Still an Ashleyite? Who's with me?

[NJS]

General point here - Wenger has proved that it's not necessarily about how much money you spend - it's what you know, and how good you are at identifying the up and coming players. Ashley has assembled a team that I think are good at that. Keegan seems all out to fuck it up.

 

I think theres a difference between having a good existing team and being able to that and being a club needing to boost itself. As I've said elsewhere I think the aims of the structure is laudable in the long term but I don't see the harm in having a one-off spree to get us going.

[Guest northwestmag1892]

Keegan has to go. Ultimately, Ashley might have to sell up and go as well, because there will be so much hostility towards him. But if anyone thinks that normal service can resume after this fiasco, then they're kidding themselves. What decent player, who has other options, is going to join a club where there's clear tension between owner and manager and any second the manager might storm off.

 

Such a public airing of dirty linen is making the club look like a shambles, and Keegan is to blame. He either had to sort it out privately, or quit. He probably thinks it's clever to manipulate the owner by getting the fans on his side like this, and a lot of people seem to agree. But what he's actually doing is making the place look like a ship without a rudder.

 

Keegan is doing what he feels is right for the future of NUFC, and that is to stand up to some shop owner with no footballing experience who recruits a casino MD as the head of the company and an inexperienced second rate manager as Director of Football. If Keegan walks then he will be walking for the right reasons for NUFC as an entity going forward, irrespective of what idiot is the owner. He wants success long term for NUFC and is prepared to fall on his sword if it ultimately means that the mess which is the board is removed.

 

My point was that Keegan and Ashley can no longer work together with any credibility. Are you disagreeing with that?

 

No I agree that their working together is only possible if Ashley gets rid of Wise and the MD but even then it will be fraught. However I diagree with your perception of Keegan making the club "look like a shambles". As I said, he's doing it for the correct long term reasons and that is to remove the farcical empire that Ashley has built around himself. OK?

 

Well, yeah, I can see that Keegan wants to reproduce the situation that he had with Sir John Hall - direct access to an owner who he could pressure so that he can outspend the opposition on the best available players.

 

In today's Premiership, and in the situation NUFC are in, is that realistic?

 

Does Alex Ferguson go to a Director of Football as a go-between between him and the American owners? No. Directors of Footballs and go-betweens have never worked in the English game to date...

 

Ashley is out of his depth and needs to wake up to someone who is seasoned and mature in the game, i.e. his current manager.

 

Not sure how Man U work, but Ferguson has a passion for the game that Keegan can't match. I don't think anyone can not watch a game of football for over two years and then expect to manage a Premiership club without a lot of help with player identification and recruitment.

 

Fair comment. However, I believe the reason that Ashley "wrapped" himself up in the likes of Wise and Jimenez et al is that he wants to surround himself in London based like-minded individuals that he can manipulate; that gives himself some protection.

 

As to Ferguson's passion, well.... Keegan is/was passionate about NUFC as passionate as Ferguson is about NUFC but only until the likes of the shopkeeper drained the life/power out of him with his meddling.

might get knocked down on this but i thought wise and vetere were jiminez's plan. ashley was big pals with jiminez and it was tony that had a plan and brought the others in.

 

Allegedly Jimenez was key in getting Jol removed from Spurs... do a google for more. Hmmm...

[Cronky]

General point here - Wenger has proved that it's not necessarily about how much money you spend - it's what you know, and how good you are at identifying the up and coming players. Ashley has assembled a team that I think are good at that. Keegan seems all out to fuck it up.

 

I think theres a difference between having a good existing team and being able to that and being a club needing to boost itself. As I've said elsewhere I think the aims of the structure is laudable in the long term but I don't see the harm in having a one-off spree to get us going.

 

I honestly don't think that Ashley would have been against shelling out for a really good player, but those players want to go to Champions League clubs or at least clubs who are in Europe. You can try to compensate by paying huge wages, but that gives you problems as well.

 

Ashley is right and Keegan is wrong on this. Unless you've got Abramovich-style millions, you have to build slowly.

[madras]

Keegan has to go. Ultimately, Ashley might have to sell up and go as well, because there will be so much hostility towards him. But if anyone thinks that normal service can resume after this fiasco, then they're kidding themselves. What decent player, who has other options, is going to join a club where there's clear tension between owner and manager and any second the manager might storm off.

 

Such a public airing of dirty linen is making the club look like a shambles, and Keegan is to blame. He either had to sort it out privately, or quit. He probably thinks it's clever to manipulate the owner by getting the fans on his side like this, and a lot of people seem to agree. But what he's actually doing is making the place look like a ship without a rudder.

 

Keegan is doing what he feels is right for the future of NUFC, and that is to stand up to some shop owner with no footballing experience who recruits a casino MD as the head of the company and an inexperienced second rate manager as Director of Football. If Keegan walks then he will be walking for the right reasons for NUFC as an entity going forward, irrespective of what idiot is the owner. He wants success long term for NUFC and is prepared to fall on his sword if it ultimately means that the mess which is the board is removed.

