By Tyne-Talk
August 26 2008

The number of bums on seats at St James's Park for the first home game of the season was its lowest in a long time this weekend with just 47,711 people turning up to watch the match, that's approximately 5000 short of maximum capacity and something which isn't usually an issue at St James' Park with the supporters turning up come rain or shine. However, with the increase in ticket prices and a lack of "super signings" some fans stayed away. This hasn't gone unnoticed by manager Kevin Keegan who after the match commented on the low attendance, putting it down to people not receiving tickets in time the bank holiday weekend being upon us and the credit crunch. Despite the fact that each of these comments was true, a bank holiday weekend doesn't usually pose a problem in the North East.

Keegan took a positive view on the situation he said;

"The onus is on us to get people to want to watch Newcastle United.

I'd like to think we're one of the cheapest clubs in the league and I think that's right for the area we live in."

However, there is no doubt it is likely to crop up at Wednesday's meeting between manager and owner. Mike Ashley, Kevin Keegan and executive director of football Dennis Wise will sit down tomorrow and discuss how to move the club forward this season. We can all guess the agenda and much has been speculated already as to where this meeting will take Newcastle United.

Possible Agenda Items:

• Attendance
• Dennis Wise' contribution to transfers current and proposed, both entering and exiting the club.
• Michael Owen's signature being firmly written in ink on a new contract - preferably ASAP.

However, its good to know that the media have taken this meeting on board as a good piece of news rather than turning it into another attention grabbing headline shouting that Keegan is due to be released from his contract, as all the other meetings have produced.

For Keegan he can go into this meeting confident that his summer signings have begun to do the job they have been employed to do and that is to play good football which makes a difference to the club. This should be encouraging for Mike Ashley who has so far been shy on splashing the cash to provide more depth to the squad. With Keegan repeatedly saying that injuries are a problem, and the physio room being fuller than the dressing room, this is the time that Ashley needs to start listening and get his cheque-book out, and fast. But will he? - So far the signings of Coloccini, Gutierrez and Guthrie have all been for an undisclosed fee, Ashley has been very tight lipped in how much he has spent this summer and whilst the media can speculate over the cost of the players, the reality is that they just do not know for sure.

United have been linked with so many players this summer, 24 in August alone, made attempts at a few and have been unsuccessful, but need to start covering the injuries of which we currently have 8 unfit players, meaning that Keegan is having to rely on semi fit players on the bench, not a good sign.

So will Newcastle United have an end of transfer summer rush and get those much needed players through the door before the window shuts, or will Keegan be forced to struggle this season with what he has, injuries and all?

Keegan & Ashley's Mid Week Meeting...

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 26/08/2008 16:54

TyneTalk
26/08/2008 16:54

Keegan & Ashley's Mid Week Meeting...

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becksa09
27/08/2008 02:08

important that something positive happens this week, away from the Owen contract we need to bring in 2[u players minimum.....





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:08:27:02:08:27 by becksa09.

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tunyc
27/08/2008 15:28

I'd say this squad needs at least four players in:

LB
CM
RM (replacement for Milner)
ST

The situation is absurd and it's hard to avoid the conclusion that Ashley really doesn't understand what it means to run a football club.

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nathan robinson
27/08/2008 16:08

So 5 days and the rest of tonight to get in 4 players...tis a longshot. May end up with a Sibierski and Rossi thing happening again.

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Chilango
27/08/2008 16:16

agree push for loan signings at this point dont think we'll survive til xmas otherwise

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nathan robinson
27/08/2008 18:18

Is it 3 loan signings allowed?

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Dick
28/08/2008 13:25

no 2 max, I think we need a full back and a centre midfielder and a target man

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andymfs
28/08/2008 13:45

I feel that unless things change, attendances of 45k will be a regular occurence. Ashley must realize that the total lack of ambition showed, and the way Wise's words seems more important than KK's is leading to absolute apathy

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T00N B0Y
28/08/2008 14:15

Signings we should possibly thin about or do......


Bullard
Larsson (temp help)


That's all we should look at for now. I think anyone else would be a panic buy and/or not in our reach. SWP wouldbe fantastic, be it looks as if he is returning to city. But I think Bullard and Larsson are definitely a possibilty.

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tunyc
28/08/2008 15:18

Bullard, Warnock, Pennant (compensation for Milner if he goes to LFC) and Zigic (on loan ideally) would work for me...hell, I'm just grasping at straws, now...

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Jaryd
29/08/2008 06:03

We should get Bullard and should've got Grella for 4m.

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