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Lee Charnley

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http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/columnists/scottwilson/scottwilson/11742670._/?ref=mac

 

Wilson's World: The Communist Manifesto - or at least Newcastle United's version of it

 

STAGE MANAGED: Managing director Lee Charnley delivered a message this week that was reminiscent of those produced by communist regimes in the past

 

READING Lee Charnley’s message to the Geordie nation earlier this week, it was tempting to conjure up images of a communist apparatchik dutifully relaying a pre-agreed diktat on behalf of the supreme leader.

 

‘We know you’re not very happy with the way things are going, but we’ve got a five-year plan and we’re sticking to it. And, anyway, you’re just simple members of the proletariat, why on earth should we listen to you?’

 

‘I know some of you look at other, more decadent, regimes and wonder why we aren’t spending lavishly like they are? Well, we’re all about self-sufficiency here, and never mind that our ruling elite enjoy wealth beyond your comprehension’.

 

‘Yes, there was a rather unfortunate defection last month. But rest assured, it won’t happen again. Our next choice of head of state will definitely be toeing the line. We don’t much like dissent here, especially when it’s directed at the workings of the grand plan’.

 

It was all very stilted and stage managed, right down to the method of dissemination, which involved one hand-picked, compliant media organisation rather than a free invitation for discussion, which might have resulted in some open and unwanted debate.

 

All that was missing was the sight of tanks and rocket launchers being paraded down Barrack Road in front of a beaming Mike Ashley. Or maybe Alan Pardew turning up with an ice pick in his head.

 

The era of European dictatorship is clearly not dead, but if the Newcastle hierarchy are going to adopt communist-style methodology, perhaps they’d be advised to look at some of the reasons why the over-arching political doctrine ultimately failed. A few of them might well resonate with the fans who were the intended recipients of Charnley’s message.

 

One of the main reasons why communism collapsed is that it proved a catastrophically inflexible economic and political model. There’s nothing wrong with developing a long-term plan or strategy, but you have to be able to amend it to reflect changes in circumstance or the external environment in which you’re operating.

 

Communist regimes didn’t do that, sticking rigidly to policies that had already been seriously undermined by developing events. Newcastle’s leaders are doing similar, stubbornly refusing to change tack when circumstances dictate a shift in course.

 

Hence, we got Charnley’s pronouncement that there almost certainly wouldn’t be any investment into the playing squad this month because “the January window is not one we ever envisaged being particularly active in”.

 

So no matter that Steven Taylor’s absence until the end of the season means Newcastle will have to manage with just two centre-halves (Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson), both of whom are struggling for form, and a full-back (Paul Dummett) who is capable of deputising in one of the central positions.

 

Never mind that after failing to adequately strengthen their attacking positions in the summer, Newcastle find themselves with Ayoze Perez leading the line by himself with a 17-year-old (Adam Armstrong) who is still to score his first Premier League goal providing the main support. Signing someone this month wasn’t part of the plan, so it won’t be happening.

 

I criticised Sunderland for a lack of long-term planning in last week’s column, but at least their decision to recruit Jermain Defoe exhibits ambition and an acknowledgement of major failings that have become apparent in recent months. The response of the Newcastle hierarchy to a run of two wins from the last 12 matches is to bury their head in the sand and pretend that their cherished model remains infallible.

 

Another reason why communist regimes throughout Europe collapsed is that the populace grew tired of watching others become successful while their own standards of living remained unacceptably low. They knew how much money was washing around the regime’s coffers, yet they saw no tangible improvements because of it.

 

The annual Deloitte Money List was published yesterday and revealed that Newcastle United are the 19th richest club in the world. Their annual revenue, which is calculated for 2013-14, is £129.7m, with only six English clubs raking in more.

 

In the last 12 months, they have received around £20m for Yohan Cabaye and around £12m for Mathieu Debuchy, so why, you might well ask, does that financial strength not transfer across to success on the field?

 

Why is so little money reinvested into the squad in comparison to the likes of Southampton, Everton, West Ham United and even Stoke City, clubs whose annual income falls well short of their own?

 

Why is there such a paucity of ambition, especially in relation to the cup competitions, when other clubs manage to juggle assaults on a variety of fronts despite much more limited resources? If survival is the extent of a club’s ambition, how long will supporters be prepared to tolerate it?

 

Then there is the issue of expansionist ambitions. An accusation often levelled at former communist leaders is that they took their eye off the ball at home because they became fixated on what they could potentially achieve abroad.

 

One of the main disappointments about this week’s interview with Charnley is that he was not pushed further on Ashley’s ongoing interest in Rangers. His only comment on the subject was to refer to a previous statement in September, which stated that Ashley would not be selling Newcastle “at least until the end of next season”.

