I suppose not, it’s the same as it’s always been with bungs, brown envelopes etc except on a massive scale.
The Newcastle United midfielder has had his contracted terminated early to be able to leave as a free agent. Former QPR and Portsmouth loan star Isaac Hayden has been made a free agent after seeing his contract with Newcastle United terminated early this summer, as confirmed by the Premier League club on Saturday. The 30-year-old hasn’t played for the Magpies since December 2021 and has not been part of Eddie Howe’s immediate or future plans in the North East for several years. Hayden signed a lengthy six-year contract with the club in 2020 but will not see out the final year of that deal. A graduate of the Arsenal academy, Hayden made two appearances for the Gunners and joined Newcastle United in 2016. A statement from the club today read: “Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has departed the club as a free agent.
Over a 14 year professional career Hayden has averaged 18 games a season. He should have plenty left in the tank. Good player.
Surely we have to be offering him a contract? He would literally be filling the most important weakspot in our squad. And he is already familiar with a number of our players, the club, executives, etc. No transfer fee involved. It's a no brainer?
Imagine Hayden and Verane together in midfield. I'd like to see that. 4-2-1-3 kind of formation, with Field pushing up a bit and Chair, [striker], Dembele up front? I actually like when Field plays higher up the pitch.
I would prefer to see Varane further forward than field. Not really bothered about Hayden. He could find a championship team somewhere but he's a 'half a season' player and it goes against our transfer policy of buying to make a profit.
McBurnie just signed for Hull on a free… Depending on what his demands were, can’t think Hull are all that flush, could prove to be a very good signing for them, he’s hardly kicked on at a higher level but should be decent at this level.
But Hayden played really well for us. And it's not really going against policy if he's on a free. Wouldn't you go for it knowing we have a weakness in that position? I mean, of course, I'd be happier if we signed a good younger player in that role but we are where we are.
No I wouldn't, I actually don't think he was all that. He read the game well but his legs have been going for a long time. We have Field and Varane who play that position. Our weaknesses are at left back, a more progressive central midfielder and striker.
I don't know what his legs were like over the last season but he was up for this level when he last played for us. Field and Varane are both players I really like but they've both had periods out with injury. Which is why I think we need a backup like Hayden. He doesn't have to play every game but would at least be competent and experienced backup for that position, and on a free. Having 2 good central midfielders for an upcoming season is a weakness, in my book. Morgan clearly has ability but has been out of form for a while. But I 100% agree LB is a big weakness. I'd argue RB is too. Dunne shouldn't really be playing there. Adamson is really promising but we can't depend on him ahead of a long season. However, if we must use Dunne there, I'd be happy to start the season with Dunne and Adamson as cover. But I'm not yet convinced by Morisson, although he's still very young. Mbengue needs time and we're not sure how he'll be for us. Cook is on his way out of football. Salter is... a 1 game per half season player. Fox is gone. Looks like we need a another CB? R.e. progressive midfielders... we seem to have quite a few of those atm, no? We have Chair, Dembele, Vale (and Madsen, if you dare to count him!). In the development squad, we have Morgan and Talla. Morgan obviously more a central player but Morgan, along with Field and Varane, all probably have the abilities to be pushed up. Morgan out of form recently, though. Now that Chair is supposed to be playing more centrally, and since we lost Saito, we don't seem to have options on the LW/LM. Kolli can play LW but I'm not sure how dependable he'll be. Dembele perhaps could but he seems to favour the right side, cutting in. So, seems like we must get 1 signing to play there.
I see Birmingham have signed a striker with a pretty reasonable Bundesliga record 31 and on a three year deal. Would be great if it went tits up for them. Poor Lyndon will be checking his bank balance more than he plays.
Don’t mind Wrexham so much. It’s a nice ride for their (real) fans who have gone through a lot and the ownership is more likeable IMO. Birmingham are just horrible chavvy ****s who have won the lottery and don’t shut up about it.
It's funny how in these documentaries, the long-suffering fans change very quickly to expecting to win every game and complaining if they don't. Sit down, shut up.
I suppose it all depends on how we set up to play as to who we need where. The pre season friendlies have been bizarre at best. Bennie was used as a right wing back in two matches, then as the main striker. Right back Adamson came on to play left back and we generally set up to start without a striker. I will give the new regime half a season to see how it's going but I'm not expecting much.
