Top 4 Concerns Keegan

[JawD 99]

Mort responds

 

NEWCASTLE chairman Chris Mort insists the Toon will not risk becoming “another Leeds” to break into the top four.

 

Mort was reacting to manager Kevin Keegan’s stunning outburst after Monday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Chelsea.

 

Keegan said Newcastle had no chance of finishing any higher than fifth during the three years he has remaining on his contract.

 

The Toon boss also confessed he had no idea how much was available to spend in the summer but, whatever it was, would not be enough to break the dominance of the Premier League’s big four — Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

 

It was interpreted by some as Keegan challenging the board to bust the bank or pay him off and find someone else to do the job.

 

And for Toon fans it was crushingly disappointing to hear such realism from The Messiah — a man they still believe can deliver the Premier League title.

 

Twelve years ago Newcastle almost did it with King Kev at the helm.

 

When he returned to the club in January there was talk of completing unfinished business. Not any more.

 

Nobody on the St James’ Park board knew Keegan was going to lay it on the line — especially with season tickets to sell.

 

But Mort was adamant Newcastle would not plunge themselves into crippling debt.

 

And he admitted the club’s expectations were no higher than Keegan’s

 

He said: “We don’t want to do a Leeds. It doesn’t make sense.

 

“This club had £100million-worth of debt which has now been cleared and it would be foolish to stretch it beyond its limits.

 

“I thought Kevin’s comments were quite sensible.

 

“I’m not sure what people’s expectations are but I don’t think most Newcastle fans would be greatly surprised by what he had to say.

 

“There are those who are naturally optimistic but it does no harm to come out with some realism and say that if we get fifth we will have done well. He’s right.

 

“I wasn’t taken aback by Kevin’s comments. He says what he feels. We have just come out of a relegation battle so you can’t have people surprised when the manager says we aren’t going to get into the Champions League.

 

“This is a long-term building project and we are very happy with Kevin.

 

“He’s a very enthusiastic character who has got the team playing good football.

 

“We were disappointed to lose to Chelsea but he’s got the team playing well.”

 

Newcastle recently lost out on Croatian midfield star Luca Modric.

 

The Dinamo Zagreb player went to Tottenham for £16m where he joined Jonathan Woodgate, another target the Toon failed to nail.

 

But Mort claims Newcastle WILL be making quality new signings.

 

The scouting team, led by Dennis Wise, have been combing South America recently — although Keegan argued he was not keen on signing players from there.

 

That has led to increased concerns not everyone is singing from the same song sheet.

 

Yet Mort reiterated Keegan will have the last word on who comes and goes.

 

The chairman said: “We have started talking about who we will be bringing in and Kevin will have the final say. He has to have that.

 

“We are very happy with where we are but Kevin is quite right to say we shouldn’t expect Champions League football.

 

“It’s going to be tough for anyone to break into the top four.

 

“Someone might sneak in there occasionally and there are a number of sides who will have a go but it is incredibly difficult.”

[Hadrian 0]

mort's taking the piss like,

100mill debt , 30 mill on player aqusitions , 10 players ,

 

he should write for the fucking sun ! talk about getting the facts and then running with them .

 

to try and shove leeds in our face days after being ranked as the 6th highest income in the league is a bit of a kick in the nuts aswell like.

 

yeah , needs to tread abit more carefully , he thinks were fucking thick .

[Fop 1]

“We are very happy with where we are but Kevin is quite right to say we shouldn’t expect Champions League football.

 

“It’s going to be tough for anyone to break into the top four.

 

“Someone might sneak in there occasionally and there are a number of sides who will have a go but it is incredibly difficult.”

 

He's dead on.

[Asprilla 96]

Starting to lower my expectations of how high we're aiming tbf.

 

5th...14th, what's the fucking difference?

 

 

Try to win something or don't bother.

 

A ridiculous view considering only 3 teams have won the title in more than a decade.

