Maybe now Newcastle can finally move on.

The time has come where Newcastle United may finally be able to move on from the saga that has made them the laughing stock of football over the last few months. Two groups have come up with the cash and matched Mike Ashley’s £100 million value for the club he has spent over £135m on since he arrived as owner only a couple of years ago.

The news means that the completion of a sale for the football club may only be a few days away and it would allow Newcastle to move forward, putting the past behind them and giving the club the best possible chance of getting back into the Premier League.

It is no secret that the lack of progress that Newcastle have been able to make during the summer transfer window is down to the fact that ownership is about to change hands. Therefore it would have been impossible to make important decisions such as structuring a budget and appointing Alan Shearer as permanent manager. Newcastle are set to lose a lot of players in the next two or three weeks and had this whole affair been sorted out then these players may have been persuaded to stay.

This will all come as welcome news to the fans as well who just want to get back some of the respect that they eagerly want to display and hold for their own football club. A lot of fans were falling out of love with the side because of the way the club was being run and now that there is the prospect of new ownership and a new start, it could mean that the smiles appear back on the faces of Newcastle fans.

However, everyone connected with the club should proceed with caution because the identity of the potential new owners is being kept a secret. A Singapore based group is said to have made a bid and although this may end up being financially lucrative, Newcastle will have new owners with no experience of the English game and a group of people that appear on the surface as intent on maximising the business side of the football club.

On the other hand the most realistic option seems to be former chairman, Freddy Shepherd. If it is this bid, which is the most successful, then Toon fans will shudder because a lot of them put the club’s failings down to this very man. He was the top dog when Newcastle were making progress in the Kevin Keegan era some years ago but he never showed the ambition or want for Newcastle to move forward and secure that first Premier League crown, which probably would have kept them out of the current position they are in.

Dress it up in any fashion, the main point is that Newcastle should not find themselves where they currently are and this would be a massive step forward because it means an end to the regime that got them relegated. The options for the future would then be very simple as the new owners would clearly have a sole goal of getting the club back into the top-flight and where it belongs.

They would do well to appoint Alan Shearer straight away for the simple reason that he is a very underrated manager. This is not even mentioning how much he loves the club and it would be a sensible move for all parties. Shearer would be able to create a respectful and honest club that would work tirelessly to banish the memories of the laughs and jokes that have constantly been aimed at Newcastle this year. This would have hurt and he will be intent on doing something about it.

New owners would probably be able to come in and nicely settle the finances of the club. The cost of relegation in the modern game runs into tens of millions of pounds and you do need someone in charge who has a bit of business prowess in order for the club to not run further into financial ruin. In this sense it would make sense to have owners that new how to run a large business. The limitations of what and who is available could be laid out and allow the club to perform to their maximums.

For Newcastle to have any chance of getting back into the Premier League, they need to keep the large part of their playing squad together. The Championship is a very competitive league and you need to have a strong squad that is full of quality in order to compete. Now that new owners seem to have been able to establish contact, it means that the club can focus on playing and coach staff as opposed to needless administrative tasks that should not even be contemplated.

The most important step that new owners would allow the club to take is putting a smile back on the face of every Newcastle fan in the country. For so long they have had to put up with this club being in the news for all of the wrong reasons and they must all be sick and tired of having fun made out of them and their club on an almost daily basis. If some of Newcastle’s reputation can be reinstalled that the club can come out flying at the start of next season and take to the Championship like a duck to water.

A lot of fans from football clubs up and down the country would chat to you all day long about how much they love their side but not one of them would display the same passion and affection as a Newcastle supporter. Newcastle are too big to be in their current predicament and it is encouraging that finally, after so long, someone seems to have come up with the money and is about to do something about it. One thing is for sure, the lessons that have not already been learnt certainly will be by the time all of the action kicks off again, if they aren’t then a lot of people are going to lose the sympathy and respect they still hold for this football club.

Relegation day

Tears and cheers

You would have needed a very thick skin not to have been moved by the tears at St James Park as Newcastle lost their Premiership relegation battle.

One point was all the Geordies needed to survive but, once again, fate stepped in to change their history.Seeing the anguish on the faces of supporters as the final whistle blew tugged at the heart-strings. Chaps like these probably never even cry at their child’s school play or at their daughter’s wedding but then football is a very different kettle of fish.

