it with their new ‘no comment’ on anything strategy. So it’s not surprising to see the fun has already begun today with yet more rumours surrounding Steven Taylor and a possible departure from the club. (more…)
It's a conspiracy!After the latest five year plan was revealed in the rather grim statement by Newcastle United yesterday, I can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu with regards to possible upcoming events.
I’ve never been one for the conspiracy theories, but the recent statement seems to have left more questions than answers. It is the hot topic of debate at the minute, and rightly so in my opinion. Since it’s release it has taken preferance over any reports of new signings, although we know why that is, player interviews, everything. There is simply nothing else going on that matters as much as the content of this statement currently as Toon fans around the world chew the fat and dissect just what the detail of each point means. Ironically this comes from a statement that was aimed at halting wild speculation in the first place, but is there a more sinister, secretive, intention at work here? (more…)
Mike Ashley: Playing a dangerous game.So now we know where we stand with Mike Ashley, we know what the plans and intentions are regarding the clubs latest five year plan, and upon first glance it makes grim reading.
However, this is my club, and there is only one person on here that really knows the depths of depression I can work myself into over affairs at Newcastle, he is just the same as me. So after I have been away, reflected, debated, slept, woke up, reflected a bit more, took the wife to work, popped into my work to check on things, and had breakfast, I have come to the conclusion that long term, Mike Ashley’s new strategy is just what the club needs. In five years time the club will be a much more viable prospect to invest or for someone to purchase. Which of course is great and all that, securing the future of Newcastle United blah blah. It’s the short term I worry about though, a theme I reflected upon in an article yesterday. (more…)
These two are going to face a backlash.Well the anticipated statement has finally arrived, and although it stops short of putting the club back up for sale, the contents aren’t pretty.
I am honestly a little bit lost for words right now having quickly skimmed over the contents, but my initial reaction is that it doesn’t sound pretty and we should settle down for what is going to be a long hard season next year. The statement begins by summarising the accounts from last season, with the headline being an operating loss of £37.7 million for the accounts just filed. It then goes on to forecast estmated losses of £32.5 million for the season just gone whilst also indicating that we have a £20 million overdraft that is fully comitted. Dire financial circumstances indeed which is something I think that deep down we knew all along. Those financial circumstances could become even more dire when I reveal the most chillng words of the whole statement in my opinion.
That is the fact that there are no plans for any capital outlay on any new players, and that the team from this season will form the basis of the team we will start the Premier League season with. Any new additions will have to be self funded by player sales by the looks of it. I am actually lost for words as I really thought that there may still be a surprise this transfer window and that Mike Ashley had learned that that the playing staff needs investment. Apparently not. (more…)
The next icon?It’s an iconic jersey around these parts which has been worn by some of the clubs greatest legends over the years, but should Andy Carroll be next in line to wear the famous number 9 shirt?
Many people who read that opening line will probably think I am adopting some form of rose-tinited viewpoint of Andy Carroll’s ability based on his goalscoring exploits of last season. That isn’t true, and we all know that Carroll is far from being the finished article as yet, and we all know that he has issues off the pitch that are waiting to be resolved. Despite that, I still feel Carroll is the perfect player to make the shirt his own and should be given the chance to do so. There has been much made of the fact that Carroll should have to earn the chance to wear our iconic shirt, but I disagree. (more…)
