The Toon Army Thread

[NUFC Tiger]

Also, saw this on facebook earlier - loved the irony (given how poorly the club treated Jonas and Ryan Taylor by sacking them over the phone)...

I feel a bit bad for Carver given he undoubtedly loves the club but at the end of the day he wasn't good enough. Plus he threatened fans on 2 different occasions this season. Kind of get the feeling he is the fall guy for a disaster 2015 where we nearly went down - don't think the club really gave him much chance to work with though (not strengthening the squad and selling/loaning out of players in January).

 

[NUFC Tiger]

McClaren is official. Still think its a bit uninspiring but can't change it now. Got to back him in I guess. Apparently a top 8 finish and 'taking the cups seriously' are his criteria.

3 year deal.

 

[Fryer Tuck]

McClaren is official. Still think its a bit uninspiring but can't change it now. Got to back him in I guess. Apparently a top 8 finish and 'taking the cups seriously' are his criteria.

3 year deal.

Seriously? There's Sports Direct signage present in the Players' Tunnel as well? I'm almost surprised that there's no signage present on that ball.

It should be like this:

You know seeing this signage reminds me about Redbull Salzburg, Austria Salzburg, and FC Liefering, perhaps I should do something there...


But anyway, Top 8. Is that the goal for this season, or is that a goal he hopes to accomplish by his contract's end? As things stand, you guys have a fair bit of recovery work just to make midtable, especially with some very competitive sides fighting for top 10, possibly beyond (Liverpool and Tottenham don't exactly look convincing.)

I know it's very early days, but what must McClaren do in order to win your approval? What would be a realistic goal this season? And what do you need this transfer window?


Also, this: http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20150610/club-statement-new-board-of-directors_2281670_4783052 It seems McClaren is now on the board (The only club where the manager is a member of the board), and Ashely isn't.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Seriously? There's Sports Direct signage present in the Players' Tunnel as well? I'm almost surprised that there's no signage present on that ball.

Haha sadly yes - when you have a global TV audience and you're getting free advertising, you may as well make the most of it. Plenty of cameras in the tunnels prior to kick off. Got to get the Sports Direct branding out there...in case they miss the 130 odd banners out in the stadium!

But anyway, Top 8. Is that the goal for this season, or is that a goal he hopes to accomplish by his contract's end? As things stand, you guys have a fair bit of recovery work just to make midtable, especially with some very competitive sides fighting for top 10, possibly beyond (Liverpool and Tottenham don't exactly look convincing.)

I know it's very early days, but what must McClaren do in order to win your approval? What would be a realistic goal this season? And what do you need this transfer window?

Top 8 finish seems to be the expectation set by the board (of which he is now a part of as you say). He's also been heavily incentivised to win a cup.

Club statement:
"Steve has been tasked to secure a top-eight finish in the Premier League and he is also heavily incentivised to try to win a cup competition.

What he needs to do to have the winning approval of the fans is harder to define. I think (from reports) he had some influence in getting Carver sacked so that's a good start. From what I've read, most are willing to give him a chance (certainly an improvement over Carver).

He's not the manager a lot were hoping for (the club apparently dismissed talks with both Laudrup and De Boer plus were'n't willing to give someone like Vieria more control over club matters...though interestingly seems McClaren has been given significant power compared to Pardew for example).

I think if he can sort out our defensive issues, that would be a big step forward. Also ending our woeful run in the derby would be massive. He's got roots in the North East so he should realise the significance of this fixture perhaps more than most. There was a fairly prominent banner unfurled often in 2015 that said 'we don't demand a team that wins, we demand a team that tries' - if he can at least make us competitive, that would probably be enough I think.

I think a top 10 finish would be a decent outcome - there is a lot of work that needs to be done and talk of up to 7-8 players coming in (though if we lose more, we might need to replace those as well). I think most fans would sacrifice league position as well if it meant a serious and deep cup run (something we haven't seen at the club in Ashley's time).

Also, this: http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20150610/club-statement-new-board-of-directors_2281670_4783052 It seems McClaren is now on the board (The only club where the manager is a member of the board), and Ashely isn't.