Caretaker manager Alan Shearer remains a hero, of course, and there were immediate calls for him to stay on, take the team by the scruff of its neck and head the Championship table next season.

Let’s face it, it’s going to take an awful lot of work. There was so much talk on relegation day about why such a great team like Newcastle have under-achieved and why they were unable to stay up. Shearer summed it up simply. They were just not good enough.

Shearer’s sensible talk is one of the reasons why he has endeared himself to the nation. No back-sniping. No whinges. No bitching.Shearer always had faith that Alex Ferguson would put out a Manchester United squad which could beat Hull. He did and they did. But that defeat was no good unless Newcastle achieved at least a point against Aston Villa.

How cruel is fate. Damian Duff could have put Newcastle ahead and in the driving seat within the first ten minutes. Instead, as Villa took a strike on goal, the ball took a cruel deflection off Duff whose name went down on the own goal list.

Every script-writer in the land was praying for Michael Owen to come on and score the winner in injury time. It was not to be. Owen hardly had a touch of the ball and looked a pale shadow of his former self. There was only one person who could have come on and saved the game and that would have been Shearer himself. As a player, he never ever gave up, always leading from the front, always going for every ball and never giving up until that last whistle blew.

Of course, it was probably an impossible task for Shearer to save Newcastle, having been brought in with just eight games to go. The damage had already been done with a succession of managers and a team which just didn’t know which way it was going.

Sadly, that direction is down but at least Newcastle can make their mark on the Championship and surely must be promotion contenders even at this stage.Sunderland meanwhile were celebrating staying in the Premiership to the cost of their biggest rivals. But how unsavoury was the reaction of some of their fans?

Before the game, Alan Shearer had the guts to wish them luck, although not too much, he had added with a wry smile.How did the Sunderland supporters respond? With placards asking everyone to laugh at Newcastle’s plight. Ha ha ha.

Come on Sunderland. That’s not just British. Better to follow the example of some of your colleagues who chose humour instead. Who is going to be your next saviour, they asked? Ant or Dec? Hopefully, the answer will be Alan Shearer himself.

Sheffield United secure their place in the £30 million match

Sheffield United have secured their place in the Championship play-off final after beating Preston North End 1-0 last night and 2-1 on aggregate. A bullet header from Greg Halford in the second half was enough to see United through a feisty encounter that never seemed to stop from start to finish.

Both sides were quite rightly going for it and Preston must be praised for soaking up so much pressure and doing themselves and their fans a massive amount of good. However, wave after wave of United attack was too much to hold out and the result probably justified the performance of United over the two ties.

Despite the victory however, one or two problems were highlighted in the game that Reading and Burnley would do well to pay attention to. The defence, lead by veteran Chris Morgan, looked slow and vulnerable to someone with real pace. Also, as always with Sheffield United, they looked a bit lacking in the personal discipline department as on more than one occasion players getting riled was more than evident.

These are areas they will have to sort out ahead of the final because teams are obviously going to look to exploit them. Kevin Blackwell was quite rightly over joyed and feels the promotion would be justice for the club’s debatable relegation from the league in 2007. He said: “A lot of people have contacted the club. They feel it would right a wrong. I don’t think that sits well in English football.”

Well the point is whether you love them or loathe them United are a side with a lot of ambition, but they do need to curb this rearing ugly head that lets them down so many times in terms of arrogance and player discipline. If they don’t then whoever finds themselves in the final beside United will bring a lot more riled fans, ready to make a lot more noise and give their side the extra added push they will undoubtedly need.

Preston can take pride from the fact they got into the play-offs in the first place from an unlikely position. They should not feel down about the defeat but inspired to push on next season and make sure they are promoted automatically in a league that is bound to have a couple more big names coming down.

Alan Irvine has shown himself to be one of the modest and gifted managers in the football league and there is no doubt that he is destined to be at the helm of greater things, if not with Preston then with another big side.

At the moment United probably won’t care who they play in the final but the point is that it is going to be a tougher test than they have just had. Reading will want revenge for the 1-0 United defeat the recently suffered and this is all new territory for Burnley which could mean they have stronger feelings than anyone in the United side. Bring on the final.

