Dave Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Did write this at the time I think, but met Graham Carr a short while back. Seen some of the NE journalists pushing the angle that he's never seen his influence decline, that is categorically not true. He sounded as if he was just waiting to end his time with the club, said he felt he was unfairly given blame for some of the signings that were then managed poorly (mentioned Ben Arfa as the most telling example, but also Yanga-M'biwa, saying how he was obviously good enough for Lyon but not us). He also said, explicitly, that they'd given most of the control to Rafa and shrugged his shoulders at the signing of Murphy. So, whether or not there has been any change now, control over transfers was undoubtedly shifted to the manager last summer. Interesting, saw you mention it on Twitter. How long ago was this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSkÃrare Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Did write this at the time I think, but met Graham Carr a short while back. Seen some of the NE journalists pushing the angle that he's never seen his influence decline, that is categorically not true. He sounded as if he was just waiting to end his time with the club, said he felt he was unfairly given blame for some of the signings that were then managed poorly (mentioned Ben Arfa as the most telling example, but also Yanga-M'biwa, saying how he was obviously good enough for Lyon but not us). He also said, explicitly, that they'd given most of the control to Rafa and shrugged his shoulders at the signing of Murphy. So, whether or not there has been any change now, control over transfers was undoubtedly shifted to the manager last summer. Interesting, saw you mention it on Twitter. How long ago was this? Late September or early October. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 I just have a feeling something has changed. Not convinced by Rafa's replies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mighty__mag Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 The fact Graham Carr stayed on here said it all. He would never really have been needed after (A) Recommending Steve McClaren the manager that took us down. And (B) making all the recommended signings that had their part in the relegation. If Rafa was ever going to have total control on all transfers and club recruitment, Carr would not be here. The manager should be able to sack who he likes after a relegation and overhaul necessary. Carr seems to be protected otherwise Rafa would have enlisted his own scouting people? Somethings a miss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Carr's got a contract lasting another few years, man. That's hopefully the only reason the utter waste of space is still here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pons Alias Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Carr is a hugely negative influence - a failed coach, with an ego problem. If you read his son's autobiography, he does not come across well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Not to mention the fact that Kaka likes him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Carr is a hugely negative influence - a failed coach, with an ego problem. If you read his son's autobiography, he does not come across well. Why on Earth would you want to read Alan Carr's autobiography I do not know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKa Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Carr is a hugely negative influence - a failed coach, with an ego problem. If you read his son's autobiography, he does not come across well. What the heck?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaKa Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Not to mention the fact that Kaka likes him. This guy I just find it hard to be as critical of him as others, considering we were owned by Mike Ashley and managed by Alan Pardew while he was tasked with providing good players. One severely restricting his options right off the bat, and the other knowing nothing about the players being provided. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Crooks Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Doesn't really look like there's a problem at press. You're daft to dismiss it entirely though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Carr is a hugely negative influence - a failed coach, with an ego problem. If you read his son's autobiography, he does not come across well. This. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collage Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 As long as Mike Ashley is here, concern is a natural part of being a Newcastle United supporter. Come to think of it, it was before as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Toon Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 One major thing will spring into light if Ashley has started to dip his sausage fingers in and it's something that those with their heads buried in the sand need to start questioning. Something that will prove once and for all that Ashley's was never here as any sort of club saviour or some ambitious type but that he is solely here to better his bank balance. Having Rafa here may increase the look from the outside of a club that is prospering but at a cost of it hitting the hidden loot that is being syphoned towards other 'projects'. Things like the club merchandise for a start. From having nigh on ten years of Ashley moulding the staff into how he wants things done to now having someone that has cleared a bit of the mess created but with the nous to have ambitions of where he sees the club in the next few years no doubt. The recent paper talk may be something, it may be nothing and the body language experts on the net saying that there seems to be no issue in press conferences but even a blind man can see that problems lie ahead, if they haven't already. Like Kevin Keegan and many before him though, Rafa has had a taste of the bubble of Tyneside and the visions that glory could bring and because of this I wouldn't rule out potential takeovers and consortiums in the months/years ahead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pons Alias Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Ashley was always about money - the club was bought as an SD PR tool. (JH admitted as such.) He's too big a fool to realise that letting things go well, rather than exercising his control muscles, would be better for all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Toon Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Ashley was always about money - the club was bought as an SD PR tool. (JH admitted as such.) He's too big a fool to realise that letting things go well, rather than exercising his control muscles, would be better for all. In theory he has had all his Christmases come at once it would seem but at what secret financial cost? Apart from upset the apple cart through some sort of deluded spite trip or be mentally ill in some way, i cant for the life of me see what issues he could see. Obviously we'll find out by the end of this year or whenever we get promoted if there really is any change. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallace Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I do think that if Ashley meddles enough to make Rafa walk then he will destroy the club and I don't think he will recover this time. He must see what a gift Rafa has been to him. No flak towards him or the board for relegation, record attendances in the Championship, a bond being created with the city and the people. The profile of the club increasingly positive and more likely to attract better investment (if desired). If he destroys that, then he deserves everything that comes his way. Is he that stupid? He certainly seems arrogant enough. Like with Sports Direct, he pays lip service to the feedback and then carries on as before despite all the evidence to prove it is not working. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Don't see anything concerning in Rafas comments tbh. There's nothing there at all, this whole fuss is because a tabloid ran a story based on basically fuck all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-421 Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Don't see anything concerning in Rafas comments tbh. There's nothing there at all, this whole fuss is because a tabloid ran a story based on basically f*** all. Aye, and whilst I agree there's (probably/hopefully) very little in that story at the weekend that actually changes the day-to-day running of the club and/or Rafa's influence, its strange that it was run by the clubs supposed 'media partner'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Toon Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Don't see anything concerning in Rafas comments tbh. There's nothing there at all, this whole fuss is because a tabloid ran a story based on basically f*** all. Difficult as it may seem, there was a major message sent out by Rafa in that conference. In no way did he overstep the mark or be obvious in his words but it was there. He didn't need to explain the role that he supposedly has but he did and he didn't need to explain how an owner should let managers get on with their jobs and you guessed it, but he did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Don't see anything concerning in Rafas comments tbh. There's nothing there at all, this whole fuss is because a tabloid ran a story based on basically f*** all. Aye, and whilst I agree there's (probably/hopefully) very little in that story at the weekend that actually changes the day-to-day running of the club and/or Rafa's influence, its strange that it was run by the clubs supposed 'media partner'. Depends how much you want to read into it. At this point in time I can't be arsed about it. Even without a Mirror story I already mentally prepared myself for a fall out once we are up as there'll come a point where Rafa won't be happy to toodle along mid-table in the premier league and he'll want to start going for trophies. Whether that happens next season or a year down the line is the only question, but I'll worry about that when the time comes. Who knows, maybe Ashley will feel Rafa is a manager worth bankrolling. You would imagine that's why he appointed him at the end of the day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chopey Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I wish Pardew was back in work because I dont think it will be long before the photos emerge of him rolling out of the casino with Ashley and Lambshite Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToonTastic Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Don't see anything concerning in Rafas comments tbh. There's nothing there at all, this whole fuss is because a tabloid ran a story based on basically f*** all. Plus the track record of Mike Ashley. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chopey Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Rafa does seem to be focused on getting us promoted and then look again in the summer at his future here, the fact that he never speaks to Ashley is a bit concerning for me, its much easier to cut ties with someone if you have no personal relationship with them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest reefatoon Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 We need something dodgy to come out involving Sports Direct again, that seemed to take his shite meddling away and focus on that instead of us. It seems to have calmed down a little over there, so he is back here interfering again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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