Haha yeah, perhaps a bigger story than McClaren getting the manager's job! I posted it in the Owners thread but very surprised by this to say the least mate.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Some rumours that Dutch striker Bas Dost might be the first one in for $9m.

Would be a pretty handy target man and mean we wouldn't need to throw Williamson forward at set pieces lol.

Speaking of Williamson, he might be having a medical at Leeds! And Gouffran might have interest from Bournemouth. Imagine that, those 2 and Carver gone in the space of a month!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Fixtures for next season lads. That first 8 is brutal!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Sorry lads, bit slack putting this one up - here's our new 'cup' kit. If you buy this one, you'd be hoping the club is genuine about wanting to take the cups seriously, otherwise we might not see much of it!

 

[tige19]

Sorry lads, bit slack putting this one up - here's our new 'cup' kit. If you buy this one, you'd be hoping the club is genuine about wanting to take the cups seriously, otherwise we might not see much of it!

Friggin deplorable!

Absolutely no movement on the transfer front.. Dost is a top European striker, he bangs them in for fun but relies on great supply ( we don't have a De Bruyne in our squad ), I really can't see him giving CL for our club.

McLaren can't even get anyone to work with him, how the feck are we going to get any high end talent to work under him?

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Looks like we might be finalising our backroom staff now which is encouraging.

Ian Cathro, assistant manager at Valencia is rumoured to be announced next week. Seems pretty highly rated, only 28 and supposedly played a big part in helping return Valencia to the Champions League.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...ws/who-new-newcastle-united-assistant-9532986

We also have made Alessandro Schoenmaker our new fitness coach - hopefully can remedy our propensity for injuries!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

So finally got our backroom sorted!

Left to right:

Ian Cathro- Assistant manager

Paul Simpson- First team coach

Alessandro Schoenmaker- Fitness coach

Steve Black- Consultant

Andy Woodman- GK coach

I'm pretty excited by Cathro, only 28 and highly rated. Sounds like he's got a good mind for the game. If things don't work out with McClaren, maybe he could be someone groomed to take the role later down the track?

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Saw this on the Mag as well - seems nearly 30% of season tickets haven't been renewed or purchased.

Cashley better start signing some players if he wants to get the fans back onside. He promised change and ambition but haven't seen much to get fans onboard yet. We're one of only 4 teams yet to make a signing I believe...tick tock gents!

http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/06/nufc-season-ticket-sales-update-gets-worse-for-mike-ashley/

 

[scon]

Who would buy NUFC from Mike Ashley?
More of the same I'm thinking and dreading.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Who would buy NUFC from Mike Ashley?
More of the same I'm thinking and dreading.

That paints a fairly bleak outlook. I'm starting to wonder if we can even consider ourselves a top 10 club anymore. Obviously we can't compete (unless Ashley pulled out his wealth) with the likes of City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Spurs; but now we're being left behind by clubs like Southampton, Swansea, Stoke and now West Ham. Not only that but WEST BROM are in talks for a takeover by a wealthy Chinese consortium...

It also looks like Cabaye is about to be unveiled at Palace. If we had some ambition that Ashley promised in his speech to the fans, I'm sure we could have got him back. Instead, looks like we will be the last club (surprise surprise) to do any business for the coming new season.

I want to be excited by the club but its hard to see where things will turn for the better. We go on tour next week in the US and haven't got any new faces (surely going on tour is a good way to introduce a new player to his teammates and get them settled?).

 

[Moo]

Pretty close to announcing our first signing PSV Captain Georginio Wijnaldum - 24 year old Midfielder & Dutch National Team member ....rumoured to be 14.5 million.

We need class all over the bloody pitch so it is great to see us finally sign someone.

If we can just get Mitrovic across the line - I will start to feel a lot better about August.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Would be 2 very impressive signings. With a fit De Jong and hopefully a better managed Cabella, we could potentially have a few good attacking and creative outlets.

Definitely need a few defensive signings though!

