Clear the Air Talks ?

[Mick]

 

There's probably a decent chance that Monday's comments were almost nothing to do with today's meeting

 

You're right but don't tell anybody because I'm thinking about investing in Eli Lilly and Co shares.

[Mick]

It's common sense that we can't immediately attain top 4 status.  Ashley was probably miffed that it was raised in the way it was (I'm a realist and a pragmatist and I must admit it took me aback a bit) and he probably wasn't happy with the personalised nature of the comments about communication. He might also have wanted to get Wise and KK working more coherently together.  For better or for worse Kev's coments have stirred up a hornets nest and something needed to happen as a consequence.

 

I don't think you'll be far from the truth about getting Keegan and Wise but I don't think it was only them, I think he's brought them all together to get them all working together at this important time.  I don't agree about Ashley being miffed about anything as it goes against everything I've heard about him from somebody who knows him.

[SteveMc]

Fair play Mick, hope you're right as I like the idea of having a sanguine and balanced owner.  We do need the different parts of our structure to be worki ng together though

[Wullie]

It's bollocks, just ignore it all.

[Syrette]

So...

 

has Keegan left yet?

[bigfella]

It's common sense that we can't immediately attain top 4 status.  Ashley was probably miffed that it was raised in the way it was (I'm a realist and a pragmatist and I must admit it took me aback a bit) and he probably wasn't happy with the personalised nature of the comments about communication. He might also have wanted to get Wise and KK working more coherently together.  For better or for worse Kev's coments have stirred up a hornets nest and something needed to happen as a consequence.

 

I don't think you'll be far from the truth about getting Keegan and Wise but I don't think it was only them, I think he's brought them all together to get them all working together at this important time.  I don't agree about Ashley being miffed about anything as it goes against everything I've heard about him from somebody who knows him.

 

I can back that up. I work with a bloke who is part of Ashley's "inner sanctum" so as to speak and he reckons there's nowt to worry about. Ashley is to use the old cliche, over the moon with the improvement under KK.  Talking to my mate on Tuesday, he reckoned all the media nonsense about KK's outburst and how it was received in the boardroom is just that - nonsense.

[Mick]

 

I can back that up. I work with a bloke who is part of Ashley's "inner sanctum" so as to speak and he reckons there's nowt to worry about. Ashley is to use the old cliche, over the moon with the improvement under KK.  Talking to my mate on Tuesday, he reckoned all the media nonsense about KK's outburst and how it was received in the boardroom is just that - nonsense.

 

You would think that more of our fans would have learned to see through the media reaction by now.  It's a good job we're just a small club, I hate to think of the column inches we'd get if we weren't.

 

The most important week of the football year with so much at stake and we've been headlines over a nothing story.  

[GM]

 

I can back that up. I work with a bloke who is part of Ashley's "inner sanctum" so as to speak and he reckons there's nowt to worry about. Ashley is to use the old cliche, over the moon with the improvement under KK.  Talking to my mate on Tuesday, he reckoned all the media nonsense about KK's outburst and how it was received in the boardroom is just that - nonsense.

 

You would think that more of our fans would have learned to see through the media reaction by now.  It's a good job we're just a small club, I hate to think of the column inches we'd get if we weren't.

 

The most important week of the football year with so much at stake and we've been headlines over a nothing story. 

 

Because the media would love it, just love it if we were to rise like a phoenix from the flames and actually mount a decent challenge for the title, so they could turn on us in the last few weeks and rip KK apart.

[Syrette]

Ah, here it goes...

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1147346.ece

 

KEVIN KEEGAN was read the riot act during a four-hour showdown with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

 

The Toon boss kept his job but was slammed for claiming the Geordies would never be a top-four club. An insider said: “It was very acrimonious but Kevin maintained he had a right to his own opinion.

 

“He was given a mauling but at no time did he say sorry.”

 

Ashley laid down the law to Keegan, who was . . .

 

Given a first and final warning to step into line.

 

Slammed for his thinly-veiled attack on the owner.

 

Hammered for his criticism of the club.

 

Told to forget any notion of Ashley being the Roman Abramovich of Tyneside.

 

To make matters worse for Keegan, Ashley cut him down to size in front of chairman Chris Mort, executive director Dennis Wise and vice-president Tony Jimenez.

