For my next blog I was going to do some nice, positive awards for the season gone. I had some names lined up for player/manager awards. It was going to be nice and positive, you know the kind of blog to put a smile on anyone’s face, even Harry Redknapp’s very twitchy one. But instead I hear the news that my team – Newcastle United – are about to sell top goal scoring centre midfielder Kevin Nolan to West Ham, on the cheap. Another decision by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley that has no class and little intelligence behind it – just like the sacking of Hughton or the decision to not bother contacting Alan Shearer after relegation. Just because you can slash 70% off a pair of trainers in a shitty little sports shop doesn’t mean you can slash 70% off class and dignity when it comes to my football club.
So far Ashley’s time at Newcastle reads like an incredibly depressing, long and ultimately un-fulfilling shitty novel of about a 1000 pages which will never seem to end. He’s threatened to sell the club more times than a teenager who is threatening to run away from home because his parents won’t let him out on a Friday night. He’s made more bad decisions than Les Dennis’s agent; the peak of these awful decisions has to be the appointment of Dennis Wise as Director of Football when Kevin Keegan was manager. A move that did not need to made, ending up costing the club 2 million quid and ended with a ton of hatred from fans and many poor youth team players signed (Nile Ranger, anyone?).
That decision is closely followed by the choice of Joe Kinnear as interim Newcastle manager, an appointment not even a top psychic could of came up with. It’s almost like he put crappy old manager names in a big Sports Direct 50p mug and whoever he pulled out got the job. The result – 4 wins from 25 games and a massive part in a season that ending in relegation. To Kinnear’s credit he did bring Kevin Nolan to the club in the January window (but selling Given on the cheap wiped that out) and this brings me to my main point.
Kevin Nolan, 17 goals last season helping Newcastle get promoted and 12 goals this year helping Newcastle stay in the Premier League. But this transfer window he is sold just as another top scorer Andy Carroll is sold in the last. But this time the fee is way lower and the move makes a lot less sense to me. When we sold Andy Carroll I thought we were putting a cap on ambition and this move just confirms that, a depressing thing really, like the footballing equivalent of a James Blunt concert.
Not only did Nolan display great leadership and heart to help us out of a sticky period along with others (such as Chris Hughton, treated in the same classless manner) he is tossed aside by a clueless regime. I have heard other fans and media opinions e.g. he’s getting old, not a part of our plans, wanted too long a contract. But let’s be honest if his scores 12 goals in a season surely he’s entitled to ask for an extended contract. He’s done an awful lot for Newcastle United. Do Chelsea sell Frank Lampard due to his age – no because he scores goals and that’s a vital part of their team just as Nolan was for Newcastle, in games such as the Sunderland 5-1. Yes, they signed Cabaye who sounds like a good player but let’s say he doesn’t fit in and if he’s seen as a replacement for 12 goal a season midfielder, that’s a lot of pressure for someone new to English football.
I see this as a rather barmy decision from an owner of football club who seems totally incapable of doing anything without making himself look like classless, useless twonk who is just a shaved version of the go compare advert man, who to be fair would probably do a much better job of running a football club than them lot.
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
To have a peak at the top SEVEN available FREE TRANSFERS this summer, click here.
Or to have a look at 10 ways a football lover can spend this summer, click here!
Liam Coogan-Jobes this is probably the best article I have seen on the whole Ashley situation. I can’t understand the logic of ripping the spine out of the team on the cheap. The players we have brought in may be top class but there is no guarentee that they will be able to adapt to the Premier League and the English lifestyle straight away and that can be costly next season.
What a load of rubbish. Yeah nolan has been ok for the club, but not untouchable, and why should we offer a 28 year old a 5 year contract when he may not even get in the first team next year let alone in 5 years time. Can you honestly see him keeping Ben arfa and cabaye out of the first team. And for bad decisions do you honestly thing he has done worse in the transfer market then shepherd? Its this kind of nonsence which gives toon supporters a bad name.
Spot on mate you dont give a five year contract to a 29 year old regardles
Have to agree with Tony. Load of garbage.
Simply put, Nolan wanted too much.
Same with Barton – he’s let that tosser Mackay get involved and Ashley is too experienced to give in to that kind of crap.
Look at who has been brought in already. A striker with a better record than Carroll, and he’s not the main man, and a couple of seriously slick midfielders that make Nolan, Barton and Smith look pretty average.
With that lot in midfield we were never challenging for anything more than consolidation.
Personally I think Ashley got it right.
A team full of quality youngsters – reminiscent of Man U from from the mid 90s or Arsenal from the next decade.
Liam Coogan-Jobes is like many fans who become obsessed and lose the plot. Cant see the big picture.
Ashley has a plan. This plan involves making money, hence being solvent. It also involves getting rid of the big earners who would be lucky to get a medal in the sprint at the primary school sports days.
Personally I think he’s learnt a bit.
Suggest all you doom mongerers sit back an d watch the season.
Archie, nice to meet someone who has their feet on the ground instead of their head in the clouds.
These are times of change for Newcastle and it’s going to hurt a little bit, So what if it takes a little longer. Iv’e waited 56 years for some common sense at this club so bring it on.
Guys
I am a West ham fan and really feel for you as I know what a deverstating effect poor ownership can have on a club so my one wish for you is that Ba turns out to be the player we at West ham hoped he would be. Nolan’s decision is a strange one but given the fact that all magpies seem to be so upset about it he must be something special, I just can’t wait to see him in Claret and Blue. A sad lose for yourselves but wishing you all the best for next year you deserve it.