[Happy Face 29]

It's a non-story given that everyone at the club is reading from the same page.

 

And to be fair, I've not seen the papers make a big deal of it. there was only a third of one column on it in todays Metro anyway.

[Gemmill 47003]

The Newcastle United manager, Kevin Keegan, is set to hold what are being billed as clear-the-air talks with club chairman Chris Mort to resolve a series of issues that are hanging over St James' Park.

Keegan was on Tuesday described as unhappy about being left in the dark over the size of the club's transfer kitty which is bound to be the key item on the agenda when he meets up for detailed discussions with Mort who runs the club for billionaire owner Mike Ashley.

Their talks will include the future of Michael Owen and demarcation of power at the Tyneside club where Keegan has been left in charge of first-team affairs and identification of potential players while director of football Dennis Wise spearheads their recruitment.

There is no evidence to suggest that Keegan is prepared to quit Newcastle but just to add to his concerns, it is understood a member of his backroom technical staff has been removed and replaced by technical co-ordinator Jeff Vetere without his say-so which has apparently gone down badly with the former England manager.

Confusion over transfer policy is, though, clearly becoming a source of frustration for Keegan judging by his latest comments when asked about suggestions that he would only be able to spend income on new players that outgoings generate this summer.

Keegan said: "I don't know. I have not been told. I don't know what is here if I am honest. That's not a problem. We will just have to wait and see. You really need to be talking to Chris Mort or Dennis Wise about the finances for this football club.

"It's not my job and I have never been involved in it. That's the truth. I cannot help you on that other than saying my job is to ask Tony Jimenez (vice-president, player recruitment) to go and get players.

"I give them a player and they go and try and get him for us. I am saying that whatever finance will be there, it will not be enough to take us into the top four."

Keegan said he had a responsibility to be realistic with supporters and "tell them I am not going to get enough money to make major changes".

"I know that already," he added. "I do know that much. Major changes take massive finance and it's not massive finance. I'm not depressed. I'm just being realistic. The fans know that. They are very knowledgeable. If I have said anything that has offended them I would be surprised. They are thinking, 'How much money is there?'"

Keegan continued: "If someone said there would be £40 million or £50 million it still would not be enough to get you from where we are. We do not need as big a squad as Chelsea because we have not got Champions League football.

"We are not going to do it in my time in three years. We are just not going to do that. We cannot make that leap. What I can do is get this club higher up the table. I believe I can do that. Fifth place is our League championship."

Keegan voiced his concerns about the club's inability to challenge the top four following a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Monday. Speaking ahead of the Chelsea game, Mort, who is expected to give his manager re-assurances over the future, defended the club's re-structuring that saw Keegan followed into the club by Wise, Jimenez and Vetere.

In his programme notes, Mort, who pointed out that Ashley had ploughed £100 million into the club since his acquisition a year ago to avert "serious financial difficulties", stated: "We have put in place a structure which should help put the club in a position of strength and stability for the long-term.

"Dennis Wise and his recruitment team have been busy seeking out the best footballing talent across the country, elsewhere in Europe and further afield and we will see some of the benefits of those efforts this summer.

"In addition to strengthening the first-team squad we will also continue to recruit younger players for the future to ensure the club is built on more stable foundations for the long-term."

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...6/ufnnew106.xml

 

 

papers are going to run and run with this i know *hands up* but ! ....

is that a tone off attitude in kev's anwers ? the way he keeps on telling the press to ask mort or wise , doesnt seem to impressed with not being able to chase his own targets .

he hasnt started this rolling for no reason aswell , there is always method to his madness , come's off like he's feeling left out in the cold abit and wants to get his hands dirty himself with shaping the club .

 

Read the second and third sentences in that article. The Telegraph ffs! Was the editor off or is there a punctuation quota in force?

[Guest alex]

Keegan should keep his fucking mouth shut sometimes like.