 

My point was that Keegan and Ashley can no longer work together with any credibility. Are you disagreeing with that?

 

No I agree that their working together is only possible if Ashley gets rid of Wise and the MD but even then it will be fraught. However I diagree with your perception of Keegan making the club "look like a shambles". As I said, he's doing it for the correct long term reasons and that is to remove the farcical empire that Ashley has built around himself. OK?

 

Well, yeah, I can see that Keegan wants to reproduce the situation that he had with Sir John Hall - direct access to an owner who he could pressure so that he can outspend the opposition on the best available players.

 

In today's Premiership, and in the situation NUFC are in, is that realistic?

 

Does Alex Ferguson go to a Director of Football as a go-between between him and the American owners? No. Directors of Footballs and go-betweens have never worked in the English game to date...

 

Ashley is out of his depth and needs to wake up to someone who is seasoned and mature in the game, i.e. his current manager.

 

Not sure how Man U work, but Ferguson has a passion for the game that Keegan can't match. I don't think anyone can not watch a game of football for over two years and then expect to manage a Premiership club without a lot of help with player identification and recruitment.

 

Fair comment. However, I believe the reason that Ashley "wrapped" himself up in the likes of Wise and Jimenez et al is that he wants to surround himself in London based like-minded individuals that he can manipulate; that gives himself some protection.

 

As to Ferguson's passion, well.... Keegan is/was passionate about NUFC as passionate as Ferguson is about NUFC but only until the likes of the shopkeeper drained the life/power out of him with his meddling.

might get knocked down on this but i thought wise and vetere were jiminez's plan. ashley was big pals with jiminez and it was tony that had a plan and brought the others in.

 

Allegedly Jimenez was key in getting Jol removed from Spurs... do a google for more. Hmmm...

and getting ramos in which everyone said at the time was fantastic.

[Wullie]

General point here - Wenger has proved that it's not necessarily about how much money you spend - it's what you know, and how good you are at identifying the up and coming players. Ashley has assembled a team that I think are good at that. Keegan seems all out to fuck it up.

 

I think theres a difference between having a good existing team and being able to that and being a club needing to boost itself. As I've said elsewhere I think the aims of the structure is laudable in the long term but I don't see the harm in having a one-off spree to get us going.

 

I honestly don't think that Ashley would have been against shelling out for a really good player, but those players want to go to Champions League clubs or at least clubs who are in Europe. You can try to compensate by paying huge wages, but that gives you problems as well.

 

Ashley is right and Keegan is wrong on this. Unless you've got Abramovich-style millions, you have to build slowly.

 

How do you know what Keegan wants? Do you think he should just have his players sold without his say-so?

[Guest northwestmag1892]

Keegan has to go. Ultimately, Ashley might have to sell up and go as well, because there will be so much hostility towards him. But if anyone thinks that normal service can resume after this fiasco, then they're kidding themselves. What decent player, who has other options, is going to join a club where there's clear tension between owner and manager and any second the manager might storm off.

 

Such a public airing of dirty linen is making the club look like a shambles, and Keegan is to blame. He either had to sort it out privately, or quit. He probably thinks it's clever to manipulate the owner by getting the fans on his side like this, and a lot of people seem to agree. But what he's actually doing is making the place look like a ship without a rudder.

 

Keegan is doing what he feels is right for the future of NUFC, and that is to stand up to some shop owner with no footballing experience who recruits a casino MD as the head of the company and an inexperienced second rate manager as Director of Football. If Keegan walks then he will be walking for the right reasons for NUFC as an entity going forward, irrespective of what idiot is the owner. He wants success long term for NUFC and is prepared to fall on his sword if it ultimately means that the mess which is the board is removed.

 

My point was that Keegan and Ashley can no longer work together with any credibility. Are you disagreeing with that?

 

No I agree that their working together is only possible if Ashley gets rid of Wise and the MD but even then it will be fraught. However I diagree with your perception of Keegan making the club "look like a shambles". As I said, he's doing it for the correct long term reasons and that is to remove the farcical empire that Ashley has built around himself. OK?

 

Well, yeah, I can see that Keegan wants to reproduce the situation that he had with Sir John Hall - direct access to an owner who he could pressure so that he can outspend the opposition on the best available players.

 

In today's Premiership, and in the situation NUFC are in, is that realistic?

 

Does Alex Ferguson go to a Director of Football as a go-between between him and the American owners? No. Directors of Footballs and go-betweens have never worked in the English game to date...

 

Ashley is out of his depth and needs to wake up to someone who is seasoned and mature in the game, i.e. his current manager.

