The darkest day in recent NUFC history

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On Saturday NUFC made the worst decision it has made in modern times. With financial insecurity overshadowing football, clubs cannot afford to make mistakes with money. NUFC is certainly NO exception. The club underperformed last year (i'm not making the injuries excuse) we had no contingency plans and the staff prove they were inadequate in many areas.
This summer was/is critical. The players we sign, and their fees tell everything about the ambition we have for the coming season. We cannot afford to spend for spending's sake. Personnel has to be of the best ability, we HAVE to improve.
I feared the worst on Friday, and now it is all but confirmed. Craig Bellamy, the Coventry City 'striker' has signed for an extortionate (alleged) 6 million pounds. Consider this signing. Is it the risk free signing in the key position we KNOW we need? To AVOID a relegation battle we need a striker who can hit the net. Bellamy scored 3 goals from open play last season, in 39 matches. Add to this a quetion mark over his ability to stay injury free and you have an amazing COCK-UP on your hands.
To those who hark back to the halcyon days at Norwich: GET REAL. Coventry took up the opportunity (i said it was a bad idea at the time) and it backfired in the most terrible way. He had no interest in Coventry's relegation scrap and became a figure of hate/fun to Coventry fans.
To those who point to playing in a struggling Coventry City team:OH YEAH! John Hartson played in poor City team and scored 6 goals in 9 games! Robbie Keane played in virtually the same City team and looked awesome. Bellamy showed little fight for the cause and this was reflected in Strachans decision to bench him more than once.
This signing has dented badly my faith in a manager i love to bits. I'm very sorry to have say this but i strongly believe this signing is the start of the end for Bobby. To be so careless with money of this size is scandalous and i'm stunned he has taken this decision.
I hate to say this, but i hope he injures himself in the intertoto and never darkens our premiership campaign. I can't believe i'm saying this, but this terrifies me to the core.
Sorry Craig, but you are not a Newcastle player in my eyes. You are an ABBERATION. And before you consider my nasty attitude, consider Craig's... UN FUCKING BELIEVABLE

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

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-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

robert fleck, nurse

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Swift,

Why not wait to form your own opinions on Bellamy as an NUFC player as opposed to what others have said about him playing for other clubs.

Every player we sign has critics and if we start off believing them what chance has the lad got?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


I wish i shared your optimism mate, but we can't take risks can we? We should learn. To ignore the comments of articulate fans is crazy. If you knew, for instance, that when Andreas Andersson was going to (was it?) Copenhagen what would you have said?
Bellamy is a terrible, terrible player. What makes you think he will change? On the basis of what Hamilton says (the man who signed Paul Dalglish) is foolish. I'm gutted.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

I think he'll do ok for us....maybe not set the world on fire but he's a better 3rd string striker than what we've got and gives us a load of different attacking options.....I think 6mill is a bit much (4 would've been better) but apart from that i'm NOT unhappy with this...

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


3 goals from open play in 39 games! DeB this is stupid. I'm not happy at all. Can we send him back to Coventry? He must be the only person in history to be actually SENT from Coventry. I angry and pissed off, and i don't think i'll change my opinion. If you think he'll miraculously turn into Hasselbaink and whack in 25 goals you are nuts! He's lightweight, without skill and a nasty attitude. How can he change? come on convince me...

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Pop over and read the Cov fans opinions. It will chill you. Yet again we sign another overpriced loser.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

You're going over the top swift....you are of course entitled to your opinion but if it really is a done deal then there's nothing for it but to wait and see.....

Friendly wager, I'll bet you 20quid that he gets over 10 goals for us next season...

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


you are on. i love my team Gav. I don't want more Disco Dessies...this arse is

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Bobby Robson is a star. I can just see Zenden and Kluivert queueing up to play alongside Bellamy now...

For 1 million quid, you could have had Dichio - a player who has proven he can hit the net at Premiership level. For nothing, you could have kept Kevin Gallacher, need I go on.

A very chuffed ML3 ;o)

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001



Swift,

It is perfectly obvious that nothing anyone can say is going to change your opinion about Bellamy. We'll all just have to wait and see how he performs.

I ask you just one thing, stop asking us to believe what the Cov fans think about him. They wouldn't appreciate a great footballer if it came up and pissed on them. They even pilloried Hadji this season for his international commitments but the man they should be barracking is Gordon Strachan for signing him.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


Didn't say you don't love em Swift :)) I must admit that I'm not over the moon with the signing but i think there's a chance that he could be a good signing for us so i'm willing to give him a chance....

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Look Swift, I understand your concerns, as I thought he was appalling when he played at Newcastle this season. You have to remember that what we see in players at other clubs, and even from pals, is not necessarily the whole picture. For example look how wrong you've been about that other famous Welshman Gary Speed.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Keane, Hartson...good players

D, i just hate it, it's an awful signing, don't tell me you are pleased.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


We get the message.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


wwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

"For nothing, you could have kept Kevin Gallacher........"

This says it all for me - and from a mackem at that.
I've already expressed my view elsewhere on paying £6 million for this guy, but for the record I'm with swifty. BTW, forget Zenden, this guy will play down the left.
I desperately hope Bellamy proves me wrong, but from where I'm sitting this looks like a desperation signing and one that we can ill afford.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


As far as I can see it is only the press that have him priced at £6million. Has anyone seen/heard anything different?