[Gemmill 47003]

mort's taking the piss like,

100mill debt , 30 mill on player aqusitions , 10 players ,

 

he should write for the fucking sun ! talk about getting the facts and then running with them .

 

to try and shove leeds in our face days after being ranked as the 6th highest income in the league is a bit of a kick in the nuts aswell like.

 

yeah , needs to tread abit more carefully , he thinks were fucking thick .

 

[Fop 1]

The Newcastle United manager, Kevin Keegan, is set to hold what are being billed as clear-the-air talks with club chairman Chris Mort to resolve a series of issues that are hanging over St James' Park.

Keegan was on Tuesday described as unhappy about being left in the dark over the size of the club's transfer kitty which is bound to be the key item on the agenda when he meets up for detailed discussions with Mort who runs the club for billionaire owner Mike Ashley.

Their talks will include the future of Michael Owen and demarcation of power at the Tyneside club where Keegan has been left in charge of first-team affairs and identification of potential players while director of football Dennis Wise spearheads their recruitment.

There is no evidence to suggest that Keegan is prepared to quit Newcastle but just to add to his concerns, it is understood a member of his backroom technical staff has been removed and replaced by technical co-ordinator Jeff Vetere without his say-so which has apparently gone down badly with the former England manager.

Confusion over transfer policy is, though, clearly becoming a source of frustration for Keegan judging by his latest comments when asked about suggestions that he would only be able to spend income on new players that outgoings generate this summer.

Keegan said: "I don't know. I have not been told. I don't know what is here if I am honest. That's not a problem. We will just have to wait and see. You really need to be talking to Chris Mort or Dennis Wise about the finances for this football club.

"It's not my job and I have never been involved in it. That's the truth. I cannot help you on that other than saying my job is to ask Tony Jimenez (vice-president, player recruitment) to go and get players.

"I give them a player and they go and try and get him for us. I am saying that whatever finance will be there, it will not be enough to take us into the top four."

Keegan said he had a responsibility to be realistic with supporters and "tell them I am not going to get enough money to make major changes".

"I know that already," he added. "I do know that much. Major changes take massive finance and it's not massive finance. I'm not depressed. I'm just being realistic. The fans know that. They are very knowledgeable. If I have said anything that has offended them I would be surprised. They are thinking, 'How much money is there?'"

Keegan continued: "If someone said there would be £40 million or £50 million it still would not be enough to get you from where we are. We do not need as big a squad as Chelsea because we have not got Champions League football.

"We are not going to do it in my time in three years. We are just not going to do that. We cannot make that leap. What I can do is get this club higher up the table. I believe I can do that. Fifth place is our League championship."

Keegan voiced his concerns about the club's inability to challenge the top four following a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Monday. Speaking ahead of the Chelsea game, Mort, who is expected to give his manager re-assurances over the future, defended the club's re-structuring that saw Keegan followed into the club by Wise, Jimenez and Vetere.

In his programme notes, Mort, who pointed out that Ashley had ploughed £100 million into the club since his acquisition a year ago to avert "serious financial difficulties", stated: "We have put in place a structure which should help put the club in a position of strength and stability for the long-term.

"Dennis Wise and his recruitment team have been busy seeking out the best footballing talent across the country, elsewhere in Europe and further afield and we will see some of the benefits of those efforts this summer.

"In addition to strengthening the first-team squad we will also continue to recruit younger players for the future to ensure the club is built on more stable foundations for the long-term."

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtm...6/ufnnew106.xml

 

 

papers are going to run and run with this i know *hands up* but ! ....

is that a tone off attitude in kev's anwers ? the way he keeps on telling the press to ask mort or wise , doesnt seem to impressed with not being able to chase his own targets .

he hasnt started this rolling for no reason aswell , there is always method to his madness , come's off like he's feeling left out in the cold abit and wants to get his hands dirty himself with shaping the club .

 

Read the second and third sentences in that article. The Telegraph ffs! Was the editor off or is there a punctuation quota in force?

