I actually think we're moving in the right direction. Got rid of the deadwood and some high wages, bringing in players that will hopefully inject some new life into our team, I'm feeling quite optimistic. But more importantly I think we all should give Webber time, took him a couple of seasons to sort Huddersfield out.
I hope they like my comment at the bottom! http://the72.co.uk/87006/reading-reportedly-no-longer-signing-top-target/
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-boss-rafa-benitez-keen-10766528 Again, way off his valuation. So probably true.
I think this may have some 'legs', as I don't think he's played in the pre-season friendlies and if they were talking around £15M, that would be a FAR more realistic price. The truth is, though, this is NCFC and IF he is sold, I'd be VERY surprised if we got over £10M!!!
I see Ruddy has signed for Wolves. Thought a lesser PL team would have taken a punt on him. This " available for £8.5m " is total journalist/blogger speculation. Jacob should fetch at least £12m, which is also a figure quoted last week.
I don't think Jacob has featured in pre-season as the U21 tournament meant he wouldn't have had a break? Gunn hasn't featured either.
Nor has Angus Gunn - they were both given an extended break which they took (in Miami, I think) due to their involvement in the later stages of the under 21's tournament P.S. Sorry to tread on DH's toes - I see he beat me to it.
Though I hate to see Howson leave, I'm beginning to see the sense of it, especially as he wanted away. I like the signing of Reed and the fact that SW is still looking for a CB, LB and a replacement for Howson. Surely we can mange that with the £7m+ we raised from the sale of Dorrans and Howson as well as the saving in wages from them and the other high earners who have left.
Jacob and Gunns lack of involvement is just recovery and holiday after U21. I could easily see us sell for under £10M but unrealistic addons, maybe a small % of sell on. If he goes to Newcastle, that would feel like Howson going to Boro. It's not a big enough step up for me to think "fair play, we can't hold on to a player when this club come knocking" If it was an Everton or Spurs, Liverpool like linked to last season) and they bid over 10 and addons taking it up to12-15M, you can't really look at that as bad business. That fact is that our board could easily sell Jacob to a club like Sunderland for 6M, and I wouldn't be shocked.
I have read somewhere that £8.5m for Jacob M is NCFC 'asking price' Surely not! If there are a number of clubs interested then start the bidding at £10m.
I disagree, If jacob is to move then a club like Newcastle, newly promoted with a decent chance of staying up is the level he is best suited for, he may get game time and a chance to continue his development. Go to Everton, Loserpoo or Spuds and his chances of game time are small, a loan back to the championship almost inevitable. Jacob is a completely different kettle of fish to Howson. We are in a strong position with a long contract and offer a near certainty of plenty of first team football. If he plays very well for us again this season and we don't go up, then I expect him to want the move and extra wedge. We as a club then may have to concede, but now and for anything south of £12m I just can't see the club conceding given we have a strong position. OK as you say; "That fact is that our board could easily sell Jacob to a club like Sunderland for 6M, and I wouldn't be shocked" I would not be completely shocked as we have previous, I just don't think we will this time around, I genuinely think that Webber et al will do better by the club. With that said, neither Howson or Dorrans yielded as much revenue as we would hope or expect on the general market, so maybe Webber et al have changed nothing? The only thing I would say with respect to Jacob is that he is replaceable within our own squad. Josh, Wildshut, Naismith, Wadkins, Jarvis, Morris (Playing as part of a front three). So I can see us cashing in, he won't be on stella wages so there is little pressure to get him off the pay roll but, if we could get the CB, LB and CM players that we need in the event of his sale I could understand it, but not for south of £12m. In the current market any thing less for me would represent weak negotiating skills and lttle old Norwich again. Bah!
I think youre selling him short there too. I think we set a price and a deadline (Assuming Jacob is even interested in leaving?) "You must pay us £15m by the 1st of August, if you fail to agree terms with us and Jacob by that point, we will only speak to you again in December." Make it clear to Jacob and his representatives that we want to keep him but if he is to move they are the terms. And then at least we will have time to spend what has been brought in. Bah!
Do you seriously believe that SW would put an asking price on any player before a prospective purchasing club made their intentions clear? Scenario, City say Jacob available for £8.5m, WBA say, we'll have some of that, we were prepared to pay £11.5m for him. Any idea of a player having a set available price is absolute bollox. Not a single player in any team is available for a set price.
Possibly, if Newcastle hadn't already made winger signings this summer,plus what they already have, and are favorites to sign Jesus Navas from Man City, and looking at Gray from Leicester.
