Derek Llambeezy

[Happy Face]

http://i42.tinypic.com/20hn38m.jpg

 

Commercial income

[Toonpack]

It's his f***ing job to improve the commercial side, isn't it? How are Spurs getting 20m a year for their shirt? They're a f***ing national brand as well. Our financial results will look good but really our turnover is lower than it should be. A lot of things are going well but our commercial revenue is pathetic.

Commercial revenue is way down on what it was when the takeover happened, as is matchday revenue. The TV deal is far higher than it was and our turnover has barely moved. I'm sure there was a quote when the stadium was being renamed from Llambais saying that the club has maximised its commercial revenue from current streams so needed to look for new ways to general money, like stadium renaming. Well that's quite obviously nonsense.

 

I'm not saying they have done a bad job on the financial side of things overall, but we can do far better. Making the stadium look so cheap and tacky and packing the shop full of poor quality tat will hardly help the issue either. Our turnover is lower than Aston Villas. Now that we are breaking even, they really need to build the commercial side of the business, and that doesn't mean by following their current track.

 

They could always hike ticket prices, quick way to do it.

 

Since the Keegan debacle, and let's be honest that's where the hate REALLY comes from, they've hardly put a foot wrong IMO (naming rights, which is emotive to some and Meh! to others, aside).

[madras]

http://i42.tinypic.com/20hn38m.jpg

 

Commercial income

is that total income ? income streams would be better than we could see how the commercial side was performing against others (particularly villa from that 4)

[Happy Face]

Commercial only

[Interpolic]

What does commercial revenue comprise of?

[madras]

What does commercial revenue comprise of?

you'd also need it broken down for atrue picture, ie when sponsorship came in, if sponsorship is included etc. and if that reads true our comercial side was better than villas when we were in the championship.

[JH]

What does commercial revenue comprise of?

 

Revenue from commercial aspects.

[Interpolic]

What does commercial revenue comprise of?

 

Revenue from commercial aspects.

 

It's a serious question - obviously it's sponsorship, does it also include merchandise?  Ticket sales?  Other matchday revenue?

[Happy Face]

I don't think you need to go molecular. It's clear they've presided over a terrible fall in commercial income (shops, sponsors) in the 5 years. While other clubs have fluctuated too,  all have seen a rise overall.

[Happy Face]

What does commercial revenue comprise of?

 

Revenue from commercial aspects.

 

It's a serious question - obviously it's sponsorship, does it also include merchandise?  Ticket sales?  Other matchday revenue?

 

No, that's matchday.  Down from 34m to 24m.

 

[Interpolic]

What does commercial revenue comprise of?

 

Revenue from commercial aspects.

 

It's a serious question - obviously it's sponsorship, does it also include merchandise?  Ticket sales?  Other matchday revenue?

 

No, that's matchday.  Down from 34m to 24m.

 

 

Ah OK, so it's simply sponsorship and merchandise.  Cheers.

 

(Sorry, I had to tidy).

[madras]

I don't think you need to go molecular. It's clear they've presided over a terrible fall in commercial income (shops, sponsors) in the 5 years. While other clubs have fluctuated too,  all have seen a rise overall.

then you do ned to go molecular to find out the reasons why, find out what the differences are. if sponsorship is included we need to know at what part of the cycle we are at and what we should realistically be acheiving there. matchday income, if thats dropped what can realistically be done ?, if the drop is largely turnstile revenue (ie price freezes and cheap kids tickets) do we want to stop that ? have we sold ourselves short with puma ?

 

thats without even thinking too deep about it. not saying they haven't f***ed up but a broad sweep like that graph doesn't usually tell the whole story.

[Interpolic]

How much do people think we're losing by replacing all the old advertising with SD?  Was that much of a money-spinner before we did that?

[Happy Face]

I don't think you need to go molecular. It's clear they've presided over a terrible fall in commercial income (shops, sponsors) in the 5 years. While other clubs have fluctuated too,  all have seen a rise overall.

then you do ned to go molecular to find out the reasons why, find out what the differences are. if sponsorship is included we need to know at what part of the cycle we are at and what we should realistically be acheiving there. matchday income, if thats dropped what can realistically be done ?, if the drop is largely turnstile revenue (ie price freezes and cheap kids tickets) do we want to stop that ? have we sold ourselves short with puma ?

 

thats without even thinking too deep about it. not saying they haven't f***ed up but a broad sweep like that graph doesn't usually tell the whole story.

 

It's nowt to do with turnstiles. It's shops and sponsors.  The virgin deal hasn't kicked in so it'll recover on the back of that, but the main reason for the drop is the boycoutt, which has probably bottomed out (until the next screw up).

 

Also SD taking on all adverising space.....when we sell the stadium rights for tens of millions it'll shoot up [/sarcasm]

 

[madras]

did the boycoutt have much effect. seems like as many tops around town and the bars are just as full.