One thing about the signing. It's probably the most talked about for a couple of years!

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


:-) wait till sarcasm sets in...

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Just a quick point. Warren Barton has scored 4 times as many Premiership goals in the last 5 years as Dichio so we should let him have a go up front.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

ah, 30 seconds

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Do we ever get any confirmation of transfer fees other than via the Press DeB? We invariably rely on their information, so why change now - just because we dont like the number?
If the fee is ultimately confirmed at £3 million I'll feel a little better - because that's about what he's really worth in today's market.

The thing I find most amazing about this proposed transfer is that Board of NUFC have sat on their hands since Xmas procrastinating over impending changes to the transfer system - and sat idly by watching numerous good players change Clubs in the process.
Now all of a sudden - with still no firm, final resolution of the transfer system being in place - we splash out £6 million on a player who is substantially over-valued under any system. Very interesting - but stupid!

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


Don't the transfer fees have to be released to the stock exchange?? if they do then I should be able to pick them up....

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

share it about, 6m!

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Hey if I had to play at that decaying dump Highfield Road in front of those miserable fans and getting screamed at by that deranged twat of a manager my atitude would be to get the buggers relegated then get flogged off to a decent team.

Well done Craig, mission accomplished.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


decent?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Swifty, obviously you don't agree with this signing. I wouldn't argue with you. I also think that he will provide little that Gally could for free. I hope that you/I are wrong. I have serious doubts though........

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

For Heaven's sake, give the poor bluek a chance. The crowd is on his back before he puts the shirt on. Is this the way to encourage him to do well for us. Give him a bit of breathing space.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

From a Coventry City message board:

'Possibly our worst ever buy. he can't take people on, pass, score, and he gets knocked off the ball so easily. It would have been interesting to see how he would have got on in the first div. but hey if Robson is mad enough to offer us decent money for him he's all yours'.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


i've had non stop stick over this...it's a nightmare

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

I'm off to sulk at the pub now. I can guarantee that folk will be winding me up about this signing and I know for certain that I'll respond by defending this as a great piece of business :-(

It'll take at least 4 Stella for me to start believing it

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


Tell 'em to fuck off and wait and see what happens with Bellamy at NUFC, rather than agrreeing with them.

Tell them they are bitter because their shite club has returned to it's rightful place and they should be more complimentary about the good players they have at their club or they'll obviously want to leave which will mean they stay in the Nationwide instead of returning to the Premiership.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


tell them we are preparing for the future, Bellamy is a great player who in time will help guide the Toon to the top...nurse

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

As far as I can tell there has been no Press Release from NUFC today regarding the transfer. This presumably means it has not yet been completed, or at least it wasn't first thing this morning.
If he has signed today there should be PR first thing tomorrow morning - I'll check.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

I reckon it might not get announced until next week, i've a feeling that they'd like to do them all together and they've still got to wait until July 1st for Robbie Elliot...

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Bellamy = the new) Beardsley in my eyes. A fine young player with great potential. I hope we get him and £6 million is a fair price.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

maybe you have seen summit i haven't rik

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

tell me this isn't true

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

We've got to just hope that his Coventry spell was just the usual period of adjustment to the Premiership. Nice of Coventry to have borne the brunt of this cost.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

or looking at it from a Swift point of view .... what if he only did so well last season cos the defenders didn't know him, and he'll turn out to be a one season wonder like Phillips

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

I've been checking through all the documentation and all I can find is that we were established in 1892. So when did we register as a bloody charity?!?

If we pay more than half what those fools at Coventry did for this turkey it will be a disgrace. Has he been linked with a single other club? Buyer's market or bags must be packed.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


2000/01 season

ALAN SHEARER Played 30 Goals 6

CRAIG BELLAMY Played 30 Goals 7

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


Stark similarities there dread!

Shearer's career looks finished and so does Bellamy's. Bellamy's before he's even signed for the Toon.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


Kevin Phillips 41 app, 18 goals.

Mackem-one season wonder my arse-LUrker 3

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


Sorry Alan got seven not six goals last season so that puts him on par with his replacement. Bear in mind that Coventry scored only 46 goals in all competions as opposed to our 53.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Alan got 7 in 23 and Bellamy got 8 in 39. All competitions. That's appearances, not just starts. Shearer had his worst season in the Premiership. Bellamy had (hopefully) his only season in the Premiership.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Is someone seriously suggesting this Bellamy blerk is as good a top- class striker as Alan Shearer?
Tell me this isn't so nurse - tell me I've woken up in a parallel universe. Or could it be that fellow who believes Newcastle City Council are visionaries?

;-{)

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


You are all doom merchants! 6m is not alot these days and he's hardly the only striker we'll have. He's over 10 years younger than Gallacher and while he mighthave alot to learn, he can do this at NUFC.

Granted it's not the most exciting signing in the world but talk of him being the worst in our history is a joke. (Shinton anyone?) Give the lad a flaming chance! At least he's got pace and postional sense, he can work on finishing and we have a player.

We have to support our players and give them a chance. Bellamy has been damned before he started. Lets hope he has a thick skin as if any of this criticism gets back to him, he'll hardly be starting full of confidence will he?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


Premiership:

Kevin Phillips 1999-2000 36 apps, 30 goals, 6 bookings 2000-2001 34 app, 14 goals, 11 bookings

I'm not very good at statistics and spotting trends you'll have to draw your conclusions to when he'll get more bookings than goals. I'd expect the most average of Premiership forward to have managed 44 Premiership goals by the time they are 28, even Gary Speed had that many by the time he was that age.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


BTW - Bellamy is left footed as obviously Elliot is, therefore we might have a bit more balance on the left for a change. Of course Zenden would help, but like many players recently just decided to talk up his potential move to highlight his availibility to other clubs.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

THE PROBLEM IS WITH our club buying a turkey when we have the chance to buy a goose

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

You've got birds on the brain

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

What chance is that Swift?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

It looks as though Bellamy is ours, and we are going to have to lump it. I am surprised at the haste at which the deal is being done. A cynic might suggest it is being done in an attempt to boost season ticket sales and to demonstrate the 'ambition' of the management. I am unaware of any rush to sign the young man. Without any competition, it seems that we are being profligate in giving Coventry almost what they paid for him! When we buy a turkey -- and in the last four years they seem to be legion -- we suffer a substantial loss when we unload, if indeed we can! I have an enormous respect for the collective wisdom of soccer fans. Rarely do they condemn without justification. My own inclination would have been to have kept Gallacher and to have allowed the young strikers on our books to develop over the next couple of years. The 6 million I would have put towards getting quality players of proven reputation. But in haste -- we repent at leisure.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

I don't this Bellamy signing is a hasty one, I think they've been after him for awhile.....it's certainly been mentioned on here for at least a few weeks....and Bob was keen to get him last year but settled for Cort instead.....

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

another spin -

bellamy once played for norwich, BR used to live in ipswich, its possible that he's (BR) seen a lot of this kid over the years and he really rates him.

lets see what happens

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


gb ....do we have a choice?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

TG,

From some of the postings you'd think not! Today is the last day of NUFC as we know it, haven't you heard?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


do you think we will get that 6mil back deb? will we bugger

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

How the fuck should I know, I know the same as you with respect to how well Bellamy will fare at NUFC..................Nowt!

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

nowt the operative word :-)

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

http://www.nufc.com/html/bellamy.html

had to laugh...i'm now seeing the funny side of this, hell why get down, its already happened and i can't change a thing, might as well take the cov line and have some fun with it

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


I'm sorry to have to say it, but the langauge on here is becoming as bad as on RTG - and most of it isn't from the mackem lurkers.

Can't we have 'heated' discussions on here any longer without continually resorting to such childish invective?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


are we allowed to say 'bellend' Mary?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

So, how many of you are going to sneak into the press conference and throw eggs at Bellamy when he is unveiled?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

"Bellend" is just fine Oliver, you cheeky boy! ;-{)

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Craig Bellamy will get a very fair roll of the dice, just like any new player at SJP.

Let me tell you, there is NO other crowd in the PL who would have given Christian Bassedas as much rope as he got last season, despite his generally abysmal form. The reason is that the Toon fans realised he was undergoing a major change of environment requiring time to settle in, and because he showed the correct attitude, including demonstrating that he is a brave little so and so who wasn't afraid to get hurt in the cause.

If Bellamy shows the right attitude and spirit wearing the b&w shirt he will be fully supported. However, if he displays the sort of bad attitude that the Coventry fans have been decrying, then he will get crucified.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


I saw Bellamy a few times when he was at Norwich and to be honest, he looked outstanding. He then got a very bad injury and moved to the Premiership possibly too soon afterwards. Coventry was obviously a mistake but this lad has got talent and I really don't see what point is served by damning him before he's kicked a ball for us. I also think coventry played him largely out of position - he is not an out and out striker so judging him as one is unfair.

Give the bloke a chance. If he looks cr*p at Christmas then have a go but some of the stuff on this thread is absolutely top grade bullsh*t. Have you thought of moving house Swifty? Would you feel differently about this move if you did?!!

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001


So where will Bobby play him? Is he a 4th choice striker? Is our starting 11 so good that we can afford 6mill on a sub? Or will we play him down the left? Square pegs, round holes again... One can only assume he will be a first choice striker along with Cort. Shearer is the sub.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

You can only hope he'll play as a striker, otherwise we'd have the most lightweight midfield I've seen for a while. Short in stature and weak in the challenge. Brings to mind the subbuteo strike force of Mirandinha/Robertson/Hendrie days. omigod, we're going to get gubbed.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

jacko,
At the match i'll give him 100% support.(i always cheered JDT that little bit harder) But i think to call my genuine, heartfelt fears bullshit is a little bit unfair (i'm sure that was what you were pervading to). All last season i took ophone calls from my friends (cov fans) moaning about their team. And Bellamy seemed to crop up more than once. Don't be fooled by the argument that he was played out of position, or played for a crap manager etc, that is unfair. Bellamy played left and centre for Coventry and by all accounts Strachan bent over backwards to help him. I'm very concerned that we have put ourselves in a dangerous position here and of course if i'm upset i'll share it. Football, these days is a cut throat business and we are cutting our own. Only signing Ashley Ward would have been more depressing. The thing i can't work out is WHY we have bought Bellamy. There is no obvious reason.
btw, i'm very happy in my house

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

"I also think Coventry played him largely out of position - he is not an out and out striker so judging him as one is unfair".