 

Yup. I agree that modern day punctuation is nothing short of a national outrage!

[JawD 99]

KK makes some fair points. Mort makes some fair points. I dont see what the issue is other than that the papers as ever are making huge fucking deals of it and everyone is biting.

[Snake 0]

Sorry KK you've lost the plot, please resign now

[Hadrian 0]

mort's taking the piss like,

100mill debt , 30 mill on player aqusitions , 10 players ,

 

he should write for the fucking sun ! talk about getting the facts and then running with them .

 

to try and shove leeds in our face days after being ranked as the 6th highest income in the league is a bit of a kick in the nuts aswell like.

 

yeah , needs to tread abit more carefully , he thinks were fucking thick .

 

 

 

yeah i can be abit off in the mornings

the 100m was 80 when the story first came out , 30mill was actually 10 mill and 20 from player sales , the 10 players he's talking about include the kids who wont play for ages , and the dud's we bought who wont play again , and alan smith .

 

as for punctuation, wrong person , im a numbers guy .

 

i dont wanna come off too critical of mort and co like the reported 18mill for modric is hardly not investing . ill leave proper judgement till the summer , but anyone could have bought us and spent the tv money each year on players , thats not the point in billionare's buying clubs is it ?

[ewerk 31557]

And to be fair, I've not seen the papers make a big deal of it. there was only a third of one column on it in todays Metro anyway.

 

Well the Daily Mail's backpage leads with "Keegan on the brink" and it's not like them to be sensationalist or anything.

[jaythesouthernmag 0]

Out....Duff £4m,Emre £3m, Ameobi £4m(fuck me),Smith £3m,Given £4m,Zog £8m = £26m in

 

Big Mike gives KK £60m which will allow a spend of £86m

 

Arshavin £15m

Dunne £6m

Bentley £10m

Young £15m

Lescott £10m

Pallecios £8m

Shorey £5m

Santa Cruz £10m

 

Thats £79m which leaves another £7m for 2 squad players. I dont think any of these players are way out of our league and we would have a very impressive team IMO

 

------------------------------------------------Harper----------------------------------------------

Beye----------------------Dunne----------------------------Lescott----------------------Shorey

 

------------------------------------------------Faye------------------------------------------------

 

Bentley-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Young

 

-----------------------------------------------Arshavin---------------------------------------------

 

--------------------------------------Owen------------------Santa Cruz---------------------------

 

Bench....Oba,Taylor,Pallecios,Barton,krul

 

I reckon a team like this could seriously challenge for 4th place

[Guest alex]

I don't think £15m would get you Bentley. Maybe if Faye goes the other way too.

[Happy Face 29]

And to be fair, I've not seen the papers make a big deal of it. there was only a third of one column on it in todays Metro anyway.

 

Well the Daily Mail's backpage leads with "Keegan on the brink" and it's not like them to be sensationalist or anything.

 

 

 

I can see why they get that impression....

 

“I think it’s very, very exciting to finish fifth in the league for Newcastle,” he said. “You’d be mad in my position to say we can get in the top-four next season. You can’t ask an owner to spend that kind of money or get the players to come to this club that you would need to get in the top four.

 

“We lost out on (Luka) Modric to Spurs and that tells you something. It’s a blow – it’s not the end of the world.

 

“I’m still optimistic for this club in terms of where it’s been in the last couple of years.”

 

http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastl...61634-20865971/

[Wavey Davey 0]

And to be fair, I've not seen the papers make a big deal of it. there was only a third of one column on it in todays Metro anyway.

 

Well the Daily Mail's backpage leads with "Keegan on the brink" and it's not like them to be sensationalist or anything.

 

I read that. It's just the same story as two months ago. Just replace 'no wins' with 'no money' and there you have it. Total bollocks.

[jaythesouthernmag 0]

I don't think £15m would get you Bentley. Maybe if Faye goes the other way too.