 

That’s fine, but there are still a host of unresolved questions about Ashley’s investment into Rangers, from the issue of whether UEFA would allow Newcastle and Rangers to take up a European place at the same time given his involvement in both clubs to the debate over which club will take primacy when it comes to making investment decisions.

 

If Ashley is preparing the groundwork for a possible sale in the second half of 2016, does that mean Newcastle will effectively be treading water between now and then? And if he continues to increase his influence at Ibrox, does that mean his input into issues at St James’ Park will decrease accordingly?

 

Some big questions relating to the future of Newcastle United, but sadly an absence of answers. Glasnost, in Communist days, was a policy calling for increased transparency and openness. Whatever his intentions were, Charnley’s attempt to reach out this week fell a fair way short of that.

 

Excellent.

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Jayson

Jayson

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Interesting article in the Telegraph discussing how southampton are set up in comparison to the statement we put out:

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11366206/Gary-Neville-The-era-of-the-gaffer-is-over.html

 

I spoke to Reed about the club’s ‘Black Box’ – a darkened room he compares to the “Bridge of the Starship Enterprise” – and why preparing in advance for the loss of a manager is just as important as planning which players to buy.

 

Reed tells me: “We have a whole department for the recruitment of players, but it struck me some years ago that when a manager leaves, that’s when the club reacts and starts looking for a new one. I think we should be as diligent with that, because of the turnover of managers these days.

 

“Whether they are fired or attracted to another club, as with Mauricio [Pochettino], you have to be as far ahead with potential coaches as potential players. So I’m always tracking managers and coaches. What’s their style of play, how successful are they, what’s their personality like – so you can be ahead of the game

 

& on transfers:

 

So far so good, but with so many clubs making mediocre or outright bad decisions in the transfer market, I ask Reed who calls the shots at St Mary’s. January signings, for example, would involve him, the chief scout, the head of recruitment and, of course, Koeman.

 

“The first stage is – what do we think we need?” Reed starts out. “We audit the squad. Then Ronald might say – we need another winger, or cover at centre-back, or whatever. We then have a discussion about the type of player. The coach can then leave the recruitment department to discuss potential targets, and these would then be set out for Ronald - 'Do they fit, what would be your preferences in order?'" Reed and Koeman then discuss the finance. “My role is getting Ronald what he wants. My job is to support him.

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midds

midds

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Both surprised and delighted with the amount of negative reaction his spunky interview has generated. Seems as if the penny is dropping and awkward questions are being posed as to what's happening at our club. It's gone on for years, we all know, but the hacks seem willing and able to get their teeth into Charnley and Ashley. Good stuff.

 

Fully expect another swathe of negative articles when we announce how much money we've made in the next month or two. People need to join the dots and if they need it shoved in their faces so they can't fail to see it then fair enough. Fuck them all.

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huss9

huss9

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had his face plastered across most of the front page of the chronicle on Wednesday and he hated it. his wife's none to happy either but she's had to accept he gets paid to do whatever Ashley tells him to. they live close to us and are getting nervous about all the attention he's getting.

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Wullie

Wullie

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Both surprised and delighted with the amount of negative reaction his spunky interview has generated. Seems as if the penny is dropping and awkward questions are being posed as to what's happening at our club. It's gone on for years, we all know, but the hacks seem willing and able to get their teeth into Charnley and Ashley. Good stuff.

 

Fully expect another swathe of negative articles when we announce how much money we've made in the next month or two. People need to join the dots and if they need it shoved in their faces so they can't fail to see it then fair enough. Fuck them all.

 

Genuinely think Pards going leaves them out in the open.

 

Course it does, the club needs a revolution and without a patsy who will do absolutely anything for them, it is a whole lot closer to happening than it was before.

 

This is far too complex for some of our fans to understand like. Seen some comments today - "Pards played full team today, told u he was under Ashley's orders!"

 

Really?! Well I never!

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huss9

huss9

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:lol: I can't engage with people about football outside of here particularly our own fans. Charnley not liking the spotlight is great, the more he f***s up the more negative it gets for him and ashley

 

 

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mofo

mofo

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had his face plastered across most of the front page of the chronicle on Wednesday and he hated it. his wife's none to happy either but she's had to accept he gets paid to do whatever Ashley tells him to. they live close to us and are getting nervous about all the attention he's getting.

 

Threaten them both or you're not a true mag.

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Wullie

Wullie

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had his face plastered across most of the front page of the chronicle on Wednesday and he hated it. his wife's none to happy either but she's had to accept he gets paid to do whatever Ashley tells him to. they live close to us and are getting nervous about all the attention he's getting.

 

Found one of their wedding snaps online.

 

faf699f982e734da22dfc18b989cef15.jpg

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