This perhaps sums up why so many people are concerned over this signing Jacko - Club management have clearly stated they don't see Bellamy as a midfield player, but as a pure striker. Go figure!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


Just a thought swift. At Christmas you'll either be classed as a god who was right and defended his position soundly in the face of opposition. Or, you'll be eating humble pie, claiming the heat had melted your brain!! Which one will it be?? Answers on a postcard to Bobby Robson C/O Newcastle Disunited retirement Castle

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

The worst case scenario is another dressing room coup and the need to impose discipline. Enter George Graham, stage right. Exit money for youth academy in brown paper bag, stage left.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

I really don't see what point is served by damning him before he's kicked a ball for us.

Jacko said this and it is the ONLY thing to be said (backed up by all too few contributors to this thread.)



-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Jonno, Jacko, Lynda etc.,

I'm sure I don't have to say this but I will anyway. As you well know, all the people on this bbs - bar the mackem lurkers - who are geographically capable, will be turning out come August to bawl their lungs out for whoever BR turns out in b&w. That includes Paul Bloody Murray and Craig Bloody Bellamy.

What has been expressed over the last couple of days is principally an expression of dismay/disappointment/disaffection/brassedoffedness about the massive divergence between the "actual words" of our esteemed Senior Directors and their "actions" - admittedly, to date.

We have seen our Club fall from being highly competitive in the PL and playing in the CL to becoming also rans. We have been promised quality signings. Most people don't regard Murray, Bellamy, and even Elliott as quality signings, and given the limited funds available most people are horrified at us spending £6mm for a player who flopped spectacularly at Coventry, as players like Andersson, Maric, JDT flopped here - they genuinely feel he is short of top class and fear another expensive failure that we can increasingly ill afford. Frankly, they have every right to express that view - on here and elswhere.

These actions follow hard on the heels of BR saying we couldn't afford to invest in young, unproven talent, only quality players who could go straight into the 1st team and make an immediate impact. My belief is that the majority of fans would be happy to see us buying "young, unproven talent", with an eye to building a squad for the long-term, because they would be hungry and importantly, would want to play for us.

The reaction this week is, I believe, the end-result of several seasons of frustration and disappointment, during which the majority of fans have remained remarkably patient. That patience is now perilously close to snapping. Fans are no longer prepared to tug their forlocks to the Chairman and continue trusting him to put things right - they expect at long last to see things moving in the right direction.

My sense of things is that the next few months are highly critical for Newcastle United - the indications this week are not very encouraging.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


I agree the Bellamy price is a huge risk and one which will ultimately reflect on Robson's reign.

But seriously did anyone expect anything different to what is happening. Sure we've been linked with a lot of quality players but we were never likely to sign anyone with European ambitions, no matter what we do.

Shepherd and Co are kidding themselves when they think they can bring established stars to the current Newcastle United. Fans who believe them are kidding themselves even more.

I get embroiled in the transfer rumours as much as anyone but I never really expected any of them to sign. I thought Jeffers would at least talk, seeing as he was wanting to leave a club like Everton.

The club is in the middle of major restructuring. The Academy has been forced into action and the training facilities seem to be earmarked for improvement. We have to view the team with the same looking glass.

In a couple of years it may have settled down and will be producing the goods. I know this is exactly what Clarky doesn't want to hear, given the views on the way the club is run, but hey it's only my opinion after all.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


I can see the reasons for the frustrations, but as has also been stated on here, what top quality players would want to come to nufc in it's current state? Answer being those with ambitions to purely line their pockets, rather than further their career in footballing terms. So what do we expect? The Chairman might be an ar*e, but we know they have approached top players anf failed to persuade them to join the club we all love. Is that the management's fault?
Seems to me we have to take things in stages, and our improvement has to be on the pitch first and foremost, which will be done with team effort more than with glamour signings. It'll be done with palyers that give 100% in all premiership fixtures, not those who only turn it on for the big games or European competition. If we get things going in the right direction again, we can start adding the exotic names, but we haven't got the basics right yet.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

What would everyone's reaction have been if we'd bought Bellamy last close season rather than this? YBR was reportedly after him when he went to Cov. I suspect he'd have been regarded as an up-and-coming star making an upward move from the 1st Division to the EPL. OK, so perhaps he didn't set the world alight at Coventry. But maybe that wasn't all his fault???

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Beat me to it de B. At least someone else agrees. And whilst I'm here I think we're underestimating ourselves. We clearly showed the odd glimpse of what we could do last season, even with the injuries we suffered. The side isn't a bunch of duffers who have reached their natural limit. It was a side that lacked any consistency and at times cohesion and cutting edge. These are all things that, to a degree, can be changed without dipping into the transfer market.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Honestly, I think this reaction to Bellamy is way OTT. I know he's not Robbie Fowler or Michael "I define over-rated" Bridges, but he may just do it.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

"Shepherd and Co are kidding themselves when they think they can bring established stars to the current Newcastle United. Fans who believe them are kidding themselves even more".

