The Toon Army Thread

[NUFC Tiger]

So dissecting that...the main points seem to be:

• The domestic cups will again not be taken seriously.
• The club has money but will prove to be stingey as ever.
• Similarly, club won't budge on negotiations. 'Here's our offer, take it or leave it'.
• We won't over promise as they lead to false expectations. ie the club won't make any great efforts to compete with the top teams. Get used to accepting top 10 finishes as criteria for a 'good season'. #no ambition.
• Transfer policy is to target young players with their best years ahead of them...so they can be sold for profit no doubt.
• Despite the obvious holes in the team, we only hope to sign 1-2 players a season. (Cabaye gone, Remy likely gone, Shola gone, De Jong likely gone, Colo wanting out, Ben Arfa out of favour, Gosling contract expiring, Gutierrez gone, Debuchy linked to PSG, Santon linked to Serie A) - there's going to be potentially a lot of holes to fill on top of the existing ones!
• "Important we grow and strengthen our links to the local community" - because the club has done so well with PR and creating communication channels with the fans.
• "We are also committed to our current strategy in relation to communication between the Club and its supporters." - Again, what commuication??? More of the same...
• "There is however still a lot of work to be done to ensure we are maximising every commercial opportunity available to us" - How about all the free sports direct advertising Ashley gets??

 

[scon]

It's a pawn shop.

 

[james Dean]

How would you guys feel about replacing Pardew with Moyes?

Moyes can get the best out of a thin squad as seen at Everton, just couldn't handle managing one of the biggest clubs in the world

 

[NUFC Tiger]

How would you guys feel about replacing Pardew with Moyes?

Moyes can get the best out of a thin squad as seen at Everton, just couldn't handle managing one of the biggest clubs in the world

It's an interesting idea mate - I definitely would have taken Moyes before his tenure at Man Utd.

Would I take him over Pardew is unfortunately a different matter to whether Mike Ashley would want to replace Pardew.

Pardew is really nothing more than a glorified 'yes man'. He's the face of the club and does 99% of the media talking (as the club hierarchy seem to avoid any form of PR like the plague). I think Pardew does an alright job in a difficult situation. He has to stick to the club's song sheet and try and defend the ownership where he can but in doing so, he alienates the fans who are getting fed up with his constant excuses.

I think a lot of fans would respect Pardew if he showed a bit of backbone and stood up to Ashley and co but instead he meekly gets on with managing and trying to defend the club's direction.

Back to Moyes, I think he is a better manager than Pardew (some of Pardew's selections, lineups and tactics just beggar belief). Moyes has a proven record of achieving results with limited resources (something he'd have at Newcastle). Moyes also has the kind of passion Toon fans would embrace (if he can bring the sort of loyalty he had for Everton during his time there). If the club backed him in the transfer market, I'd love it but with the way things are, the club seem content to throw token bids that won't be accepted. It really is being run as a money machine for Ashley and Sports Direct.

The question for Moyes would be is he willing to come in and be part of Ashley's team? If he said yes, I'd have him. A lot of our players have lost their way/gone backwards under Pardew and Moyes might be the kind of manager who can get the best out of them. The squad has talent so with a bit of work, could become quite potent again. Pardew's main security at this stage is that he has a long contract and he stands shoulder to shoulder with the current regime.

There is also some talk of Sherwood if he decides to leave Spurs and even Di Matteo has been thrown around a bit.

I think a lot of us are just disillusioned with the club's direction and maybe a change of manager (while not solving the bigger problem) might help galvanise the team and at least get the players playing with some pride in the shirt they wear. Winning games is an easy way to paper over the cracks and keep the fans happy.

So in summary, yes I'd have him. Would Ashley take him? No idea!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Another disappointing loss (no shock). How are we still 9th!?

 

[Jatz]

I shouldn't laugh at your misfortune but those top two pics are hilarious. Especially that first one!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

I shouldn't laugh at your misfortune but those top two pics are hilarious. Especially that first one!

Haha all good Jatz - even I have to laugh at them. At this rate, your foxes will get a nice 6 points off us next season!

 

[Jatz]

Haha all good Jatz - even I have to laugh at them. At this rate, your foxes will get a nice 6 points off us next season!

I'm quietly hoping we get you late in the season in the hope that you shut up shop months early again

 

[Zidane98]

how many do you reckon you guys will concede on the last day of the season?

 

[james Dean]

how many do you reckon you guys will concede on the last day of the season?

Not enough for Liverpool I'm afraid

 

[NUFC Tiger]

how many do you reckon you guys will concede on the last day of the season?

At the rate we are going, anything under 4-0 goals would be a decent outcome. If the title decider comes down to the final day, I think you guys could easily put 6 past us (especially if we give games to kids and outgoing players).

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Saw this yesterday but didn't get a chance to post it.

So keen for this! The Toon (and West Ham) doing a preseason in NZ in July.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/a-league-v-epl-tour-in-new-zealand-this-july/90212

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Good banner

Great article too, sums up most of what Toon fans are thinking.

"Newcastle United is a remarkable club for one reason. The loyalty and passion of its fans. That is not the wild boast of a Geordie. I’m not a Newcastle fan and I never will be, but I have lived here far longer than I lived in the East End of London and I like to think I understand the city and its football club.

