Critics see sense as United adopt careful approach to transfer deals
NEWCASTLE have been panned more often than California gold!
For not meekly accepting their place when Mike Ashley was balancing the books and unbalancing the team over a decade and a half.
For not being grateful at what that nice Steve Bruce was achieving by keeping United up.
For the unrealistic relentless demand of fans for trophies as though it was a Geordie right - and now merely for having Saudi owners.
It has been a never-ending torrent of accusations levelled at the Toon when in reality we have been the biggest loyal supporters of failure this country has ever known.
Fifty two thousand packing into St James’ Park match upon match, season upon season, to witness yet another desperate relegation fights - some just won and two spectacularly failing and plunging a proud club into the abyss of the Championship.
So it is slightly amusing to witness some anti-Newcastle tub-thumpers breaking rank to laud what is happening in our name.
Simon Jordan for one. Under the umbrella of being a straight talker who tells it how it is, and as a supposed voice of authority having been chairman of Crystal Palace, Jordan has taken swipes at NUFC in the past. However, having completed the recruitment of Sven Botman to make it eight signings within the last two transfer windows instead of being roundly derided because they possess a vast financial pot, Jordan has actually hailed United’s “reasonable, controlled, and sensible growth.”
What next? Former Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys lauding Newcastle to the heavens as an example of honest progression?
Gabby Agbonlahor stating Eddie Howe is a far shrewder manager than his old boss Brucie?
Jordan was spouting forth on his daily radio show.
He told all those listening that Newcastle’s transfer policy is “not organic - it’s reasonable, controlled, sensible growth.
He added: “If you compare it to what Chelsea did and what Manchester City started to do in 2009 with the signing of Robinho this is not in the same space.
“What Newcastle are doing is sensible, it would appear.
“They are looking at the reality of the manager they have recruited.
“They are looking at the landscape and are trying to build a football club with sensible infrastructure.” Warming to his theme of shrewd management Jordan went on: “Newcastle will spend money this summer, not insignificant amounts, but it isn’t fuelling the argument they’re going to hyper-inflate the market place, buy their way to success, they’re going to be this force for evil because of the nature of the ownership model behind it.”
Blimey, such praise after so many accusations early takeover days from so many sources.
United were dismissed as scattergun merchants who would unrealistically cock their hat at the likes of Neymar and Mbappe once the transfer window opened this summer and then when they totally ignored such stupidity some painted a picture of dullness and missed opportunity.
What United have done with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Botman is buy young players of huge potential who can grow along with the club on its journey to the stars.
At the other end of the age scale Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope were brought in for their vast experience and England pedigree to allow United tle to develop on firm foundations.
Forget the bull about the richest club in the world, this is Captain Sensible at the controls not Reckless Ronnie. These actions are indeed “reasonable, controlled and sensible.” Who can deny it? Certainly it would appear not one of those who once took constant aim.
Forget the bull about the richest club in the world, this is Captain Sensible at the controls not Reckless Ronnie