Fire Sale, Everything Must Go

I do think sometimes that the money men in football are a bit unappreciated and misunderstood. However, there are some who have brought their way into the footballing landscape that it is very hard to get an understanding or appreciation of.

Mike Ashley has to be one of those people, because I really cannot fathom the man or his actions, well most of the time anyway.

There are, at least, two sides to every story and with much that goes on in Newcastle in the past couple of years those side to these stories do seem to be poles apart. Unquestionably despite what I and many others took as good intentions in the beginning has been followed by decisions and actions made which have taken the club backwards, fast.

Newcastle is one of those few clubs that no matter what the back-story is, should consider it a huge shortcoming to not be in the top league.

Recently the drama has focused on who the manager will be, with the return of Alan Shearer lasting but a few weeks, and with the only realistic takeover bid being rejected. The story of modern football failure in the big clubs is all too similar, and usually rests with the ego of men who think they know better than the fans.

I saw today that Ashley now wishes to rename St James Park to take advantage of an avenue of revenue that some other clubs have exploited. Surely this decision is a year too late or a year too early to be justified in a maximising of revenue argument? But more serious, and more in keeping with the general feeling is that this is not some new stadium, it already has a name. St James’ Park. It is a part of the tradition and soul of the club that this millionaire has snapped up and plays around with like a child with a train set. In buying the bricks, the club the pitch and the team we have yet another owner who thinks they own the soul of the football club.

What next? Doing away with the famous black and white stripes? A new nickname? What else is up in this firesale?

What must be worse for Newcastle fans is that it would appear they will not be able to force the owner out until they re-establish themselves with a Premier League slot, as it would appear the value of the club has plummeted under the current owners stewardship.

Newcastle’s fans are often described as “long suffering” that seems a bit like an understatement to me right now.

Final day (melo)drama

It's not the most exciting end of a season is it?

The only top position left is the last European spot, and Spurs will need to win at Anfield to even have a chance of getting it, meanwhile relegation is basically down to Hull and Newcastle

Personally I (cautiously) think Newcastle are down (big love to Roy Hodgson for helping my bet along by the way) - but of course should Newcastle hammer out a point at Villa, Hull will need a point off one of the most unpredictable games of the season - the unpredictable part being United's team-sheet of course

So I guess the debate is whether Fletcher and his rag-tag bunch of teenagers such as Wellbeck and Macheda will defeat Hull

And as for this debate over the fairness of Hull facing a weakened side - I say bullsh*t (as I do every year) - United will play to win, and Fergie has the right to field whatever team he wishes, Newcastle should've got more points

And besides - if it wasn't for a certain second string player securing 4 points for United they wouldn't be at the top of the table would they?

Personally I think it will be good to lose both Boro and Newcastle, Boro have been a poor team going nowhere for too long, and Newcastle need some time in the naughty corner, as I heard one commentator describe it - let some fresh faces ply their trade in the premier league and hopefully a big club like Newcastle will sort themselves out and return a better side in a year or two

Any thoughts?

Tarquin

Suddenly it's got interesting

With the shock win over Wigan (which I predicted), West Brom have drawn equal with Newcastle and Boro - and what with Hull giving Stoke their second away win of the season, relegation has suddenly become interesting

Today's game between the two north-east clubs at St. James' is crucial - it is the most important game of the season in my opinion, because let's face it, United need 4 points off three games that include Wigan and Hull

Should Newcastle win they stand in very good stead to stay up, they have the best goal difference of the four, and will play Fulham at home next Saturday

Hull will need to beat Bolton at the Reebok, and their only other game is against United at home, their only chance of getting a point from that is if United have already lifted the trophy

Boro meanwhile are probably doomed, if they don't win in Newcastle they need even more points off Villa and the Hammers

The Albion meanwhile have to greet Liverpool and go to Blackburn, which doesn't look very good I'm afraid

But it should make for an interesting final day, personally I think Newcastle will stay up and Hull will drop back down*

Tarquin

*Mainly because I put a bet on Newcastle to be relegated a few weeks ago

Shearer Takes Over At Newcastle

Newcastle have appointed Alan Shearer to be their manager until the end of the Season.

Joe Kinnear is still not well enough to return to his post, and will now likely accept a position on Newcastle Board, possibly as Director of Football.

Shearer will be in charge for just 8 games, the first is at home against Chelsea on Saturday, but they then face Stoke, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Fulham and Aston Villa. The Magpies are currently 18th in the league and will be battling to save their Premier League Status.

The news is not even up on the clubs official website yet, but when it is you can read it there, here.

Jose - I Want Premier League Return

The Sunday Express is reporting, here, that The Special One has told friends he wants to quit Italian football at the end of this season and move back to the Premier League.

The report even suggests that Jose has said he is "not a fan of Italian football."

Inter Milan look likely to secure a fourth consecutive Serie A Championship, but the Italian media have not warmed to Jose in the same way UK media outlets did.

It is thought that Newcastle and Man City might express an interest later in the Season if it is a real possibility to land Jose. Chelsea will also need a new manager in the summer. Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho have repaired their relationship since he left in September 2007, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Jose might be back in the dugout at Stamford Bridge by August.

Given Moves To Man City

Shay Given has completed his move to Man City for an undisclosed fee and has signed a four-and-a-half year deal. Initial bids of £3m and £5m were rejected, so this improved bid will be in excess of those figures.

Given signed for Newcastle from Blackburn in 1997 and has made 450 appearances for the club. Newcastle have continued to underachieve for a club of its size and Given failed to win the trophies that he, and so many other players have sought when moving to the Magpies. Steve Harper, long time deputy will now get his chance of a regular run in the first team between now and the end of the season.

In a statement to City's official website, Hughes is quoted as saying "I have said for a long time that we need the experience of a keeper like Shay. I am delighted that we have been able to acquire such an accomplished keeper, and one is so highly regarded by everyone in the Premier League."

"We are getting a very good keeper, and the experience he has will help the two outstanding young keepers that we have here in Joe and Kasper. I am looking for them all to grow as a group, and it's important that we have that influence of a senior keeper."

"I have had a good talk with him about where we expect to be in the future. From a football point of view, and a club point of view, it's an easy thing to sell because we know we are going in the right direction. Players want to be part of that."

City Have Latest Bid For Santa Cruz Rejected

Man City have had an improved bid for Roque Santa Cruz rejected by Blackburn. This is despite Santa Cruz again openly stating his desire to move away from Blackburn.

City boss Mark Hughes has also confirmed that the club have made an offer for Shay Given, and are waiting to hear back from Newcastle.

Nolan Moves To Newcastle

Bolton Captain Kevin Nolan has secured a move to Newcastle and a four-and-a-half-year contract for a fee believed to be around £4m.

Nolan, 26, has spent his entire career at Bolton, making 345 appearances and scoring 50 goals. He has been subject to a number of England call up rumours but has not yet had his chance.

Nolan is expected to make his Magpies debut in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.

The day today

It should be worth mentioning that today (Sunday 21st December 2008) was a big day in the history of British Football. Manchester United have scored a famous victory and been crowned Club Champions of the World. (well done lads!). The victory is not without a price, with Nemanja Vidic red carded and facing a Champions League Ban.

Late Goals saw Newcastle overcome Tottenham 2-1, and West Brom overcome Manchester City by the same scoreline.

Arsenal drew with Liverpool at home 1-1. Wenger was also disappointed to see Adebayor sent off and commented that he felt that cost them the win.

The biggest domestic result of the weekend however, was probably the 1-0 win for Aston Villa over West Ham. Terry Venables says that if Arsene Wenger thinks Arsenal are still in the title race, that Villa should stop thinking about finishing fourth, and set their sights on the title.