I think I understand why all of Europe goes on vacation for the month of August. If they stay home, they're left reading the results of sports reporters and columnists stretching to their very limits to find something interesting to write about...and failing miserably. Aside from the one legitimately interesting transfer story (Davids to Spurs), the rumor that got the most ink yesterday involved Phil Neville and the absurd notion that SAF might get 3 million in return for him. Didn't Newcastle learn their lesson with Nicky Butt (who, while still not very good, is better than Phil)?
In honor of my buddy Jeremy's doomed plight as a Newcastle fan, here are some thoughts on what they could/should do to start the rebuilding...
The Anelka speculation was amusing for all of us (who wouldn't enjoy a season of Souey and L'Enfant Terrible) but between the approximately 7 million they offered for him and the 3 million they reportedly offered for the Neviller, it would seem they have about 10 million to spend. So here's how they should do it...
1) Shearer, The Next Generation - it will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with this space that recommendation #1 is to head to Norwich and buy Dean Ashton - Norwich spent 3 million and might want a premium but depending on Norwich's situation, they might be able to get him for less. Presume an expenditure of 3 million (and a LOT more value than Phil Neville). Maybe not the next Alan Shearer but a reasonable approximation and he even has the right hairline.
2) Buy American - Wouldn't the Holland-based combination of DMB and Cory Gibbs fit the bill nicely. A young, athletic central defender and a left wing to replace the mercurial Lauren Robert seem like exactly what the doctor ordered. Beasley doesn't have the same shooting or crossing ability that Robert had, but he can take on defenders and get the ball into dangerous positions and score the occasional goal as well. I have to think that the two together wouldn't cost more than 5 million.
3) Scouting and Development - In a world where Chelsea seems to have first choice of players and then the Real Madrids, AC Milans, Manchester Uniteds, and Arsenals of the world have second choice, Newcastle is fooling themselves if they think they are a "big club". Either they can resign themselves to being a slightly more famous version of [pick one between Charlton, Birmingham, Villa, Man City, or Fulham] or they can start to sink some serious money in to scouting and development of youth players. In a world where known commodities are priced out of your reach, your only options are to a) find them elsewhere before they're "known" - the Arsene Wenger and/or Frank Arnesen model; or b) train them yourself - until recently, the Sir Alex Furgeson model. Without a serious investment in one or both of these avenues Newcastle are pretty much doomed.
Even with these investments, Newcastle would probably be too thin to compete for even a place in the UEFA Cup next year - especially since Shearer is likely to miss about half their games - but they might be able to avoid another bottom half finish and start the process of rebuilding. Not selling talented young players like Darren Ambrose might be a good step to take as well. Can't wait to see what he does for Charlton this year.
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