NUFC summer transfer activity thread

[Christmas Tree 4669]

While I would prefer to have my cake and eat it, I will be delighted if the window closes and we still have Ba, Cisse, Tiote, Cabaye and Krul. I would have bet my mortgage that at least one of those 5 would have gone at the start of the window.

 

I also agree that we are in more need of cover for the strikers than defence. Two have departed and Shola is injured and we have several competitions to compete in.

 

There are enough defensive bodies to see us through to January when new arrivals will probably come in. (Debuchy maybe for the price we are prepared to pay and Douglas for peanuts).

[Christmas Tree 4669]

ok, forget Debuchy in Jan maybe

 

Graeme Bailey ‏@SkyGraemeBailey

Jose Mourinho has admitted his spending may not be finished at Real Madrid and he is linked with Mathieu Debuchy.

[PaddockLad 16991]

The Journal not really telling us anything we couldnt have worked out for ourselves tbh. If we hold on to everyone we've got, I'll be ok with that really. Good point about Wenger, he virtually invented the system we use for transfers which almost certainly rules out him paying daft money for Cabaye or Tiote. Chelsea on the other hand....

[NobbySol 7]

Quite shocked some people are content with this transfer windows dealings. A solid chance to build on our best season for years has been completely passed up. The annoying thing is, with a further 10m spent we could have an excellent squad.

[McFaul 35]

Well the Journal reckons today we have decided against signing any full backs, centre-halves or midfielders and might, if we are lucky, consider buying a striker

He knows fuck all that bloke. A sad indictment of him is you know far more about football than him. He's Lee Ryder-lite, he says to me the other day we should have signed Michael Kightly, he genuinely has no contacts and has never delivered an exclusive.

[Lake Bells tits 1]

squeeze past

[PaddockLad 16991]

Quite shocked some people are content with this transfer windows dealings. A solid chance to build on our best season for years has been completely passed up. The annoying thing is, with a further 10m spent we could have an excellent squad.

 

This is Mike Ashley we're talking about, he only does a deal if it meets all his criteria. If we keep everyone we've got then under those circumstances its a good window iyam.

[Lake Bells tits 1]

Quite shocked some people are content with this transfer windows dealings. A solid chance to build on our best season for years has been completely passed up. The annoying thing is, with a further 10m spent we could have an excellent squad.

 

If you are standing still, you are going backwards. If you dont invest in the squad, players can smell it and they will want away.

Massive lack of intent not adressing our defense this summer.

 

With our current defense and EL as well as cups in addition to the league, I Can see a few injuries seriously affecting our team.

A top-10 finish is looking more and more likely since we decided not to build on last seasons success.

Everyone else have been strengthening.

[Christmas Tree 4669]

If you are standing still, you are going backwards. If you dont invest in the squad, players can smell it and they will want away.

Massive lack of intent not adressing our defense this summer.

 

With our current defense and EL as well as cups in addition to the league, I Can see a few injuries seriously affecting our team.

A top-10 finish is looking more and more likely since we decided not to build on last seasons success.

Everyone else have been strengthening.

 

Bollocks.

 

Players will see we were in the same boat for a striker last year and waited a few months for the right one at the right price. They will also (hopefully) see none of the blue chip players sold off, which will be reassuring.

 

This is about gradually putting together a very good quality squad over a period of years. So far its going very well and most would agree ahead of schedule.

[Lake Bells tits 1]

You think players in a team finishing 5th will be content with the fact that we have bought absolutely fucking nobody? Players have ambitions you know, they want to go places.

If the team is standing still, they will want away to more ambitions teams spending money.

[Kitman 2204]

Deary me, this is depressing

[Gene_Clark 12]

To me it's obvious that Ashley, Llambias & Pardew are like Inspector George Gently; intelligent, perceptive, undemonstrative outsiders from the South East, up here to sort things out.

 

Meanwhile an element of Newcastle's support, as well as several journalists are like Sergeant John Bacchus; emotional, overwrought, mercurial & quixotic locals, unable to see the wood for the trees.