 

how much is the drop in ground advertising ?

[Happy Face]

I don't think we're knocking back interested sponsors. The sd signage tends to go where there wasn't any before (the roof for example). Where it does get closer to the pitch (on the electronic boards for example) I think it costs little in the big picture as no-one else is throwing much money at us.  Maybe in a televised champions league game it would be a bigger loss.

[ujpest doza]

I don't think we're knocking back interested sponsors. The sd signage tends to go where there wasn't any before (the roof for example). Where it does get closer to the pitch (on the electronic boards for example) I think it costs little in the big picture as no-one else is throwing much money at us.  Maybe in a televised champions league game it would be a bigger loss.

if memory serves me right at cl games all the adverts were for cl sponsors and no one else.

 

[LoveItIfWeBeatU]

http://www.nufc.com/ have compiled most of Friday's quotes from Derek Llambias together: -

 

"People say, 'You are not from the North East', but we do get the passion. Mike and I are emotional people but we also have to be, business wise, the best custodians of the club we can be, so it can thrive for years to come.

 

"If Mike had not come in at that time, the club would have been in dire, dire trouble. It would have been another Portsmouth - maybe worse, because it is so big, it is such a big club.

 

"Our model is working, and we have not downgraded the team. We never want to waste the club’s money - the fans' money. No crazy salaries like they had before.

 

"Hopefully we are now being the custodians that we are meant to be. It would be lovely if we were all hand in hand - the club and the fans.

 

“The owner doesn’t take a penny out, but that’s what people don’t believe. These figures show he doesn’t.

 

"We’re getting over the bad parts. We have apologised for the mistakes. We did make mistakes that were naive and for a combination of factors.

 

"Now we’ve got full control of the direction. We’re going to get there, in a very responsible way, without endangering the future of the club.

 

“The divide shown by some of these financial figures is huge. We are punching above our weight at the moment. You look at some of those figures and you wonder how are they going to survive.

 

"Can the owners just keep pumping money in? Maybe some of the foreign ones can, but I’m not sure about the UK-based owners.

 

“The tradition and the history will still be there. It’ll be fantastic if we can bring a trophy to the club. That would give us a feeling of, ‘It worked.’

 

“We’ve got a manager hungry for a trophy, a team that we’re building, staff and players on long-term contracts, and we’re investing in the future.

 

“It’s been an exceptional season - now it’s a case of pushing forward. This season we targeted tenth or above. Next season it was going to be eighth.

 

"But our target will still be eight or above next year. We know where we can punch.”

 

"We just do straight contracts. We do no overseas pensions, no image rights. We say, 'This is your money, now you go away and talk to your tax advisers if you must.'

 

"We don’t do goal bonuses. We had that with (Oba) Martins, maybe that’s why he would always shoot from the halfway line! We used to see him on the ball and think, 'Oh look. He’s going to shoot again.'

 

"We’ve taken all that stuff out. We know exactly where we are. We do have team bonuses for success, in terms of positions. We would like to see deferred transfer payments phased out, so that you just pay for a transfer over a year.

 

"Why pay for it over five years? Most do it. We prefer to pay it over a short period of time. This was put to the Premier League board in 2010 and was rejected by everybody.

 

"We are saying it should be discussed. You shouldn’t be spending money you haven’t got. It’s not the right way to behave.

 

"And look at the taxman. Why is the taxman giving clubs so long to pay their tax bills? For instance, VAT - it should be paid on the dot. It’s a crazy way of running a business.

 

"And is the creditors rule right in football? Footballers are getting paid, but the local tradesmen who have done work for the club aren’t and it is costing jobs.

 

"Do you think me and Mike call it the Sports Direct Arena? We call it St James’ Park, because it is St James’ Park.

 

“The naming rights is such a passionate thing. It’s not about being disrespectful or taking away the tradition or the history of the club - it’s about trying to get another Yohan Cabaye out there on the pitch. That’s how we see it.

 

"To optimise our commercial side, we needed to get that in there - other clubs do it. We’ve had to take the criticism on the nose. We’re not riding roughshod over people’s love. People come to see our players on the pitch. It’s about us, the fans, the manager, the players and the region - it’s an emotional thing.

 

“If we wanted to ride roughshod, we’d just put the ticket prices up - that’s not happening.

 

"We know we’ve got a huge responsibility, and we know there’s a lot of emotion involved and we are emotional people, too. We are not being disrespectful. Mike and I understand and feel for it.

 

“The only area of income we can really build is the commercial revenue. We don’t want to put ticket prices up. We have a 10-year ticket deal and now we’ve announced a nine-year deal.

 

"We’ve increased our family area to 7,500 and for an adult and a kid it’s 500 quid a year. We’re trying to fill the stadium at a price we can afford. We can’t have it half-full, because we’d lose that spirit.

