Today is the last day for a number of the forum members so it feels like the correct time to feedback to the club at the culmination of another difficult season in not only a coherent manner but as a group.
You selected the forum as representatives of the wider fan base so that you could engage with them and take on board their views in decision making and we would like to cover a number of key areas that we feel are vital for you to consider as those who manage the football and for future progression.
These are not only our own views but those that we have captured from the many other fans that we live and work with every day and also throughout the season.
As a cross section of fans selected by you, therefore please accept these views as being largely representative of the wider fan base as presented to us, while accepting too, that we cannot represent every one.
Statistics / Performance
There have been numerous reasons listed for poor performances this season and while the Club may feel it has achieved its target of a Top 10 finish (just). We would like to ensure that you are aware of the following Statistics which really underlie fan discontent, rather than suggested reasons e.g. Media etc.
History
2014 & Recent Trend
Current Management
Key Questions
Ahead of the open session on questions and on reflection of this whole season we would appreciate an answer to the following key questions. Those that are repeated from previous sessions reflect that from a fans perspective, these need to be raised again and therefore addressed by the club going forward.
What is the clubs ambition going forward? Given the target this season was a top 10 finish and it has been achieved, what will the target for progression be in the league next year? Also, what is the target for the cup competitions next year?
Do you consider Alan Pardew to be the best man to manage the club bearing in mind the acceptance of gross misconduct charges following the incident at Hull City and the results and performances in 2014?
Why are there so many Inconsistent messages from the club concerning transfer budgets and numbers of players? We have heard of just 2 recruits, 4 recruits and even 5 or 6 recruits. Do these messages take into account the players that are out of contract and players on loan that also need replacing?
We are told that money is available; we heard this statement at every transfer window. But in the last two windows we have failed to make any permanent signings. Why is this?
What is the rationale for Mike Ashley becoming a Director of NUFC after 7 years at the club? What can we expect to see from him in his new role? Will this include greater attendance at matches and being visible for decision making, and per all the other Directors will he attend the Fans forum?
Can you explain the position concerning the sale of an asset in terms of the land to the rear of the Gallowgate end and the message that it sends to supporters in terms of the clubs ambition or lack of, concerning opportunities for ground expansion in the future. The current Board of Newcastle United are mere custodians of a famous and historic football club and have a duty of care to ensure that their actions do not cause damage to future ambitions.
Performances this season; where we have largely played one game per week and had far fewer injuries to key players, have been much worse than last season when we also played in the Europa league? Why in your opinion has this been the case?
Is the Club still available for Sale if the right offer comes in and have there been any offers or interest shown from any group or individual in the past 12 months.
Will you implement a lifting of ban on NCJ media starting next season. The intransigence is a huge distraction and is detrimental to all parties.
Does the club support the findings of the FA commission and particularly the involvement of PL teams in developing a B Team and operating in the lower divisions of the football pyramid.
Fans' Forum Operation
As a new operation the creation of the Forum is a positive one. But we would recommend the following changes to improve the functioning going forward. Please can you confirm these will be implemented?
Next Steps
Thank you for participating with us in this forum and we strongly recommend a detailed consideration of the points made in our annual review and we will be happy to discuss any points further.
We appreciate you attaching our review to the Website and informing us when we are able to circulate it to other key stakeholders per the agreement to allow the club to disclose the workings of the forum first.
NUFC FANS' FORUM 2013/14
You selected the forum as representatives of the wider fan base so that you could engage with them and take on board their views in decision making and we would like to cover a number of key areas that we feel are vital for you to consider as those who manage the football and for future progression.
These are not only our own views but those that we have captured from the many other fans that we live and work with every day and also throughout the season.
As a cross section of fans selected by you, therefore please accept these views as being largely representative of the wider fan base as presented to us, while accepting too, that we cannot represent every one.
Statistics / Performance
There have been numerous reasons listed for poor performances this season and while the Club may feel it has achieved its target of a Top 10 finish (just). We would like to ensure that you are aware of the following Statistics which really underlie fan discontent, rather than suggested reasons e.g. Media etc.
History
- From 1993-2010 Newcastle lost 35 games by 3 goals or more. In current manager’s time, we have lost 20, accounting for 36% of our defeats.
- Since finishing 5th, we have won 26, drawn 12 and lost 37. A losing record of 47%
- Only once in our history have Newcastle scored less than 22 goals in a season at home. We have managed to surpass this by only one goal this season. Our second worst performance in history
- Newcastle's 6-0 defeat to Liverpool was the clubs biggest defeat at home since September 9th, 1925.
- As of Sunday after Cardiff, Sunderland had won 10 of their last 52 games. We accounted for nearly 30% of those wins.