Everton and Spurs linked with Welsh winger

Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Welsh winger, Joe Ledley, of Cardiff. Ledley has not signed a new contract for Cardiff and looks to be seeking a move to the Premier League after his current side missed out on a play-off spot.

Everton and Spurs have been reported today as leading the running to sign Ledley if he chooses to leave Cardiff ahead of next season. David Moyes could well get his signature as this is a classic example of his club operating on a shoe string budget and dipping into the Championship to poach the best talent that could easily play at a higher level.

The theory behind a Spurs bid however, is a lot more interesting. Ledley is a player who can operate on either the left or the right flank, in a similar vein to Aaron Lennon. This could be the first signs of a strong hint the Lennon could be on his way out of the club, with Manchester United reportedly ready to make a big bid for him.

An insider at Cardiff has said: “We offered Joe a contract that included a get-out clause which would allow him to leave for a Premier League club but he did not want to know. There is no way we would let him walk away for nothing.”

This is the very problem that Cardiff are faced with. If Ledley sees out the length of his current contract and does not sign anything else which ties him down, then the only bid another club would have to make would be over personal terms as he would become a free agent.

Cardiff quite rightly must try everything they can to make sure that one of their best players does not leave the club for free. Ledley should see sense and make sure that Cardiff are able to net a decent amount of money from his move but it is unlikely that he will want to relinquish any personal virtues that would come his way.

If he does leave then realistically Everton would be his best choice. Spurs will be going for a Champions League spot next season and are much more likely to bring on high profile and better calibre players than Ledley. This would mean if he went to Spurs that he would be sitting on the bench for a large part of his early Premier League career.

Regardless of any amount of personal wealth there is nothing a professional football player hates more than having to sit on the bench and not play. Therefore Everton would offer him a better chance, as they are not at their strongest in the flanking positions.

He would also compliment the Merseyside club’s style of football, which likes to blend experienced players with raw talent and flair. There is no doubt that Ledley will one day get a Premier League move, but let’s hope the personal issues that surround Cardiff are quickly dealt with so both parties can move onto a better future.

Late penalty gives Burnley the edge

A dramatic late penalty gave Burnley the edge in their Championship play-off tie as they secured a 1-0 victory at Turf Moor. Graham Alexander stepped up to score from the spot for Burnley after Reading defender, Andre Bikey, had hauled down Steven Thompson.

The goal gives Burnley a slender lead going into the second leg in what was an otherwise lacklustre match. Reading played out of their skins and probably should have won the game at a canter. The Royals dominated large periods of possession but could never seem to find the cutting edge in the final third.

To make things even worse for Reading Bikey was then later sent to the showers early after he was sent off for a stamp on Robbie Blake. The frustration was all to clear to see on Reading faces as they battled so hard but could not quite get their noses in front. Combined with the inability last week to secure an automatic promotion spot, Steve Coppell’s men now have their work cut out if they are going to make the play-off final at Wembley.

This match was similar to the Preston North End v Sheffield United encounter in the respect that it was so obvious what was at stake for both sides. As these stakes are so high neither team wants to go out flying and virtually secure the match in the first leg and due to this we are treated to not as great football.

Reading’s new system of 4-3-3 didn’t seem to work. It narrowed the side, as the two players supporting the main striker did not drop off enough to make the team a lot wider. They will have to play more freely in the return leg at the Madejski stadium if they are to overturn this difference and run away with the tie.

The score line really did not reflect the match but now Burnley have a chance to regroup and reorganise to make sure they are a lot more compact. Reading played a good game but it is likely to be even better on their own ground, meaning that Burnley will have to be doubly disciplined to make sure they do not throw away their early advantage.

So far there has been a marked difference between the play-offs this year and the play-offs last year. Last year it seemed that the sides were a lot more willing to play expansive and attacking football in order to get a big advantage moving into a second game. The stakes are similar to last year, if not slightly bigger, so there is a slight understanding for more caution this time round.

However, both Championship play-offs are fascinatingly poised. It really is difficult to call at this stage but it would not be a surprise in the slightest if the finalists for this season are decided by the medium of extra time or penalties. Burnley will be happier of the pair so far but Reading are by no means out of it and showed how dangerous they can be at key times.