Just ponder the enormity of that first statement for few seconds DeB - because if you believe what you typed then you already fully understand why I view management the way I do? Am I so wrong? If not, should I not say so? Or should I just tug my forlock and say "god on yer Guv"? No way, Jose!

Peter Miller says: "The Chairman might be an ar*e, but we know they have approached top players and failed to persuade them to join the Club we all love. Is that the management's fault?"

The answer is YES, it is their fault. It is theirstrategy that is failing the Club: they have other strategic choices!

Everyone on here knows that players like Patrick Kluivert and Sep Guardiola won't come to SJP, so why do we blindly pursue such a hopeless strategy that is preordained to fail?. And then when it does fail, we have created such undeliverable expectations among the fans that we then need to chase sub-standard, wannabee, 2nd-rate "stars" who, in relative terms, still cost us an arm and a leg in both transfer fees and wages - but who are pathologically incapable of performing to the required standard.

That is the strategy that NUFC have pursued for the last several years - Alan Shearer was the very last "no-compromise" signing we made, in 1995 - principally because of the egos of key individuals who can't seriously contemplate the alternative strategies because they take too long and require careful management.

If you have concluded that truly top- class established talent will not come here, for whatever reason, you need to develop an alternative strategy. That will inevitably dictate success taking much longer to deliver.
That strategy is to assemble a squad of talented young players - we already have the basis - who are groomed to play and develop together, and who want to play here and be part of sustainable period of success. You don't continue wasting the Club's finite resources on substandard mercenaries and wannabees. Forget them - for now.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


Damned if they do and damned if they don't then. All through last season we were moaning about the lack of an academy facility, which they have sorted out.

The training facilities issue seems to be on it's way to being resolved. It will take time because we cannot chuck money at it and even then it would take time.

I believe under the management of Bobby Robson we are assembling a youthful hungry squad who with the right development will be able to work together to give some relative success to the fans.

The crucial point here is that Bobby Robson wanted to sign Bellamy. The board gave Robson a mandate to sort out the club from top to bottom. He gets paid the big money here and he has to deliver. There are problems at the club and a lot of them could be sorted out by Robson if he gets things right. The Board, rightly, have no influence on playing matters.

I'm getting a bit sick of the money talk on here and the negativeness surrounding the crop of new signings. Both of which we really know nothing about!!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


"If you have concluded that truly top-class established talent will not come here, for whatever reason, you need to develop an alternative strategy. That will inevitably dictate success taking much longer to deliver. That strategy is to assemble a squad of talented young players - we already have the basis - who are groomed to play and develop together, and who want to play here and be part of sustainable period of success. You don't continue wasting the Club's finite resources on substandard mercenaries and wannabees. Forget them - for now. "

Clarky, you're obviously convinced that isn't the strategy we are pursuing. Generally we seem to be buying players who appear to want to play here for the right reasons and who have youth on their side. Is Bellamy a substandard mercenary or wannabee? I wouldn't class him as that - he's a promising young player that failed to impress in his year at Coventry. At least he's had the ambition to move on and try again - something he's instigated.
LAst season necessitaed some quick fixes to keep us up. In the meantime the youngsters are a year older, we have added Bellamy and some cheapies and are still looking for others without being panicked into throwing silly money at ageing 'proven' stars.
Seems to me the underlying tennet to your argument is the complete lack of faith in the management's judgement, and I admit, after the last few years the onus is on them.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


Threads are getting a bit similar but I'll reiterate, the onus is on Robson to govern the transfer policy. He is the Manager of this football club.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

God, this whole thing is depressing me! Having said that there have been some great posts on the various related threads.

Trying to piece together various +ve points from posts by Peter Miller, DeB and Macbeth, maybe the situation isn't as utterly negative as I'd convinced myself:

* at long last there seems to be some real movement on the Youth Academy
* there also appears to some movement on training facilities for the senior squad - although no one seems to know for sure whether the facilities they are initially moving to are materially better than at The Riverside.
* changes are afoot in the medical support area, although I didn't grasp exactly what was being proposed.
* leaving aside the contentious 'quality v cost' issue, and the litany of confusing and conflicting BS emanating from SJP and the media - the transfer policy certainly does appear to be giving a priority to acquiring younger players to build on the pool of young talent already at the Club.
* the refusal of so-called "top stars" to consider playing for us could actually prove to be a blessing in disguise, and force us further down the path of predominantly buying the best emerging young talent - in addition, of course, to developing our own.

All of these are undoubtedly positive indications that we can take heart from at what appears to be such a difficult time.
Actually, I feel much better after that - thanks fellas!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


Sorry clarky, can't allow you to try to cheer up:

"* at long last there seems to be some real movement on the Youth Academy"

Yep, we've changed the venue for the fourth time which conveniently allows us to yet again be just waiting for that planning permission or it would have all been finished by now honest guv. Guffaw.

"* there also appears to some movement on training facilities for the senior squad - although no one seems to know for sure whether the facilities they are initially moving to are materially better than at The Riverside."

Oh dear, we've chosen a greenfield site where we can't build any trining facilities at all. Whatever made us think we would do any better than the business developments who have all been turned down for the same reason in that area?

"* changes are afoot in the medical support area, although I didn't grasp exactly what was being proposed."