 

Newly-appointed deputy chairman Derek Llambias also attended the heated meeting at the offices of legal eagle Mort’s law firm in the City of London.

 

Keegan was told in no uncertain terms there must be no more repeats of Monday’s defeatist rant.

 

After the 2-0 home loss to Chelsea, Keegan said: “The top four this year will be the same next year. We are a million miles away.”

 

Keegan was also reminded he was told about the restructuring of the club and Wise’s appointment BEFORE he signed his contract to return to Toon.

 

Red-faced Keegan was made to eat humble pie by the billionaire before being given the chance to fight on.

 

The former England boss took back everything and chairman Mort said: “It was a good meeting.

 

“It was both productive and constructive.”

 

Ashley was at pains to ensure everyone was fully aware of their roles and the way the club was supposed to be run.

 

Keegan took that on board but did try to force home concerns the club is effectively being run from London with no one except the coaching staff based in the North East.

 

The meeting then discussed possible summer signings but Keegan was told to forget about the £80million transfer budget he had been hoping for.

 

Ashley’s plan is that Newcastle will not live off credit.

 

Keegan could make a £15m move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, 21, though.

 

 

Fair point about the London connection, to be fair.

[Mick]

Because the media would love it, just love it if we were to rise like a phoenix from the flames and actually mount a decent challenge for the title, so they could turn on us in the last few weeks and rip KK apart.

 

Sad but very true.

[Wullie]

Ah, here it goes...

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1147346.ece

 

KEVIN KEEGAN was read the riot act during a four-hour showdown with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

 

The Toon boss kept his job but was slammed for claiming the Geordies would never be a top-four club. An insider said: “It was very acrimonious but Kevin maintained he had a right to his own opinion.

 

“He was given a mauling but at no time did he say sorry.”

 

Ashley laid down the law to Keegan, who was . . .

 

Given a first and final warning to step into line.

 

Slammed for his thinly-veiled attack on the owner.

 

Hammered for his criticism of the club.

 

Told to forget any notion of Ashley being the Roman Abramovich of Tyneside.

 

To make matters worse for Keegan, Ashley cut him down to size in front of chairman Chris Mort, executive director Dennis Wise and vice-president Tony Jimenez.

 

Newly-appointed deputy chairman Derek Llambias also attended the heated meeting at the offices of legal eagle Mort’s law firm in the City of London.

 

Keegan was told in no uncertain terms there must be no more repeats of Monday’s defeatist rant.

 

After the 2-0 home loss to Chelsea, Keegan said: “The top four this year will be the same next year. We are a million miles away.”

 

Keegan was also reminded he was told about the restructuring of the club and Wise’s appointment BEFORE he signed his contract to return to Toon.

 

Red-faced Keegan was made to eat humble pie by the billionaire before being given the chance to fight on.

 

The former England boss took back everything and chairman Mort said: “It was a good meeting.

 

“It was both productive and constructive.”

 

Ashley was at pains to ensure everyone was fully aware of their roles and the way the club was supposed to be run.

 

Keegan took that on board but did try to force home concerns the club is effectively being run from London with no one except the coaching staff based in the North East.

 

The meeting then discussed possible summer signings but Keegan was told to forget about the £80million transfer budget he had been hoping for.

 

Ashley’s plan is that Newcastle will not live off credit.

 

Keegan could make a £15m move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, 21, though.

 

 

Fair point about the London connection, to be fair.

 

mackems.gif

 

Read the title of the page. Sums it up.

[TRon]

 

I can back that up. I work with a bloke who is part of Ashley's "inner sanctum" so as to speak and he reckons there's nowt to worry about. Ashley is to use the old cliche, over the moon with the improvement under KK.  Talking to my mate on Tuesday, he reckoned all the media nonsense about KK's outburst and how it was received in the boardroom is just that - nonsense.

 

You would think that more of our fans would have learned to see through the media reaction by now.  It's a good job we're just a small club, I hate to think of the column inches we'd get if we weren't.

 

The most important week of the football year with so much at stake and we've been headlines over a nothing story. 

 

Because the media would love it, just love it if we were to rise like a phoenix from the flames and actually mount a decent challenge for the title, so they could turn on us in the last few weeks and rip KK apart.