 

I dont think £15m is too far off the mark for Bentley and Blackburn tend to be a selling club

[Guest alex]

I don't think £15m would get you Bentley. Maybe if Faye goes the other way too.

 

I dont think £15m is too far off the mark for Bentley and Blackburn tend to be a selling club

You said £10m though which wouldn't even be considered imo. I'd love to see it happen though.

[NJS 4446]

I'm realistic enough to agree with Keegan but I don't like Mort's underlying attitude of "why bother?". As I said I expect a challenge at some point - whether thats 1 year, 3 years or 5 years - if it's never and the league is "pointless" then why should fans bother?

[MrBass 2811]

Starting to lower my expectations of how high we're aiming tbf.

 

5th...14th, what's the fucking difference?

 

 

Try to win something or don't bother.

 

A ridiculous view considering only 3 teams have won the title in more than a decade.

 

Yes but more than 3 teams have tried.

 

I know we won't be challenging for the title next season, but I want to know we'll be giving it our best shot.

[Asprilla 96]

I'm realistic enough to agree with Keegan but I don't like Mort's underlying attitude of "why bother?". As I said I expect a challenge at some point - whether thats 1 year, 3 years or 5 years - if it's never and the league is "pointless" then why should fans bother?

Totally agree.

[Happy Face 29]

Starting to lower my expectations of how high we're aiming tbf.

 

5th...14th, what's the fucking difference?

 

 

Try to win something or don't bother.

 

A ridiculous view considering only 3 teams have won the title in more than a decade.

 

Yes but more than 3 teams have tried.

 

I know we won't be challenging for the title next season, but I want to know we'll be giving it our best shot.

 

Including us.

 

I think it's ridiculous to plan for next season in terms of mounting a title challenge.

 

It's sensible to target fifth place and buy accordingly.

 

I think Keegan and Mort and Ashley and the majority of fans would agree with that one step at a time approach. And I think that's all Keegan was saying because one defeat in 9 (?) and matching Chelsea for 45 minutes might have got people dreaming a bit.

[NJS 4446]

I think Keegan and Mort and Ashley and the majority of fans would agree with that one step at a time approach.

 

I don't mind a step by step approach but that's not what Mort is hinting at - I'm also worried by Kev's "not in my time" quote but I put that down to the Chelsea loss disappointment.

[Happy Face 29]

I think Keegan and Mort and Ashley and the majority of fans would agree with that one step at a time approach.

 

I don't mind a step by step approach but that's not what Mort is hinting at - I'm also worried by Kev's "not in my time" quote but I put that down to the Chelsea loss disappointment.

 

Mort's programme notes....

 

"This season has obviously involved dramatic changes at the club.

 

"Last summer saw Mike's acquisition of the club from the Hall and Shepherd families and minority shareholders, and the appointment of a new board of directors. Since that acquisition, Mike has put further funding of more than £100m in to the club to avoid the club running into serious financial difficulties and to fund player acquisitions.

 

"With £30m spent last summer on adding ten new players to the senior squad, a further £10m added to the annual wage bill and leading players such as Michael Owen, Damien Duff and Shay Given returning from long-term injuries, I think everyone looked forward to the new season with relish.

 

"With good wins against the likes of Bolton, West Ham, Spurs and Everton, we should not lose sight of the fact we had some bright spots in the early part of the season. Unfortunately, such results were too infrequent, particularly during the five months that followed. These are the months for which I must give most thanks to our supporters. The support of the team throughout this period, both home and away, was fabulous. To have sell-out crowds during our recent unbeaten run is excellent. However, to have 50,000+ supporters cheering on the team at St. James' Park when the team is struggling and up to 6,000 fans making trips south for our away games, I must give our fans particular thanks for their incredible backing of the team, in both numbers and vocal support, throughout the difficult period between October and mid-March.

