Smoke an-a-da-mirrors. Ashley camp re-releases same single again.

[Park Life 71]

From Times Online

June 20, 2008

Mike Ashley unveils his blueprint for Newcastle

George Caulkin

Newcastle United may not have been active participants during the transfer window, but impatience is yet to set in at St James’ Park. In fact, impetuousness is something they are determined to avoid. At a club where there have been panic buys in abundance and marquee signings galore, where no meaningful trophies have been spotted for 39 years, there is a firm desire to do things differently.

 

The Times has been given an insight into the vision which Mike Ashley, the club’s billionaire owner, is gradually implementing on Tyneside. It is not what some supporters will have expected. Towards the end of last season, Terry McDermott, Kevin Keegan’s lieutenant, spoke of a “big re-launch” being planned for this summer, but Ashley’s chequebook will not be the primary weapon.

 

Ashley spent his first 12 months at Newcastle finding his feet and, on occasion, finding more than he bargained for. He discovered and paid off a debt which had spiralled to more than £70 million. Under Chris Mort, the outgoing chairman, a strategic review of all club affairs was undertaken. Bridges were built with fans and community leaders, the Academy was re-stocked and taken seriously, the training ground is being updated and, of course, Keegan was appointed.

 

Under the previous, discredited regime, transfers had been planned and negotiated by directors, their family-members, agents and hangers-on. When Freddy Shepherd left, they followed. The arrival of Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and Jeff Vetere to lead Newcastle’s recruitment department was perceived as a threat to Keegan’s position, but they were merely replacing Shepherd’s acolytes. Whether they fare any better is another matter, or course.

 

But could they fare much worse? Newcastle have finished the last four seasons 14th, seventh, 13th and 12th in the table. During that spell they have spent millions in transfers and wages on the likes of Michael Owen, Jean Alain Boumsong, Albert Luque, Damien Duff, Scott Parker, Alan Smith, Obafemi Martins, Joey Barton and Emre Belozoglu. Certain individuals have performed better than others, but nobody would argue that the philosophy of buying stellar names has provided value.

 

 

 

 

Don't really like the sound of most of it. Lot of stuff the club should be quietly getting on with anyway trumpeted as new broom philosophy.

 

Ultimately they will be judged primarily on the first team players they buy.

[Park Life 71]

Might as well whack this in here:

 

Magpies To Wenger: £15mil For Martins

The future of Obafemi Martins appears increasingly uncertain following reports that Arsenal have revived their interest in the Newcastle United striker…

 

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Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a long-time admirer of Martins and has been linked consistently with a move for the Nigerian international over the past two seasons.

 

The time could not be riper for the Frenchman to seal a deal, as his squad would be alarmingly bereft of firepower should Emmanuel Adebayor succumb to the advances of AC Milan.

 

But The Sun reports Magpies are demanding ₤15million for the 23-year-old – a price Wenger is not prepared to match.

 

Meanwhile, the former Internazionale hitman has grown weary of the constant speculation surrounding his future, having also been linked with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona.

 

A source close to Martins said: “Oba just doesn’t know what’s going on any more.

 

“He loves the Toon fans so much but one minute Newcastle are desperate for him to stay, the next they are trying to sell him.

 

“But he would love to play for Arsene Wenger.”

 

Mike Maguire

[ChezGiven 0]

Where was the insight in that?

 

Should read The Times had a conversation with Ashley but not a lot was revealed.

[Park Life 71]

Where was the insight in that?

 

Should read The Times had a conversation with Ashley but not a lot was revealed.

 

Probably cause there isn't a lot to be revealed.

 

I don't think Ashers realises that this time of year supporters are only interested in one thing: New players!

[Happy Face 29]

supporters are only interested in one thing: New players!

 

Hasn't that been the root problem of the spiralling wage bill round these parts the last few years?

 

The problem Ashley/Mort/Keegan/Wise/Liambas bread is trying to resolve by offloading our expensive benchwarmers.

 

Rozehnal

Carr

Ameobi

Babayaro

Luque

Solano

Dyer

Emre

Milner

Zoggy

Given

 

Must have been collecting £500K a week between them. Since Ashley arrived he's cleared out most of them and it's to his credit.

 

4 or 5 good value 50K a week players brought in would still leave us with huge savings (moreso if we could offload Duff, and Smith).

Edited June 20, 2008 by Happy Face

[Park Life 71]

supporters are only interested in one thing: New players!

 

Hasn't that been the root problem of the spiralling wage bill round these parts the last few years?

 

The problem Ashley/Mort/Keegan/Wise/Liambas bread is trying to resolve by offloading our expensive benchwarmers.

 

Rozehnal

Carr

Ameobi

Babayaro

Luque

Solano

Dyer

Milner

Zoggy

Given

 

Must have been collecting £500K a week between them. Since Ashley arrived he's cleared out most of them and it's to his credit.

 

4 or 5 good value 50K a week players brought in would still leave us with huge savings (moreso if we could offload Duff, and Smith).

 

 

You may add Nasri to your Arsenal thing.

 

 

I don't have a problem with the rationalising as long as we do 'the other thing' and are able to compete next term.

Edited June 20, 2008 by Park Life

[Happy Face 29]

supporters are only interested in one thing: New players!

 

Hasn't that been the root problem of the spiralling wage bill round these parts the last few years?

 

The problem Ashley/Mort/Keegan/Wise/Liambas bread is trying to resolve by offloading our expensive benchwarmers.

 

Rozehnal

Carr

Ameobi

Babayaro

Luque

Solano

Dyer

Milner

Zoggy

Given

 

Must have been collecting £500K a week between them. Since Ashley arrived he's cleared out most of them and it's to his credit.

 

4 or 5 good value 50K a week players brought in would still leave us with huge savings (moreso if we could offload Duff, and Smith).

 

 

You may add Nasri to your Arsenal thing.

 

 

I don't have a problem with the rationalising as long as we do 'the other thing' and are able to compete next term.

 

I only add them when Soccerbase confirm them....

 

http://www.soccerbase.com/transfers_by_team.sd?teamid=142

[Fop 1]

A source close to Martins said: “Oba just doesn’t know what’s going on any more.

 

“He loves the Toon fans so much but one minute Newcastle are desperate for him to stay, the next they are trying to sell him, then next he is in a car chase through the streets with guns being fired at him, the next he's Grand High Moffit of the Kingdom of Northumria, the next he's playing GTA3, the next he's a small Welsh girl called Myfanawy.

 

“But he would love to play for Arsene Wenger and has a tattoo that says "come and get me Arsenal"”.

 

[Park Life 71]

A source close to Martins said: “Oba just doesn’t know what’s going on any more.

 

“He loves the Toon fans so much but one minute Newcastle are desperate for him to stay, the next they are trying to sell him, then next he is in a car chase through the streets with guns being fired at him, the next he's Grand High Moffit of the Kingdom of Northumria, the next he's playing GTA3, the next he's a small Welsh girl called Myfanawy.

 

“But he would love to play for Arsene Wenger and has a tattoo that says "come and get me Arsenal"”.

 

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