 

Well the media love to rip into Mike Ashley too, only he hasn't supplied them with any ammunition to have a go at Keegan. Fair play to him.

 

[fredbob]

 

So which part is it there that says its impossible to break the top four no matter how much the owner decides to give? I just dont see them in the same context. If you can then fair enough.

 

All im saying is that if in novemeber Mort came on Sky television and said it would be impossible to break the top 4, the gulf is huge no matter how much Ashley gives, are you actually telling me that you'd condone them in the same manner that you condone Keegans words?

 

 

 

Mort quotes borrowed from .com

 

"We don't want to do a Leeds. It doesn't make sense.

 

"This club had £100million-worth of debt which has now been cleared and it would be foolish to stretch it beyond its limits.

 

"I thought Kevin's comments were quite sensible.

 

"I'm not sure what people's expectations are but I don't think most Newcastle fans would be greatly surprised by what he had to say.

 

"There are those who are naturally optimistic but it does no harm to come out with some realism and say that if we get fifth we will have done well. He's right.

 

"I wasn't taken aback by Kevin's comments. He says what he feels. We have just come out of a relegation battle so you can't have people surprised when the manager says we aren't going to get into the Champions League.

 

"This is a long-term building project and we are very happy with Kevin. He's a very enthusiastic character who has got the team playing good football.

 

"We were disappointed to lose to Chelsea but he's got the team playing well.

 

"We have started talking about who we will be bringing in and Kevin will have the final say. He has to have that.

 

"We are very happy with where we are but Kevin is quite right to say we shouldn't expect Champions League football.

 

"It's going to be tough for anyone to break into the top four.

 

"Someone might sneak in there occasionally and there are a number of sides who will have a go but it is incredibly difficult."

 

 

 

Fair enough Mick, I'm clearly not articulating myself well enough

 

Those quotes obviously condone the comments that Keegan made, but in my eyes that isnt the same as him saying the quotes comments in the first place.

 

I mean if you are honest with yourself and and apply the bit in bold (of my post) in the exact same contexts its meant are you telling me you wouldnt be miffed? Say it was Shepherd who said those comments (for arguments sake) what would your reaction be?

[Rich]

That Sun article is, unsurprisingly, utter utter gash. How the fuck would they know what was said inside of that meeting if the only people present were Ashley, Mort, Keegan, Llambias, Wise and Jimenez?

 

Are we to assume that one of those six has told someone else exactly what was said and then in turn it's been fed to the papers?

 

All utter gash man.

[Mick]

Ah, here it goes...

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1147346.ece

 

KEVIN KEEGAN was read the riot act during a four-hour showdown with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

 

The Toon boss kept his job but was slammed for claiming the Geordies would never be a top-four club. An insider said: It was very acrimonious but Kevin maintained he had a right to his own opinion.

 

He was given a mauling but at no time did he say sorry.

 

Ashley laid down the law to Keegan, who was . . .

 

Given a first and final warning to step into line.

 

Slammed for his thinly-veiled attack on the owner.

 

Hammered for his criticism of the club.

 

Told to forget any notion of Ashley being the Roman Abramovich of Tyneside.

 

To make matters worse for Keegan, Ashley cut him down to size in front of chairman Chris Mort, executive director Dennis Wise and vice-president Tony Jimenez.

 

Newly-appointed deputy chairman Derek Llambias also attended the heated meeting at the offices of legal eagle Morts law firm in the City of London.

 

Keegan was told in no uncertain terms there must be no more repeats of Mondays defeatist rant.

 

After the 2-0 home loss to Chelsea, Keegan said: The top four this year will be the same next year. We are a million miles away.

 

Keegan was also reminded he was told about the restructuring of the club and Wises appointment BEFORE he signed his contract to return to Toon.

 

Red-faced Keegan was made to eat humble pie by the billionaire before being given the chance to fight on.

 

The former England boss took back everything and chairman Mort said: It was a good meeting.

 

It was both productive and constructive.

 

Ashley was at pains to ensure everyone was fully aware of their roles and the way the club was supposed to be run.

 

Keegan took that on board but did try to force home concerns the club is effectively being run from London with no one except the coaching staff based in the North East.

 

The meeting then discussed possible summer signings but Keegan was told to forget about the £80million transfer budget he had been hoping for.

 

Ashleys plan is that Newcastle will not live off credit.