This is a club that has not won a major trophy since 1969, a club that has not won the league title since 1927, yet it is a club that has had the third highest average attendance in the country."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...Pardew-is-easiest-option-to-placate-them.html

 

[Zidane98]

if that pardew in debt to ashley rumor is true I can't see him ever being sacked. Ashley will just take out his monthly debt repayment straight out of Pardew's wages.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

This is our away kit for next season. Grey and pretty dull IMO (just like 2014 has been ).

I guess it's not too bad - the horrible Wonga logo really limits what you can do though.

Rumoured home kit for next season

 

[NUFC Tiger]

if that pardew in debt to ashley rumor is true I can't see him ever being sacked. Ashley will just take out his monthly debt repayment straight out of Pardew's wages.

Yeah could be a possible factor (might partly explain why they gave him an 8 year deal).

I don't think Ashley necessarily wants the club to suffer (he would take action to avoid us being relegated as it would cost him a lot of money), he probably likes the fact Pardew doesn't speak out against his running of the club but with so much discontent among the fans and it looking increasingly likely that Pardew has lost the dressing room, he might be forced to replace him.

Obviously any remaining debt Pardew might have might be factored into the compensation/pay out for the remaining 6 odd years he has left on his contract.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

3-0 win in our last home game for the season but the big talking point surely was the protest and walk out by fans in the 69th minute.

Surely Pardew has to go now? Has next to no support or confidence from the fans and moving him on would be the easiest way to appease the growing discontentment and disillusionment on Tyneside?

Here's a few pics of the walkout/protest.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Also, Ben Arfa took a slight dig at Pardew who claimed he was a disruptive influence in the team room when he posted this pic on social media.

Ben Arfa was at the game and was cheered and clapped by most fans apparently. Even had a few chants in his name ring around the stadium. A player of his quality really should be more involved this season than he has been. He was our best player in the first few games. Pardew obviously doesn't know how to utilise him to get the best out of him.

 

[Zidane98]

As opposed to Pardew who isn't a disruptive influence? It's been the same story wherever Pardew has managed. Initial success followed by the team rapidly getting worse the longer he stays. You'll be happy once your rid of him.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

As opposed to Pardew who isn't a disruptive influence? It's been the same story wherever Pardew has managed. Initial success followed by the team rapidly getting worse the longer he stays. You'll be happy once your rid of him.

I think so and so would the players. The more the Ben Arfa saga drags on, the more the revelations/accusations made by Tevez (from his time at West Ham) start to ring in the ears.

Ben Arfa is our best attacking player and creative influence so the fact Pardew claims to select the best side he can and still not select him even on the bench is just staggering. Unfortunately, a lot of our players have seemingly regressed under Pardew - Colocinni, Sissoko, Cisse, Tiote, Santon and arguably Krul too. All at their best were quality players but have gone backwards in the last 12-18 months.

 

[james Dean]

Pardew's position has been untenable since his choking incident, was it Shearer who said that there is no way he can discipline a player after that? If so he's 100% right

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Yep, will have a hard time trying to justify the mid season collapse to Ashley you'd think. Will be very interesting to see how the end of season review goes down.

• 14 losses since January 1 from 19 games.
• 13 goals scored, 33 conceded.
• First time we have lost 6 consecutive games since 1986/87.

Not to mention we still have 1 more game away to Liverpool to play who could potentially still be in with a long shot at the title if they can make up GD.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

A bit of welcome news, Colo has publicly stated he wants to stay at the club next season which should put the rumours of him possibly leaving to bed.

We are also being linked with a cut price $7m move for Zaha (if true, not sure why Man Utd would be willing to sell him so soon after buying him given he's young still).

Gomis still a target too apparently as a free transfer.

 

[Brad Goodman]

A bit of welcome news, Colo has publicly stated he wants to stay at the club next season which should put the rumours of him possibly leaving to bed.

We are also being linked with a cut price $7m move for Zaha (if true, not sure why Man Utd would be willing to sell him so soon after buying him given he's young still).

Gomis still a target too apparently as a free transfer.

Reported in the Chronicle that he met with Pardew and Charnley yesterday to discuss our ambition moving forward:

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...icio-coloccini-seeks-assurances-nufcs-7091422

Interesting event regarding his near future at club. Ominous signs re Ben Arfa's future in that article though I must say.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Reported in the Chronicle that he met with Pardew and Charnley yesterday to discuss our ambition moving forward:

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...icio-coloccini-seeks-assurances-nufcs-7091422

Interesting event regarding his near future at club. Ominous signs re Ben Arfa's future in that article though I must say.

Yeah, you're not wrong - wonder if there is any bad air between Ben Arfa/the French contingent and Colo?

I've got a feeling Pardew will still be in charge next season which might encourage some of the players to try and engineer moves to other clubs.

I'm interested to see if we do end up spending some money or not. Saw there were some rumours we might try and bring Forster back from Celtic if Krul goes.

Were you at the Cardiff game Abba Lonie? What was the atmosphere like around the city? On the tv, looked very volatile/toxic/tense for most of it!