 

“There are only a few ways to increase our income. We know the naming rights is contentious, but that income is something we need.

 

"Could our stadium be the O2 Arena of the north? I think it could. It’s already a cathedral, but it’s dead in the summer. There are things the club can expand on, but we are limited.

 

“Sports Direct is showcasing the naming rights, but without Sports Direct we would not be in Newcastle. That is the business that gives Mike the power to do what we’re doing, and the power to put £270m of his own money behind the football club.

 

“We’d have loved someone to come along and say, 'We’re going to give you the money for the shirt sponsorship and the stadium.'

 

“If we lose on a Saturday, my wife just leaves me alone in the next room and Mike sulks in his house. That’s what happens when you get involved in something when you start to run and love a team and all the functions of our club.

 

"We just feel it’s for the good of our club going forward and it could give us another player.

 

"We’re not doing this to sell up. The reality is that if someone comes up with a chunk of money, I’d have to put it to Mike and he would have to consider it. Would we sell it to someone who couldn’t afford it? No. Would we sell it cheap? No, why would we? We’ve put the money in, done the work and now we may see the upside of what we’re trying to grow.

 

"Alan (Pardew) was the right combination of what we’re looking for and understands where we’re going. He’s a good guy, good with the media, good with the players.

 

"Tactically he’s very good - he doesn’t get it right all of the time, but nobody does. And we know how he’s going to play before a game and we like that with Alan. He’s got a passion and he’s settled down in the North-East really well and loves it.

 

"We do engage with fans. We met a guy who drives from Bournemouth for every home match, so we invited him to be our guest and for them to ask anything they wanted.

 

"We’ve done it for other fans we’ve met in restaurants. Sometimes they’re still critical, but we just say, ‘Come on, just ask us’. At the end of the day, when they’ve met us, it gets them thinking.

 

"We have targets for the summer, and we’re not in a position of having to beg. People are saying, ‘Ah Newcastle. Of course we want to talk to you’. We do a brilliant video presentation - very sharp, it is great - and it opens eyes to what the club, the fans and the city are all about.

 

"We’ll be losing one or two names this summer, but that’ll be regenerated back into the squad. Alan’s plan is to get a smaller squad, with better quality - so the bench is better. That’s our aim over the next two years. We can’t do it all this summer - we’re not sure what the market will be like this summer when we’re trading. We will lose some faces.

 

"For instance, Tiote has been with us a year and a half. He is out there. People know he’s a good player. He’s proven in the Premier League, he’s not picking up as many yellow cards, he’s learning. How are we going to stop a big club from coming in for him? It’ll be very hard.

 

"One thing in our favour is that we now have a very good side and that might encourage the player to stay. But if someone knocks on the door and says they want this or that money, the reality may be that we have to trade.

 

"Sometimes you can’t hold a player back from moving. It’s in their best interests. Take, for example, Andy Carroll, and look what he’s getting [at Liverpool], several times the wages [he was on at Newcastle]. The only person who said no to that deal was Mike. The reality is, it’s a risk, it’s January, can we replace him? We couldn’t. It was a risk."

 

"We spend a long, long time identifying our targets and he was our number one choice. But at first we couldn't afford the price or the salary so we moved on to the next one, which was Modibo Maiga. January came and nobody knew Cisse was happening, which is how we like it - those are our most successful deals, without the interference, in terms of upping the price or someone coming in at the last minute.

 

"We’ve made a big commitment to Colo and Tim. People asked why we hadn’t done the deal, but it took a long time - it didn’t happen overnight. Coloccini’s took a year. We never want to find ourselves in a position where we lose somebody like we did Jose Enrique [who was sold to Liverpool in the summer after failing to agree a new contract]. We didn’t want to lose somebody of his value, or the team building that Coloccini gives you as captain.

 

"Colo doesn’t fit our profile in that we wouldn’t bring a 29-year-old in, but he’s here and he’s proven. He’s an all-round top pro and will finish his pro career here at 34.

 

"He’s like a Giggs or a Scholes - a solid player and you can build around him. Krul is up and coming and can be anything. We’ve got him on a five and a half year deal and we’re very happy.

 

"If we did it for one person’s wages, we’d have to do it for the next and then we’d get a reputation. At the moment, players and agents know that our first offer is very close to the final offer.

 

"Once it’s off the table, it’s off the table and it only goes down. It’s never up, it’s always lower. There are more football players than there are clubs. The manager has his targets and we just move on.

 

"Chris (Hughton) was a really good guy - look what he's doing with Birmingham. He's done an incredible job with a club in crisis, and he's pushed it through.

 

"He's got the skill factors. I wish him good luck for the future. We had a different view of where we wanted to be and what sort of character we needed to push this dressing room further.

 

"That was the decision. It wasn't a question of skill fits or somebody doing a bad job. We needed to kick on - that's what happened.