 

Keegan could make a £15m move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, 21, though.

 

 

Fair point about the London connection, to be fair.

 

The only people who attended were all top responsible people yet the insider knows what was said, of course he did, pricks.

[thomas]

That's what I love about bits done by the Sun online, there's always a Page 3 ad or a boob gif somewhere to distract me from actually reading the garbage.

[Guest neesy111]

Ah, here it goes...

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1147346.ece

 

KEVIN KEEGAN was read the riot act during a four-hour showdown with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

 

The Toon boss kept his job but was slammed for claiming the Geordies would never be a top-four club. An insider said: “It was very acrimonious but Kevin maintained he had a right to his own opinion.

 

“He was given a mauling but at no time did he say sorry.”

 

Ashley laid down the law to Keegan, who was . . .

 

Given a first and final warning to step into line.

 

Slammed for his thinly-veiled attack on the owner.

 

Hammered for his criticism of the club.

 

Told to forget any notion of Ashley being the Roman Abramovich of Tyneside.

 

To make matters worse for Keegan, Ashley cut him down to size in front of chairman Chris Mort, executive director Dennis Wise and vice-president Tony Jimenez.

 

Newly-appointed deputy chairman Derek Llambias also attended the heated meeting at the offices of legal eagle Mort’s law firm in the City of London.

 

Keegan was told in no uncertain terms there must be no more repeats of Monday’s defeatist rant.

 

After the 2-0 home loss to Chelsea, Keegan said: “The top four this year will be the same next year. We are a million miles away.”

 

Keegan was also reminded he was told about the restructuring of the club and Wise’s appointment BEFORE he signed his contract to return to Toon.

 

Red-faced Keegan was made to eat humble pie by the billionaire before being given the chance to fight on.

 

The former England boss took back everything and chairman Mort said: “It was a good meeting.

 

“It was both productive and constructive.”

 

Ashley was at pains to ensure everyone was fully aware of their roles and the way the club was supposed to be run.

 

Keegan took that on board but did try to force home concerns the club is effectively being run from London with no one except the coaching staff based in the North East.

 

The meeting then discussed possible summer signings but Keegan was told to forget about the £80million transfer budget he had been hoping for.

 

Ashley’s plan is that Newcastle will not live off credit.

 

Keegan could make a £15m move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso, 21, though.

 

 

Fair point about the London connection, to be fair.

 

mackems.gif

 

Read the title of the page. Sums it up.

 

an insider to a meeting which was kept between all of those attended, more bollox from media

 

any newcastle fan who know's about keegan's tantrums in the past would know that if ashley had said all of that, he would of walked out of the room on him

[Rich]

It's the same in all the broadsheets as well, looking at it.

 

The only quotes they've got are the brief ones from Mort that were aired on SSN, they've got fuck all else so are having to make it up as they go. Must be a cracking job you know, writing for a paper.

[Syrette]

Got to love the 'insider'. Seems to get around. Not saying I believe The Sun are actually not talking their usual shit but regardless that London point is a fair one, though probably not that big a deal in reality.

 

 

[ElDiablo]

Jack ashley ffs...

[fredbob]

I know this is gonna sound like im being a wind up merchant but are people saying that the papers would take the direct quotes of a source knowing it had absolute no basis to it whatsoever  (ie was 100% made up)- all the  papers seem to be taking the same view, surely it actually does have some basis.

 

We're kidding ourselve if we think this meeting was just about transfer targets.  

[Wullie]

I know this is gonna sound like im being a wind up merchant but are people saying that the papers would take the direct quotes of a source knowing it had absolute no basis to it whatsoever  (ie was 100% made up)- all the  papers seem to be taking the same view, surely it actually does have some basis.

 

We're kidding ourselve if we think this meeting was just about transfer targets. 

 

Fucking hell man.

[Guest neesy111]

we have some gullable fan's after whats happened this season i would of thought our fans would know better than to believe anything in the media and especially SSN

[Mick]

Fair enough Mick, I'm clearly not articulating myself well enough  

 

Those quotes obviously condone the comments that Keegan made, but in my eyes that isnt the same as him saying the quotes comments in the first place.

 

I mean if you are honest with yourself and and apply the bit in bold (of my post) in the exact same contexts its meant are you telling me you wouldnt be miffed? Say it was Shepherd who said those comments (for arguments sake) what would your reaction be?

