Let Banter Commence!
HELLO, and welcome to my first post!
I'm looking forward to an exciting season following the Toon, so please forgive my youthful exuberance.
You never know, it might just be contagious if King Kev gets his own way...
Kevin Keegan's meeting with Mr Ashley and Mr Llambias today is crucial for the rest of our season.
Tying up new deals for Owen and Milner are obvious priorities, but by Kev's own admission, if we don't see more new faces it's going to be a tough few months with a squad that needs to be improved.
Coupled with the usual poor luck on the injury front so early in the season, I don't like to dwell on the thought too long...
Refreshingly though, the football I've seen so far has given me a real boost, and I'm sure it has for many of you too.
Many will still feel numbed from some of the 'football' we were subjected to last season, but early signs for this term are positive.
I hope the likes of new boys Gutierrez and Coloccini, as well as current favourites and any signings still to come will start to get Geordie pulses racing again (in a strictly football sense).
Before we sign anybody else though, I suggest an easy and effective process for Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez:
1 - Buy a copy of 'Football Manager'...
2 - Have a look through your prospective new player's personal stats...
3 - Pay particular attention to 'Injury Proneness'...
4 - Make an informed decision on that basis...
Sorted.
Please fell free to comment/discuss/criticise/heap praise upon my posts - this is a 'banter' site after all...
Thanks
UPDATE - The secret of a compelling drama is... timing.
And in the case of the compelling drama that is Newcastle United, the timing is once again impeccable; within about 10 minutes of submitting my first post for Newcastle Banter, we all learned that James Milner has handed in a transfer request...
I personally think we should avoid selling Milner at all costs, simply because it may be too late to get a replacement. Then again, do we want a player who isn't fully committed to the club?
From his performance against Coventry, I'd say he's a player we can't do without, but maybe we have the presence of Martin O'Neill in the stands at the Ricoh Arena last night to thank for his impressive display...
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From what ive been reading Milner actually handed in the request last Wednesday and this was agreed to be kept quiet by the club until the meeting last night, if this is the case the club have stabbed James Milner in the back!
His pay doesnt match that of Steven Taylor apparently and surely he deserves that, fair play to the lad, if we wont give him that go somewhere that will!
he has been treated badly by the club since he joined, this is just the latest incident, and now the southern press have more ammo to throw at poor KK, what on earth is going on at this club??
I just hope we actually here something about this meeting last night (for a change!)
I agree Andrew; with Kev being so outspoken on wanting to keep a player like Milner, this whole situation seems to have left the ball in Ashley/Llambias' court, and the lad has become sick of being messed around. He deserves a similar deal to Taylor and did everything above board.
With regards to yesterday's meeting - I think some fans may be sick of being messed around too, and it would be nice to see things out in the open. I'm sure everything will become clear by the end of the window!
Great post Paul, but realistically do you see us signing anyone before the transfer window? We looked quite depleted on Tuesday, and it's not like we're playing Arsenal away at the weekend or anything...(oh wait!)
I thoroughly agree with your comment that the football has given you a boost, it seems actually entertaining to watch them rather than a huge drag (think Man U 1-1 as opposed to Man U 6-0).
Thanks Lee. It's looking less and less likely isn't it! I hope our small squad can keep putting in improved performances from last year - it's very early days though and it's consistency that's going to be our problem, especially without new faces.
If James Milner considers he deserves more money because he has reached a higher status level does he not think NUFC are entitled to a rebate for games in which his status did not reach the level expected by NUFC and the fans.
as much as milner is a good player and i wouldn't like to see him go, he just got a wage increase last year and he's on 30 grand a week!! how much money do these fellows want?!
If James Milner is allowed to leave then this will be a massive blow to the club. It will undermine KK and could leave him in a position where he finds his situation at the club untenable. If that happens then KK will walk. The contract situation involving both Milner & Owen needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency. Mike Ashley is a hard nosed businessman and wont be held to ransom by anyone. But he must get this right, or he may get a shock at his welcome on Saturday evening at the Emirates if he decides to sit with the fans as usual.
Why are we even considering selling Milner to one of our rivals? Villa are the type of club we are going to be competing with if were realstic. Them and Man City, with Spurs are all investing heavily while were penny pinching! Can Mike Ashley honestly see us finishing anywhere other thasn bottom half the were going? Don't deserve to finish anywhere else! Wish i could get my cash back now for my ticket for the next 3 years! Spend money or sod off Ashley!
Why are we even considering selling Milner to one of our rivals? Villa are the type of club we are going to be competing with if were realstic. Them and Man City, with Spurs are all investing heavily while were penny pinching! Can Mike Ashley honestly see us finishing anywhere other thasn bottom half the way were going? Don't deserve to finish anywhere else! Wish i could get my cash back now for my ticket for the next 3 years! Spend money or sod off Ashley!
I gave up my season ticket this year after 20years. Its not often i am right (according to wor lass) but hey i think i maybe this time. Mike Ashley the silent assasin. His henchmen Wise etc etc. This club is still the laughing stock of the premiership. Poor Kev guess he will be away shortly What a disgrace such a good start to the season as well, Writng was on the cards when Ashley complained about buying suits for the players and mobile phone bills and wanting the wage bill down.There is no way hw will buy new players before Monday especially not a WOW signing. Still love the TOON but not the people who run it. At least Sheperd put his wallet out and gave us some excitment . BYE BYE Ashley and take the Cockneys with you
It seems to me that nothing about keeping your best players doesnt matter anymore at this club its the same year in year out we always sell are best players and james milner deffinately fit into that,once again well done the newcastle united board,we will never get back up with the big boys,so it wouldnt suprise me if keegan walks,and if they put wise in as manager,i will be another that walks after nearly 40 years of this nothing changes, he says(ashley) i am a billionaire. Well if you are you are you are going to have to spend big or we will always be a bottom six club instead of top six,we have 4days of the transfer window left where are these said players if they dont come its another season of dissapointment again.Come on mr.ashley put your money where your mouth is you say you have fell in love with this club well put it back on the map!!!!!!!!!!!!!!