 

"Alan, we felt, had all the ingredients for what we needed for us personally. We fall out, don't worry! Then we have a little hug and we are OK again. If you are all lovey -dovey all the time, it just won't work."

[Guest]

I don't think you need to go molecular. It's clear they've presided over a terrible fall in commercial income (shops, sponsors) in the 5 years. While other clubs have fluctuated too,  all have seen a rise overall.

 

Simply reflects the team's performance surely? I bet in 4 years that ours is back up if we're still competing top 6.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

We've lost a lot of commercial revenue due to many local firms deciding not to sponsor the club in one form or another since Ashley took over, that and Sports Direct now dominates all advertising. As for attracting other sponsors and increasing commercial revenue, that isn't going to happen because who would want to be associated with Sports Direct? Companies will want to be associated with NUFC but the more SD adverts are plastered around the stadium and the whole stadium renaming crap, will only ever put would be sponsors off. Virgin Money was a no brainer. They are on an offensive charm having taken over Northern Rock, to continue sponsoring NUFC's shirt but under the new VM brand, was the logical thing to do. In no other circumstances would Virgin Money want to be associated with NUFC had it not taken over NR.

[Guest gggg]

"We don’t do goal bonuses. We had that with (Oba) Martins, maybe that’s why he would always shoot from the halfway line! We used to see him on the ball and think, 'Oh look. He’s going to shoot again.'

 

[Rich]

He's been dishing out more soundbites, some of them pretty decent, promoting the club's six-game package:

 

Llambias: NUFC made a mistake by not signing more last summer

 

He admitted the Magpies: “made a mistake” by signing just one senior player in the shape of Vurnon Anita.

 

United have since endured fierce criticism from their fans as well as pundits, who expressed concern that fighting on domestic and European fronts could result in trouble if injuries kicked in.

 

However, Llambias says Newcastle had worked hard to keep star players like Hatem Ben Arfa, Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote last summer.

 

He insists steps are already in place to make sure Newcastle do not end up in the same situation next season.

 

Llambias feels an “unprecedented” injury list had a devastating impact on a season which started with such promise at one stage and almost spiralled into a disaster before a recent revival which gives Geordie fans hope for the spring.

 

All clubs have injuries, but even trusted chief scout Graham Carr explained to his board when tasked with helping to bolster the squad this winter the “freak” situation had left United short on bodies in a campaign which has already resulted in 35 competitive games so far with at least 15 more to go.

 

The treatment room has accommodated Fabricio Coloccini, Hatem Ben Arfa, Steven Taylor, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, Davide Santon, Yohan Cabaye, Cheick Tiote and Sylvain Marveaux at times this season – to name but a few – plus long-term absentees like Ryan Taylor, Haris Vuckic and Dan Gosling.

 

However, looking back, Llambias told the Chronicle: “I think it was a massive plus to keep our star names.

 

“We do not give ourselves much credit because that is not what we think we should be doing.

 

“For us it is a big plus to keep those players.

 

“When you look back, and we always do, Mike and I always look at where we are as a business – but did we make a mistake in the summer?

 

“I think we did.”

 

United spent much of last summer chasing Mathieu Debuchy before he eventually made a January move to Tyneside.

 

The Magpies believed they had landed the French full-back but, when they thought they had agreed a fee with Lille, the former Ligue 1 champions moved the goalposts.

 

Newcastle were also involved in lengthy talks to try to lure then-FC Twente striker Luuk De Jong to St James’ Park.

 

However, the striker ended up signing for Borussia Mönchengladbach when the prize was pushed out to £12.9million – and as it turns out the striker ended up sitting out much of the season with a knee injury.

 

It left United with a group of players in new boys Romain Amalfitano, Gael Bigirimana and Curtis Good as squad players pushing for first-team spots along with Shane Ferguson, Sammy Ameobi, James Tavernier and Mehdi Abeid.

 

However, a combination of inexperience and failure to grasp their chances left Newcastle short.

 

When asked if Newcastle should have done more to sign more senior cover, Llambias added: “We were so fundamentally tight on the model maybe we should have taken more of a risk in the summer.

 

“I do not think it is the cost. We just thought we had enough depth and that is where we went wrong.

 

“We just did not give ourselves enough slack.”

 

Optimism was still high on Tyneside among fans when the season kicked off, and rightly so after Alan Pardew’s side finished fifth and narrowly missed out on the Champions League.

 

However, reflecting on a season which sees United now fifth bottom, Llambias said: “There have been three stages to the season.

 

“If we go back to the summer, we had a fantastic season last year, it was way above our expectations.

 

“We worked really hard to keep our players.

 

“We had interest and pressure from agents and clubs wanting to buy some of our players.

 

“People perhaps do not realise it can be a difficult task to retain them all.

 

“We kept them and kept them happy. We brought Vurnon Anita, who I think is going to be a star.