 

Not sure how Man U work, but Ferguson has a passion for the game that Keegan can't match. I don't think anyone can not watch a game of football for over two years and then expect to manage a Premiership club without a lot of help with player identification and recruitment.

 

Fair comment. However, I believe the reason that Ashley "wrapped" himself up in the likes of Wise and Jimenez et al is that he wants to surround himself in London based like-minded individuals that he can manipulate; that gives himself some protection.

 

As to Ferguson's passion, well.... Keegan is/was passionate about NUFC as passionate as Ferguson is about NUFC but only until the likes of the shopkeeper drained the life/power out of him with his meddling.

might get knocked down on this but i thought wise and vetere were jiminez's plan. ashley was big pals with jiminez and it was tony that had a plan and brought the others in.

 

Allegedly Jimenez was key in getting Jol removed from Spurs... do a google for more. Hmmm...

and getting ramos in which everyone said at the time was fantastic.

OK so tell me who will be the next fantastic NUFC manager as a result of this farce please

[madras]

Keegan has to go. Ultimately, Ashley might have to sell up and go as well, because there will be so much hostility towards him. But if anyone thinks that normal service can resume after this fiasco, then they're kidding themselves. What decent player, who has other options, is going to join a club where there's clear tension between owner and manager and any second the manager might storm off.

 

Such a public airing of dirty linen is making the club look like a shambles, and Keegan is to blame. He either had to sort it out privately, or quit. He probably thinks it's clever to manipulate the owner by getting the fans on his side like this, and a lot of people seem to agree. But what he's actually doing is making the place look like a ship without a rudder.

 

Keegan is doing what he feels is right for the future of NUFC, and that is to stand up to some shop owner with no footballing experience who recruits a casino MD as the head of the company and an inexperienced second rate manager as Director of Football. If Keegan walks then he will be walking for the right reasons for NUFC as an entity going forward, irrespective of what idiot is the owner. He wants success long term for NUFC and is prepared to fall on his sword if it ultimately means that the mess which is the board is removed.

 

My point was that Keegan and Ashley can no longer work together with any credibility. Are you disagreeing with that?

 

No I agree that their working together is only possible if Ashley gets rid of Wise and the MD but even then it will be fraught. However I diagree with your perception of Keegan making the club "look like a shambles". As I said, he's doing it for the correct long term reasons and that is to remove the farcical empire that Ashley has built around himself. OK?

 

Well, yeah, I can see that Keegan wants to reproduce the situation that he had with Sir John Hall - direct access to an owner who he could pressure so that he can outspend the opposition on the best available players.

 

In today's Premiership, and in the situation NUFC are in, is that realistic?

 

Does Alex Ferguson go to a Director of Football as a go-between between him and the American owners? No. Directors of Footballs and go-betweens have never worked in the English game to date...

 

Ashley is out of his depth and needs to wake up to someone who is seasoned and mature in the game, i.e. his current manager.

 

Not sure how Man U work, but Ferguson has a passion for the game that Keegan can't match. I don't think anyone can not watch a game of football for over two years and then expect to manage a Premiership club without a lot of help with player identification and recruitment.

 

Fair comment. However, I believe the reason that Ashley "wrapped" himself up in the likes of Wise and Jimenez et al is that he wants to surround himself in London based like-minded individuals that he can manipulate; that gives himself some protection.

 

As to Ferguson's passion, well.... Keegan is/was passionate about NUFC as passionate as Ferguson is about NUFC but only until the likes of the shopkeeper drained the life/power out of him with his meddling.

might get knocked down on this but i thought wise and vetere were jiminez's plan. ashley was big pals with jiminez and it was tony that had a plan and brought the others in.

 

Allegedly Jimenez was key in getting Jol removed from Spurs... do a google for more. Hmmm...

and getting ramos in which everyone said at the time was fantastic.

OK so tell me who will be the next fantastic NUFC manager as a result of this farce please

no idea....have you ?

[NJS]

General point here - Wenger has proved that it's not necessarily about how much money you spend - it's what you know, and how good you are at identifying the up and coming players. Ashley has assembled a team that I think are good at that. Keegan seems all out to fuck it up.

 

I think theres a difference between having a good existing team and being able to that and being a club needing to boost itself. As I've said elsewhere I think the aims of the structure is laudable in the long term but I don't see the harm in having a one-off spree to get us going.

 

I honestly don't think that Ashley would have been against shelling out for a really good player, but those players want to go to Champions League clubs or at least clubs who are in Europe. You can try to compensate by paying huge wages, but that gives you problems as well.

 

Ashley is right and Keegan is wrong on this. Unless you've got Abramovich-style millions, you have to build slowly.

 

I'd raise the issue of numbers then - if Keegan thinks the squad is short then a few reasonably priced players could easily have been bought - see the likes of Malbranqe as an example. I wasn't advocating a Robhino type buy - just more of the type that were bought.

