Mort: No Summer "Statement Signing"


By Tyne-Talk
April 19 2008

Chairman Chris Mort has warned the fans not to expect a big name, big money signing as he looks ahead at strengthening the squad over the summer break. Newcastle United have been linked with several big money names, such as Peter Crouch and Arne Rise from Liverpool and Thierry Henry from Barcelona in the past few weeks, but Mort has promised there will be no "statement signing" this summer. Mort told The Independent:

"I'd be surprised and disappointed if Kevin wasn't pushing us to invest.

We have to make sure we don't do a Leeds, where the club is unable to cope if success doesn't come. It's a balancing act.

Historically, the club has looked to please fans by making a ‘statement signing' every now and again.

Looking back, I'm not sure if that's the way to develop long-term success. I want to bring players who are going to develop the club over three to five years.

Kevin's return has clearly lit a spark - the team were looking down in the mouth. A dramatic transition has started and Kevin and I would would both like to raise the game.

But we're not looking to make one-off signings to appease fans."

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Mort: No Summer "Statement Signing"
Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 19/04/2008 15:11
TyneTalk
TyneTalk
19/04/2008 15:11
Mort: No Summer "Statement Signing"

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Eggs11
Eggs
19/04/2008 15:34
You need to look deeper into these type of statements, I think its basically saying not to get your hopes up about anything major happening at all over summer. Consolidation (KK's least favourite word) seems to be the idea, which is troubling. Also troubling is Mort's continued insistance on speaking for KK, its obvious KK would not share those sort of sentiments. Wait and see I guess.

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/7525/eggsng7.jpg

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cappen
19/04/2008 15:51
I like the idea of planning for the future and the next 5 years (not trying for instant success again and failing!).

Also, we have no European football to attract the top players (yet (Sm15).

As you say, we have to wait and see.

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tunyc
21/04/2008 15:00
This squad still needs a top-class CB, simple as.

My god, if we can't afford the likes of Riise I guess we really are going to get nobody in...

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exileonwearside
exileonwearside
21/04/2008 19:42
tyne talk at it again! curious use of the word 'promise'?

have a look at the article in full on the independent website, this was a publicity exercise involving a joint interview with both mort and quinn before the derby, when both happened to be in london together for a league chairmans meeting. both spoke in very general terms, were very complimentary towards each others clubs, and gave very little of any substance away. at a guess, both agreed to this interview for reasons relating to PR and relations with th press rather than anything else.

certainly cant be relied on as a statement regarding summer plans. it would be rather naive for the chairman to make such a statement at a point when we were technically unsure as to which division we would be playing in next season, dont you think? and what kind of message would it have been to the selling clubs if he stood up now and declared mike ashley to be ready to spend big?

nothing in it, whatever happens in the summer

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MissC
21/04/2008 22:04
I don't see the problem with what he has said.

I would rather hope he didnt just sign a big name for names sake and did put some more thought and consideration into the spending of the club. (which im sure they will)

I agree that he shouldnt be making "statement signings" - its not what we need

He hasnt ruled out spending at all so not sure how his interview can be taken out of context.

I think he has honestly given as much information as he can

and if he has promised not to get a big name just for the hell of it then so be it - we do not need big names on big wages if they arent capeable of doing the job they are paid to do.

Not saying this would be the case but it does happen.

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exileonwearside
exileonwearside
21/04/2008 22:33
'He hasnt ruled out spending at all so not sure how his interview can be taken out of context.'

by giving a pr fluff piece more weight than it should be given in the first place! i dont think any conclusions could be drawn from what was said, and i still cant see why the intro on the page above tells us that mort has PROMISED that there will be no 'statement signing' this summer either, what promise is this?

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