Watching England defeat Spain in the under 21's was a pleasure, but was diluted slightly by one of the Spanish substitutions.
Xisco came in in the second half and his impact was negligible. For a player being paid £50k a week and valued at £6m a year ago by Dennis Wise, he was well out of his depth. The huge difference between his ability and that of ex-Mag Milner and United target Campbell was obvious for all to see.
Based on this performance its not suprising that Xisco is wanting to stay. The Championship is his level, and he would be lucky to get a top flight move back to Spain, so its an easy choice really - take home £2.5m next year in Newcastle and get a few games or move back to Spain, earn £1m and spend most of your time on the bench.
You can't blame the player, but who ever sanctioned the transfer should keep an eye on him and learn that you can't waste money in this way.
Saturday 20 June 2009
What Next?
We were told that buyers would be in place this week, and to expect Shearer to be in place by pre-season training started next week. Well...
It seems that Mike Ashley has written off his investment in NUFC with no sign of any management of the club from a board level. It truly seems to be an empty shell. There seems to be little involvement from anyone either at Little Benton or St James'.
There is a desperate need for someone to start sorting the squad out. Even if it is simply a case of removing the overpaid stars from the club for a business reason, rather than assessing the side from a footballing angle.
The reality is that we cannot afford to keep any of the players on over £50k, so that means someone should be actively looking to move on Enrique, Collicini, Jonas, Duff, Smith, Barton, Nolan, Ameobi, Xisco and Martins. Bassong also doesn't want to be there, but who is going to sign him? Arsenal have their new centre back, so the options of cashing in are now vastly reduced.
Unless something happens this weekend then NUFC are in real trouble of facing a mid-table battle next season.
It seems that Mike Ashley has written off his investment in NUFC with no sign of any management of the club from a board level. It truly seems to be an empty shell. There seems to be little involvement from anyone either at Little Benton or St James'.
There is a desperate need for someone to start sorting the squad out. Even if it is simply a case of removing the overpaid stars from the club for a business reason, rather than assessing the side from a footballing angle.
The reality is that we cannot afford to keep any of the players on over £50k, so that means someone should be actively looking to move on Enrique, Collicini, Jonas, Duff, Smith, Barton, Nolan, Ameobi, Xisco and Martins. Bassong also doesn't want to be there, but who is going to sign him? Arsenal have their new centre back, so the options of cashing in are now vastly reduced.
Unless something happens this weekend then NUFC are in real trouble of facing a mid-table battle next season.
Saturday 6 June 2009
Shaping Up
Its now looking that Shearer will be appointed manager next week on a four year contract. With a contract worth up to £3m a year its a huge investment for a Championship club and totally reliant on us getting straight back up. Again far from the safest route, but it seems like its going to happen, so we have to have faith that it will be money well spent, both from a management point of view, and a new buyers view.
As soon as Shearer allows the ink to dry you would expect the signings to come in. It certainly seems that he has his eye on some early signing.
Chris Gunter - The 19 year old Welsh international is short of first team chances at Spurs and with Harry willing to let him come out on load for a season would offer support in the full back positions. The expectation would be for him to come in and hold down a left back position.
Danny Fox - Originally the most likely to come in, but with Gunter looking a cert then it is suggesting that Shearer either isn't keen on the young Coventry full back, or that he's unsure about securing his signing ahead or Premier interest.
Bradley Orr - The ex-reserves captain (when Shearer led the first team) could be on for a return and his first experience of the big time. Solid at Bristol for recent seasons and with great experience in the division, the rigth full back would be a sensible signing.
Its pretty clear that as with Keegan last season Shearer feels full back is where we lack depth, and with Enrique off, its looking that the idea is to bring in 2/3 full backs and potentially allow Habib Beye to move to the centre of defence to support Steven Taylor.
Jermaine Beckford - The talented Leeds strikerr has proved himself at the lower levels and for around £3m would be a good investment to support Carroll, Ameobi and Ranger next season. Much depends on whether the likes of Burnley are willing to take a punt on him in the top flight.
Beyond that you would expect that Shearer would be looking for some creative presence in midfield. Ideally Nolan, Smith, Duff and Barton will leave, alongside Jonas, which would leave Guthrie, Butt and Taylor in the midfield, so we would certainly expect some strengthening to follow and potentially a season for Lee Bowyer to come back in on a free to add some craft and bite into the team.
Lets just see where we go!
As soon as Shearer allows the ink to dry you would expect the signings to come in. It certainly seems that he has his eye on some early signing.
Chris Gunter - The 19 year old Welsh international is short of first team chances at Spurs and with Harry willing to let him come out on load for a season would offer support in the full back positions. The expectation would be for him to come in and hold down a left back position.
Danny Fox - Originally the most likely to come in, but with Gunter looking a cert then it is suggesting that Shearer either isn't keen on the young Coventry full back, or that he's unsure about securing his signing ahead or Premier interest.
Bradley Orr - The ex-reserves captain (when Shearer led the first team) could be on for a return and his first experience of the big time. Solid at Bristol for recent seasons and with great experience in the division, the rigth full back would be a sensible signing.
Its pretty clear that as with Keegan last season Shearer feels full back is where we lack depth, and with Enrique off, its looking that the idea is to bring in 2/3 full backs and potentially allow Habib Beye to move to the centre of defence to support Steven Taylor.
Jermaine Beckford - The talented Leeds strikerr has proved himself at the lower levels and for around £3m would be a good investment to support Carroll, Ameobi and Ranger next season. Much depends on whether the likes of Burnley are willing to take a punt on him in the top flight.
Beyond that you would expect that Shearer would be looking for some creative presence in midfield. Ideally Nolan, Smith, Duff and Barton will leave, alongside Jonas, which would leave Guthrie, Butt and Taylor in the midfield, so we would certainly expect some strengthening to follow and potentially a season for Lee Bowyer to come back in on a free to add some craft and bite into the team.
Lets just see where we go!
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