 

“Then we had the horrendous injury list – and you cannot have a working model that is set up to withstand such a horrendous injury list.

 

“So we found ourselves in a worse position than we expected. We had too many top players out for too long.”

 

Source

 

NUFC chief delighted with quality of new signings

 

DEREK LLAMBIAS says he takes no pride after seeing Newcastle United top the January transfer window Big Spenders League – but is delighted with the quality of the Magpies’ French legion.

 

In bringing French internationals Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Moussa Sissoko – who United hoped to sign this summer – to Tyneside along with Bordeaux’s Ligue 1 title winner Yoan Gouffran, another advanced target, plus promising Les Bleus under-21 star Massadio Haidara to St James’ Park, the United MD was pleased with business last month.

 

He told the Chronicle: “Am I proud we are top spenders in the window?

 

“No, success in the window is not about the amount you spend, it is the quality and value you bring in.

 

“Looking at our working model, I had planned for two of those signings to arrive in the summer.

 

“We missed out on two others by the way. The other two would have been on top of the five we brought in.

 

“They were not next, they would have been on top.

 

“We just had to bring things forward. Normally we would not do that.”

 

With Newcastle struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League, United’s board called a meeting to discuss transfer options and Llambias said: “The injury list was terrible.

 

“I spoke to Graham Carr and he said in football you will not see this again.

 

“He felt what was happening with our squad was unprecedented as far as injuries were concerned.

 

“We felt we had enough because we had finished fifth with the squad we had and we had added to it.

 

“We keep rolling, so the new players we have now, two of those deals were lined up for the summer.”

 

It was the deals for Gouffran and Sissoko United accelerated but the duo have not let anybody down so far, taking part in the wins over Aston Villa and Chelsea.

 

It’s something that proved to be a pretty good decision.

 

Llambias added: “It is difficult, but we looked at the current situation and we had to make changes to bring things forward.

 

“So we can bring it forward sometimes if we need to.

 

“In November we had our targets, we just had to think how soon we were going to bring them in.

 

“They did not just crop up in November, we identified them a long time ago.

 

“If you look at Sissoko, Graham’s first report was from 2010.

 

“Graham knew about him from when he was 18.

 

“We follow players for years.

 

“It is a question of bringing things forward quicker than we had planned to sometimes, like we did in January.

 

“This club's finances are strong and we have a very strong owner behind it.

 

“So we can bring it forward sometimes if we need to.”

 

Source

 

NUFC not keen to buy 'expensive' British players

 

DEREK LLAMBIAS has revealed Newcastle United will continue to scour the foreign market for more top talent in the summer window – and admitted buying British can prove to be “very expensive.”

 

United opted against signing Geordie striker and Sunderland new boy Danny Graham in the transfer window, despite the former Middlesbrough man being touted around the Premier League and keen on joining the club he supported as a boy.

 

Newcastle also saw long-term target Wilfried Zaha move out of their price range, the £15million man snapped up by Manchester United.

 

United will assign chief scout Graham Carr to France, Holland and Belgium in the next few months even if many Ligue 1 clubs are becoming wise to their gameplan.

 

However, after signing stars like Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran, Mathieu Debuchy and Massadio Haidara, Llambias told the Chronicle: “At the end of the day it is a market which excites us.

 

“We have to explore other markets, though, which we do. We are still going to other markets.

 

“We keep an eye on the UK market too. British players are very expensive, which is a factor for us.”

 

United’s club shop have sold out of French berets, with more than 1,000 snapped up by Geordie punters who have had their imagination captured by the French Revolution and Llambias applauded their support.

 

He added: “What is fantastic about our fanbase and Newcastle is they are embracing it.

 

“Football is entertain-ment, it is passion. They know we have found a niche and they have bought into that.”

 

Yet Llambias warned bringing in players from France could prove trickier in the future.

 

He quipped: “It is getting harder for us in France. One president of a club said: ‘What are you doing with all the French players?’

 

“I said: ‘Eventually the national team will just send their plane to Newcastle and collect them from here!’

 

“He laughed – while he was twisting my arm for more money!”

 

Meanwhile, Haidara, Sissoko and Yanga-Mbiwa have been included in United’s squad for the second phase of the Europa League.

 

Mathieu Debuchy was the unlucky man and missed out on a slot while Mehdi Abeid, Brad Inman, Conor Newton, released youngster Dennis Knight and departed strikers Demba Ba and Xisco were struck off the UEFA squad list.

 

Yoan Gouffran was ineligible after appearing for Bordeaux in the earlier stages.

 

Source

 

 

[Rich]

Derek Llambias: We did our utmost to get Loic Remy

 

DEREK LLAMBIAS insisted Newcastle United refused to break their policy for Loic Remy.

 

United thought they had won the race to sign the French international last month after Marseille accepted an £8m bid for the France striker.

 

However, after arriving in London first, Queens Park Rangers pipped the Magpies after making a huge cash offer to sign the player for the rock-bottom Premier League club.

 

Now injured, Remy must watch on from the sidelines to see if he will be regarded as a top-flight player come May.

 

Reflecting on missing out on the £80,000-a-week striker, Llambias told the Chronicle: “We put a lot of work into that deal.

 

“It is like everything else, we do not really want to break our policies.

 

“If you do not want to come here and play then it is your choice.

 

“He made the decision, so there you go. What can I say?

 

“We put our work in, we lost it and we moved on.

 

“We did it before with Maiga. We put the work in, we move on – it is what it is.”

 

Llambias held no animosity to Remy, though, and, after adding Yoan Gouffran to the Toon squad as an alternative, he added: “Let’s not forget Loic is a very good player.

 

“Unfortunately he is now injured, but he has had a season of injuries.

 

“Sometimes you have to take that risk because you might not get value in a player.

 

“They can rejuvenate themselves when they come here.”

 

However, like every club in the battle for survival, Llambias says QPR are taking their own gamble, just like Aston Villa and like Newcastle.

 

He says: “I would not criticise what QPR have done. I would say they have good people behind it and they are giving themselves a chance.

 

“The same thing could be said at Villa, it is different for them, they are taking a gamble on the opposite side.

 

“They are saying ‘We have a decent squad, can they keep us up?’That is a gamble too.

 

“Only a week ago, we were three points away from those guys.

 

“Are Mike and I taking a gamble by bringing everything forward?

 

“No, it is what we felt we needed to do.

 

“I would not want to criticise the passion QPR owner Tony Fernandez has, he is very communicative and has a flair and understanding of what the fans want and what he wants for the good of the club.”

 

QPR’s spending in January also included Chris Samba, on a reported £100,000 per week deal from Anzhi Makhachkala, for £12.5m, a move which prompted criticism from some punters who feel the Londoners spent too much.

 

Llambias said: “I listened to Phil Beard and Tony Fernandes.

 

“You take out what you want from what you read in the press.

 

“They played down Chris Samba, but if we were in a similar position?

 

“Tony is a good guy and a good owner and has passion for his club.

 

“If Mike and I were in that position we may sit back and say: ‘Do we need two players to push us away from relegation?’

 

“We might have taken the gamble too, but not irresponsibly

 

“Tony is not being irresponsible. He is giving himself and his club a chance. If he did not do anything then he would be criticised too.”

 

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Derek Llambias has no regrets over Demba Ba move

 

DEMBA BA was offered “a great deal” to see out his peak years with Newcastle United, but Derek Llambias is convinced the Senegal striker was determined to prove he could cut it with one of the Premier League’s big four.

 

The Magpies’ managing-director, however, says he has no hard feelings or “no regrets” Ba was allowed to leave the club via a £7m release clause.

 

However, Llambias told the Chronicle: “He was offered a decent deal, in many eyes it would be a great deal, but it is what he wants.

 

“He is 28 and felt he had three or four years left and that is what he wants to do. I wish him well.”

 

Many fans were left frustrated with the get-out clause which allowed Ba to sign for the Blues at a knockdown price.

 

Yet, given Ba’s degenerative knee condition which once frightened off Stoke City, Llambias said Newcastle had to make sure they protected themselves.

 

He added: “You have to understand if you go back to the basics of the deal….

 

“We took a chance on Demba and Demba took a chance on us.

 

“It sounds like a song from Abba, the Abba deal! We sat down with his representatives and discussed his move from Hoffenheim to West Ham to Newcastle.

 

“However, there was that element for us which was his condition.”

 

Despite his departure, Ba’s 29 goals at Premier League level in 54 games means that nobody could argue about value for money.

 

Llambias said: “One thing the guy could do is score goals.

 

“We needed goals and it was a deal we could do.

 

“We structured the deal in such a way it gave him an opportunity to move and us an opportunity to have the gamble to see if he could perform for us and stay fit.

 

“The guy never missed a day of training and played in every game he was asked to play.

 

“What more can you ask?

 

“People criticise us for the clause, but it was part of the gamble for Demba as well.

 

“Did he want to structure himself in a way where he would not be able to achieve what he wanted to achieve?

 

“Every player has that to consider.

 

“Maybe he wanted to prove himself, but for us I have no regrets on the Demba deal or Demba leaving.

 

“We have to move forward. With Demba we had him for 18 months and he scored 29 league goals.

 

“He went out of the cub his way, and we have replaced him.”

 

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Derek Llambias: Premier League is our main focus

 

NEWCASTLE UNITED managing director Derek Llambias today insisted the Magpies must keep their eye on the prize this season when it comes to maintaining Premier League status.