Sum total of progress to date: no longer have the Riverside facilities but we are thinking of putting a job advert in the paper.

"* leaving aside the contentious 'quality v cost' issue, and the litany of confusing and conflicting BS emanating from SJP and the media - the transfer policy certainly does appear to be giving a priority to acquiring younger players to build on the pool of young talent already at the Club."

How did it go the last time we signed a load of unproven youngsters ahead of signing proven talent in key areas of weakness? Oh yes: Pinas, Gudjonsson, Terrier, Hamilton, Griffin (hooray!), Robinson, Dalglish, Coppinger, Keidel, Brady....

"* the refusal of so-called "top stars" to consider playing for us could actually prove to be a blessing in disguise, and force us further down the path of predominantly buying the best emerging young talent - in addition, of course, to developing our own"

I suppose if you buy enough of them than the law of averages suggests 1 or 2 may come good. Sum up the cost of the inevitable failures, though, and you are still paying £10mil for a local lad.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


I somehow forgot about Serrant and Pistone there...

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

I'm sorry if I offended anyone with my use of the expression "bullsh*t". It was uncalled for. You are perfectly entitled to talk out of your hat if you want to Swifty!!!!

I thought I'd have a look at the Norwich Craig Bellamy rather than the Coventry one. This is from the PFA "Footballers Factfile" published last summer:

"A natural goalscorer and a determined character, Craig has the talent to go on to be one of the country's top players. He is quick and has the instinct for being in the right place at the right time when chances are created, while his clinical finishing in one-on-one situations is of the highest quality." I know this is probably a bit OTT but it still suggests we should not condemn him out of hand before he's even pulled a shirt on.

Someone, can't remember who, sorry, said that playing in a bad side wasn't an excuse because look what Robbie Keane had done at Coventry. It's interesting if you look at the records of Keane and Bellamy in the First Division with average teams they are pretty similar - in fact Bellamy's scoring record is slightly better. So why the difference at Coventry? It could be partly down to the fact that Keane played in a team that were not fighting the drop all season with the pressure that brings - the difference? - Gary McAllister perchance.

It might well be that Bellamy turns out to be absolute rubbish. It's just that I saw him tear First Division defences to shreds 2 or 3 years ago and I can't believe he has become THAT bad in between. As I said earlier, he'd had a terrible cruciate injury and had played only four games at Norwich (scored 2!) at the end of the season before going to Cov. That was obviously a mistake. We'll have to see whether a change of club is what's needed to bring back the sparkle. As I say, he might still be cr*p - the injury might have done for him - but I still think this outright condemnation serves only to depress everyone when a "wait and see" line might be the better option.

Steps back ready to have head blown off by Swift et al in two months time!!!!!

BTW Swifty, my reference to you moving house was your constant reference to your Coventry mates - I thought you must live down there and the fear of possible ridicule was influencing your opinions!!

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001


Jacko
If i lived in Coventry i would have been a vegetable.
(deep breath) I don't want to knock anyone who plays for my team, i want them all to do well. I've always respected BR and still do. I' just think Softie has articulated brilliantly the MAJOR concern i have. This BBS is a place where everyone respects each others views, however vehement. If i don't like something, doesn't mean i don't care as much as say DeB, who is positive about Bellamy. Football is about opinion and debate, it's great we've got some spicy stuff here to liven up what was becoming a dull summer! I can honestly say that i don't like being upset, i hate it. I've said it before and i'll say it again Craig Bellamy will get all my support from me at SJP and i suspect every body else. But here i'll point out every little failing as well as recognising the plus points. I

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

...and another thing...how much money have we spent on 'young players with potential?' I think young players are great, but balance is the key. JDT is up for grabs in Holland, what would the optimists said about signing him?

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

sky view

Bellamy almost added a second straight after but hit a weak shot straight at the keeper.------ Our first significant attack came after about 20 minutes when a beautiful ball got Bellamy in behind the Charlton defence. He went past the keeper, who did just enough to push Bellamy wide and the cross was cleared for a corner.----------- Up front Aloisi's eye for goal looks a useful addition, and Bellamy's pace was put to good use, though he needs to improve his finishing---- - 25 JUN 01] THE STUART LINNELL COLUMN There's More To A Transfer Than Meets The Eye

There may be more to Craig Bellamy’s transfer to Newcastle United than Coventry City cutting their losses with a player who has, frankly, been a huge disappointment.

Could it be, I wonder, that by selling the young Welsh international to the Tyneside club that we are getting our own back for Darren Huckerby?

I jest, of course, but the similarities between the two are clear. Both have tremendous pace (I would be fascinated to see how they got on if put on a cinder track alongside our Olympic sprinters), both regularly hint at an immense amount of skill with a football, but both have consistently failed to deliver as regular, match-winning, goal scorers.

Huckerby, of course, signed for Coventry in a bid to get regular first-team football because Newcastle, managed at the time by Kevin Keegan, did not then operate a reserve team. He arrived apparently oblivious of the offside law, and his debut last season for his fourth club, Manchester City, ironically at Highfield Road, suggested that he still does not understand it.

To be fair to Bellamy, he arrived at Coventry with two major handicaps – firstly he had been out of action for around twelve months after breaking his leg, and secondly he was dubbed, more than a little unfairly, as Robbie Keane’s replacement.