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Forgot to say, we kicked off the McClaren era with a win, a 1-0 win over local non leaguers Gateshead, Cisse with the goal (a penalty).

Interestingly perhaps, Colback was given the captain's armband. Does that mean Colo might be on the way out? He is our current highest wage earner and I've got a feeling his heart isn't 100% in it (think his family is all back in Argentina and with Jonas being released, he might want out too).

Will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[NUFC Tiger]

And its official lads!

First signing in the door!

 

[robertg22]

Some nice highlights there..must admit I don't know a lot about him. Sissoko replacement? Hope not...

 

[scon]

Hope springs eternal

 

[robertg22]

Still hoping we can get Charlie Austin too... fingers crossed

What CBs are we after?

 

[NUFC Tiger]

Some nice highlights there..must admit I don't know a lot about him. Sissoko replacement? Hope not...

I haven't seen him play much but he was highly rated on many football games. He was in the Dutch squad for the World Cup last year and won the Dutch player of the year award last season (beating Man Utd's big money signing Depay in the process). Here's a few reasons to be excited.
http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/11/9-rea...-an-incredible-signing-for-newcastle-5290614/

I believe he plays more as a 10 - CAM so in a similar role to what De Jong would play, which is interesting in itself as both were dominant players in Holland and captains of their clubs.

Plus it's fair to say the lad looks better in black and white stripes!

Still hoping we can get Charlie Austin too... fingers crossed

What CBs are we after?

Austin would be great and with some talk that Mitrovic is still hoping for a move to Roma or Porto, we might see Austin being linked again. Seems to be a sticking point on QPR's asking price though.

Of the CB's linked I've seen - Matip (though he reportedly isn't keen to leave Schalke - who have Champions League football so that's fair enough), Joel Veltman from Ajax and Nicolas N'Koulou who's a highly rated CB in France.

I think I saw a rumour that Pardew was considering a move for Colo for $2m. I'd take it if true, I don't think his heart is really in it anymore sadly. Would throw Williamson in for free too haha.

 

[robertg22]

I think I saw a rumour that Pardew was considering a move for Colo for $2m. I'd take it if true, I don't think his heart is really in it anymore sadly. Would throw Williamson in for free too haha.

I'd almost pay Palace 2m to take Colo away from us. Sick of him TBH.

Saddens me that they signed Cabaye.....

 

[NUFC Tiger]

I'd almost pay Palace 2m to take Colo away from us. Sick of him TBH.

Saddens me that they signed Cabaye.....

Yeah, just looks wrong that he isn't going to be in the black and white again. I wonder if we had any interest in him, even a loan for the season would have been awesome.

 

[robertg22]

Yeah, just looks wrong that he isn't going to be in the black and white again. I wonder if we had any interest in him, even a loan for the season would have been awesome.

I can just see him scoring the match winning goal against us from a set piece...

Hopefully Wijnaldum (I still have no idea how to spell his name, keep having to check haha) will be better though, but is more of an attacking player from what I can tell? At least we do have a bit of depth in the midfield now.

Glad Sammy is off on loan too. Can someone take Obertan and Gouffran?

 

[NUFC Tiger]

I can just see him scoring the match winning goal against us from a set piece...

Hopefully Wijnaldum (I still have no idea how to spell his name, keep having to check haha) will be better though, but is more of an attacking player from what I can tell? At least we do have a bit of depth in the midfield now.

Glad Sammy is off on loan too. Can someone take Obertan and Gouffran?

Don't worry mate, you're not the only one - his nickname seems to be 'Gino' which is a bit easier to spell! I'm sure we'll figure it out in time though.

Yeah, I think he is more an attacking type - which has led to some fans suggesting we might go for a 4-2-3-1 formation.

------------------Krul----------------
Janmaat--Lascelles--Dummett--Haidara
---------Colback---Sissoko----------
-----Cabella--De Jong--Wijnaldum-----
---------------Perez-----------------

Team doesn't look too bad - especially in midfield. 1 or 2 CBs definitely needed and probably 1 more striker (some talke Cisse could be off to Turkey).