 

 

 

[Guest northwestmag1892]

Keegan has to go. Ultimately, Ashley might have to sell up and go as well, because there will be so much hostility towards him. But if anyone thinks that normal service can resume after this fiasco, then they're kidding themselves. What decent player, who has other options, is going to join a club where there's clear tension between owner and manager and any second the manager might storm off.

 

Such a public airing of dirty linen is making the club look like a shambles, and Keegan is to blame. He either had to sort it out privately, or quit. He probably thinks it's clever to manipulate the owner by getting the fans on his side like this, and a lot of people seem to agree. But what he's actually doing is making the place look like a ship without a rudder.

 

Keegan is doing what he feels is right for the future of NUFC, and that is to stand up to some shop owner with no footballing experience who recruits a casino MD as the head of the company and an inexperienced second rate manager as Director of Football. If Keegan walks then he will be walking for the right reasons for NUFC as an entity going forward, irrespective of what idiot is the owner. He wants success long term for NUFC and is prepared to fall on his sword if it ultimately means that the mess which is the board is removed.

 

My point was that Keegan and Ashley can no longer work together with any credibility. Are you disagreeing with that?

 

No I agree that their working together is only possible if Ashley gets rid of Wise and the MD but even then it will be fraught. However I diagree with your perception of Keegan making the club "look like a shambles". As I said, he's doing it for the correct long term reasons and that is to remove the farcical empire that Ashley has built around himself. OK?

 

Well, yeah, I can see that Keegan wants to reproduce the situation that he had with Sir John Hall - direct access to an owner who he could pressure so that he can outspend the opposition on the best available players.

 

In today's Premiership, and in the situation NUFC are in, is that realistic?

 

Does Alex Ferguson go to a Director of Football as a go-between between him and the American owners? No. Directors of Footballs and go-betweens have never worked in the English game to date...

 

Ashley is out of his depth and needs to wake up to someone who is seasoned and mature in the game, i.e. his current manager.

 

Not sure how Man U work, but Ferguson has a passion for the game that Keegan can't match. I don't think anyone can not watch a game of football for over two years and then expect to manage a Premiership club without a lot of help with player identification and recruitment.

 

Fair comment. However, I believe the reason that Ashley "wrapped" himself up in the likes of Wise and Jimenez et al is that he wants to surround himself in London based like-minded individuals that he can manipulate; that gives himself some protection.

 

As to Ferguson's passion, well.... Keegan is/was passionate about NUFC as passionate as Ferguson is about NUFC but only until the likes of the shopkeeper drained the life/power out of him with his meddling.

might get knocked down on this but i thought wise and vetere were jiminez's plan. ashley was big pals with jiminez and it was tony that had a plan and brought the others in.

 

Allegedly Jimenez was key in getting Jol removed from Spurs... do a google for more. Hmmm...

and getting ramos in which everyone said at the time was fantastic.

OK so tell me who will be the next fantastic NUFC manager as a result of this farce please

no idea....have you ?

 

No idea Chicken

 

[ChezGiven]

More Ashley PR?

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ashley-i-stand-with-the-fans-because-thats-what-ive-always-done-917927.html

 

 

The landscape is changing around St James' Park. Across Barrack Road the old Newcastle brewery has been pulled down and the view now stretches up the hill into the west end, where Newcastle United's roots date from the 1880s.

 

Surveying this football-daft corner of England, there must have been times when the Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has wondered why he is here. Particularly in the past few days.

 

It is a question that has been asked for longer and by more people than Ashley. From the moment in May of last year when Ashley bought out the Newcastle shareholdings of Sir John Hall and his son Douglas, the motivation of the 45-year-old Hertfordshire-based billionaire has been the source of intrigue.

 

Distrusting of the press and apparently unwilling to speak via Newcastle's match programme, for 15 months Ashley let everyone – including Newcastle fans – guess.

 

But three weeks ago that changed. In the launch edition of a new club magazine, Ashley set out to explain why he is at St James', what he wants to do there and how he plans to do it. Although Kevin Keegan's position within the club has been in doubt for some time, when he gave the interview Ashley cannot have thought Newcastle would be verging on being managerless one day after the closure of the transfer window.

 

"People have to understand that I've always been a big football fan," Ashley said, beginning his explanation of his £134m purchase of Newcastle. "Who was my team? England. I've been to every World Cup since Spain in 1982 and to every European Championships. I'd been all over the world following England since I was a young lad. When the opportunity came up to buy Newcastle United it was what I'd call a no-brainer.

 

"I was being offered the chance to own one of the jewels, one of the diamonds of the Premier League," Ashley added. "There was no hesitation... And you must also remember that I've had shops in the North-east for 15 to 20 years. Some of the best people I've ever employed in my companies have been from the North-east."