I know many will also point to his transfer fee, reported at around £6million, as an indication of what those at Coventry City who saw fit to sign him, expected him to achieve.

£6million is a significant amount of money for most of the clubs in the bottom half of the Premiership, but consider for a moment what Patrick Vieira is reported by The Sun to have said about Arsenal:

"When I told Arsene Wenger I was leaving, he said to me 'I have £25million to spend on a few players'.

"My answer was 'Obviously, Mr Wenger, you are not shopping in Harrods. That will only buy you one good player.”

City fans who fondly remember the glory of ’87 will also recall John Sillett’s famous quote about how he was going to build a new Sky Blues side off the back of the FA Cup success, how we he was now going to shop at Harrod’s instead of Woolworth’s.

The result? The charismatic and delightful David Speedie, but little else. Twelve years later, Craig Bellamy arrives for a record fee, but a fee that, according to Vieira, is only a quarter of what you need today to buy “one good player”.

Now Bellamy is on his way to Newcastle, subject to a medical and all the other usual formalities, with City recouping their outlay in return.

Meanwhile, Moustapha Hadji, at one time set to move to Aston Villa to partner Moroccan team-mate Hassan Kachloul, could now be set to join Ipswich who were gazumped by Villa in the chase to sign Kachloul.

And we all know how keen we are to do business with Villa anyway. The Sky Blues hierarchy trust their opposite numbers at Villa Park like a bird trusts a cat.

Not to mention the number of recent instances where players have moved from one Premiership club to another via the continent. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank went abroad when he left Leeds, only to eventually sign for Chelsea, reports suggest that Emmanuelle Petit is about to sign for Chelsea or Manchester United, after moving from Arsenal to Barcelona, and we know all about Robbie Keane going to Italy and then to Leeds within a season.

You might ask whether Leeds feared a fans backlash if they’d sold Hasselbank to another English club in the first place, and whether the same applied to Petit leaving Arsenal and Keane leaving Coventry.

There’s probably nothing in it, other than the wild flights of conspiracy theory fancy of a writer suffering from heat stroke in the middle of an English summer.

But I have been following and reporting on football long enough to know that for every transfer there’s a story that very rarely gets told. Take it from me, there’s far more to a transfer than meets the eye.



-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001


Softie says: 'How did it go the last time we signed a load of unproven youngsters ahead of signing proven talent in key areas of weakness? Oh yes: Pinas, Gudjonsson, Terrier, Hamilton, Griffin (hooray!), Robinson, Dalglish, Coppinger, Keidel, Brady.... '
Dalglish's approach was proved to be a failure (in his reign), but his signings were mostly real bargain basement purchases, with a few more expensive foreigners and ageing pros. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there wasn't anybody in the mould of a Bellamy - young, British, premiership experience, before Coventry was considered a hot prospect. Elliot and Murray for me are Dalglish type signings, and I have to say that I WOULD be very concerned if that was all we could muster. But the facts are we are patently still looking for players a cut above those last two, but it's not an easy task. Let's at least wait to see what players we manage to sign before we write off our approach to the transfer market as useless. At least we haven't been rebuffed as many times as ManUtd ;-)

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Swift, not sure exactly what that article is angling at. Coventry were relegated, so they're not selling to a rival. Coventry apparently wanted to keep Bellamy too, until it was obvious he wanted to move. The article comments on his pace, but then dismisses it as almost a weakness. To me he seems a lot more determined than Huckerby, and with decent coaching (oh dear ed) his finishing can be worked on. He's not the finished article - that's why he's 'only' £6M. But I'd honestly prefer these sorts of signings rather than one mega signing in the £15+ bracket. I really don't think it would help our cause.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

its not over yet, but we NEED a bit of inspiration.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

agreed, a 15 mil risk would be dodgy, even perhaps on say kluivert who would shift off at the first sign of madrid...

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

an interesting comment yesterday that Bellamy felt that a move to Newcastle a year ago wasn't right for him then as it was too big a step up, but now he was ready for it

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

lets stick with potential

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

he's seen the step

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

haha....maybe he knew he was due a crap season and wanted to get it out of the way at Cov? ;)) I don't believe that for a second.....more like he didn't fancy the pressure of a big club so he went for Cov and now he doesn't fancy spending his days in the nationwide.....

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

100, wow this must be a hot topic... :-)

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

only 32% of it from the same person as well

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Going back to the thread title, it would depend on what is meant by "recent". If we include the last 5 years then certainly the darkest day was the day Dalglish was appointed. That set in train a decline which has at least been arrested but little progress made in getting back to where we were. The injury to Shearer at Goodison was also a very dark day indeed which meant effectively that we lost the world's number one striker. He's done stuff for us since and scored some important goals, but has never really been the dynamite he once was.

Let's hope that the day we signed Bellamy can be looked back on as the day we pulled off a sensational coup and one of the brightest days in our recent history.



