Realistic targets

Right, then.

I'm going to do this based on us being bought. Although we'll have proper investment, ffp means until we get our revenue streams going properly we'll be restricted to how much we can actually spend (unless I've misunderstood the rules...which is entirely likely ;) ). From the sounds of it, this fella isn't coming to try and do a Man City even if it were possible but it'll be nice to be able to bring in at least some of Rafa's first choices.

I don't really know anything about European leagues (my scouting network has let me down XD )so I'm sure other folk will have a better idea of who's available.

Mind, I'm not even sure what 'price point' we'll be aiming at. For example, with Hayden and Diame off (and quite possibly Shelvey and even Ki) then we need to get a first choice midfielder to play alongside Longstaff. Maybe under Ashley, Aaron Mooy would have been a reasonable replacement for Hayden and a starter but...I can't help thinking we should be aiming a bit higher than that? Similarly this lad at Swansea we've been linked with...an upgrade on Atsu but, then, who wouldn't be? ;)...I dunno...maybe it's a bit like winning the lottery...you might still get your basics at Tesco's but you might want to get some nicer food from Waitrose too. ;)

Ok, that's a shit analogy but I'm just wondering what it might be like to buy players we actually want rather than settle for 3rd or 4th choice. I know, I know, it hasn't happened but a man can dream...(and I'm hardly setting the bar too high!)

If this deal comes off and Rafa signs on I'm pretty sure he has it all sussed and he will be on another team rebuild but this time with adequate funding. C'mon Bin Zayed ! I see in all his pics he's already in the Toon colours. XD

In Rafa we trust .good times ahead if we get a new owner

What's the status at the moment lads? I've been off the grid all day.

No change, Hughie.

A few folk are fairly confident we'll get some news tomorrow.

Here's hoping, man.

I only hope we will be able to compete financially with the other teams in the league.

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Originally Posted by Zippity

No change, Hughie.

A few folk are fairly confident we'll get some news tomorrow.

Here's hoping, man.

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Thought it said 'no chance' for a second there :s

Thanks for the update! Fingers crossed.

Realistic targets for me would be targets that don't go beyond 20 million. I'd rather it be less and we actually keep a sensible wage bill in terms of individuals not being paid any more than the sickening wages already paid out.
I think it creates mercenaries and attracts them.

Simple scenario for me. Whoever takes over or whether we keep our present owner, I do not want anything other than a steady build on what we have.
Also a concentration on the young up and coming players.

I think someone like a Sheikh would be a quick feast and a massive famine, before a real collapse.
It's not something I can get excited about. I'll just hope we source potential and buy in value for money.

The last thing we want to become is a plastic club with plastic fans watching babied players who spit out their dummies.

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Originally Posted by ghostrider

The last thing we want to become is a plastic club with plastic fans watching babied players who spit out their dummies.

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I think most would agree about the obscene wages, tbf. Thing is, that particular horse has bolted from the stable and has been made into glue and a slightly tatty wig so there's no point shutting the stable door.

As for the plastic club, that won't happen. The football landscape has changed so much that that sort of thing isn't going to happen with any club in the future, imo. FFP seems to have closed the door behind the clubs already in that elite group while the rest of us peer in through the windows. If it happens, I think our rebuilding will mean that the Club actually compete with the teams around us for players rather than just throw huge sums around and that our Academy is developed and run properly so that we can start to bring more 'Longstaffs' through.

It's all good, man. We've been feeding on scraps for years-sometimes scraps which were then cooked by a shite chef. Now we've got a top class chef who is going to be allowed to cook with much better ingredients.

Fans and club will be fine, man...time to relax and get on board. There are, potentially, much better times ahead-we might finally have a club that tries-and you're in danger of missing out on the fun.

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Originally Posted by Zippity

I think most would agree about the obscene wages, tbf. Thing is, that particular horse has bolted from the stable and has been made into glue and a slightly tatty wig so there's no point shutting the stable door.

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That's fine as long as the club can sustain whatever happens.
The club can spend as many billions as it wants if it were allowed, as long as the future of the club is intact while it's being done.
I can certainly look past the fees and wages, even if I do hate what its made players become who are part of it.

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Originally Posted by Zippity

As for the plastic club, that won't happen. The football landscape has changed so much that that sort of thing isn't going to happen with any club in the future, imo. FFP seems to have closed the door behind the clubs already in that elite group while the rest of us peer in through the windows. If it happens, I think our rebuilding will mean that the Club actually compete with the teams around us for players rather than just throw huge sums around and that our Academy is developed and run properly so that we can start to bring more 'Longstaffs' through.

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If that's the case then all's well and good. I seriously have my doubts about it all but....well, who knows?

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Originally Posted by Zippity

It's all good, man. We've been feeding on scraps for years-sometimes scraps which were then cooked by a shite chef. Now we've got a top class chef who is going to be allowed to cook with much better ingredients.

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Yep, we've been feeding on scraps along with 95% of all other clubs chasing the dream. Yep we deserve better football and quality...but then again that applies to all clubs fans.
We all believe we deserve better.

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Originally Posted by Zippity

Fans and club will be fine, man...time to relax and get on board.

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I am relaxed for certain. I'm onboard with anything Newcastle United, whether I like it or not, like most.
I will be as excited as anyone if we challenge the elites, as long as I know it's challenging them with a sustained onslaught and not a fly by night attempt before crashing and burning.

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Originally Posted by Zippity

There are, potentially, much better times ahead-we might finally have a club that tries-and you're in danger of missing out on the fun.

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No mate, I won't miss out. I'll be there along with those who are also there and those that come out of the woodwork, if something like this does appear to pan out.

I'll wait and see what comes of all this stuff.
I'll be more than happy to see a new owner come in who has the club and its future at heart as well as their business interest. I'd love nothing less.
How many of them are left?
How many owners are capable of transforming Newcastle United into something that John Hall missed out on?


Let's put this into simple perspective.
If we can't get better than Ashley who at least stabilised this club and runs it sensibly if not as liberally as fans would like, then I'd rather keep Ashley as owner in front of any Arab or oil Baron or whatever sugar daddy comes along with a 5 minute flamboyant plan that turns ecstatic fans into destroyed dreamers.


Aye I know I'm not Mr jump up and down and just go with the flow. I just want to ensure that we don't fall into a fate 100 times worse than the one some fans think we're in already under Ashley....one I do not share.