 

Llambias admitted today that Newcastle “made a mistake” last summer, but also insisted that the future of United was in safe hands with a long-term blueprint of bringing value-for-money signings to St James’ Park to work with a stable backroom team.

 

The United chief was open and honest in his assessment of the campaign so far – but with top flight clubs set for a windfall up to £70million next season due to the new worldwide Premier League TV rights, there is only one place to be for the Magpies.

 

And while that may come at a cost for winning cups in the short-term, Llambias says that United HAD to act in the January transfer window – or face dire consequence that could have put the club back three or four years.

 

Indeed, that was the reason why Newcastle splashed out on SIX new signings in January as they look to cement their Premier League future.

 

Llambias – speaking at the club’s launch of a new six-game ticket package – told the Chronicle: “If we are relegated we’ll have put ourselves back three or four years.

 

“That’s not what the fans want. Do they want to go to Barnsley again?

 

“No, so we have to concentrate the Premier League.”

 

Newcastle will soon be facing a last 32 Europa League clash with Metalist Kharkiv following Saturday’s trip to Tottenham.

 

And while the Toon MD did not rule out pushing on in the competition, he said the Premier League must remain the priority – with Alan Pardew’s side actually regarded ahead of schedule last season with a top-five finish.

 

He said: “We can’t jeopardise our position. It’s like Europe, we weren’t prepared for Europe so soon.

 

“It is a very difficult competition for us.

 

“Even now we have to concentrate on the Premier League. In reality, this year we aren’t as ready for it as we’d like to be.

 

“Our priority is the league.”

 

But with new faces like Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran, Mathieu Debuchy and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa hoping to dovetail with Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa, Llambias expects more focus on both the domestic cup competitions next season.

 

When answering one of the fans’ most asked questions from the Chronicle’s Big Toon Survey, Llambias said: “Next year we will have more depth and we will have a better foundation.

 

“Then we can go for everything, then it’s different.

 

“Once this squad gels, this squad is capable of achieving great things in a very difficult league.

 

“If we have this squad and we can add the depth to it, we can give a run to anybody. I really think that.

 

“But do I think we’re really ready to be in Europe?

 

“Talking as somebody who runs this part of the business, we just haven’t got enough depth yet.

 

“The Premier League is where we have to be. Let’s concentrate on that. That’s what we have to build on.

 

“We are building.”

 

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[Unbelievable]

Fair play

[Rich]

Llambias backs potential Europa League revamp

 

NEWCASTLE UNITED managing director Derek Llambias has given the thumbs up to a potential revamp of the Europa League.

 

In seasons gone by, qualification for UEFA’s secondary competition has resulted in havoc for clubs like Stoke City and Everton, who have suffered due to the long-winded format of the old UEFA Cup.

 

Now, as winter injuries hit hard amid a congested Continental and domestic schedule, Newcastle have endured a similar fate – which resulted in the Magpies accelerating their transfer plans last month in order to fend off relegation.

 

Yet change could be just around the corner, with UEFA president Michel Platini keen to expand the Champions League to 64 teams – meaning up to seven English clubs may be invited to Europe’s top table.

 

There are hopes the tweaking could take place by 2015 – and, after experiencing a tough run in Europe this season, Llambias told the Chronicle: “They need to change the competition for sure.

 

“The competition has too many games and very little prize money.

 

“Every Premier League club which has been in it has suffered.

 

“Their season suffered dramatically.

 

“You need a lot of depth to your squad to cope.

 

“If you are in the Champions League, then it is different.

 

“You can say that because of prize money.

 

“This gives me so much, I can buy more players because it does not impact on my finances.

 

“The Europa League needs fewer games.

 

“That is really the way I see it.

 

“The competition needs to be shaved down and reshaped.”

 

United are thought to have made around 2million Euros so far – but are only at the last-32 stage.

 

And Llambias added: “The incentives need to be different.

 

“The Champions League is worth around 44.3m if you win it, but the Europa League is 8m if you win it.”

 

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Newcastle fans' support holding firm despite crisis

 

NOT many clubs can boast a whopping 45,000 members during the global economic crisis – but for Newcastle United the unwavering support is still there for all to see.

 

With empty seats the order of the day at several of United’s Premier League counterparts, the passion continues to burn brighter than ever on Tyneside.

 

And with the Magpies picking up the biggest spender tag in January, their new-look team – now packed with France internationals – has captured the imagination of the Geordie public.

 

Managing director Derek Llambias hopes that Newcastle are now delivering a team that matches the support in the stands.

 

That was certainly the case against Chelsea after a last-gasp 3-2 win, and Llambias told the Chronicle: “Our fans love to see players trying hard, and that’s part and parcel of the day out.

 

“People like Gouffran and Perch – they love to see people trying and proud to be wearing a black-and-white shirt.”

 

Llambias also feels that it will be the Geordie fans who will help the Magpies secure survival this season – not least in six crunch home games against Southampton, Stoke, Liverpool, Fulham, Arsenal and the auld enemy, Sunderland.