[McFaul 35]

Less than 20% of this message board will know who George Gently is and the only Bacchus normal people know is in the toon. Nothing worse than someone trying to be funny when they're absolutely incapable of it.

 

LakeBellsTits you talk shit. The players we have are good players, you ask whether they are content coming 5th, I think the majority would be to be honest. At the end of the day if we come 5th we'll have come above Liverpool who are a bigger club than us, Tottenham who are a richer club than us, and Everton who are a more successful club than us. These are players we've grabbed from inferior clubs right around Europe and we've given them the opportunity to play in the upper echelons of the most famous, interesting football league in the world. The fact is every club in this country is open to their players being poached, even Man Utd couldn't keep Ronaldo, so I think you're talking pish. There'll be no mass walk out here, and it would take global clubs to move the likes of Ben Arfa and Tiote. The team spirit is brilliant here, players don't work for each other when they're not happy, the effort at home to Man City last season, and Tottenham this season showed to me we have a happy camp who will fight for the cause.

[Lake Bells tits 1]

So since we finished 5th, its time to put our feet up then? Squad cant possibly get any better, time to lean back and enjoy another 65 point season..

 

There is no time to rest on your laurels in football. We came 5th, great. New season, clean sheets. Do you think players will stay because we finish 5th? If we dont strengthen, we will be left for dead. Anyone can have a good season and finish 5th, look at Villa and Everton. If you want to take a permanent leap you have to build on it, Tottenham were in the shitter 4 years ago - look at them now.

 

Aside from Coloccini, none of our defenders are top-5 quality. Steven Taylor could be but he will be crocked for the 6th consequtive season within a month or two.

 

There is nothing wrong with not being able to replicate last season, but lets not pretend our Back-4 is solid. It isnt. Not even close.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Lake Bells tits

[Gene_Clark 12]

Doubtful it stood;

As two spent swimmers, that do cling together

And choke their art.

[McFaul 35]

So since we finished 5th, its time to put our feet up then? Squad cant possibly get any better, time to lean back and enjoy another 65 point season..

 

There is no time to rest on your laurels in football. We came 5th, great. New season, clean sheets. Do you think players will stay because we finish 5th? If we dont strengthen, we will be left for dead. Anyone can have a good season and finish 5th, look at Villa and Everton. If you want to take a permanent leap you have to build on it, Tottenham were in the shitter 4 years ago - look at them now.

 

Aside from Coloccini, none of our defenders are top-5 quality. Steven Taylor could be but he will be crocked for the 6th consequtive season within a month or two.

 

There is nothing wrong with not being able to replicate last season, but lets not pretend our Back-4 is solid. It isnt. Not even close.

Look I'm the most deluded Toon fan there is. We can come higher than 5th, if Borussia Dortmund can win the Bundesliga quite often without ANY artificial investment we can certainly become Champions League regulars. However, in the modern game money is everything. When FFS had control our turnover was £99m, Tottenham's was £78m. In 9 years that has reversed because of poor revenue maximisation, poor performance and devaluing of the brand under the Ashley regime to the tune that £21m that we were above Spurs, is now £73m that we are behind them in terms of annual revenue. That's just Tottenham (a club who I will ALWAYS regard us as bigger than). Man Utd and Arsenal earn three times as much as us. Liverpool are wealthier than Tottenham. So in terms of finance we are punching well, well, well above our weight, so fifth is currently a massive achievement for us, and you're a fucking nob if you think otherwise. If we can consistently come 4th, 5th, 6th, sponsorship money will go through the roof, there'll be more media money, the ground will never see an empty seat and our revenue will rise and we can become a consistently well ran club like Valencia were in the late 90's early 00's or BVB have been in the last 5 or 6 years.

[Lake Bells tits 1]

Look I'm the most deluded Toon fan there is. We can come higher than 5th, if Borussia Dortmund can win the Bundesliga quite often without ANY artificial investment we can certainly become Champions League regulars. However, in the modern game money is everything. When FFS had control our turnover was £99m, Tottenham's was £78m. In 9 years that has reversed because of poor revenue maximisation, poor performance and devaluing of the brand under the Ashley regime to the tune that £21m that we were above Spurs, is now £73m that we are behind them in terms of annual revenue. That's just Tottenham (a club who I will ALWAYS regard us as bigger than). Man Utd and Arsenal earn three times as much as us. Liverpool are wealthier than Tottenham. So in terms of finance we are punching well, well, well above our weight, so fifth is currently a massive achievement for us, and you're a fucking nob if you think otherwise. If we can consistently come 4th, 5th, 6th, sponsorship money will go through the roof, there'll be more media money, the ground will never see an empty seat and our revenue will rise and we can become a consistently well ran club like Valencia were in the late 90's early 00's or BVB have been in the last 5 or 6 years.

 

We cant if we dont spend any money when everyone around us is.

You can quote me on this, our current back-four is not good enough for an attack on the top-4, and we are deluded if we think we can pose a challenge with the current one.

 

ALOT of our competitors had a shit season last year for various reasons. Everton, Liverpool, do I need to mention chelsea, Tottenham are all looking stronger this year than last. Arsenal havent finished outside the top-4 for 10 years so write them off at your own peril.

 

Its all well and good claiming we are punching well above our weightclass, but we wont for long if we keep gambling on squad players and unproven youngsters to deliver the goods for us.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Lake Bells tits

[McFaul 35]

We cant if we dont spend any money when everyone around us is.

You can quote me on this, our current back-four is not good enough for an attack on the top-4, and we are deluded if we think we can pose a challenge with the current one.

 

ALOT of our competitors had a shit season last year for various reasons. Everton, Liverpool, do I need to mention chelsea, Tottenham are all looking stronger this year than last. Arsenal havent finished outside the top-4 for 10 years so write them off at your own peril.

 

Its all well and good claiming we are punching well above our weightclass, but we wont for long if we keep gambling on squad players and unproven youngsters to deliver the goods for us.

I'd agree our defence needs strengthening, but worse back fours than Simpson Colo Saylor and Santon have qualified for the Champions League. Liverpool in the 80s often went seasons without signing anyone, because they were good enough, just because other people are buying it doesn't mean they're passing us or their squad is poorer. A good team doesn't become worse because others are buying, we do need a defender though AND a striker.

[Christmas Tree 4669]

We cant if we dont spend any money when everyone around us is.

You can quote me on this, our current back-four is not good enough for an attack on the top-4, and we are deluded if we think we can pose a challenge with the current one.

 

ALOT of our competitors had a shit season last year for various reasons. Everton, Liverpool, do I need to mention chelsea, Tottenham are all looking stronger this year than last. Arsenal havent finished outside the top-4 for 10 years so write them off at your own peril.

 

Its all well and good claiming we are punching well above our weightclass, but we wont for long if we keep gambling on squad players and unproven youngsters to deliver the goods for us.

 

The problem is "the plan" was not to finish 5th, it was to finish in the top ten iirc. Just because we over achieved does not mean Ashley is going to throw away all the foundations being put in place to suddenly try and break into the top four.

 

Im sure the plan this year is once again to finish within the top 8 and improve all aspects of the club from profitability to youth set up to first team to facilities.

 

I can understand the deluded position you are coming from and often share it, however this solid building from the bottom and working to a plan is probably more likely to bring us success.

[2bias 3]

The problem is "the plan" was not to finish 5th, it was to finish in the top ten iirc. Just because we over achieved does not mean Ashley is going to throw away all the foundations being put in place to suddenly try and break into the top four.

 

That. Good post.

[Lake Bells tits 1]

I'd agree our defence needs strengthening, but worse back fours than Simpson Colo Saylor and Santon have qualified for the Champions League. Liverpool in the 80s often went seasons without signing anyone, because they were good enough, just because other people are buying it doesn't mean they're passing us or their squad is poorer. A good team doesn't become worse because others are buying, we do need a defender though AND a striker.

 

From an isolated point of view, true. Comparably, unfortunately we do. While your point about Liverpool rings true, today sees a vastly different game - way more money and professionalism these days. Clause Lundekvam of Southampton was a fucking alcoholic 8-9 years ago and claimed loads of fotballers went out 3-4 times a week getting pissed. Doubt you could get away with that today.

