I agree entirely, but the only issue with that is that all of them have a much higher ceiling than we have (Horse Teeth's is even higher) to be able to spend on wages vs turnover and still comply with EUFA rules. We're going to need a monster season, some excellent recruitment and some big sponsorship deals next year to continue stepping up.
Absolutely and that still doesn't guarantee they'll improve next season especially considering the extra matches and injuries it'll bring. Newcastle are a Virgin club.
Only in the precise literal terms. It would still be top 4 and champions league, so a similar level of achievement and cementing a top 4 place. Finishing 5th would be a movement backwards from 4th both in terms of missing out on Champs League and not getting top 4. 6th would be a noticeable decline and 7th a significant step backwards.
Owners are prepared for and ready to go for the above. I have reasonable confidence they'll do a good job of it.
4th to 5th is definitely backwards on a number of factors . I personally don't care though top 10 is a good season next season as the build will still be taking place. The problem is most of the nufc fans will start complaining and causing problems if that happens because the expectation issue will be back.
10th is a big decline, basically the finish this season puts a marker in the sand for next season, especially as we'll be looking to significantly improve the squad. Whether it's Champs League or Europa is a big factor as for CL we'll need a good team in those matches, whereas in Europa the reserves can easily sail through the matches...West Ham are favourites to win the "other" Europa this season FFS. Things are calm with us so it's a good place to build on, it's a good situation for us, not like at Liverpool where the team needs re shaping, Chelsea where everything has gone to **** or Spurs where they've been decimated by a lunatic manager.
It won't necessarily be off the pitch though regardless. The point is that there's a good chance Newcastle do fall back and fans should prepare for that and still see the huge positive overall. Unfortunately if Newcastle do fall back the fans that have sold their soul to the taste of nectar we've had will start to cry and look for someone to blame.
Oh I have total belief that the owners will do the best that they possibly can, but the truth of the matter when the finances are scrutinised is that we are going to have to have a meteoric rise in revenue vs operating cost / wages to be able to comply as well as improve. Its going to be very, very difficult to do, regardless of the extra that CL could bring next year.
He's falling into the trap of believing the progress will be linear which is the least likely pathway imo. He might of course be correct.
Over the next few years, for me, it'll be failure if we don't make Europe each year from now on. We'll need to continually do that to be able to build the profile and revenue base of the club. That will be minimum expectation. 3-5 years from now, it'll be CL or bust regards barometer of success or failure.
I actually think Everton will be back competing also in a few years the new stadium is the only good decision their owners have made .. the design is 60k right on top of the players. Essentially there's alot of big clubs and clubs with money in this league.
They have said from start that it's a long term project, so the quick progress inspite of that is encouraging. They appear to be very mindful about the finances, ie carefully add to the team now and build on the success. Considering what a ****ing nightmare we've seen at Chelsea with the owner spending, I think they're doing a very good job right now.
Not necessarily thinking every year will be better than other, but more regarding things as a general upward progression. Ie if we finish 3rd this season, then 4th or 5th next season is comparable and cementing the position. 6th would be okay, 7th would be meh, 8th would be disappointing and 10th would be outright bad.
Then I agree but we should expect to go backwards and fwds although it is possible they just keep going up and up for the next few years.. I just feel that's less likely.
Buts there's still establishing just what the acceptable range for "backwards" is. Ie after we finished 5th in 2012, we then finished 16th in 2013, dreadful follow up to a successful season, and down to Ashley not strengthening the squad for Europe. That wouldn't pass now, anything below 7th would be a cause for concern.
A huge issue at present is that our Squad Cost (wages / transfer fees) is 107% of our revenue which is higher than any other PL club. If we do qualify for Europe, as seems likely, we'd then be subject to UEFA’s regulations, inc the squad cost control ratio. "This limits player wages, transfers and agent fees that to 70% of revenue and profit on player sales, though there will be a gradual implementation over 3 seasons (90% in 2023/24, 80% in 2024/25 and 70% from 2025/26)." So, to be compliant next year in Europe, we need to be able to drop the squad cost vs revenue to 90% from 107%, while also improving the squad. We're going to need good deals on sponsorship, swiftly approved to make a dent in this. "If Newcastle were to adhere to the ultimate 70% target, based on current revenue their budget would be restricted to only £134m, compared to £481m for Manchester City. This would make it very difficult compete, which is presumably why UEFA no longer refer to these rules as financial “fair play”." We're a long way behind, and hugely disadvantaged vs the others we're competing against... All of the following have a better squad to revenue cost than us, despite them paying out LOADS more in wages than us. We're that far behind on revenue.It will take time.
Facepalm. It was more to do with your comment that we may go up and down over next few seasons - 4th is backwards from third, but gets all the jazz that goes with it apart from the league position. In terms of backwards, it's very good. 10th from 3rd is very bad backwards.
