The College Dropout

There’s no world where Newcastle United break the top 6 cartel as a concept through ‘organic growth’ An interest free new stadium or a world class academy isn’t organix growth.

Aye. if revenue kept up with costs we wouldn’t have needed to sell Minteh and Anderson. If revenue was keeping up with costs we could continue to invest aggressively like Spurs. Other clubs don’t want to change the rules. Most other clubs actually want to make money/profit , not sustain higher and higher levels of profit. Most of the other 14 have already ‘made it’ by simply being in the PL. As a fanbase we need to wake up to that reality. Theres only us and Villa (maybe Chelsea) interested in making sustained losses over a long period of time to grow. Another 3 or 4 clubs need higher footballing losses short term to maintain their position in the league.

Show me where I complained please. I said I don’t think we’ll do substantial business because our revenues aren’t increasing at a pace that allows us to strengthen the squad significantly without selling at least one of our better players OR Increasing revenues through other means. That’s not a complaint, I believe that’s the reality. There’s no emotion - positive or negative sentiment. It’s just where I think we are. The comment is in response to numerous posters talking about not wanting a ‘project player’ and wanting a ready made guy for the RW and CB spots. If we sign a RW this window, it’s because we’ve sold Almiron for a similar amount (net remaining small amortisation) to his replacements amortisation and wage cost for this accounting period. That’s likely a sub £35m player than a Tonali/Isak type marquee signing. Thats Minteh money.

Dumb question. Im not frustrated at all. I’m not in this thread speaking of transfer targets or expecting us to sign some ready made players for our 2-3 key positions. From the start of the season I’ve been perfectly content to keep our powder dry and give Eddie the full season and see where we finish. I’m delighted that looks to be another CL push and a great cup run. I pray we end the season with a trophy and CL football and if we have to break up the band to rebuild so be it. Time will tell. I don’t get frustrated by football. It’s a game I can’t influence.

@Unbelievable I’m not having this conversation again in full. With the power, influence and money PIF have I think they could do more to raise revenues if they applied creativity and aggressive action. Maybe it will come. If we don’t we’ll have to break this team apart and come again. Which is also fine.

It is true - revenues aren’t keeping pace with costs (in line with current and new rules) to allow us to invest significant amount without sales. last years performance and our behaviour over multiple windows gives us a clue about our financial position. I can categorically say we can’t spend £90m without sales. That’s the likely cost of a ready made CB + RW.

How much is that worth - net? £30m? That’s a couple players and new contracts for Hall and Livramento. Have to consider new rules too. Pump the revenues anyway we can

The costs keep going up. The revenues aren’t keeping pace. I don’t expect substantial business from us until we properly sell or do you know what.

Ah a 5th

Didn’t know that. I recall 4 victories during and after the Ashley era

They thumped us away from home last season. Could’ve been any number. Away our record isn’t good. We’ve had some memorable wins there though. Howe has 2, Bruce Joelinton one, the record saves Krul made under Pardew.

Championship is not a bad division at all. It’s the level of the PL it’s too high. It’s one reason why the likes of us and Villa struggle to compete on multiple fronts.

Agree with what you’ve said. We’ve certainly been fortunate to catch Man U and Spurs at low ebbs.

I expect we’ll need to sell to create headroom. Im a broken record but we need £30m-50m worth of dodgy deals to avoid that.

Everyone’s never always fit though. I don’t want the couple starters playing any minutes. If we qualified this season we would be playing dubs trippier Schar burn Kelly willock longstaff/Tonali Joelinton (and now Miley) And your front 3. That’s too many first teamers imo. One of my biggest concerns is we aren’t allowed to build a squad that can compete in Europe and the league. For the CL or Europa you just take it but it’s BS.

Debt isn’t a massive issue for FFP (minus the new interest stuff). They were paying Ben Godfrey obscene amounts of money among others.

No FFP issues will remain for a few years. Wages too high, revenue too low.

I get from his perspective he needs some level of security. But we should just run it down.

The majority of academy talents are from the catchment area though. Things are more global but the catchment is still important. And players that are local tend to be more loyal to the club. Sancho and Angel left Manchester v. young and not for big fees. with City - good money/performances from Foden, Harwood Bellis, Palmer - local lads. The biggest successes for Man U in terms of fees and performance have been Northerners or Scotland/Wales/Ireland. Becks is an anomaly. Under Ashley we would lose our best talents to Liverpool and Everton. Geography does matter. Agreed it’s a challenge. If you’re a talented youngster from London you will have a lot of choice between genuinely fantastic academies between London and Newcastle. The north of England and Scotland has to be the focus and the competition is tough. Again, Manchester and Liverpool as cities and surrounding suburbs are probably the most fertile areas. it’s going to be tough but at least we can throw money here.

Great shout. This is bang on the money. A powerhouse but a baller too.

Part of the reason we are conceding less shots is the calm and control Dubs brings in general play. I love Pope and never rated Dubs particularly highly.

Agreed

I would want Pope to start against Arsenal in the 2nd leg if fit. I thought Dubs struggled with the aerial balls. Flapped at a few. Punched a few under no pressure. But generally I wouldn’t expect Pooe to waltz back into the start. Dubs has brought something to the general play and if we aren’t conceding a lot of shots or crosses… Dubs might keep the shirt. If we aren’t getting a fee for Dubs we shouldn’t let him go.

Always thought Anguissa was a baller.

Agreed it makes too much sense that it won’t happen.