-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

The Shearer injury/Ferdinand sale day, under Dalglish's management was the first step into the dark side

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

>>Shearer.......the world's number one striker<<

I've told you about your mutant sense of humour before, Jonno? We all love the man but you cannot be serious. At his peak probably in the top ten.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001


It can be easily claimed that Al was the very best. He commanded a world record fee and had scored 30+ goals in 3 consecutive premierships. Defining 'best' would be a moot point amongst neutrals but for a Toon fan surely it's quite easy to believe that Al was numero uno at the time we lost him.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Ah well! If its beliefs you are talking about, I think that your original assertion didn't go far enough. Shearer - best ever, and forever.

Nowt wrong with being a bit subjective when yer feelin a bit down.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001


The best striker was said to be ronaldo at that time, but not for newcastle, so he was the best. Alan, that is.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

The day Keegan left was the darkest day in recent nufc history Swift.

Followed by Daglish being appointed manager

followed by Shearer getting the pre season injury

As for Bellamy being signed, I'm happy about it. He's the type of small , fast "Owen" type forward that should do wel feeding off either Cort or Ameobi. I'm happy that Elliot is re-signing as I think he's better than Quinn. Not sure why we are taking this Murray character, but if he dosen't cost too much in wages then I don't have a problem . What I would have a concern about is if Elliot / Quinn / Bellamy are used as a left winger. We are desperate for a really good winger , Zenden would fit the bill perfectly and if he's signed I'd go into next season with a lot of optimsm.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001


mate, i've got the problem with 2 things, 3 things, all valid
1 bad attitude, the cov fans hated his attitude.
2 price, if anyone thinks he is worth this fee then they are barking mad
3 quality, is he proven premier class as we were promised? i'm glad you are happy riky, just don't expect miracles

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Shearer was voted number three in the Player of the World thingy that year he joined us, coming behind Ronaldo and George Weah. That's pretty good really, isn't it?

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Aye and that was when it meant something.....before the press started to get Beckham voted up there ;))

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

which of our team has the ·potential· to be a world player of the year? or even european?, none i can think of

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

Not many teams can claim to have any contenders for that one though.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

leeds, kewell, man u, take a pick, arsenal ahem viera,pool gerrard, owen, chelsea, hasselbaink, west ham, cole, celtic larsson... some maybe a tad tenuous

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001

"If i don't like something, doesn't mean i don't care as much as say DeB, who is positive about Bellamy."

Swifty please forgive me if I have at any point given you the impression that I think you don't care. Nothing could be further from the truth. Only someone who cares passionately could have written the posting at the start of the thread. And I know you will support whoever plays in b&w this season, however much of a donkey you think they are deep down.

We will simply have to agree to differ on how this signing should be approached at the minute but I give you full rein to call me the biggest stupidest bar steward under the sun if your judgement proves correct!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001


jacko

far from it, if it wasn't for you, drama queens like me would run rampant. I'm convinced i have French Blood, or at least a French agent. I hope Bellamy doesn't fail,if he does, well...though if he's a gem and does really well i'll stand up to be shot down

just a bit upset that he's our striker signing

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001


Boy, were we all depressed earlier in the summer...

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

aim...

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

I'm not half glad I didn't contribute to this thread until now cos me bum's far enough out the window having just thought he was a poor buy.

Let's hope he keeps us doubting toms well and truly wedged in the window. :-)

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001


Bellamy would feel really great if we printed this off and sent it to him :)

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Well, I suppose it shows us that Swift shouldn't be the next NUFC manager.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Glad someone found this thread cos I've just remembered that i've got a 20quid bet on with swift that he'll score more than 10 for us ;)) Wanna double it Swift? ;)))

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Just reading an interview with Bobby saying that Bellamy had a toe injury during the first games of the InterToto and couldn't train. It would be dead helpful if the club could tell us this at the time because he would have been given a bit more slack.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Wouldn't that just have given the green light to defenders to stand on his foot?

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Wouldn't have made his playing any worse in those early games ;)

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

I think I'll apply for a job as scout....... as I came out of this pretty well Bellamy = the new) Beardsley in my eyes. A fine young player with great potential. I hope we get him and £6 million is a fair price.

Swift .......... BANG

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001


Swift cares passionately about NUFC, stuck his neck out, and got us all thinking/debating/arguing about the rights + wrongs about signing CB. That for me is what this group is all about. Everytime we're connected with a Dutch player I can describe him, consult others, read up, even watch tapes sometimes, but that final assessment -would he be any good-, is bloody difficult. Football is all about opinions and major respect to those that don't sit on the fence.

From what I've seen of CB he strikes me as the sort of player who needs a hug now + then. Maybes Bobby is giving him what Gordon couldn't, who knows. Long may it continue.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001


I hope people don't think I dredged up this thread as a nurr nurr told you so type thing. It was more because the general mood of depression and lack of optimism at the time was all pervading, and it goes to show how things can be bathed in a very different light extremely quickly. But whilst the negativity was overdone a few months ago, we also need to ensure that everything isn't awash with a rose tint. Perhaps the biggest confidence boost for me is that some decision making must have gone right to achieve the turn around as it can't all be up to luck. And the noises coming from management are that the job is not yet complete. But were we overly harsh about management abilities ( of the Board, team and coaching) or is there still an underlying issue being papered over?

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

spot on stevo.

btw, when bellamy reverts to type and is bollocks for the remainder of the season and gets us relegated, can i have my money back?

oh, gav, if you want it, come and get it...

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001


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