Mort's Magpies warning

Magpies will be sensible in transfer market

Last updated: 7th May 2008

Mort's Magpies warning

Mort: Remaining realistic

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Newcastle chairman Chris Mort says they club will not put their future at risk by overspending this summer.

Magpies boss Kevin Keegan claimed earlier this week that the club had no chance of breaking into the top four during his tenure because they could not compete with the league's big hitters.

Keegan also revealed that he did not know how much money would be made available to him for his summer transfer plans.

Mort insists the club will not push themselves into crippling debt in a bid to try and close the gap on the top four as he does not want to risk becoming "another Leeds" by spending too much money.

"We don't want to do a Leeds. It doesn't make sense," Mort told The Sun.

"This club had £100million-worth of debt which has now been cleared and it would be foolish to stretch it beyond its limits.

"I thought Kevin's comments were quite sensible.

Expectations

"I'm not sure what people's expectations are but I don't think most Newcastle fans would be greatly surprised by what he had to say.

"There are those who are naturally optimistic but it does no harm to come out with some realism and say that if we get fifth we will have done well. He's right.

"I wasn't taken aback by Kevin's comments. He says what he feels. We have just come out of a relegation battle so you can't have people surprised when the manager says we aren't going to get into the Champions League.

"This is a long-term building project and we are very happy with Kevin.

"He's a very enthusiastic character who has got the team playing good football.

"We were disappointed to lose to Chelsea but he's got the team playing well."

Plans
Mort is adamant that Keegan will have the final say on Newcastle's transfer targets despite their extensive recruitment team.

"We have started talking about who we will be bringing in and Kevin will have the final say. He has to have that," added Mort.

"We are very happy with where we are but Kevin is quite right to say we shouldn't expect Champions League football.

"It's going to be tough for anyone to break into the top four.

"Someone might sneak in there occasionally and there are a number of sides who will have a go but it is incredibly difficult."

Comments (7)

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Marcus Lazarus (Newcastle United fan) says...

Unlike Spurs fans, the Geordies tend to have a grasp on reality and KK is absolutely right in his aspirations. It's a shame we won't have a huge pot to play with this year, but by getting rid of some of the overpaid prima donnas in the summer would be a good start. Chris Mort seems to have a level head, and while we grew impatient of the Souness/Allardyce/Shephard era we can at least see that someone with an ounce of credibility is now steering the ship in the right direction at last. I'm sure we'll attract a few names, nothing major, but enough to get us stabilised and regain our credibility once more - something sadly lacking for the last couple of seasons. That would certainly be an achievement in itself.

Posted 12:25 7th May 2008

Victor Temple says...

I'd like to know if Keegan was promised big,big money when he signed his 4 year deal. I remember Kevin told the press that when he asked Mr Ashley what his aspirations were for the club he had just agreed to manage he answered "To win some silverware" Surely Mr Ashley knows he's not going to win anything with his present squad of players and i'm wondering if Kevin's latest outburst is because he's not going to be given the millions he thought he was going to get to bring in the new players that would help to bring some much needed silverware to the club. We need te be up there in the top 5 to attract the best players anyway !! Watching transfer activity with optimism Time will tell

Posted 11:54 7th May 2008

Matt Clarke (Newcastle United fan) says...

I think King Kev is spot on. The top four are running away with things at the moment and it will be very tricky to find any team to match them.

Posted 11:31 7th May 2008

Dominic Cheel (Newcastle United fan) says...

Sensible comments from Mr. Mort, why should we let other clubs know what our transfer budget is? If they think we have about £100m to spend prices will become even more inflated than they already are.

Posted 11:12 7th May 2008

Mark Scholes (manchester city) (Manchester City fan) says...

Well done Chris Mort. Realistic backing of the manager coupled with agreement on his expectations. Now, if only he has any friends who can buy us!

Posted 10:48 7th May 2008

Dave G says...

So what EXACTLY does Dennis Wise do there?

Posted 09:52 7th May 2008

Chris Kitley (reading fan) says...

Keegan's spot on. Course they're not going to break into the top four, I'd be very surprised if they break into the top six straight away. Newcastle fans need to lower their expectations otherwise they're just going to have another season of dissapointment.

Posted 09:50 7th May 2008
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