Simon Bird on Ashley, Pardew and Newcastle United

[Christmas Tree 4851]

Pardew, the players and the fans have all shown their commitment, now Ashley must show his with cash

 

 

“Eighth place and qualification for the Europa League is the sort of target any club in our position can aim for....”

 

So said Newcastle boss Alan Pardew on Sunday, reflecting on the visit of Fulham who achieved just that last season.

 

The point Pardew was making is that just because Newcastle are doing it differently now off the pitch, doesn’t mean there is a lack of ambition on it.

 

I’m sure Mike Ashley, if he were ever to speak, would say the same. This season anywhere in the top ten would be acceptable, given the financial targets also being met behind the scenes. Top eight would be an above par finish, and sixth a minor miracle.

 

Ambition means different things to different fans, and is at the core of the debate about the future of the club, and whether the current regime are doing the right thing, or not.

 

Some who remember the remarkable days of Kevin Keegan pushing for the title won’t be happy until those incredible, intoxicating seasons are recreated.

 

Others will set the benchmark as the reign of Sir Bobby Robson who galvanised the club to fourth and third placed finishes, a run in the Champions League and then a fifth place finish which got him the sack.

 

These days ambitions have to be different for Newcastle.

 

Relegation, out of control wages, rising debts, mistakes and mismanagement on and off the pitch, coupled with an industry that needs an internal reality check, saw to that.

 

The top five have widened the gap on clubs like Newcastle in the last few years. Manchester City have an oil rich state backing them. Manchester United are the richest club in the world. Liverpool are throwing money around. Spurs have also had a go, way above Newcastle’s financial league.

 

But the journey to achieving Pardew’s ambitions is equally intriguing, if not quite so glamorous as days gone by in terms of players signed or continental cities visited.

 

It is true that budgets have been slashed at St James’ Park. We all know the headline grabbing signings of old are a thing of the past.

 

Players we’ve hardly heard of, which doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t fit the bill and aren't talented, are mooted as new recruits in the next 24 hours.

 

But what Pardew and his players have shown – as unglamorous Fulham did last season – is that organisation, good coaching, a bit of dogged spirit and a slice of luck here and there are as valuable as any £20 million superstar.

 

There is a strange satisfying pleasure seeing Leon Best, a man going nowhere a year ago, taking his chance and scoring twice last weekend.

 

There is huge pride in seeing how Cheik Tiote’s career has blossomed since coming to Tyneside as a bit part player from FA Twente – and in the process become a £15-20 million player.

 

There is a fascination in seeing how talented kid Haris Vuckic, who may get 10-15 games this season, and the exciting Sammy Ameobi, will progress.

 

There is something stirring at the way Argentine Fabricio Coloccini now plays and leads the club with quiet, understated assurance, banishing memories of his nightmare first season.

 

And the way Steven Taylor seems to be fulfilling his teenage promise and looking like a rock. Will Fabio Capello notice soon? I wouldn’t be surprised.

 

There have been few seasons at St James’ Park that have started so smoothly on the pitch, but the margins between success and disappointment are perilously fine for Newcastle.

 

Seven points collected, sixth place going into the international break and that’s despite losing Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton.

 

Pardew is proving a top quality coach, assisted by excellent staff, moulding his collection of players into a solid team.

 

Yet still he needs new recruits quickly to give him a real chance of achieving that top eight finish.

 

While MD Derek Llambias has financial targets to keep which he sees as in the best interests of Newcastle’s long term future, Pardew has points targets to meet and he needs extra help.

 

Italy defender Davide Santon is on Tyneside and solves the full back problem. Actually he can play left back and right back – Pardew has been demanding versatile recruits that fit several position all summer.

 

Now United need a striker, probably Modibo Maiga, and possibly one other loan signing, to have, in Pardew’s opinion, a squad stronger than he finished last season with, despite the big personality departures.

 

Then perhaps we will hear from Newcastle’s hierarchy what the long game is. What their ambition is. What their methods of working are.

 

Pardew made a good start in his programme notes for the weekend win against Fulham by pointing out that if the small London club can finish eighth, be sure Newcastle can have a crack at it too.

 

That would be just the start. Players like Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote will want to play European football sooner rather than later by going higher.

 

Pardew is fulfilling his duty, producing good results so far this season, the players too with their sound attitude, and the fans, of course, keep turning up and staying loyal.

 

It is up to Llambias and Ashey to show in the next 24 hours that the realistic ambitions that Newcastle have these days can be achieved.

 

That is their duty as custodians of the club.

[Monroe Transfer 0]

Why have these 2 bits been bolded? We already know about them.

 

And Steven Taylor for England? Can't see that ever happening.

[Christmas Tree 4851]

Why have these 2 bits been bolded? We already know about them.

 

And Steven Taylor for England? Can't see that ever happening.

 

That they way they are displayed in the online article.

[Guest alex]

"author simon bird"

 

is as far as i got.

I think he's decent tbh.

[Monroe Transfer 0]

maybe i'm getting him muddled up

which is the one who worked for a paper in the N.E then moved to one of the nationals?

 

Alan Oliver?

[Christmas Tree 4851]

luke edwards --- mackem

[sniffer 0]

Quick, give me 500 words in ten minutes.

[Guest alex]

Were you not thinking of Luke Edwards, Ant? Got a move to the Telegraph recently.

[Guest alex]

Naw it was that oul fecker Oliver

 

Not that i rate Edwards either mind, him and Lee Ryder are both useless as well.

Edwards is definitely better than those two like*. I was surprised when he got a job at the Telegraph though.

*Not really a bold statement.

[The Fish 10972]

Greater chance of Cabaye, Tiote and whomever being sold, than achieving their goals of European football at NUFC

[JonTheMag 4]

Is this Simon Bird?

 

 

 

 

He's a cunt.

[Deano 0]

In my opinion Simon Bird is a pretty good journalist. That was a pretty spot on article.

 

It would be nice to see us really go for it thmora....surprisingly.

[Bonamental 0]

Am I the only one who thought it was Will out of the Inbetweeners?

[rogerbarton 24]

This article is obvious, bland and dull. Gives no real insight and does little to question the regime. Certainly doesn't tell me anything I don't know. I know a lot of Newcastle fans seem to dislike Luke Edwards, but the bloke's a bloody Leyton Orient fan and is very balanced with regard to the north east clubs. His article about Ashley is probably the best I've read on the subject and he consistently provides decent journalism about the club in my opinion.