You have to be a frog speaker for NUFC to be interested, so we'll have all the Spanish, German, Dutch, etc. coming our way Like someone said earlier, if Leeds and the smogs can get up we won't look like border outposts to continental talent, what with 4 top flight teams up in our corner of the country.
MON spent next to nothing at Leicester in the early years, making a competitive top 10 side out of the likes of Matt Elliott (Oxford United), Neil Lennon & Robbie Savage (both signed from Crewe), Izzet (Chelsea Reserves), Gerry Taggart (Barnsley), Steve Walsh (Wigan when they were League 2), Tony Cottee (already semi-retired in Malaysia), youth players like Heskey and Oakes. People point to his Villa expenditure but fail to take into account how much more the playing squad was worth in saleable assets when he had finished with the club and the absolute ****e he inherited. They also forget everyone was spending more before the financial crisis. At Celtic, he spent a fair whack on a few key players but they did dominate Rangers in that period and took Mourinho's Porto to extra-time in a European final, having knocked out Liverpool and Blackburn en route. Pardew actually ever won a proper trophy? Thought not - perfect for Newcastle then!
I wonder if I am among the minority who want to see Sunderland do well, just so long as we do better and beat them in both the derbies! I would far prefer Newcastle and Sunderland be challenging for the title than the old worn out Man Us/Liverpools of this world - just so long as we beat them in every cup final/league! I work in Washington in a half/half Toon/Mackem split and the friendly banter is great, you wouldn't get to enjoy it as much on either side if one side was at the top of the prem and Sunderland was in the conference premier or vice versa. North East > all (just some of it more than the rest)!
dont think you can count a scottish cup as a trophy, its a joke league, and pardew got west ham to an fa cup final? with west ham, reading, charlton and southampton then when do you think he is going to win a trophy, apart form the JPT of course, pointless argument.
O'Neill did well for Celtic and Leicester, though Steve Walsh was at Leicester a good few years before O'Neill (remember him scoring against us when they 7-1 under Little). He has had better opportunities than Pardew and been managing longer.
It pains me to say but the future success of the region is intrinsically linked to the general prosperity of the region and with NE seemingly getting cut adrift, much to the mirth of the tories, its going to be a mammoth struggle to get back on footballing terms with the more southern clubs Wages are at a point now where they barely matter, playern now want somewhere glitzy, with celeb nightlife. That is partly the reason the Glasgow clubs have fallen, the city itself cannot attract players. The NE region, in its own micro-economy, cannot compete with the investment and prosperity of the south. It will always be an uphill struggle
Location is everything in this argument. The only way Newcastle have seen relative success in the Premier League years is because we through big money at some of the best players. It does seems as though the impending FIFA Financial Fair Play Rules have had an effect already, the "top 6" hardly spent a penny this window. Hopefully this will benefit our two clubs as the better supported clubs will prevail because of merchandise and shirt sales etc. It won't make much of a difference against the likes of Man Utd and Liverpool but it should make a difference against other teams that have faired better than us two in recent seasons such as Everton, Villa and Fulham. I think you're right in saying we both won't be looking at relegation, barring a 08/09 disaster. Battling it out for the best of the rest looks more likely, although with everyone on an even financial field anything could happen. I certainly expect the better supported teams to fair better though
2 League Cup wins with Leicester, who were no better when he took over, lost another final - even if you don't count Scotland, making a European final is still messing it with the big boys. The argument isn't pointless, you just don't like it, more likely out of a sneaking suspicion that he will eventually just add Newcastle to that list of clubs where he didn't win any proper silverware.
I think we will be feeder clubs for a few years yet. Its a mixture of FFP and the 25 man squad rule. Getting a player for 4-7 million from abroad is a risk for the likes of Man U/Man City etc etc, as they have to include them in their squad, buying a 20-30mil player is a lot less risk as they are World Class (or just bloody very good). So the rest buy those 4-7mill players, like Sess for us, Santon/Cabaye/Tiote for you, because the chances are. they will improve us, and be pivotal to our team, for Man U they probably wouldnt be. Then after 2-4 seaons, they have PL experience, and are bloody good buys for the liked of Man U etc. they come calling, we sell them at 100%+ profit, which in turn, helps us in the FFP and lets us purchase the next round of 4-7 million players. The likes of Man U will always turn a huge profit, so the FFP doesnt really effect them (debt does but that doesnt matter), we will struggle unless we sell players at a huge profit, yes we have irons in the fire abroad, and Europe does help a little, but not that much.
Does the FFP rule benefit Sunderland? I certainly think we'd be fine for it but surely the Mackems were offering Brown/Sess/Larson sizeable sums to join the club. Wouldn't the amount of money they spent over summer be reflected in the wage bill? Must admit I don't have any idea what they're paying players but I wouldn't be surprised f some of them are on silly money due to Agent Bruce
Syd, I'm 'emabaressed' by this poster, who from his basic lack of intelligent thought and input, stands out from the crowd as a typical, thick, ****er mag. Maybe he should consider 'bouycotting' these forums for a while and concentrate on an education of some sorts? As for your post, yes it is good to see 2 huge NE Clubs actually doing well for a change. Fighting for top 8 places sure beats relegation scraps. Now, if we could only catch them and win the FA Cup this season, I'll be happy.
No new injuries on either side and this year's derby will be interesting. It's unlikely (as opposed to mpossible) that you will catch us this season just becaasue we started so well and you started so poorly. Next season, though, is anyone's guess. And I always find that I can always enjoy watching a Sunderland game. If they get beart, I get the traditiona "ha ha" factor. If they win, I can genuinely be pleased to see a North East tema do well (unless of course they are playing us or a win would put them above us: niether has been a worry this season)
Being honest I struggle to see us forming a new powerbase in football. I think we'll always be below the sides currently residing at the top. The only thing with the potential to mix it up is the FFP. I hate Platini with a passion and think he's an ignorant little troll, but he really is the last hope to sort out the ridiculous money in the game. If its strict well supported clubs like Newcastle and Sunderland will benefit.