Mike Ashley's model for the club

Before everyone jumps on his back, perhaps we should consider the direction that we're headed for first. Every decision has a reason, so let's bear in mind that some things are beyond the club's control and others are not. When an influential player like Nolan leaves, it's not necessary the club's fault.

From my understanding, Kevin Nolan was offered a contract extension. He is practically 29 and his current contract would have taken him through until 2013 (aged 31). It is widely reported that Nolan was offered a 2 year extension, meaning he could have been at the club until 2015 (aged 33). Instead, Nolan rejected the offer because he wanted a 5 year extension (which would have kept him on a £50k p.w. wage until the age of 36).

Agreeing to such a deal would have be very stupid, especially if the club really does aspire to qualify for European football in the not so distant future. At the end of the day, we rejected West Ham's first offer and most likely only sold Nolan because it was his wish to leave and because we could make some money from him. I personally believe that the club did the right thing in this case, whether you agree or not is up to you.

Anyway, whilst we're on the topic of players leaving, Andy Carroll is a good example of the club doing the logical thing. AC had huge potential, so the club offered him a 5 year contract and he signed it. Then in January the club rejected offers in the region of £20m for him. This is the point where the club no longer have any power to keep a player, Liverpool swoop in with an offer of £30m of which the club also rejected. Then AC reportedly handed in a transfer request and the club were practically offered £35m on a plate (in cash). Considering how useful £35m in cash could be in the summer and that AC wanted to go to Liverpool, what would you have done?

Now consider the cost of replacing AC. A player like Daniel Sturridge (young, proven goalscorer, English) would set you back £20m and leave you with a further £15m to spend on other young players. Now the chance of Ashley spending £20m on a striker is probably the same as Leazes losing his penis, but if we do spend the money then it seems like common sense.

I don't necessarily think that Mike Ashley is turning us into a selling club, I think he wants to invest in young players of whom can propel this club into Europe and secure an increased revenue. By increasing the club's revenue, we would be able to retain our players and further invest where necessary. Ashley seems to be taking the route of investing in cheaper and younger players with potential rather than blowing a huge sum on someone who might be proven, but has past his best and will ultimately cost the club a huge amount *cough*Owen*cough*.

Whilst it's hard to rely on what Pardew says and easy to ignore the facts, we must give Ashley a chance this summer. He has said that he wants the club to be self-sufficient, but that does not mean we won't have money to spend. Logically, if the club can push itself up the league and possibly into europe, we will have more money to spend in the transfer market and won't need to rely on selling our players to fund investments.

I'm not defending Ashley, I 100% believe that the jury is still out until the end of the transfer window and beyond. However, I do believe that we should give MA a chance before calling for his head. The club have so far done the honorable thing and offered players contracts, invested in youth and even invested in improving the training ground. If we sell all of our best players and fail to bring in worthy replacements, then this whole article is obviously void, but until then we have to be patient.

 

Well said!!

 

Good article, was annoyed yesterday about Nolan leaving but I've got over it. I want him to get a good reception I we play WHU anytime, not a reaction like the one we gave Carroll

 

"You can't squeeze cheese from a goat that hasn't hatched yet" as my grandmother used to state after her third bottle of Spar sherry and she was right.

Let's just wait for the goat to hatch and see what is squeezed out and if it's not cheese; riot.

 

This is the best ever metaphor EVER!

 

Let's just hope a goat hatches first, we might get a surprise if it's a Pidgeon (Carlton Cole).

 

Agree 100%

 

Great post

Mike Ashley has stated that he wants to follow the Arsenal blueprint. This does not just involve bringing young promising talent to the club that can be developed. It also means that no players over the age of 30 are offered long-term contracts (goalkeepers excluded). Anyone over the age of 30, when they are renogotiating their contracts, are only offered short-term 1-2 year deals with a further option to extend.

Manchester United do the same. Someone on here yesterday said that it was a good job that Scholes and Giggs were not treated like Nolan. But both these players have regularly been offered short-term extensions to thier contracts during the last few years.

SAF and AW do not get stuck with ageing players on long term contracts who are not useful to the squad.

Nolan was important to the team in respect of spirit and digging in when the going got tough, however, most people on here did not include him in their first choice 11 for next season. Yes he was an important member to the squad, but not enough to pay him £50-55k per week for the next 5 years.

 

Well said SOAP couldn't agree more. Time will tell and have some faith.

 

Brilliant! If Buddha had said something as wise as that I would be a buddhist now and not an atheist! Tell us something else o wise one!

 

Confucius say

" OT's grandmother very strange bird"

 

She was often pissed as a newt.

 

Nissed as a pewt

 

Could she squeeze a drop of Sherry out of an empty bottle?

 

so you'd believe in the god that buddhists worship?

 

No because buddhists don't believe in a god, its more a philosophy re-incarnation thing. But it is quasi-religious whereas i don't believe in anything faith based (ironic i know).

 

Excellent poisitive article.

I'm a lot more confident that there is a plan in place. I think the arsenal model is what they're going for. However Arsenals model is built on bringing youth through their excellent academy - hopefully we can see the sort of investment in grass roots that Arsenal put in.

 

Re-incarnation, surely they have to have faith in this ergo faith based.

 

I agree totally. I made a flippant comment about Buddha but I'm about as atheistic as you can get so i'm no expert on faith. I basically don't have any where religion or eastern philosophy is concerned. But yeah I would say it takes faith to believe in re-incarnation.

 

that was my point, technically buddhists are atheist