Post by harrythebastard on Sept 5, 2011 6:06:11 GMT 7
Reprinted from NuMad at Newcastleunitedmad.co.uk
John Gibson has been Mr Newcastle for as long as I can remember. I bought his books as a kid, and for decades he has been the one reporter to "say it as it really is".
I've met Gibson countless times at events, at grounds up and down the country, and in the odd pub. Yep the guy likes a 'slurp' like the rest of us.
But he always has Newcastle United at heart. Black and white blood.
And I feel his has just voiced the opinion of many supporters - and Newcastle players just departed - in this article.
You may agree or disagree with him, but at least he had the balls to write it.
John Gibson: "So the transfer window has slammed shut and we’re left alone to fend for ourselves.
"The long dry summer of early successes, promises, failures, outgoings, failures again, eventual last-gasp defensive recruitment, and finally, fatefully, bitter striker failure has subsided. Now it’s sink or swim.
"What can Geordies make of it all? Have United a better squad than the Championship-winning one and the bunch of famed friends who made steady progress in its Premier League debut season?
"You’re jesting, are you not? The famed No 9 shirt hangs limply on a peg in the back of the dressing-room, unclaimed and unused which has angered every proud Geordie who views St James’ Park as a place of worship.
"That failure to buy a replacement for £35m Andy Carroll is the final straw to the faithful. To them a promise has been reneged upon.
"United had seven months to land a tip-top striker and a wad of money thick enough to choke a horse, but for one reason or another they failed in every attempt to secure any of half a dozen targets.
"We now know, as though we didn’t before, that Newcastle under Mike Ashley’s accountants are a selling club not a building club.
"While all the time officially declaring that the intent is to end up inside the top 10 and even chase for European qualification.
"Europe? Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton – all dispensed with this summer – have publicly accused United of lacking ambition, which is a view endorsed by the vast majority of frustrated fans. It is hard right now to mount a counter-claim.
"If you add the name of Carroll to that trio it means more than a third of the team have gone this year, and probably the top third.
"Up front Shola Ameobi was supposed to be a back-up striker, not the No 1 hot-shot, while Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands and Nile Ranger could all have gone this summer if someone had put down even a smattering of cash.
"What does that tell us, apart from the fact that we desperately need a free transfer man, Demba Ba, to strike gold.
"Certainly on the plus side Yohan Cabaye looks an excellent signing, well worth £4.3m. He’s the heart of United’s engine room with vision, mobility, and good feet.
"What the Toon Army witnessed as Wednesday night’s transfer deadline of 11pm loomed was the likes of Stoke City, Fulham, Blackburn, Wigan and – wait for it – Sunderland concluding their last minute business while the black-and-whites missed out.
"Now Geordies must wait until January for any weaknesses to be rectified. Let us hope it doesn’t prove to be a costly four months."
