Newcastle United are an enigma. A football club whose direction cannot ever be predicted. As we approach the end of another week, Newcastle have surprised fans and the footballing world once again. Fans can now take breath and access what has actually taken place. I want to look at the events of this week and offer a fans view. Too much is written in the media, which by and large is written with a hidden agenda.
The week began with interim head coach John Carver and assistant Steve Stone being removed from their positions. How many saw that coming? It’s fair to say the fan base wanted to see their removal. Managers and coaches should be judged on their ability to attain results. Carver failed miserably, only narrowly avoiding relegation. Bust ups with fans and players tarnished his time here and too much water had ran under the bridge for him to continue. Last season is not a season fans will remember fondly. A season review DVD will not be a best seller. Newcastle capitulated far to many times, John Carver was unable to reverse the tide. Whilst he may be a Geordie and love the club, that alone does not constitute what it takes to be a manager. All fans love the club, all fans have passion but that doesn’t mean any of us are capable of managing the club. In order to move forward Newcastle needed to leave the past behind. John Carver and Steve Stone were the past. The last men clinging on from the previous regime and the last stalwarts of prehistoric, draconian tactics and structures. Up until the time of Writing goalkeeping coach, Andy Woodman remains at the club. Alan Pardew made a move for his long time friend after taking the helm at Palace. Newcastle could be waiting to see if Pardew makes another move as such a move would bring a compensation package as opposed to the club having to offer a termination compensation package. It would be best for all parties if Woodman was to depart. Whilst he is not involved in tactics, there is a serious lack of evidence to suggest he offers anything moving forward. Tim Krul and Rob Elliot have both underperformed this season. Krul especially has been a big cause for concern. Mistakes he committed as a youngster are still appearing in his game. Weaknesses such as distribution and decision making are not being addressed. Many factors have caused Krul to regress but my main concern is coaching. Many years ago shot stopping was enough to justify a goalkeepers position. Modern football now demands far more. Decision making, commanding of the penalty area, distribution and temperament are taken into account now and separates the greats in their position. Karl Darlow joins up with the club this season having spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and I would like to see him giving the best chance possible to achieve success. I don’t trust Woodman to move forward and get the best from what we have at our disposal.
After weeks of speculation Steve McClaren was finally appointed as head coach, signing a three year deal. Closure was what we as fans needed. Far too much has been written in the media, social media and message boards. Newcastle can now move forward and look to achieve success in the forthcoming season. I like the appointment of Steve McClaren. I would like to pass over that opinion however as I’ve previously commented on this subject. (Click here should you wish to read my thoughts on McClaren)
Whilst awaiting official confirmation from the club regarding McClaren, British media outlets took to social media to announce only official media partners of the club were allowed to attend the unveiling and interview the incoming coach. Anger and feelings ran high. Journalists accusing Newcastle of rejecting a chance to wipe the slate clean and missing out on free advertising whilst fans poured over previous gripes with the current regime. I personally don’t mind the stance Newcastle have taken. Media outlets have been banned by Newcastle for printing false and inaccurate articles. The Premier league has grown exponentially over the last decade. Clubs look to generate the most they can from their asset and why shouldn’t they? Newcastle offered a media package which Sky Sports and Trinity Group took advantage of. Yesterday as I sat reading various articles I was drawn to an article in the Times. Unfortunately I was unable to read the article as it required a subscription to the publication. Do the media not get the irony? If we should pay to hear their thoughts why is it wrong for the club to reciprocate those actions? I have very little affection for the media. A corrupt and repulsive institution who have broken British laws and went below what can be defined as morally and ethically acceptable. Yesterday my point was highlighted. Every media outlet other than the media partners ran an article criticizing the club and the decision. Had those journalists been granted access the articles would have been so different. During Alan Pardew’s reign as manager the Southern based media refused to accept AP was a cause of the dismal results. Fans were labeled fickle, too hard to please and to want only geordies employed. Such ill informed judgements again prove to me the media do not offer an unbiased, agenda less opinion.
