A friend’s Facebook status yesterday read; “Would the last person to leave St James’ Park please turn out the lights”, as the news surfaced that Magpie captain Kevin Nolan was having a medical at Upton Park. While the news flashed on Sky Sports, I heard my mailbox flap at my door, and resting on my doormat was my season ticket application for next season. The sinking feeling was more ironic than anything.
Newcastle, it seems, has begun an apparently apocalyptic summer. Joey Barton is expected to go, along with Jose Enrique and now Jonas Gutierrez (after a Twitter post by Barton), three of Newcastle’s focal players. The departure of Nolan is expected to be a catalyst for the departure of more senior players. It is understood that Mike Ashley, who has committed more PR suicides than any right-minded businessmen I can think of, doesn’t like the power that some of the senior players possess within the club. However, any football savvy businessmen, which Ashley certainly is not, would see that the senior players are also more often than not, the best players, and getting rid of them does not only leave the team vulnerable to increasing weakness, but also alienates the fans, a Geordie fan base which among the countries elite supporters.
Until this disastrous summer began for Newcastle, things were looking more than promising. With Hartem Ben Arfa set to return from fitness, the midfield of Nolan, Barton, Guiterraz, Titote and Ben Arfa could have arguably been one of the best in the premiership. Three of the four are now in line to leave, and Ben Arfa, after a lengthy absence and a horrific leg break, will take time to recreate the promise that he portrayed at the beginning of last season. The likes of Guthrie and Taylor were also on their way back from injury, and the depth of the squad, especially in the midfield, was very encouraging.
The defence however, is looking far less desirable, after last season and even more so now, with the expected departure of Enrique. Neil Taylor has proven himself at Championship level with Swansea, but filling the boots of Enrique is very demanding.
What is even less promising is the strategy in terms of the transfer market. With the departure of Andy Carroll in January, surely the first signing should have been a twenty-goal-a-season striker. The first, was a midfielder in the form of Cabaye, who is well established with Lille in the French leagues, and even though they have captured Demba Ba, who’s good form was overshadowed by West Ham’s abysmal season, there doesn’t seem to be another striker (which Newcastle undoubtedly need) over the horizon. Furthermore, a staunch central defender is needed, and, as Matthew Upsom, an experienced England international, has crept onto the free transfer list, surely there should be cries for some sort of approach.
What is going on behind the doors of the Newcastle board room is ambiguous to say the least. An ambitious supporter would hope that a huge signing is about to be unveiled at a later date, which will bring back some encouragement. However, with Ashley’s evident anti-establishment attitude with regards to the senior p;ayers, it looks unlikely. Only time will tell with Newcastle, but I’m hoping that the season ticket I purchased after a decent season last year, will not be the waste of money which Newcastle’s performance in the transfer market might, at the moment, suggest.
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