Are we Arsenal, or are we Everton?

Just a follow up to the other article suggesting we may be 'the Arsenal of the North', something that I'd be pretty happy to be if that means battling at the right end of the league. Yes there are some similarites, mainly signing 'potential' and raiding the French league which has worked to a point for Arsenal but needed supporting with quality proven signings.

However, I do see a lot of similarity with Everton. Mike Ashley wants us to be securing a top half finish with an outside chance of pushing for a EUROPA League spot but on a shoe string budget with little investment on new players. Much like Everton where Moyes is expected to finish around 8th despite having little money available for transfers. Moyes is expected to bring good league finish with a decent core group of players but ultimately lack the strength in depth to push on further. Not unlike ourselves. Also Moyes knows that if a big offer comes in for one of his top players such as Rodwell, Jagielka or Baines then it will be accepted and most of the money will be 'reinvested' in the club rather than on new players. Sound familiar?

The model we're trying to follow can work so long as these good value signings and free transfers are also backed up with players of a proven calibre and as long as if you do cash in on your stars, you don't sell 3/4 in one go, but one every couple of seasons if that's what the owner wants to do.

 

The big test will be when we dont have a big transfer to spend

 

I can see where your coming from.

Our signings have been cream of the crop though, at the moment we are out-evertoning everton.

We could have easily spent more than 20 mil on those guys in different circumstances.


Everton sell because their poor, we sell because we are smart,

Newcastle are on the rise Everton are on a decline.

 

Yeah, I think Everton have to be very careful and can see them slipping down the league a bit. And there have been some bargain buys, Ben Arfa and Cabaye being the obvious ones. We could take over their mantle of 7th/8th place in the league if we're smart.

 

Are we human, or are we dancer?

As Newcastle United we are too unpredictable to take the traits we share with other clubs to greater extents.
I think our current model takes alot from Arsenal but following similar principle with Everton major difference being that we can sustain the income through gate receipts ect so if we wish to continue being proactive in the transfer market it shouldn't hit us in the pocket too badly.

 

I wish we were Newcastle

 

What, get into a lot of debt?!