Being a Geordie, someone from Newcastle that is, John Carver has a weath of information and insight regarding that storied and troubled soccer club. After all he coached there, too.
He’s saddened by what appears to be the downfall of his beloved club due to misguided ownership and a meddlesome Board of Directors. Fortunately the current owner has put the club up for sale, and once the dust settles, Carver believes it’s only a matter of time before the worshipped Kevin Keegan returns to his managerial throne. Not only is Carver convinced of that, he’s also willing to bet BMO Field that Alan Shearer will be next. The ex-Magpie and England striker is the logical successor once the timing is right.
Ruminating on the future of Newcastle is easy, but here’s the tough part for John Carver these days: Selling the same story to his players week after week.
Kansas City Saturday night is another must win for TFC. We’re still alive; we need the three points; on and on it goes. Even the coach himself admits it’s getting a bit stale. But what else is he to do? Carver’s continuing theme is to keep fighting until this team is officially eliminated from the playoffs.
But as you have been hearing, plans are already underway for next year. Both Carver and Director of Soccer Mo Johnston are telling anyone who will listen that a designated player is a slam dunk. Johnston let his guard down Thursday afternoon, (or maybe he didn’t) and let it be known that they both prefer the designated player to be a Canadian. Carver and Johnston both love Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Julian de Guzman, so you figure it out. That won’t be easy; neither Carver or Johnston are getting the hated turf out of BMO Field. Johnston railed against that again, detailing player after player who got away because of the reviled plastic. But economics as they are, with a fluctuating loonie and a shaky, uncertain economy, convincing the board at MLSE to fight the financial and political turf battle might be tough. Either way it could be a winter of discontent if the team fails to make the playoffs, has trouble signing players and can’t make any headway on the turf/training facility issue.
And guess what? It’s season ticket renewal time.