NG32 Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 35 points leaves us in 11th but that seems an unlikely finishing position for a side once again drifting aimlessly towards the close season - Carver seemingly no more in control of the dressing room than Pardew was at this point in 2014. While our feet were firmly up by now last season with a 43 point haul and an eventual tenth place finish, things aren't quite as clever this time round though. With two major parts of the "spine" now suspended due to their own indiscipline it would be a brave Mag who predicts where our next point, goal or clean sheet is coming from. It appears as if the team have listened to fan concerns that our season was petering out into mid-table obscurity by ensuring that we become embroiled in events towards the trapdoor. Next weekend could prove to be very uncomfortable indeed for Toon followers: a threadbare United XI facing an Arsenal side who are second in the form table, in the habit of winning on Tyneside and now with no European commitments to distract them. Add in the prospect of the mackems going to West Ham in the teatime game with a boost from a new manager, and facing a Hammers side winless in seven and in worse form than us. As a side order, serve up an away win for Palace at Stoke on the same day that would elevate Pardew's current mob above us - assuming we fall to Wenger's lot as expected. Carver's comments about the fans today neatly sum things up: "They understand the situation, they understand where we are and what we are". Yes: managerless, in decline, a former football club. Solcial media comments. Dont count. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest antz1uk Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 that's very unlike .com to have such a dig, usually they get sores on their arse off sitting on the fence. great write up mind, nail on head can't find that quote on the .com site anywehre, anyone have a link? i'd like to tweet it to a couple of local journos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collage Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 35 points leaves us in 11th but that seems an unlikely finishing position for a side once again drifting aimlessly towards the close season - Carver seemingly no more in control of the dressing room than Pardew was at this point in 2014. While our feet were firmly up by now last season with a 43 point haul and an eventual tenth place finish, things aren't quite as clever this time round though. With two major parts of the "spine" now suspended due to their own indiscipline it would be a brave Mag who predicts where our next point, goal or clean sheet is coming from. It appears as if the team have listened to fan concerns that our season was petering out into mid-table obscurity by ensuring that we become embroiled in events towards the trapdoor. Next weekend could prove to be very uncomfortable indeed for Toon followers: a threadbare United XI facing an Arsenal side who are second in the form table, in the habit of winning on Tyneside and now with no European commitments to distract them. Add in the prospect of the mackems going to West Ham in the teatime game with a boost from a new manager, and facing a Hammers side winless in seven and in worse form than us. As a side order, serve up an away win for Palace at Stoke on the same day that would elevate Pardew's current mob above us - assuming we fall to Wenger's lot as expected. Carver's comments about the fans today neatly sum things up: "They understand the situation, they understand where we are and what we are". Yes: managerless, in decline, a former football club. Very good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collage Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 that's very unlike .com to have such a dig, usually they get sores on their arse off sitting on the fence. great write up mind, nail on head can't find that quote on the .com site anywehre, anyone have a link? i'd like to tweet it to a couple of local journos It's in the Everton match report: http://www.nufc.com/2014-15html/2015-03-15everton-a.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Former Football Club, perfectly put Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest antz1uk Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 that's very unlike .com to have such a dig, usually they get sores on their arse off sitting on the fence. great write up mind, nail on head can't find that quote on the .com site anywehre, anyone have a link? i'd like to tweet it to a couple of local journos It's in the Everton match report: http://www.nufc.com/2014-15html/2015-03-15everton-a.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 http://i.imgur.com/XgAxi5d.png http://ebm.enews.nufcdirect.com/c/tag/hBVDB1NB8w7f5B9AF22AALezqRf/doc.html sigh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loki679 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Best get in there, Stifler lad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_NUFC Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 That... font. This can't be real. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 That... font. This can't be real. It is, believe... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JS Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 It's disgusting but not the least bit surprising - by the result of intent or ineptitude - that this football club (Nah, fuck it, .com got it spot on with former football club) has sank to the depths it has, even now in 2015. McClaren actually being linked and discussed as an upgrade? Being chronically short of defensive cover (and any proper defenders barring Janmaat) for years running (It wouldn't even be unfair to say this extends to the whole first team). The cloak and dagger approach and attitude to the support base as a whole. Transfers (the whole lot). Finances. Appointments (I'm tempted to say all of them at this point, too). Don't even get me started on the ShiteDirect and Wonga graffiti associated with the stadium and, most probably, the training complex that's in the pipeline. All this before you even lift the lid on the shady