Assuming

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Assuming we have the Pot of Gold to spend in the summer,how do you think N/C are going to attract top quality players without the European carrot? We should be compeating with Leeds for 1860 Munich defender Martin Stranzi, a 20 year old who has won four caps, and can play at the back or midfield, just the type we desperately need.If you were Stranzi or A.N.Other what team would you join?? be honest, so how do we tempt them to join us. I don't think N/C being nearer London will work again.

-- Anonymous, April 07, 2001

Answers

We won't! Manure, Leeds, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea Rangers & Celtic will get the pick of the available players - we'll get to fight over those left - that's the way it works.

However, IMO if we pick well this could actually work to our advantage, because I'd prefer to get players with potential who are on there way up rather than overpaid Big Time Charlies who only play to their potential 4 or 5 times a season, if that.
We need to build a team who will work hard for each other, and we need to select players to buy who will compliment the group of young talent we already have at the Club. This process will necessarily take some time.

-- Anonymous, April 07, 2001


We will struggle to attract the player cos not only have we not got European football as a carrott but we've lost our sparkle. We're not even going to win the Worthless cup in our current state never mind qualify for Europe. And with the likes of Ipswich and Charlton, who have just come up this season, doing better than us well frankly it's embarrassing really.

Our only hook is Bobby and possibly Shearer. I think we can still attract some of the players I'd like to see playing for us next season, providing we show ambition over the summer. These being:

David Prutton - Forest NEED the cash and he's desperate for Prem football. However if he becomes available I think he'll have his pick of club so it could be difficult if the likes of Leeds go in for him. However I think the fact Leeds, Arsenal, ManUre, Liverpool and Chelsea already have strong midfields might leave us with a good chance.

Micky Bridges - I think the fact Robbie Keane will be made a permanent transfer in the summer for Leeds and providing Viduka stays he might think his chances of first team football might be limited next season. He's a Geordie and from what I've heard he wanted to sign for us when he left the filthy Makems but Ruud didn't think he was worth £4m! As long as he makes a full recovery from his injury then I think he's worth £5/6m of our mooney.

Seth Johnston - Good, strong holding midfielder who can also pass and shoot from distance. Has been Derby's best player by far this season. I think we should offer £4m to Derby for him to test their reserve.

A proven centre half would also be on my list. Sol Campbell would be nice but it's about as likely as Gazza coming back and actually playing a full game! ;O) If Dabizas gets back to his best then it will be like a new signing I suppose.

My main objective would be to get more young talented British coming through who know what it means to be playing in the Prem for a club like ours!

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001


Len, For one reason or another I am so wary of the word "assume", to me its the most dangerous word in the dictionary , a number of major incidents took place cos people assumed things [Piper Alpha] ,in reply to your post in all honesty in all my years supporting Newcastle I am really at loss player wise to view an opinion in how to make us a team again, too many imponderables , we look with a limited budget to add 3 /4 quality players, yet a number of us are doubtful whether the supposed * core players are good enough.There is talk of bringing on the young players in some quarters, thats admirable , not a quick fix, we then require the established senior pros to nurse the young ones along, *see above, if we recognise that fact should the buying policy look to bring in seasoned British professionals who have done the course, and will gell into any future team plans . With the amount of fan base availible , its looks too easy, I am now convinced that Bobby Robson has the hardest task of any manager in the Premiership, we all know the reason!! , at least I hope we do, the trick is how to extract the club from the position they will be in for next season, and explain to the long suffering public what they are really trying to achieve. LR was on about Man U in another thread , saying that they had lost a wee bit spark and needed freshening up, SAF for once forgot Shanks and Paisly`s golden rule, win the lot but close season still add a couple of quality signings,vetted thoroughly for teamwork

Its every supporters right to pick his team , suggest additions, its good fun , ive done it for years, but practically its too easy,too simplistic, we do not take into account the difficulties, [a] Does the player or family want to come],[b] will he become a regular or squad player,[c] what is Newcastle`s standing amongst the informed in-crowd these days[d] No Europe [e] Financial [winners/medals/glory] and there are a host of others .