 

"The change that obviously grabbed the media's attention and supporters' imagination was the replacement of the manager mid-season, with Kevin's dramatic return to manage the club. I think Kevin's appearance at St. James' Park on the night we played Stoke City in the F.A. Cup, and the resultant excitement throughout the city, will be remembered by all that were here that night for a very long time. While Kevin had a tough time from mid-January to mid-March, with some difficult matches and some unfortunate results, the dramatic change in both the way the team plays and the results that have been achieved have vindicated the decision to bring Kevin back and I think we have all seen enough over recent weeks to know that there is much to look forward to when the team starts its next campaign in August.

 

"Over the summer we will look to strengthen the squad further. In addition to making any immediate fixes that may be required, as with everything else we have done since Mike acquired the club, we will want to acquire players that can help make Newcastle United a top team for the medium and long-term, not just for the next season or two. That is why we put a substantial offer in for Luka Modric, who is aged 22. It is frustrating that Modric, like Woodgate before him, should take less money than we offered to move to the bright lights of London, and European football with Tottenham next season, but these are the sorts of difficulties that should get easier to address once we build a squad that competes at the right end of the table."

 

"In addition to the team playing much better football and getting much better results on the pitch, I am delighted with the progress we have been able to make this season off the pitch. With an executive director with responsibility for football and a second executive director focussed on the non-football operations of the club, we have put in place a structure which should help put the club in a position of strength and stability for the long-term.

 

"Dennis Wise and his recruitment team have been busy seeking out the best footballing talent across the country, elsewhere in Europe and further afield and we will see some of the benefits of those efforts this summer. In addition to strengthening the first-team squad, we will also continue to recruit younger players for the future to ensure the club is built on more stable foundations for the long-term.

 

"With many new recruits, including a new executive director - operations, financial controller, customer services manager and head of HR, we have sought to put in place a professional management team that can run the club highly effectively behind the scenes. Hopefully, supporters have already seen some of the benefits of this focus, with more efficient ticketing operations and more interaction with supporters.

 

"Two topics on which we get consistent feedback from supporters is for considerably more seating to be set aside for children in an affordable section of the ground, and to have an affordable section of the stadium where the noisiest of our supporters can congregate to give their vocal support to the team throughout the game. Although seating in the stadium is always a sensitive topic, we will seek to accommodate these wishes in the next round of season ticket renewals.

 

"One of the recruits which had the most immediate impact is Graeme Danby. Graeme is the acclaimed English National Opera performer who gave a rousing version of The Blaydon Races on the pitch before the Sunderland game. I asked the staff to find me an opera-singing Geordie who would wear the shirt, carry a large NUFC flag and walk down the pitch singing The Blaydon Races. Graeme was made for this task."

 

"I have been delighted with the progress the club has made in the community this season. Newcastle United must always be aware of the great force for good it can be in people's lives. In the early part of the season we had first-team players packing shoppers' bags and making children pizzas as part of the Creating Chances programme, for which we received much acclaim.

 

"In an effort to make St. James' Park accessible to a wider section of the community, for the pre-season friendlies last summer we introduced ticket initiatives aimed at encouraging more children to come along to games and followed that up with ten-game season tickets for children for as little as £25.

 

"More recently, we received a national award from Prince Charles for our support of the Princes Trust and an invitation to Downing Street in recognition of our work with Show Racism the Red Card. April saw supporters raise more than they ever have previously from a bucket collection at the ground, raising substantial funds for the Toma Fund established by Jordan Thompson's parents. The season ends with us hosting a dinner to raise funds for The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, which should be an excellent and very worthwhile evening.

 

"The focus of our community efforts next season will be the Newcastle United Foundation, which should receive its charitable status in the early autumn and for which we have recruited Kate Bradley as a full-time Foundation Manager."

 

THANK YOU

 

"I would like to finish my last programme column of the season with a big "thank you" to everyone in the North-East for the fabulous welcome my family and I have had since arriving on Tyneside last summer. Thank you.

 

"Have a great summer!"

 

That bold bit suggest to me Mort is thinking long term, not short term.