Still Early days in the Jan Transfer Window, but feels like we will sign two more players. Maybe they are waiting until the Summer for a LB and new CB. Has Fat Mike actually wised up? Doesn't seem plausible!
I would say both. McClaren isn't one of his "mates" and Ashley has realised relegation must be avoided
I think in part the second significant failure of Carr (Cabella, then Thauvin) really set the alarm bells ringing with Charnley, who in turn has been (allegedly) hammered by Mike for his part in the problems. As a result, I think they've actively turned to McClaren to work it out and subsequently a lot has changed. I think Steve is also more bullish than Pardew, so would agree with that, and I am going to also suggest that Ashley never pro-actively wanted to fail; certainly he didn't want relegation, but he suffers from being so reluctant to bring other people into his circle of trust and also hasn't a clue how to run a football club. It's so refreshing to see change under Mike; all many of us wanted was a bit more ambition and reinvestment, to the benefit of the playing side, in the team. It doesn't really matter if Ashley, Shepherd, Basil Brush or Hitler are in charge, as long as the direction is in line with the fans.
Entirely about avoiding relegation, Ashley can't afford to miss out with the next increase in PL tv rights.
Zero to do with managers. There is no one with more balls than Pardew, no one more bullish. He was always asking and hinting in the press, he just got **** all. The club has quite clearly changed policy this summer - we have been categorically told that for the first time in a while there is money available. Add in our troubles and its pretty obvious what is happening.
We were told before we were in relegation trouble that we'd be spending big in each of the next three transfer windows. I suspect some of the timetable has been brought forward because of being in the bottom three at the turn of the year, and also that the blueprint of who has final say may have changed because of Cabella/Thauvin, but that the investment itself was already planned. I think Mike genuinely wants us to succeed, he just took a long time to realise that it takes a different approach than in his other businesses. If he has learned his lessons then I'd even venture to say that there are far far worse owners out there (not saying he is perfect by any means). I think it is more down to lessons being learned rather than McClaren having bigger cahoonies than Pardew though.
Mike Ashley is a fat, greedy *unt. This will never change. The 'investment' he's making is to ensure he gets to collect the obscene television rights money for next season. A leopard cannot change its spots. There is a chance we'll see a striker come through the doors of SJP but you can bet he will have a re-sale value.
I think it's a case of Pardew's judgement wasn't trusted. Once he was given that infamous 8 year contract the clubs hands were tied. What better way to force his hand then to deny him a choice in signings, which would probably have been crap any way?
I doubt it. The club were just not a spending club at the time. They made that clear. If Pardew hadn't decided to leave he may well still be here and been the one getting the benefit of the newly injected wealth. Not sure where this notion Pardew wasn't trusted comes from, the club has been pretty clear throughout what the situation was. Ashley, Pardew, McClaren have all confirmed that things have just changed from a financial perspective.
Personally l suspect it's a bit of both that is bringing about change. To be honest l don't really care what the motivation is, so long as it continues.
Well, my guess is McClaren is infinitely more popular in the football world than Pardew. If you watch the manU match Rooney actuallyhugs McClaren. McClaren is well connected. Pardew I think is pretty much disliked by a whole lot of players and managers...making dealings with other club quite a bit more difficult.
Has McLaren got the balls to headbutt an opposition player, push over a linesman or call Pellegrini he's an "owd kant"? ALL about Ashley being personally embarrassed at being hung out to dry by the media last season and ****ting himself that we'll be relegated.
I see the palace fans are starting to turn... As for fatty,, blind panic at the thought of us going Doon and him losing the cash next season.
Rooney hugged Tufty cause he was at Man Utd as an assistant and as wally with the brolly was involved with Rooney at International level, load of blah....
It's not that he has more balls, it's that he has less ability. Pardew could keep us up with no support in the transfer market. Maclaren can't.
