Possibly the biggest thing to come out of today was the public target of 8th or above. Why? Because it absolutely means we've have a more than healthy transfer budget and are for once intent on spending it. After finishing 15th, McClaren is highly unlikely to have taken the post and accepted that 8th is achievable without concrete assurances regarding squad strengthening. I mean you don't jump seven league places without a serious outlay on new recruits. As happy as I am with McClaren, it could be argued he's drinking in last chance saloon. Regardless of circumstances his CV reads failed at Forest, Wolfsburg, England and Derby (in some people's opinion). I personally don't think he can be judged on his time at Forest and Wolfsburg because he was in each post for less than 6 months, he also improved Derby tenfold from where they were under Clough. Still, the fact remains if he fails this time around he'll struggle to get a job at another Premier League club. Based on the above he'll know he needs to get it right this time and to do this he'll know he needs a much stronger squad. He simply wouldn't have taken the job if he wasn't getting 50m plus to spend. I'm fairly confident we'll sign at least two, possibly three 10m pound plus players and the target of 8th is evidence of this.
The problem for me is that outside of the current top 6/8 and the promoted teams I have a feeling that most teams are going to be spending £50M!
Yep, time will tell. All I'll say is here he can't just sign who he wants. His strength is training and yoof. Derby have a good, young side. I think the youth partly led to the collapse, not enough senior players especially in the 2nd half when so many key players picked up injuries. Wolfsburg - an odd one. Difficult to succeed over there, I would imagine, and they reckon they're top 4 so did he have enough time? No idea. Forest was in huge transition - I can see the appeal, looked like an easy gig to get back up the PL, but....erm.....they're still not here, nor do they look close! For what was out there, in our model, he seems an ok appointment. As I say, not overwhelming but I am personally not expecting anywhere near as bad a season as we've had. There's still a lot to do, but with a pre-season program actually lined up (even if I take issue with the US part, it does make some sense even for NUFC, rather than SD) and funds allegedly there, it's encouraging that everyone is in place weeks before the transfer window even opens. And this new model makes more sense, even if it's not terrible clear. I believe we still need a Financial Director for the actual board, but the "football board" is settled and makes a heap of sense. I think what we have to do is trust to McClaren to make decisions now and see where it leads. Not with huge amounts of misplaced optimism, but with cautious enthusiasm that at the very least it's more of a change than many of us anticipated.
Although I agree, I don't want to dwell on your comments as I am just coming to optimistic terms with McClaren. I always had this niggle that he would crawl over broken glass from Derby to get this job, much like Pardew did crawl over broken glass from that London, so thinking of him in last chance saloon, a desperate man, doesn't help - I want to believe he is better than that. I think the board wanted English, wanted safety but McClaren has demonstrated other facets like youth development and attacking football which make him, it would appear, the safest yet also most relevant choice. Putting him on this football board is a great idea in principal because he could essentially be around, if successful, for a long time and a successor could be plucked from within the club. However, this time, we won't ever be left short staffed as both he and Moncur should be able to say "we need fitness coaches" or "we need cheerleaders who offer back rubs and champagne finishes" if the players need it.
Good luck with this guy - think you will need it. Delighted when he went to Forest and then Direby. Wouldnt have wished him on you though - you are too big a club for him.
Now that Newcastle have a new manager and a new start, I would like to see the agreement scrapped whereby Sunderland give Newcastle one of their best players in exchange for six points every season
@Rolando Transfer window is already open, it's only free agents that have to wait until 1st July to make the transition between clubs. My feelings have slightly changed about McClaren as he is now in the board which will mean he has somewhat of a say on transfers, youth etc. I think most clubs will be spending in the £70m-£100m range this season, not necessarily on transfer fees but agent fees, signing on fees, wages etc. I mean Andre Ayew joined Swansea yesterday, you really think he's only on £20k a week to be there?
McClarens interview today sounded very positive, saying all the right things,however, saying we could be among the top 10 European clubs looks a bit pie in the sky. He will be given a chance but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. For me the next 4/5 weeks should show our ambition when we see the caliber of the incoming players and also those going the other way as not good enough for next season.
I am with MrTiote for the time being. I've seen nothing yet to suggest change. Action not words required.
