Latest news with #BBCRadioNewcastle
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'It doesn't worry me' - Speakman on relegation pattern
Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says he isn't worried about the recent history of clubs being promoted to the Premier League and facing immediate relegation. Sunderland won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs after an added time goal by Tom Watson in the final. Advertisement Watson has now joined Brighton, but speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle Speakman said that all summer transfer decisions will have the long-term goals of the club in mind. When asked if the number of promoted clubs being relegated is worrying, Speakman said: "It doesn't worry me, I think it's a fantastic challenge. Everyone that works at Sunderland has just gone through an incredible challenge of trying to navigate from League One to the Premier League. "This is a challenge everyone is really looking forward to. "When we came to the club we had a multi-year strategy of how we'd get back to the Premier League. That's not just a season-by-season thought process. Advertisement "We're going to continue that way of thinking, we're going to make decisions we think are in the best interest of the club to try to retain our position in the Premier League. "We're going to try ensure we don't make decisions that will negatively impact the club in the long-term, because you've seen before with Sunderland how negative that can be. "As we know, there's some really key decisions coming up around making sure we have a squad capable of trying to achieve that objective. Listen to the interview
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mitchell exit 'shouldn't disrupt' Newcastle transfer plans
BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck has reflected on a "difficult start" for outgoing sporting director Paul Mitchell at the club, but believes his departure should not have a "disruptive effect" on the Magpies summer transfer plans. Mitchell is to leave the club by mutual consent at the end of June, less than 12 months after his appointment. Advertisement "There was a lot of interest last summer when Newcastle tried and were unable to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in the dynamic between Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell and how they could work together," said Raisbeck. "Howe has been very measured when asked about it but Mitchell in September last year gave an interview where he described the club's transfer policy prior to his arrival as 'not fit for purpose'. "That was quite strong language and, when asked about it, Howe defended the transfer record and approach. "There had been a difficult start and rough introduction between them and for Mitchell at Newcastle on the back of last summer's late sales to avoid PSR penalties, but there has been an ability to work together over the past few months. Advertisement "The relationship with Darren Eales [Newcastle's chief executive] was key in Mitchell coming and the fact Eales has to depart for health reasons has to be noted in this decision." The Magpies only confirmed Champions League qualification on the final day and have not made a major signing for three transfer windows. However, Raisbeck believes recruitment plans are in place regardless of Mitchell's future. "What is also important to say is that at this point in Newcastle's summer, with Howe reiterating the need to move quickly in the market, this shouldn't have too much of a disruptive effect," he said. Advertisement "They have been building towards the summer for a while. They have a recruitment team at the club including Steve Nickson who is very well respected and regarded and Andy Howe - Eddie's nephew - who is assistant head of recruitment and held roles at Bournemouth previously. "Transfer targets and a plan are in place." Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Unfortunately people fear the worst'
Former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey says it is "pleasing" to hear that Sven Botman only picked up a knock on his knee in the Magpies' 2-0 win over Chelsea, after the centre-back suffered with two anterior cruciate ligament injuries last made his first start for three months last weekend before needing to be substituted off 10 minutes into the second half at St. James' voiced his relief for the defender, after manager Eddie Howe confirmed it wasn't a "serious injury" in his pre-match news conference."I think he has been unlucky," Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Obviously the ACL injury was the ACL injury, but I think his first injury came from a knock as well."You are going to get knocks, bangs and bruises in the position that he plays, but I think he's just been really unlucky on the last two occasions."As soon as it comes out that it's his knee, unfortunately people fear the worst because of what has happened previously with him. In a weird way, it is pleasing that it's just a knock."On the mental impact of lengthy injuries, he added: "It is tough. You have to be mentally strong to get through them because you do feel as though you're not part of things."That comes as no surprise because you aren't part of things, you're just watching the lads out of the window training every day and playing games."But Eddie Howe seems to realise how difficult it is for players. Back in the day, managers didn't care because they thought: 'What's the point of you being that involved if I can't use you?'"You have to be lucky to have good physios and other people who are helping you through your recovery."Botman has been through tough times but I'm sure he has been made a lot stronger because of them, psychologically as well."Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Ballard has written his name in Sunderland folklore'
Dan Ballard sent Sunderland to Wembley scoring a last-minute extra-time winner in the Championship play-off semi-final against Coventry. The defender put in back-to-back man of the match performances in each leg for the Black Cats and BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentary duo sung his praises. As the final whistle sounded, Gary Bennett said, "What a way to win a game. Fantastic."Nick Barnes added: "What a night. Sunderland didn't really turn up for the 90 minutes. They made the change in extra time. Mundle coming on. They changed the formation. They went until the end."In the build up to the winning goal, former Sunderland captain Bennett backed Ballard to score and gloated about his mystic powers after the game finished. "We called it. We said Daniel Ballard will score and he has done. He never lets us down," he added: "He was immense on Friday night at Coventry City. Suddenly from nowhere Sunderland have dug this out tonight and Dan Ballard has written his name in Sunderland folklore."Despite the positive result, there were frustrations with Sunderland's approach to the game with Coventry enjoying control for most of the match and the Sky Blues' goal felt inevitable. "We've been calling it all night," Bennett said. "He's got to change the formation and when he did change it we had more possession of the ball. We started to cause them more problems. "Playing 4-4-2, away from home it worked. At home, it didn't work. Simple as that."Barnes finished the post-match summary with a bold claim. "I'm lost for words, absolutely lost for words. It's the most remarkable end to a game I think I've probably ever seen," he can listen to more reaction to Sunderland's win on BBC Sounds.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Regis Le Bris, take a bow'
Sunderland legend Gary Bennett has praised Regis Le Bris for a tactical masterclass in the Black Cats' 2-1 play-off win against Coventry. The Frenchman has come under fire for a poor run of results at the end of the regular Championship season but has stayed calm in press conferences and assured in his approach. He made surprise tactical changes that paid off as his side won the semi-final first leg. Advertisement Bennett, a match summariser for BBC Radio Newcastle, said Le Bris should "take a bow" as the full-time whistle blew. He added: "The players were fantastic. (Eliezer) Mayenda, excellent goal. Wilson Isidor, what a professional performance that was tonight. "Coventry can't complain about that. But saying that, how well did we defend?" After securing play-off qualification early, Le Bris has been rotating his side, which drew criticism from fans and pundits. But Bennett thinks he proved his critics wrong. The former Sunderland captain said: "You look back now and you're thinking resting them players when he has done has worked, because they have put a shift in." Advertisement Bennett's broadcast partner Nick Barnes added: "Regis Le Bris, trust in Regis Le Bris, he knew what he was doing. "He has consistently maintained that his team could do what they have done tonight." You can listen to full post-match reaction on BBC Sounds.