 

As for standing among the supporters at away games, rather than sitting in the directors' box, Ashley said: "I wear my strip and I go in with the fans because that's how I've always gone to football... the other reason is that I also like to take my kids with me to the match as well because it's a family thing for me. They bring their mates along and we are one big group.

 

"We played Stoke City away in the FA Cup on a Sunday night in January. We all got together, hired a minibus and drove to the match. Everybody loved it and that's what away trips are all about for me."

 

Big, loving family man, swilling pints on what used to be the terraces, this is one portrait of Ashley that has become familiar. But in the City of London, Ashley is known as a ruthless businessman who played the City brilliantly when he floated his Sports Direct chain three months before buying Newcastle. At St James', those two sides of Ashley have to merge.

 

Selling his 43 per cent stake in his core retail business earned Ashley £929m. Initially the City was impressed. This was a boy who started out in a sports shop in Maidenhead in 1982. By 2007 Sports Direct International had a turnover of £1.2bn, 400 stores and owned a portfolio of brands such as Slazenger. Ashley was unconventional, he wore jeans to corporate meetings and carried paperwork in plastic bags. He shunned publicity. But now the City thought he was about to put on a tie and join them.

 

Yet less than a year later, with England replica shirt sales slow in his shops after Steve McClaren's unsuccessful stint in charge and sportswear sales static due to horrendous summer weather, Sports Direct shares had plummeted in value. Some of its management was alienating investors. The City did not understand why he bought Newcastle – especially without observing due diligence and therefore not realising he had to cover £100m of debt on top of the £134m purchase price.

 

Ashley announced a 30 per cent drop in profits in July, though by last month the Financial Times were able to write: "Trading performance aside, Sports Direct is in danger of losing its pariah status and becoming a model of good governance."

 

If only, they will be saying on Tyneside, where it is thought the right offer would surely tempt Ashley to sell, and where there is still amazement that due diligence was not performed. Had he performed it on Keegan, Ashley would have known he was appointing a manager every bit as headstrong as himself.

 

 

[madras]

More Ashley PR?

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ashley-i-stand-with-the-fans-because-thats-what-ive-always-done-917927.html

 

 

The landscape is changing around St James' Park. Across Barrack Road the old Newcastle brewery has been pulled down and the view now stretches up the hill into the west end, where Newcastle United's roots date from the 1880s.

 

Surveying this football-daft corner of England, there must have been times when the Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has wondered why he is here. Particularly in the past few days.

 

It is a question that has been asked for longer and by more people than Ashley. From the moment in May of last year when Ashley bought out the Newcastle shareholdings of Sir John Hall and his son Douglas, the motivation of the 45-year-old Hertfordshire-based billionaire has been the source of intrigue.

 

Distrusting of the press and apparently unwilling to speak via Newcastle's match programme, for 15 months Ashley let everyone – including Newcastle fans – guess.

 

But three weeks ago that changed. In the launch edition of a new club magazine, Ashley set out to explain why he is at St James', what he wants to do there and how he plans to do it. Although Kevin Keegan's position within the club has been in doubt for some time, when he gave the interview Ashley cannot have thought Newcastle would be verging on being managerless one day after the closure of the transfer window.

 

"People have to understand that I've always been a big football fan," Ashley said, beginning his explanation of his £134m purchase of Newcastle. "Who was my team? England. I've been to every World Cup since Spain in 1982 and to every European Championships. I'd been all over the world following England since I was a young lad. When the opportunity came up to buy Newcastle United it was what I'd call a no-brainer.

 

"I was being offered the chance to own one of the jewels, one of the diamonds of the Premier League," Ashley added. "There was no hesitation... And you must also remember that I've had shops in the North-east for 15 to 20 years. Some of the best people I've ever employed in my companies have been from the North-east."

 

As for standing among the supporters at away games, rather than sitting in the directors' box, Ashley said: "I wear my strip and I go in with the fans because that's how I've always gone to football... the other reason is that I also like to take my kids with me to the match as well because it's a family thing for me. They bring their mates along and we are one big group.

 

"We played Stoke City away in the FA Cup on a Sunday night in January. We all got together, hired a minibus and drove to the match. Everybody loved it and that's what away trips are all about for me."

 

Big, loving family man, swilling pints on what used to be the terraces, this is one portrait of Ashley that has become familiar. But in the City of London, Ashley is known as a ruthless businessman who played the City brilliantly when he floated his Sports Direct chain three months before buying Newcastle. At St James', those two sides of Ashley have to merge.

 

Selling his 43 per cent stake in his core retail business earned Ashley £929m. Initially the City was impressed. This was a boy who started out in a sports shop in Maidenhead in 1982. By 2007 Sports Direct International had a turnover of £1.2bn, 400 stores and owned a portfolio of brands such as Slazenger. Ashley was unconventional, he wore jeans to corporate meetings and carried paperwork in plastic bags. He shunned publicity. But now the City thought he was about to put on a tie and join them.