 

He said: “There will be tough games ahead of us. But when this stadium is like a fortress, anything’s possible. That’s good.

 

“The idea behind the package is ‘let’s fill the stadium. We’ve got six games left – let’s fill it’.

 

“We need even more of our fans to get on board. That’s really what this is about – get here, enjoy it, help the team, and come and see we are building for the future.

 

“You’ll see six games now but then perhaps you might want to come to more games in the future or become a season ticket holder.”

 

The Magpies could see more than 300,000 fans pour through the turnstiles on Tyneside before the end of the season.

 

And while other clubs have seen a crippling decline in support, Newcastle fans have turned out in their numbers.

 

Llambias said: “We have 45,000 members. Hopefully it helps bring more people to the stadium for our remaining games, plus they get to see the Sunderland game and get that experience.

 

“Fundamentally it’s about filling the stadium and getting the crowd behind the team.

 

“And then hopefully having a few more experiences like that Chelsea match in the last six games.

 

“Sunderland, Arsenal and Liverpool are big games, but Southampton is just as huge.

 

“We haven’t got a great record after we’ve played a midweek Europa League game so it’s massive.

 

“We will constantly try to make it an experience for our fans. That’s what we are trying to do.”

 

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NUFC ticket deal aims to make St James' a cauldron

 

NEWCASTLE United managing director Derek Llambias believes that the roaring cauldron of noise that is St James’ Park is enough to put any team off their game.

 

And that the Toon Army are the key to ensuring the Magpies fend off the threat of relegation this season.

 

United have 27 precious points in the bag, but with 18 more to play for on home soil, the Toon’s MD knows that “intimidating” Fortress SJP will be vital in their fight to ensure survival – and perhaps kick on to a top-10 finish.

 

Clashes with Southampton, Stoke and Fulham are the games that are likely to push the black-and-whites towards their minimum target of the magic 40 mark, but with Liverpool, Arsenal and then the big one against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby to come, United have made steps to ensure that the Geordie fans are crammed in to squeeze the living daylights out of the opposition.

 

That’s what happened against Chelsea when poor Petr Cech said afterwards: “I have never heard noise like it in my life when Newcastle scored, this place is unbelievable.”

 

Fans will be able to buy a six-game package from as little as £110 for adults and £55 for juniors – and that includes free entry to the Tyne-Wear derby in April.

 

And looking ahead to the run-in, Llambias told the Chronicle today: “This isn’t about finance.

 

“We’ve already got three sell-outs in that six-game deal.

 

“It is about filling the stadium.

 

“We benefit as a club and a team as it becomes a fortress here.

 

“That’s the whole idea. If we can generate an atmosphere like Chelsea every home game then this is a tough place to come.

 

“We talked to different people who aren’t connected to us.

 

“We talk to agents of different players and they say they don’t like coming here. It is intimidating.

 

“That’s what we need every week.

 

“If we can do that, we’ll find ourselves in the right space.”

 

Newcastle are trying to ensure that future generations get a real taste of the passion on offer at St James’, and while clubs like Arsenal have courted negative publicity this year for ticket prices set at £62 in their away sections, Llambias said: “What we’re trying to do is have a full stadium and this is a great opportunity to fill all parts of it.

 

“When this stadium is buzzing and behind the team and manager you can’t beat it.”

 

Indeed, new French international Moussa Sissoko was still in “shock” after scoring the winner against Chelsea during the game’s post-game meet-up with fans.

 

Llambias said: “Sissoko came up after the Chelsea game and met some corporate guests and he said, ‘When I scored the second goal I was shocked by the reaction, by the noise!’ It’s amazing the effect the crowd has here on what happens on the pitch.

 

“When this stadium is full it generates that incredible atmosphere.

 

“It’s also affordable. There are a lot of our fans who can’t afford to come to football. How do we make it affordable? Or at least attainable?

 

“That’s what we’re trying to do with this ticket package.

 

“This deal gives you five games plus Sunderland free.

 

“It is unheard of really. We just want to guarantee that it is affordable for fans and that we get the stadium full for every fixture if we can.

 

“It is the same as the 10 and nine-year packages we introduced, it’s about making football affordable, building and getting people on board.

 

“We want kids and families here.

 

“We’ve got the biggest family area in the Premier League.

 

“It’s sold out.”

 

The Six Game Package kicks off with Newcastle United’s next home league game against Southampton on Sunday, February 24 and includes the rest of the run-in with prices from £110 for adults and £55 for juniors.

 

Supporters wishing to purchase a Six Game Package and secure their seat for every second of action at Newcastle United’s home Barclays Premier League run-in can do so by calling the box office on 0844 372 1892, visiting www.nufc.co.uk/ ticketoffer or in person at the stadium store Box Office.

 

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