Source: Telegraph
Kevin Nolan's warning to Newcastle
Nolan drew pessimistic parallels with their former Premier League rivals who now reside in League One as the pacesetters prepared to maintain their unbeaten start to the season at Cardiff on Sunday. [LNB]"No disrespect, but we could end up like a Leeds, Charlton or Southampton unless we get things right," Nolan said. [LNB] Related ArticlesSmith out to prove his doubters wrongHughton stunned by Newcastle startMoat closes in on Newcastle"The club has been at the top for a long time, but it doesn't mean, if you spend a lot of money on the best players, you have a divine right to be in the Premier League. We proved that last year. [LNB]"We're in this situation because massive mistakes have been made, whether that is from upstairs, on the park, the manager or whatever. We must eradicate those mistakes and get back as soon as possible, and start rebuilding. This could have been one of the best things that's happened to the club."[LNB]Nolan remains motivated by his critics. "We've even had Championship managers, who've never been in the Premier League, slating us," Nolan added. "It's been laughable. So every time we play those teams it will be in the back of our heads let's prove them wrong. [LNB]"We'll always be remembered as the players that took Newcastle out of the Premier League. Now, we can be remembered as the players that took the club back. [LNB]"It's no use harking back to what was happening 10 years ago. We're a decent bunch of lads trying our best, and the fans have taken to us. We're getting respect back. If we get back up, we have such a good core of lads you'd only have to bring in five or six players and continue to build.[LNB]"When I first came to this club, I found it quite astonishing that the players weren't as close as they were at Bolton, where it was based on lads being there for each other every game. [LNB]"We have got that here now. We have plenty of discussion and it's all about sticking together and doing the right things. We are 110 per cent behind each other." [LNB]Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale has confirmed investment banker Keith Harris, presently trying to sell Newcastle for owner Mike Ashley, has joined the club's board to tackle their financial problems. [LNB]"We recognise that our next stage, having completed the stadium, is to pay off the debt and the easiest way is to find access to funds to pay off debt," Ridsdale said. [LNB]"What he does have access to is funding. I am working with Keith, looking at different ways of working to pay off Langston and PMG. That's the sole purpose Keith came on to the board. My whole priority is to get rid of historical debt so there is no threat to the football club." [LNB]Off the field, Newcastle's immediate future remains up in the air, with Ashley's efforts to sell the club showing few signs of being resolved. [LNB]It is understood that Lancashire-based businessman Geoff Sheard, who is fronting a New York-based consortium's bid, and another interested party remain in talks, but that neither nor anyone else for that matter has proved they have the funds for a deal. [LNB]Caretaker manager Chris Hughton is having to push a threadbare squad to their limits, but an excellent start to the campaign has raised spirits markedly. [LNB]