Reading begin their bid to get back into the top flight of English football

Reading will begin their bid to get back into the Premier League later this afternoon as they meet Burnley in the second of the Championship play-off matches. Burnley by no means must be counted out and will provide an interesting match to the determination that Reading are sure to display.

After missing out on automatic promotion last weekend at the hands of Birmingham City, Reading will be doubling their efforts to make sure that they do not miss out on promotion at the first attempt. Burnley arrive at the match on a fantastic run of form and will be looking to cause the bookmakers an upset.

Burnley will also have the home advantage for the first leg and will be looking to stamp their authority on the tie before the two teams travel back to the Madejski stadium in Reading. Rhys Williams, who has been in top form for 6th placed Burnley, will not feature as his loan deal from Middlesbrough has expired.

They will also have two players facing late fitness tests but otherwise they go into the match at virtually full strength. Former Burnley player, Glen Little, could well feature in the match and will look to cause a big upset to his former side.

Kevin Doyle is likely to replace Dave Kitson after the latter’s poor performance against Birmingham last weekend, but Steve Coppell has no other major injury concerns ahead of the game.

It is a tie that will have big financial benefits and will offer a place in the Premier League to play against England and Europe’s best. Whoever comes out on top over the 180 minutes will have to have played majestically and will be inspired on from their success.

For Reading they will not want another crack at life in the Championship. After the bitter heartbreak of relegation from the Premier League last season they will want nothing more than to set the record straight. Although Burnley shouldn’t feel the under dogs they may feel just this way and approach the game as though they have nothing to lose.

This is a dangerous attitude to adopt but one that could easily turn the first leg of the tie into a massive advantage. If they go out all guns blazing then they could get a one or two goal led, which ultimately could be enough considering Reading’s poor home form of late.

It is a game that guarantees magnificent and passionate football. The stakes are high and both sets of fans will be up for it. The players will either experience sheer ecstasy or the worst feeling a professional football player can probably feel.

A lot depends on the other tie between Sheffield United and Burnley but for now these two will want to take care of their own business and approach the second leg and a possible day out at Wembley in great form. They won’t like the fact that they have to go for it through the play-offs but if it all comes off then what a prize they have waiting at the end of the tunnel.

The race for the biggest prize in football is about to start

The race for the biggest and most lucrative prize in football will start tonight as Preston North End take on Sheffield United in the Championship play-offs. The eventual winners of the final will receive a place in the Premier League, which brings with it nearly £30 million to compliment the endless glitz and glamour.

Sheffield United will be slight favourites for the match, they finished in third place in the normal league table and just missed out on an automatic slot. Preston on the other hand will be buoyed by the fact they managed to sneak into the play-offs from a near impossible position just a couple of weeks ago, something that could well see them through.

Preston will have the home advantage in the first leg and will welcome back winger, Ross Wallace, after a one game suspension. Richard Chaplow and Michael Hart are the only absentees through injury. Sheffield United are missing two players through injury but are otherwise at full strength.

Neither team can afford to sit back and either of the semi-final legs and it will be a classic cup tie atmosphere with the likely winner being the club that just wants it more. A day out at Wembley is not the prize that will be though of, the chance of playing against the best teams in Europe will be.

Drama, passion and excitement are all guaranteed and after the League Two play-offs kicked off last night, the Championship games will move onto the centre stage.

United’s strength in squad depth could see them get an edge after this game. They have the good combination of talent and experience, but the unpredictable nature of manager, Kevin Blackwell, sometimes shoots the club in the foot and hopefully for them this will not be such an occasion.

Preston will do everything they can to get through the tie. The support they have received from the local community could have an impact on the match, in a similar fashion that has been happening at Stoke in the Premier League. Preston have also been at the head of some of the most dominant performances in the Championship this season and there is no doubt that if they are on song then it could be a long night for Blackwell’s men.

Obviously goal advantage is handy but in a match like this it is more necessary not to fall too far behind. The players raise themselves for a big second leg performance so a one or two goal advantage can easily be over turned as the history of the play-offs has shown.

From a neutral perspective many will want Preston to win over the 180 minutes to see yet another new side having a chance at Premier League glory but United have the added advantage of having been there before and no doubt the players that suffered their previous Premier League relegation will not want to let it happen again.

So the advice is sit back and watch the drama unfold, if you have your team to support then get right behind them. For the winners after the two games, their future looks very good.