 

The 2012 climate requires clubs to invest in players and spend money in order to compete. You can do well over shorter periods of time without joining the carousel but eventually you will be left behind when others are spending and spending and spending. City and Chelsea being the prime proof of this.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Lake Bells tits

[Lake Bells tits 1]

That. Good post.

 

The fact that its true makes it more depressing if anything.

"Wow we finish fifth! Settle down guys, back to your seats. We wont build on this since it was completely out of the blue"

 

While us fans will accept this, I doubt our players will.

There is a reason we finished 5th and it isnt danny simpson and Williamson.

 

If we fail to build on this season I can see things turning sour quite fast as Cabaye, Tiote, Ben arfa and Cisse wont be pleased with us not building on such a monumental season.

 

They want to see progress, like any other fotballer. Otherwise they will be off.

 

Someone on here were spot on when they said The CL-push has put us in an awkward position. With things going so well we would be forced to compete for a CL next season too or players would be off. Can definately understand that point of view.

 

If you think players are happy with going back to crawling after having learnt to walk, you are sorely mistaken.

Failure to capitalize on this season will result in unsettled players.

Edited August 29, 2012 by Lake Bells tits

[Lake Bells tits 1]

The problem is "the plan" was not to finish 5th, it was to finish in the top ten iirc. Just because we over achieved does not mean Ashley is going to throw away all the foundations being put in place to suddenly try and break into the top four.

 

Im sure the plan this year is once again to finish within the top 8 and improve all aspects of the club from profitability to youth set up to first team to facilities.

 

I can understand the deluded position you are coming from and often share it, however this solid building from the bottom and working to a plan is probably more likely to bring us success.

 

I understand that point of view, the "problem" is that the season went too well if you can say such a thing.

The cat is out of the bag, and the spine who made that possible are unlikely to be content with going back to building "brick by brick".

They dont have time for that, professional careers can end at any time.

 

We have attracted too much attention and interest for us to just settle at 8-10th again, if we do that there will be an exodus of players looking for another CL-push, if not with us then with another club, since they know they are good enough to do it.

 

Its all or nothing really.

[Brock Manson 0]

Holding on to all of our players is key, with further strengthening secondary. That's not to say I won't view the transfer window as successful without us signing a defender. I'm not too bothered about getting a striker in as a number 1 priority when we have the option of playing Ben Arfa in a more advanced position as we could use Marveaux & Jonas to cover the wings. I think he should play in that position anyway but there you go.

 

We've shown that we pretty much only deal in lump sum fees, so any clubs sniffing around Cabaye, Tiote etc will probably spend a significant amount in one go. That is definitely a deterrent considering Liverpoo hoyed £35m on Carroll and are now desperate to get rid.

 

I still think it's madness that we don't sign Debuchy for the quoted fee, I can only assume it's because Lille aren't happy with the transfer and are constantly moving the goalposts. Looks like this is the squad we're sticking with, and we might see one or two young players/Debuchy come in January when/if they're available.

[JawD 99]

Imo we finished 5th because i) We played well with excellent team spirit teams around us were poorer than usual and c) we invested at just the right time to push on (Cisse in Jan).

 

This season I expected us to get rid of dead wood (Smith etc) and even move on some fringe players (Best etc) and this would free up cash to bring in new talent.

 

While we brought in Anita and some good young players if the window closed today I couldnt help but be a little disappointed. Baring in mind we moved on Best and Lovenkrands, both of which played last season when we were not even in Europe, I cant believe we havent brought in a new forward (though a deal for AC still seems to be possible, though not probable).

 

I rate Steve Taylor and Colo as a central two but am not keen on Williamson. I think too often we are "making do" and while this is ok, we are riding our luck and cant help but think it will bite us in the arse and we may drop points or even get booted out of a cup because of it.

 

Has to be said that I am pleased it seems no first team players have gone out, though I expected one to in order to fund and reinvestment in the squad. Maybe this is why we havent pushed on for some players.

 

If our business is done, I would certainly hope to do something again in the winter.