Before being whisked away from St James’ Park yesterday, McClaren was greeted by journalists from the Daily Mail. As they tried to pose questions to McClaren they were reminded he had been instructed to not answer. The notions brought forward by the media were unnecessary and totally unfounded. For many years Sir Alex Ferguson refused to speak to the BBC after they ran a documentary based around both himself and his son. FA rules stipulate managers must conduct press conferences and interviews pre and post fixture. Ferguson remained firm and refused. Each week Manchester United were fined as a result of Ferguson’s defiance. Whilst the media ran the article at the time of the incident, they didn’t prolong their disgust in the way they target Newcastle United. Because Mike Ashley refuses to bow down to the media’s demands the club will always be at the blunt end of criticism.
During the interview conducted with both Sky Sports and the Daily Mirror Steve McClaren spoke with authority and conviction. This is something which has clearly been lacking for many years. After 4 years of Alan Pardew giving, arrogant, self centered spouts of nonsense, lies and misconceptions it was refreshing to hear a coach speak of the club in a positive light, brimming with optimism. Newcastle United is without doubt the most underachieving club in the world. Fans pack St James’ Park week after week, many including myself have never seen the club lift a major trophy. McClaren declared a top eight finish and cup success was the target for Newcastle this season. I believe to be a great place to begin a new era. Reconstructing a team takes time, patience, hard work and coaching acumen to propel the club the higher echelons. Signing a three year contract Steve has the chance to make his mark and build year on year whilst being self sufficient. McClaren covered a whole range of topics and during the whole interview it’s hard not to be impressed by the positive attitude and outlook he has for the club.
A minority of fans have been pessimistic and negative on the appointment. This will always happen. Decisions will never always appease everyone. In circumstances like this the club is damned if they do and damned if they don’t. As a fan isn’t it our primary duty to support and back the club? Tough decisions have to be made so rather than show disdain and disappointment, embrace and move forward. Judge McClaren on his performance as Newcastle’s head coach as this club is so unique there is no parallels. The club have made statements via Mike Ashley, Lee Charnley and now Steve McClaren. A man is only as good as his word. It is my belief the time has come to be patient and allow them to live up to their promises.
Steve McClaren is not only Head Coach of Newcastle he has also been appointed as a member of the board of directors. An unprecedented move in the world of sport. Mike Ashley relinquished his position as well as John Irvine who is leaving the club. McClaren joins chief scout Graham Carr, club ambassador Bob Moncur and Lee Charnley in a very fresh and new looking structure. As this has never been attempted previously it’s difficult to envisage how this will work but I see positives in the move. For years, under Mike Ashley we have been a disorganized mess behind the scenes. From Chris Moat, Derek Llambias, Joe Kinnear, Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez the list makes grim reading. Newcastle United under Mike Ashley was structurally naïve. It is my belief Ashley whilst not fully understanding the footballing world listened to people not intelligent enough to offer a judgment. What we have a place now appears to be something resembling a unified task force. A team whose sole responsibility is get the best out of the club and achieve the most it possibly can. Lee Charnley will still be running the day to day operations but can call upon expertise of footballing men. Carr and Moncur especially have seen the game evolve and will offer valuable expertise, something which cannot be bought. Whilst many may disapprove of the European structure and ways, many clubs are moving in this direction. Revolutionary it’s not as this structure has been adopted for decades by elite nations . The key elements of this structure is delegation. Every member of the board has an area of expertise. Using personnel to their strengths allows greater productivity and results. Collectively as a unit it brings together minds looking for a common goal. Structures like this require personnel to be working in tandem as opposed to individually. The club appear now to fully grasp the concept and this can only bring good in the long term, so long as promises are kept.
Many questions remained unanswered. Who will join McClarens coaching setup? Which players are the club actively looking to recruit? All these I feel will be answered in the coming weeks as the season draws closer. You just never know with Newcastle United, after all we as fans know anything is possible!