 

Yet less than a year later, with England replica shirt sales slow in his shops after Steve McClaren's unsuccessful stint in charge and sportswear sales static due to horrendous summer weather, Sports Direct shares had plummeted in value. Some of its management was alienating investors. The City did not understand why he bought Newcastle – especially without observing due diligence and therefore not realising he had to cover £100m of debt on top of the £134m purchase price.

 

Ashley announced a 30 per cent drop in profits in July, though by last month the Financial Times were able to write: "Trading performance aside, Sports Direct is in danger of losing its pariah status and becoming a model of good governance."

 

If only, they will be saying on Tyneside, where it is thought the right offer would surely tempt Ashley to sell, and where there is still amazement that due diligence was not performed. Had he performed it on Keegan, Ashley would have known he was appointing a manager every bit as headstrong as himself.

 

0

more rehashed and nothing new. (ie gaffer wants an ashley story and we don't actually know much so i guess we'd better recap

[ChezGiven]

rhashed and, nothing ne?

 

Sounds familiar.

[madras]

rhashed and, nothing ne?

 

Sounds familiar.

sounds familiar ? no

 

 

looks familiar mind. work of genius aswell.

[Cronky]

Not sure how Man U work, but Ferguson has a passion for the game that Keegan can't match. I don't think anyone can not watch a game of football for over two years and then expect to manage a Premiership club without a lot of help with player identification and recruitment.

 

I think most reasonable people think theres a place for teamwork - Scolari when asked about Robhino on Sunday said he didn't have a clue which is fine. Identification is also fine. I think its the idea of players bought unseen or put up for sale without approval that most people see as a step too far.

 

 

 

Well, Keegan seemed to approve of the purchases of Guthrie, Jonas, Coloccini etc. I can't see that there's any reason to believe that he didn't approve of Xisco, whose transfer was being negotiated over a long period of time by all accounts.

 

As for outgoing players, it seems that Keegan was able to veto the sales of Barton and Smith. He seemed to agree to Milner's sale, on the understanding that the money would be invested elsewhere. It boils down to why the money wasn't used, and that might not be in Wise's control. The selling clubs might then start bumping up the price.

 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I think our attempts to get Modric and Woodgate, combined with the £10m that went on Coloccini, show that the money is there for the right players. It's just that if they aren't available or don't want to come, we'll be sitting tight rather than bringing in anyone we can get.

[Parky]

I think our attempts to get Modric and Woodgate, combined with the £10m that went on Coloccini, show that the money is there for the right players. It's just that if they aren't available or don't want to come, we'll be sitting tight rather than bringing in anyone we can get.

 

We've spent about 10m net. Whoever was bringing players in and it could be the tea lady by the looks of things just hasn't delivered. Players won't be available in Jan, so again we'll have to roll over to next summer.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I think our attempts to get Modric and Woodgate, combined with the £10m that went on Coloccini, show that the money is there for the right players. It's just that if they aren't available or don't want to come, we'll be sitting tight rather than bringing in anyone we can get.

 

We've spent about 10m net. Whoever was bringing players in and it could be the tea lady by the looks of things just hasn't delivered. Players won't be available in Jan, so again we'll have to roll over to next summer.

 

I know what you're saying, all I mean is that is they couldn't persuade the players they wanted then they weren't prepared to sign just anybody. I think protecting the transfer budget in this way is what we needed, considering how we've spent it in the recent past.

 

If we have another summer like this one next season we'll by in a great position IMO. (Obviously barring what has happened with the manager, I don't want that again!)

[TRon]

“Kevin still wants the job. Make no mistake about that. But he would like to be able to buy his own players.

 

“If he was allowed to bring in his own players and he failed he would be the first to hold his hands up."

 

-from a source close to Keegan allegedly.

 

Sounds good but I remember similar noises from Souness when he was trying to force Shepherd's hand in the transfer market. It's all very well holding your hands up if it goes wrong, who pays the bill for players who lose their value or ask for daft wages? "Holding your hands up" won't do it.

[Kitman]

Kevin still wants the job. Make no mistake about that. But he would like to be able to buy his own players.

 

If he was allowed to bring in his own players and he failed he would be the first to hold his hands up."

 

-from a source close to Keegan allegedly.

 

Sounds good but I remember similar noises from Souness when he was trying to force Shepherd's hand in the transfer market. It's all very well holding your hands up if it goes wrong, who pays the bill for players who lose their value or ask for daft wages? "Holding your hands up" won't do it.

 

Personally I don't think there's any comparison between Keegan and Souness.  And aren't the problems you describe the same problems faced by all bar a handful of fashionable clubs? 

 

Incidentally I quite like the idea of the current set-up, but it has to work on all sides.  If Keegan has the final say on who goes and comes, because he has to pick and prepare the team, would that be so bad?  And if you don't trust the manager's judgement on players, maybe you should have picked a different manager?