club shop operation, the attitude towards cups/european competitions and the cringeworthy ideas and events (School disco party sticks in my mind, that stupid fucking screen also). They're just some of the ingredients that turns a sporting institution into a running joke and an unfolding disaster, and, unbelievably, it goes so much deeper than that. What boggles my mind still is that there are a considerable number of people out there willing to not just put their own money into this (everybody has their own reasons, some of which can be understandable), but to actively defend it and even justify it? It's mind-blowing on so many levels that people who claim to support the club do so in such a blind and unquestionable fashion, to the point where it's turned slightly hostile (the Sack Pardew campaign last year in the stands sticks in my mind). Why do people put themselves out to be inevitably used, with such a low return of entertainment and enjoyment out of this? By accident or design Ashleys approach still seems to work - water down the expectations, spin the truth, justify the lies, and when the right opportunity arises tell everybody what they want to hear to bring them back to the table and do the absolute bare minimum. Two steps backwards and one step forward every damn season is, whichever way you want to look at it, still heading backwards. In our current situation, replacing John fucking Carver with an actual football manager / coach and making noises about clearing out the squad (Sorry, getting dat profit) is seemingly that one solitary step forward that some will be persuaded to believe is real progress and this fat bastard "learning from his mistakes". Madness. I've heard some absolute corkers along the way, too - "Don't wanna end up like Leeds / Portsmouth". "We're in the prem you know, could be worse". "We were shit in the past too, so this isn't so bad compared to back then". "The players need our support / I support the team not the regime". "At least Carver knows the club/players/area, it could be worse". This prick of an owner got rich one way or another in the business world, and it certainly hasn't been via the ethical and understanding route. We're probably going to post our biggest profit since he took over and he can still sit in the stands laughing and look towards a near full house to a team in mid table with scant worry. Unreal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 It's disgusting but not the least bit surprising - by the result of intent or ineptitude - that this football club (Nah, f*** it, .com got it spot on with former football club) has sank to the depths it has, even now in 2015. McClaren actually being linked and discussed as an upgrade? Being chronically short of defensive cover (and any proper defenders barring Janmaat) for years running (It wouldn't even be unfair to say this extends to the whole first team). The cloak and dagger approach and attitude to the support base as a whole. Transfers (the whole lot). Finances. Appointments (I'm tempted to say all of them at this point, too). Don't even get me started on the ShiteDirect and Wonga graffiti associated with the stadium and, most probably, the training complex that's in the pipeline. All this before you even lift the lid on the shady club shop operation, the attitude towards cups/european competitions and the cringeworthy ideas and events (School disco party sticks in my mind, that stupid f***ing screen also). They're just some of the ingredients that turns a sporting institution into a running joke and an unfolding disaster, and, unbelievably, it goes so much deeper than that. What boggles my mind still is that there are a considerable number of people out there willing to not just put their own money into this (everybody has their own reasons, some of which can be understandable), but to actively defend it and even justify it? It's mind-blowing on so many levels that people who claim to support the club do so in such a blind and unquestionable fashion, to the point where it's turned slightly hostile (the Sack Pardew campaign last year in the stands sticks in my mind). Why do people put themselves out to be inevitably used, with such a low return of entertainment and enjoyment out of this? By accident or design Ashleys approach still seems to work - water down the expectations, spin the truth, justify the lies, and when the right opportunity arises tell everybody what they want to hear to bring them back to the table and do the absolute bare minimum. Two steps backwards and one step forward every damn season is, whichever way you want to look at it, still heading backwards. In our current situation, replacing John f***ing Carver with an actual football manager / coach and making noises about clearing out the squad (Sorry, getting dat profit) is seemingly that one solitary step forward that some will be persuaded to believe is real progress and this fat b****** "learning from his mistakes". Madness. I've heard some absolute corkers along the way, too - "Don't wanna end up like Leeds / Portsmouth". "We're in the prem you know, could be worse". "We were s*** in the past too, so this isn't so bad compared to back then". "The players need our support / I support the team not the regime". "At least Carver knows the club/players/area, it could be worse". This prick of an owner got rich one way or another in the business world, and it certainly hasn't been via the ethical and understanding route. We're probably going to post our biggest profit since he took over and he can still sit in the stands laughing and look towards a near full house to a team in mid table with scant worry. Unreal. Big profits, rotten product. Sports Direct - method. Not interested in building a powerful brand, buy cheap, sell high. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colos Short and Curlies Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I wonder if releasing a big profit number might actually work against MA? I know we have a lot of zombie sheep in SJP at the moment, but surely most people will finally put 2 and 2 together when a £60m profit plus £20m of player sales (assuming 2 of Janmaat, Sissoko, Perez, Cabella, Krul leave) should result in us not scrambling around the bargain basement of players this summer. Or is this the slippiest and smallest of straws I'm clutching at? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest axel Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 If people still haven't figured it out, they never will. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I wonder if releasing a big profit number might actually work against MA? I know we have a lot of zombie sheep in SJP at the moment, but surely most people will finally put 2 and 2 together when a £60m profit plus £20m of player sales (assuming 2 of Janmaat, Sissoko, Perez, Cabella, Krul leave) should result in us not scrambling around the bargain basement of players this summer. Or is this the slippiest and smallest of straws I'm clutching at? I wouldn't mind if the bargain basement was where we had to pick players up from, I mind when we only spend money on players in the knoweldge that we will sell them a season or two after for a profit. There is absolutely no vision for building a team, I dont know how people can actually put up with it and attend games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I think it goes beyond finance now really, people are just 'happy' with a much lower level of ambition and a much poorer squad. I suffer from it to, I would be blown away by about 4 decent signings, no matter what the value. My expectations for our dealings are so low now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdckelly Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I really don't give a shit about whats spent on the players if a) they're good enough b) the squad is fit for purpose. A has recently more often than not fine b has never been up to par. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interpolic Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 It's the constant posturing with other clubs over a few quid then deciding to go without that pisses me off the most. The club's such a waste of time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cp40 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 If people still haven't figured it out, they never will. they simply hide from the truth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 If people still haven't figured it out, they never will. they simply hide from the truth. It's difficult for football fans TBF, they're not like any other type of consumer. We're programmed to stick with our club through good times and bad, and that's how a lot of people see it. And we're used to changing our expectations based on what happened in the recent past. Obviously in this case we've stopped trying, that's what has done me in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I really don't give a s*** about whats spent on the players if a) they're good enough b) the squad is fit for purpose. A has recently more often than not fine b has never been up to par. Keep buying cheap eventually you'll have a problem with point B. We are essentially trying to "beat the market" with our transfer policy. It's a gamble. And when we need to just buy a player to improve our team we'll buy the cheapest decent option we can find. That's how you end up with Riviere. Cisse has finally returned to form but otherwise we would be relying on Perez to keep us up ffs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToonTastic Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I really don't give a s*** about whats spent on the players if a) they're good enough b) the squad is fit for purpose. A has recently more often than not fine b has never been up to par. Keep buying cheap eventually you'll have a problem with point B. We are essentially trying to "beat the market" with our transfer policy. It's a gamble. And when we need to just buy a player to improve our team we'll buy the cheapest decent option we can find. That's how you end up with Riviere. Cisse has finally returned to form but otherwise we would be relying on Perez to keep us up ffs. For his record Riviera wasn't that cheap. Pretty expensive to be fair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colos Short and Curlies Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I've no real gripe with looking for bargains etc, it should be seen to be a good thing to be able to upgrade or at least replace like for like whilst spending less then you bring in (using the Carroll money on Tiote, Ben Arfa, Cabaye and ultimately Cisse was really good business all round). The problem is that its very difficult to buy to maintain a position. when we bought Cabaye et al I genuinely think we had aspirations to compete (albeit trying to do this through exploiting contracts etc) and could sell that to players who were better than our finishing position of 1th/12th. Now we are trying to buy players to keep us in 8th - 10th and you either (a) overpay for players at that level or (b) take a real gamble on the likes of Perez and Riviere who by rights are at a level lower than 8th - 10th in the premier league (remember Perez came from the Spanish second division and has performed far in excess of expectations) so as a collective will only keep you at your target at best. In reality half + of these will turn out worse than hoped and you then start looking to consolidate 12th - 10th, buy players to do this and end up looking at 14th - 12th etc. Without real ambition its so easy to getting sucked into buying bottom half players and struggling, there's loads of teams in the Premier Leagues history who have slowly but surely dropped 1-2 places a year and then suddenly find themselves in huge trouble. Ashley doesn't see this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG32 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Its all a bout the quick buck and no long term plan. "Fuckin hell we can get that much for him!" No thinking about what said player could be worth in a seasons time when the club improves its league position and can demand even more for its assets. Season to season short termism is the game. How anyone can fund that ia veyond me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts