Sales

[Jammy89]

With how things are going thus far.

It feels very much that sales have left Eddie's remit.

With all strong rumours of Pope being let go, Gordon being sold (I know he wanted to but it was very proffessionally done), Willock probs off and the other probably moving on.

None of it feels like stuff that Eddie would do.

I could be wrong but it feels much more professional - as it should with all out upper management changes - but it feels it.

Not really sure what I'm going with here but hopefully you all get the jist

[Ragatino]

I could be wrong but it feels much more professional - as it should with all out upper management changes - but it feels it. None of it feels like stuff that Eddie would do.

Not really sure what I'm going with here but hopefully you all get the jist

I get your point.

My take on it is apart from a very brief moment where Ashworth was engaged with the club and not being tapped up by Inoes, this is the first season since the take over where the club has actually had proper football professionals in the C-Suite positions.

First season Amanda's team knew they were clueless and brought in a consultant to support Eddie.

Howe, had just spent around 2 yrs scouting and travelling Europe watching games and shadowing managers, so he had a great idea of who he wanted to sign.

That being young future talent like Botman, Bruno, Ekitike, Hall, I-suk & Tino. Whilst also engaging with and identifying the likes of Trippier & Pope to bring experience.

In the years since it's been a sh!t-show. With the commitment to day-to-day training and match prep, Eddie's had no time to get into the granular level of detail on player ID with the scouting team. You don't hear any grumbling from Steve Nickson, nor has he resigned because he's 'been side-lined'.

Eddie's repeatedly said it's a 'team effort'. That's his whole philosophy. Yet the single digit IQ crowd who what him sacked paint him as some sort of Kim Jing Un style dictator.

People I've spoken to have told me that Eales was a passenger for most of him time at the club. The whole commercial department has been replaced by Hopkinson and already new contracts and sponsors are rolling in. Straight away bigger better financial deals.

Eales 'talent ID' laughable. 'His Clique' saw Amanda's team ousted from the club. Yes, Staveley was a bit reckless with the cheque book but needs must at that time.

The idea was, spend now, get commercial revenues in to support the increased spend... Silverstone and his boys did nothing. They failed. The commercial side of the club has been a failure, not the footballing side.

Silverstone has failed up & scuttled off to continue being a fraud with the other failed Arsenal/Prem Exec, Daniel Comolli at Juve, a brand that sells itself, much like Arsenal. Glad he didn’t let the screen door hit him. Useless!

Then, there was Mitchell. The man who didn’t have a point when he said, ‘the system is not fit for purpose.’ People who say that are, frankly, idiots. Allegedly, the club are looking at potential legal action as it has apparently come to light that his agitation of I-suk was intentional to get him out of the club and derail the project from within. There is apparently evidence. We’ll have to wait and see.

Mitchell, a man, who, everywhere he has gone is begrudgingly respected. He is not liked at Spurs, Southampton or anywhere else he’d been. The man spent this time at NUFC on the lash. He did nothing. He wasn’t interested in ‘being a team player’, he, was the one with the god complex who wanted to play dictator, so I’m told.

Had Eddie not won the League Cup, after doing nothing, Mitchell would have made his move with PiF and ousted Howe. That didn’t happen, Yasir had a one-to-one with Eddie whilst holding the trophy and gave Eddie his support.

A few weeks later Mitchell resigns to Eales who rubber stamped the departure immediately, no involvement from Riyadh.

When everyone listens to social media, fan channels etc keep all these facts in mind when listening to the commentators. Most of them of a completely delusional perception. Small time, 9-5, Football Manager/FIFA Playing know nothings.

To draw a line under this.

Until Ross Wilson walked in the door, Eddie Howe was the only ‘football person’ with any sort of authority at the club. Steve Nickson has always done a great job identifying talent but that’s his wheelhouse, not negotiations and closing deals.

Eddie has a great record of developing youth talent; however, I see comments all the time along the lines of ‘What’s the point of the club signing young elite talent, the useless clown of a manager won’t play them and just destroy their career.’ – Actual quote I’ve seen.

Useless clown of a manager.

Hall, Livramento, Anderson, I-suk, J.Murphy, Botman, Miley have all developed into international players or gone on become elite players commanding eye watering transfer fees.

All due to the excellent coaching, management and development of Eddie Howe & team.

A brief summary of last summer.

With Eddie being in hospital with pneumonia at the back end of the season, Eales swanning around like a dying duck & Mitchell on the lash and planning his exit days before the transfer window opens.

3 days into a family holiday Howe finds out that all the plans have been sabotaged and he’s going to be thrown back into the front line of recruitment.

Off the back of his hiatus Eddie, as mentioned above, had a long list of targets he’d identified, signing a good few of them and missing out on quite a few more.

This last summer, the players have developed from the 19-24yr old with Potential to the more established Prem players. He’s not had the time to go out across Europe as he did when he was on hiatus to go out and identify the next cycle of those 19-24yrs high potential players.

No ‘closers’ in the group to seal deals lead to a summer of chaos.

That chapter is now closed.

The reality is that with a proper team in place on the footballing side to support Eddie’s vision this summer, all working together with a common good and harmony backed up by a proper elite level commercial team.

This is the bigger picture. I don’t think it’s a case of ‘control being taken away from Eddie.’ He clearly still has the final say on who comes in or who leaves.

I’m sure all of us here on this board have been on a job with a group of people we couldn’t trust to professionally deliver their tasks and we end up doing the job for them. ‘Need something doing right, do it ya’sel’ comes to mind.

With people Eddie can now trust, Ross Wilson, committed 100% aggressively signing Eddie’s No.1 target, as opposed to Mitchell lowballing and half arsing bid because he didn’t want the player, the manager can have a decent rest this summer knowing that the team are working together not a pit of snakes looking for him to fail so he can bring in his own man.

For his sake, I genuinely hope Eddie gets a proper break and rest with his family and pile some weight back on. He has looked skinny, pale and exhausted all season. Remember 2 yrs. ago in pre-season everyone was talking about how hence he looked and how full of energy he was?

All the early signs are good. Long may it continue. More high quality young signings please!

[Ragatino]

The Geordie Journos talk about the overall transfer strategy a bit sheds some light on things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLbR2h_dfWE

[MidsMagpie]

Pope almost gone lets hope a few more of Eddies gems leave soon Murphy Willock and Burn the taxi is at the door

[Ragatino]

Pope almost gone lets hope a few more of Eddies gems leave soon Murphy Willock and Burn the taxi is at the door

Pope to Leeds or Ipswich goes with my blessing great lad. Like a lot of player, he's reached the end of his cycle.

It's not like the Manager has had a choice.

Remember the club couldn't spend for 4 transfer windows due to the cartel lead restrictions brought in literally call ed the 'Newcastle Rules.'

[Jammy89]

Then, there was Mitchell. The man who didn?’t have a point when he said, ?‘the system is not fit for purpose.?’ People who say that are, frankly, idiots. Allegedly, the club are looking at potential legal action as it has apparently come to light that his agitation of I-suk was intentional to get him out of the club and derail the project from within. There is apparently evidence. We?’ll have to wait and see.

If true that is sumit else.

I don't see how it could be proved really though.

[Ragatino]

If true that is sumit else.

I don't see how it could be proved really though.

Just had a call with a mate of mine. He was telling me that he believes it's a 'conflict of interest' case.

Allegedly, basically there is a thought that Mitchell was on the payroll of another club.

He was saying that the club have evidence. If that is true and there is a case to answer against Mitchell, then the other club will also be liable for litigation.

This will be case bigger than the City charges, more in along the lines of the Juve match fixing scandal.

If, it is proven this will have a seismic impact and the shockwaves wreck the cartel's dominance.

The Establishment of EPL, FA and the cartel will have no choice but to back off NUFC and allow the club to compete on an even footing or the club will go full on with the prosecution.

We all know those wormy little crooked cowards at the EPL won't want their dirty laundry aired in public so they'll have no choice but begrudgingly give NUFC a seat at the top table.

By hook or by crook Geordie boys are taking over!

[Guybrush]

If that?s true they need to go all out with a prosecution no matter what we are offered to keep it hush.

Otherwise we just become a part of the conspiracy.

I would much prefer to destroy the top table than to sit at it

[Ragatino]

If that?s true they need to go all out with a prosecution no matter what we are offered to keep it hush.

Otherwise we just become a part of the conspiracy.

I would much prefer to destroy the top table than to sit at it

Completely agree mate, sadly it like sinking a boat you're in because you're trying to drown 6 thieves onboard.

There has to be a reconning for the corruption but to take flame the whole house and burn it to the ground is seldom the correct path.

What should happen is that the guilt parties need to be punished.

If guilt, Mitchell should be banned from football globally for life.

The club, who's payroll he was on should be name, shamed and demoted to League 2 much like Juve for corruption and the fines should equate to lose of revenue/earning - Miss out on UCL qualification for next season - ?100-200m should satisfy.

The behind closed doors actions should see heads roll for sure. Resignations across the EPL needs to happen regardless of the Man City verdict purely for the scam punishment Chelsea got for their decades of literal fraud. (involving the scumbag who acted as I-suk's agent last summer). That douche should also be banned from football for life too.

[Jammy89]

Do we know which alleged club?

Spuds is only one of big 6 he's had major contact with.

[Ragatino]

Do we know which alleged club?

Spuds is only one of big 6 he's had major contact with.

Not a clue man. Couldn't tell you.

He did work at Spurs. Mitchell also spoke with Man U when Ineos bought their stake regarding a technical director position.

So You'd think that the bindippers were the biggest beneficiary of Mitchell's appalling tenure at the Newcastle United.

The ratty Mersey scumbags benefitted from I-suk destabilisation. Before the season started & we now know what a disaster, injury wise the Meatball has been. With Sky Sports, Talk Sport and various other sports media outlets naming Ikea legs as the worst signing of the summer and one of the worst in Prem history.

[Curian]

As always Rag, good stuff....missed your analysis and views when you were absent without permission Though if what you are saying can be proved then yep hit them hard.

I cannot see Burn moving and I would keep him, I think he's a useful backup as to Willock/Murphy they go with my thanks. And Pope I think in his day was superb for us, but injuries and age have taken there toll. I wish him well.

[Ragatino]

As always Rag, good stuff....missed your analysis and views when you were absent without permission Though if what you are saying can be proved then yep hit them hard.

I cannot see Burn moving and I would keep him, I think he's a useful backup as to Willock/Murphy they go with my thanks. And Pope I think in his day was superb for us, but injuries and age have taken there toll. I wish him well.

It seems to me that (as much as dislike this phrase) 'The Project' is moving into the next phase.

A phase that had Eales actually been what he professed to be & also hadn't become ill, had Dan Ashworth not snaked off to the swamp NUFC would have arrived 1or2 seasons earlier.

Sadly, with incompetence on the commercial side of the business failing to support a more rapid turn over of players with higher quality players, the various C-Suite snakes, all well documented, have lead to the poor season just suffered and the manager taking more flack than a Lancaster Bomber over Dresden.

Eddie get's 'he's too loyal to certain players' leveled at him. Tell me one Manager that doesn't pick his favourites?

The difference, as ever, at NUFC, is that the quality of the 'spine of the team' the 'core' of the squad has gone very stale.

Pope's levels dropped to Championship level.
An I-suk shaped hole up top exposed Jacob Murphy as the Championship level winger he genuinely is.
Age taking out Fab Schar for big chunks of the season.
Tripz pace dropping off a cliff.

All good lads who have played key roles in the club's rise from the ashes thus far. However, every dog has his day.

Having players, who have over-performed their levels in recent years (due to the excellent coaching and man-management from Eddie), or top level players aging out of elite level performances at the elite level of competition where 1-2% drop leads to goals conceded, points dropped, matches lost and the difference between a Champions League 4th place finish & 12th.

This season an 11 point gap between 5th & 12th. Not a million miles, 4 wins.

4 wins.

The real reason certain players have been 'trusted' and seen as favourites is due to the squad being so short on fresh talent. 4 Transfer windows came and went seeing no new players coming in.

With sales of I-suk and Gordon, UCL money, Hopkinson's new competence push in the commercial space to bring bigger and better sponsorship deals and financial partners into the club the commercial side of the business is catching up to the Football success on the pitch.

Bring stability in above Eddie in the form of Ross Wilson is a brilliant move which is already proving beneficial.

Players out the door, one excellent, elite level young talent in.

It's a great start. The first transfer window the manager has had a stable structure above him.

[Nufcian]

It seems to me that (as much as dislike this phrase) 'The Project' is moving into the next phase.

A phase that had Eales actually been what he professed to be & also hadn't become ill, had Dan Ashworth not snaked off to the swamp NUFC would have arrived 1or2 seasons earlier.

