Source: Northern_Echo
Quinn expects Magpies to spend
SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn thinks Newcastle United will still invest in their squad ahead of a Premier League comeback despite the messages from St James' Park suggesting otherwise.[LNB] It is eight days since Magpies owner Mike Ashley outlined in a club statement that there would be no fresh capital outlay for new players this summer as they strive towards breaking even during a five-year plan.[LNB] After winning the Championship it was widely expected that Newcastle manager Chris Hughton would be given the funding to strengthen his squad during the closeseason to boost the club's chances of staying in the topflight.[LNB] And, despite the official word from Tyneside claiming otherwise, Quinn feels there could still be a number of new faces that arrive before next season kicks off in August even if they cost money.[LNB] Quinn said: Newcastle could be playing a clever game. They may have set themselves up a little bit when Mike took them on, there was a new pressure because he was bringing so much money into the club, the outside world thought This is it, Newcastle are going to be in the top four'.[LNB] This time around I'm sure they've learnt an awful lot to give a lesser message out and anything better is a bonus. I wouldn't be surprised if Chris has loads of money to spend.[LNB] We'd all aspire to breaking even but the problem is it's so competitive sometimes if you're off course and in danger of being relegated you gamble to put a bit extra in and get yourselves back on track. That's why clubs outside that top eight do what we do.[LNB] Blackburn had their heyday with plenty of money in but now they're cutting their cloth accordingly. Newcastle are giving out that message of where they need to be. It's a safer bet to talk that way than they did last time. I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Hughton had a load of money to spend.[LNB] Since Quinn led a takeover of Sunderland in 2006 there has been a substantial investment, with changes made throughout the club and an outlay of in excess of £100m in transfer dealings alone.[LNB] Last summer manager Steve Bruce was given the financial backing to attract the likes of Darren Bent, Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana to Wearside and he will be given more funds to make slight adjustments to his squad before August. But under the ownership of American billionaire Ellis Short there is now a conscious drive to tinker rather than make wholesale, expensive changes in the hope Sunderland will become self-sufficient in the long term.[LNB] European football's governing body, UEFA, recently approved a financial fair play concept and it is expected to have been fully implemented by 2012-13. And Quinn, who has hopes of making Sunderland a club capable of qualifying for Europe through the league, thinks the ruling could actually help clubs close the gap to the Premier League's top six.[LNB] We were aspiring to good, strong financial levels the day I came in here. We knew we had to have a punt and that came from the owners' pockets, said Quinn. The beauty of the owner now is that is not by way of debt to the company. It's almost like he's sponsoring the club.[LNB] We wouldn't have made the signings, nor would I have allowed the club to spend the money it has if it would have put a rope around the club's neck, we'd have cut our cloth accordingly.[LNB] Ellis Short has given us a good financial footing. He's upped the game in terms of the players we can attract.[LNB] Now we have to act sensibly and be very, very aware of the Financial Fair Play embargo that's going to come into play over the next three years.[LNB] I'm confident the formula we've used is the correct formula.[LNB] Chelsea have decided to use it, Roman Abramovich has capitalised a lot of his loans. But our man had done that a year early and we told nobody.[LNB] Despite a drive to be more frugal in the transfer market, Sunderland are still looking to add a few more players this summer to join Paraguayan Cristian Riveros.[LNB] Newcastle are also in the hunt for new faces, although it remains likely Hughton is assessing cheap options after being informed there is no money available until he sells.[LNB]