- In 2012 -13 Newcastle lost their last three home games of the season for the first time in the clubs history.
2014 & Recent Trend
- We have only won 3 out of the last 10 league games at St James' Park, conceding 20 goals.
- We have lost 14 of our last 20 league games.
- We have scored only 13 league goals in 2014. Less than anyone in English football, failing to score in over 65% of league games.
- We have failed to score in 7of our last 10 away games.
- In 2014 we have failed to win against any of the teams that finished in the top 10.
- We have scored only one goal in 2014 against a team finishing in the top 10 (an own goal against Liverpool)
- Only 2 goals have been scored by defenders this season; Dummett and Taylor
- We failed to score in 17 league games this season; 11 of those games followed the sale of Cabaye
- We have conceded 3 or more goals in 8 of our last 20 league games
- We have now failed to score in 65% of our games since boxing day
- We have won only 2 of our last 10 away games
Current Management
- Alan Pardew is the first manager to lose 6 games in a row for Newcastle in the Premier League.
- Under Alan Pardew, Newcastle won just 21 points from conceding first, but lost 55 points having scored first.
- Under Alan Pardew, Newcastle lost 77% of league games in which they concede first.
- Under Alan Pardew, Newcastle went 102 games without scoring from a corner.
- Alan Pardew has managed Newcastle for a total of 136 games, with a combined goal difference of -34.
- Alan Pardew's Newcastle lost 4 out of 5 FA Cup games.
Key Questions
Ahead of the open session on questions and on reflection of this whole season we would appreciate an answer to the following key questions. Those that are repeated from previous sessions reflect that from a fans perspective, these need to be raised again and therefore addressed by the club going forward.
What is the clubs ambition going forward? Given the target this season was a top 10 finish and it has been achieved, what will the target for progression be in the league next year? Also, what is the target for the cup competitions next year?
Do you consider Alan Pardew to be the best man to manage the club bearing in mind the acceptance of gross misconduct charges following the incident at Hull City and the results and performances in 2014?
Why are there so many Inconsistent messages from the club concerning transfer budgets and numbers of players? We have heard of just 2 recruits, 4 recruits and even 5 or 6 recruits. Do these messages take into account the players that are out of contract and players on loan that also need replacing?
We are told that money is available; we heard this statement at every transfer window. But in the last two windows we have failed to make any permanent signings. Why is this?
What is the rationale for Mike Ashley becoming a Director of NUFC after 7 years at the club? What can we expect to see from him in his new role? Will this include greater attendance at matches and being visible for decision making, and per all the other Directors will he attend the Fans forum?
Can you explain the position concerning the sale of an asset in terms of the land to the rear of the Gallowgate end and the message that it sends to supporters in terms of the clubs ambition or lack of, concerning opportunities for ground expansion in the future. The current Board of Newcastle United are mere custodians of a famous and historic football club and have a duty of care to ensure that their actions do not cause damage to future ambitions.
Performances this season; where we have largely played one game per week and had far fewer injuries to key players, have been much worse than last season when we also played in the Europa league? Why in your opinion has this been the case?
Is the Club still available for Sale if the right offer comes in and have there been any offers or interest shown from any group or individual in the past 12 months.
Will you implement a lifting of ban on NCJ media starting next season. The intransigence is a huge distraction and is detrimental to all parties.
Does the club support the findings of the FA commission and particularly the involvement of PL teams in developing a B Team and operating in the lower divisions of the football pyramid.
Fans' Forum Operation
As a new operation the creation of the Forum is a positive one. But we would recommend the following changes to improve the functioning going forward. Please can you confirm these will be implemented?
- Meetings spaced out evenly throughout the season and at key points e.g. one to be around January transfer Window.
- Exceptional (additional) meetings to be arranged where significant issues arise around the club that should engage the Forum.
- A set period ahead of meetings and a formal deadline and process for submitting agenda items.
- A set process and agreed timescale for circulating and approving the minutes before publication.
- More promotion of the existence of the fans forum to the wider fan base at the ground to inspire more questions for the forum.
- The forum benefits from being inclusive reinstate NUST onto the panel with whatever caveats the forum agrees in terms of future conduct. The forum can therefore become more self policing and hopefully more robust and inclusive as a result.
Next Steps
Thank you for participating with us in this forum and we strongly recommend a detailed consideration of the points made in our annual review and we will be happy to discuss any points further.
We appreciate you attaching our review to the Website and informing us when we are able to circulate it to other key stakeholders per the agreement to allow the club to disclose the workings of the forum first.
NUFC FANS' FORUM 2013/14
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