 

I'm not sure how I would take it if it was Shepherd saying it, I remember him bigging the club up about something but I can't remember the content, but I do remember not liking it.  I don't mind people telling us things if I think they are just being realistic and I don't care who says it.

[Syrette]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=565228&in_page_id=1779&ico=Homepage&icl=TabModule&icc=picbox&ct=5

 

Michael Owen is facing a £2m pay cut as Keegan and Ashley strike a fragile truce at Newcastle

By COLIN YOUNG

 

Michael Owen could be the big loser at Newcastle with a £40,000-a-week pay cut as owner Mike Ashley last night struck a fragile truce with manager Kevin Keegan.

 

Ashley called for an end to the civil war tearing the club apart as Keegan emerged from an, at times, heated four-hour showdown with his job intact.

 

 

But the manager was told that money for transfers is tight and that captain Owen will see his current £120,000-a-week pay slashed by £2m a year if he wants a new contract to start in a year's time.

 

Ashley called the meeting at his Freshfields offices in London in a bid to end the friction between the manager who guided his team to Barclays Premier League safety and scouting directors Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez.

 

Chairman Chris Mort and new vice-chairman Derek Llambias were also present.

 

As expected, Keegan will remain as the Newcastle boss for next season, but he has been told in no uncertain terms that outbursts such as last week's, when he appeared to criticise Ashley and the money available for transfers, will no longer be tolerated by the tough-talking billionaire businessman and his boardroom team.

 

The summer war chest will be around £20million, but if the manager wants more money he will have to sell first.

 

Keegan has been seeking assurances that Owen's future will be sorted as he has just one year left on his contract.

 

So far, after six weeks of talks, the two sides have failed to negotiate a new deal. His prospective pay cut amounts to £2m a year.

 

The former England manager is also hoping he will have the last say on transfer targets as London-based Wise and Jimenez scour the globe for young talent.

 

Keegan wants players with Barclays Premier League experience � not least Owen who he wants on a long-term contract.

 

After the clear-the-air meeting, chairman Mort said: 'It was a good meeting. It was both productive and constructive.'

 

In the wake of the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Monday, Keegan suggested he would not get the financial backing he needed this summer, and also hinted at frustrations with the chain of command which allowed Wise a major say in player recruitment.

 

Before travelling to the capital, Keegan insisted he would not change his style.

 

He said: 'Part of my job as manager of Newcastle United is to tell fans what's happening at their club. Part of the media's job is to report it correctly, and keep it in context and not go off on tangents.

 

'I'll continue to do what I've always done while I've been manager of Newcastle United, and at Manchester City, Fulham, and England. I haven't changed. I'm not scared of saying what I think the situation is and I won't change that.'

 

Keegan arrived back at St James' in January promising to provide the fans with exciting football and the prospect of a return to the lofty heights Newcastle briefly scaled during his previous spell in charge.

 

If his thoughts are now tinged with a little more realism after four months at the helm, he is no less determined to bring the good times back to Tyneside.

 

In the short term, that will mean ending a difficult season on a high at Everton tomorrow, where his side will take on a team looking to cement the fifth place Keegan believes has to be his goal for next season.

 

He said: 'That's our main target next year and that's a very good target to set ourselves from where we are at the moment.'

 

A positive result at Goodison Park would see Keegan overtake the club's Premier League low points total of 43 under Glenn Roeder last season, something Keegan set as a target several weeks ago.

 

They will have to do it without key players, however, with striker Mark Viduka anxiously awaiting news of his Achilles injury which could yet rule him out for six months, and midfielder Joey Barton unavailable because of bail conditions relating to the city of Liverpool.

 

It is a measure of how much Barton has progressed under Keegan that he will be missed this weekend.

 

The 25- year-old, a £5.8million Sam Allardyce signing, endured a slow start to his Newcastle career after suffering a metatarsal injury in pre-season.

 

But he has started 13 of the last 14 games and is once again looking like the player he was at City.

 

Keegan said: 'Joey can be really pleased with his performances. What he has done here is win over the fans � he has certainly won over a lot of his team-mates, who didn't know quite what he was like before.'

 

No idea how true any of this is, bit worrying if theres genuinely anything to it.