Sadly, with incompetence on the commercial side of the business failing to support a more rapid turn over of players with higher quality players, the various C-Suite snakes, all well documented, have lead to the poor season just suffered and the manager taking more flack than a Lancaster Bomber over Dresden.

Eddie get's 'he's too loyal to certain players' leveled at him. Tell me one Manager that doesn't pick his favourites?

The difference, as ever, at NUFC, is that the quality of the 'spine of the team' the 'core' of the squad has gone very stale.

Pope's levels dropped to Championship level.
An I-suk shaped hole up top exposed Jacob Murphy as the Championship level winger he genuinely is.
Age taking out Fab Schar for big chunks of the season.
Tripz pace dropping off a cliff.

All good lads who have played key roles in the club's rise from the ashes thus far. However, every dog has his day.

Having players, who have over-performed their levels in recent years (due to the excellent coaching and man-management from Eddie), or top level players aging out of elite level performances at the elite level of competition where 1-2% drop leads to goals conceded, points dropped, matches lost and the difference between a Champions League 4th place finish & 12th.

This season an 11 point gap between 5th & 12th. Not a million miles, 4 wins.

4 wins.

The real reason certain players have been 'trusted' and seen as favourites is due to the squad being so short on fresh talent. 4 Transfer windows came and went seeing no new players coming in.

With sales of I-suk and Gordon, UCL money, Hopkinson's new competence push in the commercial space to bring bigger and better sponsorship deals and financial partners into the club the commercial side of the business is catching up to the Football success on the pitch.

Bring stability in above Eddie in the form of Ross Wilson is a brilliant move which is already proving beneficial.

Players out the door, one excellent, elite level young talent in.

It's a great start. The first transfer window the manager has had a stable structure above him.

All fair points, but none of it excuses the lived experience at the matches.

Dominant performances first half, and utter dross in the second.

Like for like subs, trying the same game plan, late substitute?s at the same time in lost games and only reacting when games have been lost even if indicated earlier.

Gordon played as a striker for so long and not even giving Woltemade or Wissa time to get established.

Burn ahead of Hall.

Murphy left on when he?s not performing (gave the ball away 27 times against Brighton if I rem rightly)

Mitchell?s and Eales don?t explain any of the above.

[Ragatino]

All fair points, but none of it excuses the lived experience at the matches.

Dominant performances first half, and utter dross in the second.

Like for like subs, trying the same game plan, late substitute?s at the same time in lost games and only reacting when games have been lost even if indicated earlier.

Gordon played as a striker for so long and not even giving Woltemade or Wissa time to get established.

Burn ahead of Hall.

Murphy left on when he?s not performing (gave the ball away 27 times against Brighton if I rem rightly)

Mitchell?s and Eales don?t explain any of the above.

Yeah it's been pretty poor, inconsistent football all season, no arguments what so ever.

The season was doomed before it began after the summer, we can all agree on that point. The mood, atmosphere and feeling around the club was rock bottom due to the I-suk fiasco. Mitchell has to take responsibility for that.

Like for like subs worked 2 seasons ago. No one was complaining when Murphy started and played almost every minute on right and Gordon was rotating with Barnes when it was working.

Fact is that Gordon wasn't interested in the league, the stats and his body language proved it. The eye test the lad didn't give a sh!t unless it was a Champions League night.

Wissa - not fit, not able to play. no time to train as 2 games a week.

Woltemade - join last minute, the whole structure of the team needs to chance - No time to train / dev the new strat.

It explains why the team dropped off.

Also, the tactics worked. As you mentioned the team goes ahead in the first half, winning games, then lads didn't show the same heart and determination as in previous seasons, Seeing key players like Gordon phone it in, no wonder.

All the leadership group, Burn, Tripz, Bruno etc admitted in interviews at various stages across the season that it's their responsibility to see out games.

The lack of unity has been clear.

I also mentioned in previous posts that the reliable heads in the team, Pope, Tripz Murphy had dropped off in one way or another.

Those 1-2% margins see matches go from wins to draws, draws to losses. 27 points drops, not good enough, had they only dropped 15 the team would be playing Champions League again.

Rough with the smooth.

As a body of work 1 sh!t season out of 5 is no reason for the fan base to turn on the manager.