The Football League Thread

Yeah I agree with that, I'm not sure I believe all that crap he came out with yesterday, trick to get ST renewals me thinks.

 

Financially, spending just enough to stay safe in the middle of the EPL is a sound plan. The trouble is that it is very easy to be overtaken by other clubs who are trying that bit harder.

 

Isn't that de rigueur for all Real Madrid managers, whether they've won anything or not..?

 

I wouldn't mind sneaking Moussa Sissoko off them. He's a damn sight better than Newcastle have a right to given their lack of ambition.

 

I think it is brilliant. The guy is a utter twat.

 

Why is that?

 

The way he acts. How he comes across in interviews. He comes across as a aggressive big head. He has no respect for other managers either.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...gh-no-respect-Ronald-Koeman-left-furious.html

Koeman also dislikes him.

 

When we played them at Bramall Lane, his, and his staff's touchline antics were frankly appalling. It wasn't passion, it was just disrespectful, aggressive and unsportsmanlike. Have to say that I did smile when I saw that he was sacked.

 

Oh crikey, I can't get too worked up about that.

 

Neither can I. Just saying Clough getting sacked is a good thing for me.

 

OK, it bothers me even less, I suppose.

 

I think he means it. He is a very successful businessman with a tremendous track record on knowing when to buy and when to sell.... Anything.

He knows the best time to sell Newcastle is at a point of some success.

 

Yeah I think he'll invest as I said above he does when he needs to, just don't believe the whole 'wont sell until a trophy or CL place'.

If he is seriously gonna go for it then it's bad news for us.

 

I know what you mean, but it's only bad news for us if he gets the right manager, signs the right players and then gets them all to click and fit together from the off...
That's a tough ask.

Can't think of anyone who could do that

 

Indeed, he's very successful. However, he does come across as a bit soulless though, don't you think..? He openly talks about selling the club [or not selling it at any price] when the time and price is right. I don't think an owner gets supporters onside when he views it all in such value terms. It's all a bit like a ticking clock and waiting for the right time. There's no enthusiasm that I can see in the club as a football club.

 

That's a little harsh for me. You're not being swayed by the media and the general collective opinion of the man at you TSS? This weekend was the first time I've heard him interviewed. My mate who is a Toon fan said this weekend was the first time he'd heard him speak publicly and he is like I am with saints news, but with Newcastle; listen to everything I can.

Not sure what the enthusiasm comment is aimed at? Ashley or the fans?

The fans are hugely enthusiastic for the club (but not for Ashely) and Ashley attends a hell of a lot of games, for someone who is not enthusiastic about it.

My take in their situation, without knowing too much, is that he gets a lot of undue flack. He runs the club financially prudently and like about 15 other premier league clubs, he just hasn't won anything.

 

Why? We are who we are....why should we fear one club more than another? We've had investment as well and done a darn sight better than Newcastle.

 

Yes, of course my impression of Ashley is a media sourced one. Not only from the sports side, but also a bit from the business side. Perhaps I've received the wrong impression. You also have to factor in my threshold of boredom on the subject though FLT. Therefore I'm quite happy to have my opinion corrected as I know its on unsteady ground.
There is one thing. If he was the owner of say WBA or Hull or some club where they're just happy to be there, I don't think there would be any criticism at all. But he chose to be the owner of Newcastle United. A club and supporters which, rightly or wrongly, believes that it should be bucking for Champions League, or Europa at the very worst, every season. Again, rightly or wrongly, they expect better than Ashley running the company financially prudently. Perhaps he's a very good model that many clubs would do well to imitate.

 

Watford manager has gone. 5 managers in a season and got promoted, pretty impressive

 

I absolutely agree with that bit, I really do. His end motivation may well be just to make a good buck from the club, but for now he has invested a lot of his money and made them a steady ship. He has got some things wrong clearly *cough* Joe Kinnear *cough* but he has also got a few things right too.