ianovthetoon

Hull's like a bigger version of Gateshead

You could argue that the old board backed their managers with Ashley's cash, as he's ended up paying off all the debt!

http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/05/10/ashley-s-positive-kevin-is-his-man-61634-20889160/ MIKE Ashley remains convinced Kevin Keegan is the right man to lead Newcastle United’s Premier League revival after the pair met in London yesterday to discuss summer transfers. Ashley was joined by chairman Chris Mort, Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez at the meeting at the Freshfields Office and, although Mort insisted the matters discussed were “private club business”, the outcome was said to be amicable and positive for the future. Speculation has been rife over the last few days that Keegan’s relationship with Ashley had turned sour after he appeared to express his frustration at the lack of communication between himself and the owner. Keegan seemed irritated he had not been informed how much money he would have to spend in the summer, while new contracts for key players like Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Steven Taylor had also still not been agreed, despite his insistence they were a matter of urgency. However, although new contracts were discussed at yesterday’s meeting, the main purpose of the talks – as revealed in The Journal yesterday – was to formulate a clear plan on how best to proceed in the transfer market this summer. Keegan is believed to have sought certain assurances about the amount of money that will be available to him as he tries to strengthen the squad and, given that he, Ashley and Mort were all in attendance at a charity dinner for former United manager Sir Bobby Robson last night, he appears to be happy with the figure he was quoted. United were unwilling to elaborate on what was said at the meeting but Mort confirmed to The Journal last night that the atmosphere was positive and that all parties were looking to move the club forward over the summer. He said: “We had a good meeting which was both productive and constructive.” United, of course, have a last-day trip to Everton to worry about tomorrow and Keegan will focus all his attention on trying to end the season in style at Goodison Park. It will be another good benchmark for Newcastle. The Toffeemen need a point to guarantee their place in the Uefa Cup next season, an objective Keegan will set his squad at the start of next season. However, he is bound to be quizzed at length about the confused events of the last few days, as well as his reaction to the talks with Ashley, regardless of the result. Newcastle fans will certainly hope the manager is in a more positive frame of mind than he was after the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Bank Holiday Monday, with an exciting summer of new arrivals anticipated. At this stage, it is clear where their support lies and it is with the manager, who has restored some much-needed pride and self-belief at the end of another difficult campaign with a run of just one defeat in eight games. It is highly unlikely that details of exactly how much Keegan has in the transfer kitty will be made public as every club sensibly tries to hide its hand when it comes to the often complex bidding process. But it is believed to be a sizeable amount, with Keegan content with life at St James’s Park. The Journal understands that talks with Owen’s advisers will begin in the next few days and Keegan will hope his skipper, Martins and Taylor will all have agreed new deals by the time he is able to welcome his first new signing to St James’s Park. Keegan has indicated he expects to land three or four top quality players over the summer, but that number is likely to increase if, as expected, the likes of Charles N’Zogbia, Emre and Alan Smith leave the club That version of events makes more sense

Keegan would hate lying to the supporters. If he thinks he has no chance of progression he would tell it how it is. He even said in the press conference that he would answer questions as honestly as he could after the meeting. If he thought the club was going to be sold short he would say so. Let's just give these guys the same sort of chance at sorting us out. Whilst KK is there I'm sure it will be told how it is

At the end of the day it's all media bollocks . If Anal is right, he reckons Keegan is going to get reminded of Ashley's vision when he met him before he took the job. If this statement is true, why on earth are people worrying. If Keegan thought he had no chance of success on any level with us he wouldn't have taken the job - simple as that. He insisted on meeting Ashley at the start so if they are suddenly singing from different Hymn sheets I would be very very surprised. All we can do is wait with anticipation as to how dealings this summer are done. All these people pressing the panic button are in all probability a little premature. FFS was given the benefit of the doubt many times, maybe we should give these people a chance before slating them. At the end of the day a man who spunks £250m on a football club knows his only chance of a return on his dosh is by trying for success. The papers have got us in a worse position than Stoke ffs without any hard proof. In summary the only way Ashley can get his money back is by helping us to succeed. Leave the panic button alone - for the forseeable future at least

Kevin Keegan has been summoned to London on Friday for showdown talks with angry Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. (Daily Mail, The Sun) Why? They're all going to be in Newcastle for SBR's banquet!

Before the SJH/Milburn extension the capacity was 37000, now its 52000 so it would be at least 67000, However hypothetically if the east stand could be made a mirror image of the milburn it would be a lot more than that

Quinny will have to buy his own sporting empire. I'm sure he could pick TY McGurk up on the cheap! mackems.gif mackems.gif mackems.gif

Probably 1.2 million transfer fee with an extra 20 if we qualify for next years champions league ;D :laugh:

In a nutshell - Spend big on young talent which can only improve, and avoid spending money on circus signings well past their peak

Unless he does it to prove his undying love for chezza!!!!

Roman Abramovich The Ashley/Abramovich Dream Ticket lol scare the shit out of the whole league!!!!

Shola would be gutted, he'd have to give his shirt up

Maybe Keegan was the name that blew Mort's socks off

To be honest it sounds like they have filled in the gaps from the quotes attributed to Paul Kelmsley the other day

"Club Insider" = Little chav who works in the supporters shop, nipped out for a fag and gave some bullshit to David Craig

You'd hope they have more intelligence about the process than the last Board. You'd hope they might even ask some people who know something about football....respected football insiders like Sir Bobby, not the blokes standing behind Ashley at the game Wasn't it rumoured that Ashley was good pals with David Dein, ex Arsenal. He knows a thing or two about managers - Just look at Arsene Wenger

Half page ad in tomorrow's Chronicle Jobs tbh

From Next season Setanta have FA Cup matches and all England away qualifiers in the World Cup as well.

As football is always SBR's first love, the pre season tournament would be the one for me. Doesn't neccesarily have to take place every year, maybe every two years, and initially should be clubs with which SBR has an affinity. Even if it meant Ipswich were one oft he first teams to contest it, I'm sure they'd bring a huge following with them for SBR, and hopefully if we could arrange something for this year, he ould present the inaugral trophy. As an alternative, maybe an NUFC organised home nations international tournament played at SJP for the SBR Cup. In a year when we're not at the European Championships, might be worth a thought. Whether the FA would go for it would be a different matter. I'm sure they'd want any England games at Wembley but maybe we could do a round robin tournament with the games split between Wembley and SJP with the final at Wembley and the 3rd/4th place play off at SJP.

Wouldn't Surprise me to see him take a punt at Darlington or Hartlepool to be honest. Darlo have the ground, with a bit of cash could get em in to the championship then who knows. A new ground for Pools and two promotions off the Premiership! Problem with both clubs would be fan base, although the prospect of top flight football might turn their heads. Would be very surprised if Bates flogged him Leeds. He will want that cash cow for himself when he eventually gets Leeds back in to the Premier League

Next Headlines will be Scolari for Sunderland! Then we will know the press has gone mad :yikes: mackems.gif mackems.gif mackems.gif

I work in the dark place, and start at 4 o clock so looks like I'll be watching it in a Mackem Boozer biting my lip!!!!

Takes about an hour, and you don't need to connect to the phone line. When you ring to subscribe tell them you don't want to pay the connection fee, they will waive it!

It started again from Monday, and ends at 12 midnight friday. I should know I work there )