[TRon]

Kevin still wants the job. Make no mistake about that. But he would like to be able to buy his own players.

 

If he was allowed to bring in his own players and he failed he would be the first to hold his hands up."

 

-from a source close to Keegan allegedly.

 

Sounds good but I remember similar noises from Souness when he was trying to force Shepherd's hand in the transfer market. It's all very well holding your hands up if it goes wrong, who pays the bill for players who lose their value or ask for daft wages? "Holding your hands up" won't do it.

 

Personally I don't think there's any comparison between Keegan and Souness.  And aren't the problems you describe the same problems faced by all bar a handful of fashionable clubs? 

 

Incidentally I quite like the idea of the current set-up, but it has to work on all sides.  If Keegan has the final say on who goes and comes, because he has to pick and prepare the team, would that be so bad?  And if you don't trust the manager's judgement on players, maybe you should have picked a different manager?

 

The comparison with Souness is only in regards to the stance both managers have taken. Souness wanted his own players and in the end Shepherd reluctantly caved in, and it cost us millions. Obviously Keegan is a lot better judge of a player, but the bottom line is if it goes wrong, Keegan won't be picking up the bill. Should he then be in a position to dictate incomings and outgoings? Turning down offers for Smith, £12m for Milner and handing Owen a massive contract....while these moves might make him popular in the dressing room, I'm not sure it's healthy from a financial perspective.

[Guest shaun11177]

Give him a budget-crikey all Ashley has to do is set limits-Transfer budget is, player wage budget is and then let him get on with it.

Certainly if we are trying to copy Arsenal in the long term then we need someone to organise the worldwide scouting network that Arsenal have, that is too much for KK to do.

He would i would have thought also need a bit of help on player contracts but apart from that there is no need for anyone else to be involved.

Also we need a short term strategy, we didnt actually spend a penny of new money if you look at the figures. I would ask this how did we end up with 6 forwards and only 2 fullbacks.

[TRon]

Give him a budget-crikey all Ashley has to do is set limits-Transfer budget is, player wage budget is and then let him get on with it.

Certainly if we are trying to copy Arsenal in the long term then we need someone to organise the worldwide scouting network that Arsenal have, that is too much for KK to do.

He would i would have thought also need a bit of help on player contracts but apart from that there is no need for anyone else to be involved.

Also we need a short term strategy, we didnt actually spend a penny of new money if you look at the figures. I would ask this how did we end up with 6 forwards and only 2 fullbacks.

 

I would add to that as well as staying within a budget, targeting players who won't lose their re-sale value, e.g, Thierry Henry for say, £12m. That is if we are looking to stay with the long term strategy which the club just re-iterated during this episode.

[Kitman]

Kevin still wants the job. Make no mistake about that. But he would like to be able to buy his own players.

 

If he was allowed to bring in his own players and he failed he would be the first to hold his hands up."

 

-from a source close to Keegan allegedly.

 

Sounds good but I remember similar noises from Souness when he was trying to force Shepherd's hand in the transfer market. It's all very well holding your hands up if it goes wrong, who pays the bill for players who lose their value or ask for daft wages? "Holding your hands up" won't do it.

 

Personally I don't think there's any comparison between Keegan and Souness.  And aren't the problems you describe the same problems faced by all bar a handful of fashionable clubs? 

 

Incidentally I quite like the idea of the current set-up, but it has to work on all sides.  If Keegan has the final say on who goes and comes, because he has to pick and prepare the team, would that be so bad?  And if you don't trust the manager's judgement on players, maybe you should have picked a different manager?

 

The comparison with Souness is only in regards to the stance both managers have taken. Souness wanted his own players and in the end Shepherd reluctantly caved in, and it cost us millions. Obviously Keegan is a lot better judge of a player, but the bottom line is if it goes wrong, Keegan won't be picking up the bill. Should he then be in a position to dictate incomings and outgoings? Turning down offers for Smith, £12m for Milner and handing Owen a massive contract....while these moves might make him popular in the dressing room, I'm not sure it's healthy from a financial perspective.

 

I don't think any system is foolproof aginst bad signings tbh.  You can just as easily say the same about Wise & co, what credentials do they have to dictate transfers?  Wise especially.  And the bottom line is, if it goes wrong on the pitch, they won't get the sack, Keegan will.  If you're worried about a Souness type situation, don't give him 50m to spunk on players willy-nilly.

 

As I said, I quite like the set-up.  Wise & co scout, find players, make recommendations etc, all this seems sensible.  Keegan has the final say on purchases and sales.  That also seems sensible imo, as it's his team and he'll get the sack if they don't perform.  I honestly believe Smith would be out as quick as flash if the squad was adequate, but it's not.  I can also understand why he wanted to keep Milner, Barton and in particular Owen.  We only got 2 players in at the end of the day.

