Fatty Fred had been spotted spouting on down-under with somebody from Feyenoord and members of Brett Emerton's family. This was seen by Aussie-based former Toon loanee Dave Mitchell (loaned to us from Chelsea in 1991 and he scored on his début - I cannit remember that?). Anyway, yet more Brett Emerton papertalk. Has anyone seen anything of him? Is he any good? Is 15 million just paper talk bollox? Is he worth 15 million?

Jenas name crops up again as well. We've seen this midfield trouble coming, it's great being near the top so we need someone - not just anyone but a tip-top quality someone - today! If we don't strengthen season could well go tits up.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Answers

Have we got any money even?

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Hmm - perhaps my little jest from yesterday has been picked up by one of the journos. Which paper, heed? To be honest, I'd have been a bit p!$$ed off if Fred hadn't made something of this trip. Contrary to what a lot think, I don't think he's that bad. Perhaps a little naive at times in terms of running a multi-million business (obviously needs Clarky as a consultant) but it would be a canny scoop if he manages to pull off a BE scoop (assuming he's any good, that is).

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Oh, I see. I was Ronnie. Well, I expect a contraditory article in the Journal tomorrow. Failing that, in Sunday's Beano.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

He's good, pacey and creative, better going forward than defending. He prefers right-midfield than right-back where Feyenoord use him. GBP15 million is way too steep imho. Emerton longs to play in England but needs guaranteed first-team football for a work-permit. Besides I thought we needed a central midfield terrier, which Emerton decidedly isn't.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Same story on teamtalk.

I hate the way the heading for it is "Toon step up Emerton bid." And then in the article there is no mention of any bids. There was not one quote from anyone at Newcastle and then it ends by saying there are many clubs inerested.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

BR recently said he's got no money to spend. But I think this might be something to do with how much BR has been used to having at previous clubs he's managed. Perhaps BR "not having any money" is not having enough to replace the entire midfield.

There was all hat talk of us signing Zenden at the start of the season for over 20M. If we could have then, we should be able to now.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

I suspect we're trying to line up Emerton as our major close season signing. I also strongly suspect that we have no money available right now for strengthening.

That doesn't mean we couldn't raise a few million if the right player became available at the right price - but it would mean raising yet more debt, which will become ever more expensive money as our debt mountain grows. We really must recognise that the Club is not in a strong position financially.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

Some one I played footy with has a son who played with Emerton when he was last in OZ. (For Sydney United or whoever). Any way he is still friendly with Emmo? senior.

I spoke to him tonight (the guy whos son played with Emerton). Still with me Screacher? He said that Emmo Snr told him that NUFC have the money for several summer signings, however their budget for this season is v. light. They will only purchase someone if they have to. IE someone YBR wants who comes on the market.

The value is around 40mil quid to spend. Don't know how much is true, he has no reason to tell me this as he does not follow any UK teams so would not make it up.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

It would be interesting to know what net profit we might see from Europe, whether Champions League or UEFA. Presumably tv rights is the biggest portion, with an amount from gate receipts, and merchandising. How do the tv rights work? does UEFA negotiate and doll out like prize money, or is it each individual club direct with the tv companies?

It'd also be interesting too see whether our current run has had a positive impact on merchandising. Since our debt is paid for by ticket revenue (with the full gates we get providing a surplus), our player trading is flat and squad size/wage bill limited, surely we must be accumulating a bit? Perhaps it's all earmarked for the Academy/Training Ground?

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

They will only purchase someone if they have to

We have to alright. If the club wants to be a player at the European level that is. It's tough and expensive at the top.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

There would have to be better buys for 15 mil. If his recent displays for the Australian side in the WC qualifiers are anything to go by. He really made no impact at all.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

So Brett Emerton's dad gets to learn the size of NUFC's war chest gus ? Sounds more like a classic case of Chinese whispers to me.

On Emerton himself, 15 mill is an absolute joke. Wouldn't be surprised if he did move this summer for 6-8 but, as I've mentioned several times already on here, IMO it would be a big gamble for us to get involved. Of course it could prove to be another Bellamy situation but I have my grave doubts.

Stevo is correct in that BE has played most of his career (or his adult at least) on the right of m/f. At his best he can look pacy and very go-forward (to coin an aussie phrase) but a) I've no doubt whatsoever there's better around for similar money and b) what the hell would we be doing spending supposedly scarce money on reinforcing right m/f where we have cover instead of the central backbone of the team (defence, midfield & up front, if not goalkeeper as well) ????

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

No Lonly, what he was saying was, that it was mentioned that the club would be planning to buy another couple of players (as well as Emerton) around the same price as part of the overall strengthening.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

>>The value is around 40mil quid to spend. Don't know how much is true ... so would not make it up.

I obviously misunderstood that last bit Gas - can we safely assume you're more exact when gathering info that results in people getting nicked ??

(joke) :o))

BTW - what do you think of Emerton as a player for the toon, regardless of the whole price issue ?

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2002

No need to be acurate, just make it up they are all guilty anyway!

I was in a hurry, I should have said the last bit was my calculation. ie 3 players of Emertons value 10mil x 3 plus Emerton = 40 million.

I think he will be better than Nobby. He is quicker, will take people on and defends better. (That includes tackling)

His WC performance in the last 2 games should not be judged as the team were not playing through him. The instructions in the away leg in Uruguay was to defend in the first half then try and break out. His games at club level will see him in a better light.

Not because of the difference in level, but more because they play a style that is more suited to him. Even though they insist on having him at RB!

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002

Now Gus has totally confused me (not a difficult thing, him being Gus and me being me). Are we gonna buy 3 players including Emerton or 3 okayers as well as Emerton. Not that there's a big difference - only 9% of the team and £10M, like.

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002

At the start I said that this was as it was told to me. It came from a v. good friend of Emertons father who told me it was told to him by Emertons father.

In the discussions of Emerton coming from Holland one thing concerned him was what was the situation that our interest was common knowledge, as was the fact that we were skint. What was said in reply to this was that if someone became available that YBR wanted the funds would be made available. However only if the player was one of the 3 YBR wanted.

If this did not happen, YBR would have available to make the purchases of players the same standard as Emerton.

Now I have put 2 + 2 together. 3 players or 3 players and Emerton. All valued at about 10mil each. S0 either 30 or 40 million.

I can vouch that this info is from someone I trust. As to the truth from the parties concerned I know nothing of William Frederick Shepherd nor Paul Stretford.

Is that clearer Screacher? Have you got your hair back yet? Will it arrive in time for the game?

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002

Watched Emerton again this afternoon against Utrecht (2-2 old boy JDT scoring first). He really isn't a natural defender struggling throughout against his direct opponent with many of Utrecht's better moments came down their left. He looks to come forward as often as possible but his crossing was poor and he was lucky to get away with some poor distribution when leaving a huge hole right-defence.

To- be-fair I've seen him play much better but on this display Feyenoord would be laughing all the way to the ABN Amro should we offer 10 million for him.

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2002