At the low level of football I am involved it is my personal opinion that a club is as good as its committee , we are a well run little outfit , never been in debt, always 5 grand in the bank, insure the players well, own bus , loads of training eqpt, floodlit training pitch , the list goes on , at times you wonder if the players really appreciate it, trying to get them to sell monthly draw tickets is a hassle, few just wanted to turn up, get stripped and play, that was in the past, not now , complete turn a round , they are part of the club. For committee ,substitute board , when I read Crazyhorse post that the Hall`s had put in 3 mill and took out 70 mill,I was bliddy upset if its true , Jack Walker genuinley loved Blackburn but this smacks of Fergus McCann`s !thin dime biscuit tin mentality`,someone tell me this not true,if it is Jonno I think that is a disgrace on the back of your shirt. Also to end all my players are now local lads, not any from outwith a 5 mile radius , so I will treat any future postings on a local influence with a wee bit more respect (Clarky) For a simple game,why do Newcastle United Football Club,make an arse of it in all departments , there is always an answer,

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001


There is an answer Buff, and you've already identifed it.

As to the Hall's financial 'haul' - I believe SJH originally invested a few million, say £3 million. This looks peanuts now, but that's all with the easy benefit of hindsight. At the time it looked a really ballsy punt.

As a result of the flotation valuation of the Company of some £190 million - which let's remember was achieved because of the Club the Sir John had created, and not the run-down pile he effectively bought - the Hall shareholding was worth close to £100 million. Canny investment, but IMO good luck to them.

The Hall shares are distributed between the family, an offshore Trust, Cameron Hall Developments, and the CHD Pension Fund. I believe Douglas Hall sold his personal shareholding, possibly to NTL, but overall I don't really know how many of their shares have been sold and at what price, and frankly it's not my business. However, I do know that their remaining shares - like mine and Jonno's - have been devalued (I use that word deliberately) to around 25% of the flotation value, and it amazes me that they continue to sit on the sidelines and watch it all happen. Would you?

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001


Clarky, You know my stance on financial matters , heed in the sand is the most apt description I think, lolly get some, spend some. I do read the more enlightened on here and the series `The men who changed the face of Football` educated me somewhat. Its on another thread but the article in todays People backs either you or another poster up detailing Shepherds promise of a £20 mill summer war chest to Bobby and is a wee bit scathing on Shepherds part of the comments from Fender the Bender (catarrh)- thats quick for a Sunday Buff, keep it up

Yours and Jonno`s shares, cannot comment I am afraid, football shares, emits Screacher type bah, any spare dosh I would throw into Talisman Energy/Oil , Canada`s major , been in the North Sea 6-8 years buying up and extracting the juices the biggies feel are unprofitable, A top MD in Aberdeen Jim Buckee , great set of down to earth senior staff, and for me to say that, wha hey , a well respected company, that`s my tip for today, get on them ,ok McBeth!!, PIC.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001



Getting slightly away from the points mentioned above, I would dearly like to see Seth Johnson at SJP. A man of principal and damn fine player to boot. Oh, and he looks geet hard.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2001

To me, it's beginning to look like there won't be any quick ie next season, fix, and whether we like it or not we're going to have to accept some sort of long, or at least medium term scenario.

I can't see next season being much different to this, which I'd reluctantly accept if they at least look more promising.

The last two or three seasons, they've been as bad as they ever were when they've had me in raptures one week and tearing me hair out the next.

Like you Buff, I'd rather leave the speculation to those who get a bit of a buzz from it - I just want them to get it sorted, preferably in my lifetime, and I don't particularly care how.

What concerns me a bit though, is if BR is starting to tail off, because I wouldn't say his signings since he came have really been setting the prem on fire. If the same happens with all this cash there's supposedly available over the summer, we'll be no further forward.

I know we've had all these injuries, but in a way that's a consolation because I'd hate to think we'll still be as crap when the injury list is right down.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001


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