New York News
I heard the term ‘Five year plan’ for the first time in a good while yesterday, it invoking hideous memories of the Newcastle United five year plan that NUFC supporters once had to endure.
In 2008, our club was a shambles, with Mike Ashley surrounding himself with the unpopular Dennis Wise and no-marks like Jeff Vetere and Tony Jimenez.
Casino boss Derek Llambias had recently been installed as chairman and the ambitious Kevin Keegan (back at the club for a second spell as manager) had been quickly disposed of.
Yes man Joe Kinnear was chosen to replace King Kev, with all of the aforementioned soon becoming dis-affectionately known as the Cockney Mafia.
Newcastle United were deservedly relegated in 2008/09, then Chris Hughton became permanent manager after a fine start as caretaker boss in the Championship the following season.
We went back up to the Premier League as Champions in 2010 and it was around about this time, that Derek Llambias first started talking about the cunning ‘Newcastle United five year plan’ for our club.
After a sound start to life back in the EPL, which included hammerings of both Aston Villa and Sunderland at St James’ Park and an away win against Arsenal at the Emirates, Chris Hughton was ruthlessly sacked in the December.
Llambias’ friend Alan Pardew was hurriedly installed as his replacement, then at the end of the January 2011 transfer window, Mike Ashley sanctioned the sale of our best young player Andy Carroll to Liverpool, even laying a helicopter on to take him to Merse