What Is "Long Term" Anyway???

Hello everybody!

Right... The new season is upon us, and from what we've seen so far, it probably won't be remembered as "The Treble Season", that's for sure... And I'm not being pessimistic. In fact, you could say that I'm one of those romantic blokes who believe that wor lot is going to play the game of their lives, no matter who the opposition is... I could add that it probably won't be "The Season The Romantic Fans Enjoyed" either...

It might be remembered as "The Season Joey Barton Was Outside" though... Or how about "Owen Scored A Winner At Anfield And Kissed The Newcastle Badge In Front Of The Kop Season"... As long as you can dream, you are welcome to join the black and white masses waiting for a spark to explode with the delight that only footie can bring...

Well, before I start labeling the season that hasn't even started, let me see what can be done to make that eventual "label" decent at least...

I'm getting tired of all this "long term vs short term" talk when it comes to Newcastle United Football Club... What does it mean really? What, signing 29-year-old players is "short-term" while bringing in kids is "long-term"? Well, I can hardly get along with it...

When Sir Alex brought Edwin vd Sar to Manchester United a few years ago, was it for the long term or for the short term? Or when Big Sam brought Wor Gary Speed to Bolton? And when Wenger got Francesc Fabregas, he didn't say: "Ah, ziz boy iz for long-terrrm, lyke for z 2012/13 se-son...." Well, no, he let the lad play, and he's much better player now than he would have been if he played for the reserves...

All I want to say is: why spending millions for a, say, backup left back, if we have Ben Tozer and Tamas Karar, two highly talented kids? Why not play them? Not even 10 years of playing in the reserves can't give a player the experience for the real thing. So, make sure the coaches are doing their bit, and let the children play!

I feel sorry for the lads who spent years at the Academy and in the reserves, waiting for their chance, and left the club in the end, disappointed and untried really. Very well, I'm under no illusions that we have a bunch of 18-year-old Nestas, Rui Costas, Beardsleys and Shearers, but there is bound to be two or three who can be decent players for Newcastle...