 

If you want a new style coach, you don't appoint an old style manager like Keegan imo. 

[Parky]

Kevin still wants the job. Make no mistake about that. But he would like to be able to buy his own players.

 

If he was allowed to bring in his own players and he failed he would be the first to hold his hands up."

 

-from a source close to Keegan allegedly.

 

Sounds good but I remember similar noises from Souness when he was trying to force Shepherd's hand in the transfer market. It's all very well holding your hands up if it goes wrong, who pays the bill for players who lose their value or ask for daft wages? "Holding your hands up" won't do it.

 

Personally I don't think there's any comparison between Keegan and Souness.  And aren't the problems you describe the same problems faced by all bar a handful of fashionable clubs? 

 

Incidentally I quite like the idea of the current set-up, but it has to work on all sides.  If Keegan has the final say on who goes and comes, because he has to pick and prepare the team, would that be so bad?  And if you don't trust the manager's judgement on players, maybe you should have picked a different manager?

 

The comparison with Souness is only in regards to the stance both managers have taken. Souness wanted his own players and in the end Shepherd reluctantly caved in, and it cost us millions. Obviously Keegan is a lot better judge of a player, but the bottom line is if it goes wrong, Keegan won't be picking up the bill. Should he then be in a position to dictate incomings and outgoings? Turning down offers for Smith, £12m for Milner and handing Owen a massive contract....while these moves might make him popular in the dressing room, I'm not sure it's healthy from a financial perspective.

 

I don't think any system is foolproof aginst bad signings tbh.  You can just as easily say the same about Wise & co, what credentials do they have to dictate transfers?  Wise especially.  And the bottom line is, if it goes wrong on the pitch, they won't get the sack, Keegan will.  If you're worried about a Souness type situation, don't give him 50m to spunk on players willy-nilly.

 

As I said, I quite like the set-up.  Wise & co scout, find players, make recommendations etc, all this seems sensible.  Keegan has the final say on purchases and sales.  That also seems sensible imo, as it's his team and he'll get the sack if they don't perform.  I honestly believe Smith would be out as quick as flash if the squad was adequate, but it's not.  I can also understand why he wanted to keep Milner, Barton and in particular Owen.  We only got 2 players in at the end of the day.

 

If you want a new style coach, you don't appoint an old style manager like Keegan imo. 

 

They have failed to properly man manage and communicate with Keegan and he must have felt he wasn't properly engaged in the only job he has ever been interested in.

[Kitman]

Kevin still wants the job. Make no mistake about that. But he would like to be able to buy his own players.

 

If he was allowed to bring in his own players and he failed he would be the first to hold his hands up."

 

-from a source close to Keegan allegedly.

 

Sounds good but I remember similar noises from Souness when he was trying to force Shepherd's hand in the transfer market. It's all very well holding your hands up if it goes wrong, who pays the bill for players who lose their value or ask for daft wages? "Holding your hands up" won't do it.

 

Personally I don't think there's any comparison between Keegan and Souness.  And aren't the problems you describe the same problems faced by all bar a handful of fashionable clubs? 

 

Incidentally I quite like the idea of the current set-up, but it has to work on all sides.  If Keegan has the final say on who goes and comes, because he has to pick and prepare the team, would that be so bad?  And if you don't trust the manager's judgement on players, maybe you should have picked a different manager?

 

The comparison with Souness is only in regards to the stance both managers have taken. Souness wanted his own players and in the end Shepherd reluctantly caved in, and it cost us millions. Obviously Keegan is a lot better judge of a player, but the bottom line is if it goes wrong, Keegan won't be picking up the bill. Should he then be in a position to dictate incomings and outgoings? Turning down offers for Smith, £12m for Milner and handing Owen a massive contract....while these moves might make him popular in the dressing room, I'm not sure it's healthy from a financial perspective.

 

I don't think any system is foolproof aginst bad signings tbh.  You can just as easily say the same about Wise & co, what credentials do they have to dictate transfers?  Wise especially.  And the bottom line is, if it goes wrong on the pitch, they won't get the sack, Keegan will.  If you're worried about a Souness type situation, don't give him 50m to spunk on players willy-nilly.

 

As I said, I quite like the set-up.  Wise & co scout, find players, make recommendations etc, all this seems sensible.  Keegan has the final say on purchases and sales.  That also seems sensible imo, as it's his team and he'll get the sack if they don't perform.  I honestly believe Smith would be out as quick as flash if the squad was adequate, but it's not.  I can also understand why he wanted to keep Milner, Barton and in particular Owen.  We only got 2 players in at the end of the day.

 

If you want a new style coach, you don't appoint an old style manager like Keegan imo. 

 

They have failed to properly man manage and communicate with Keegan and he must have felt he wasn't properly engaged in the only job he has ever been interested in.

 

Can't help but think the wheels have come off since Mort left.