With the fantastic achievement of survival all but secured by early April, Newcastle can have an exciting future if we finally get things right off the pitch. We have been saying this for almost the entirety of the eleven year Mike Ashley tenure but you get the finally get the feeling that the situation has to come to a head this summer; something has to give.
Just what outcomes are possible in the coming months with regards to the long term ownership of NUFC?
1 – The good – Ashely sells and to a serious bidder
The situation I am sure 99% of fans want; Ashley accepts his race his run and sets a fair price tag, we know £300m has been mentioned (without clauses). A takeover is then completed to a well-intentioned bidder, like PCP, who seem the most credible at the moment even if some doubts remain. The deal is completed early enough in the summer so we can feel the effects with player recruitment and we can finally back Rafa in the market to attract the calibre of player he wants. This goes hand in hand with Benitez signing a new contract and a really exciting period could await the club.
It is also worth noting the transfer window has now been moved forward this year until the eve of the new season, which will be the second week of August. So if a takeover is to happen, we need to see progress if it is to happen – and quickly.
2 – The bad – Ashley haggles and remains at the helm
Ashley digs his heels, Staveley doesn’t come forward with a bigger offer and takeover talks continue to be tedious and exhausting. We then likely revert to the previous situation of Ashley and Staveley being apart on valuation. He ‘promises’ to help Rafa more than he has in the past and tries to commit Benitez to a short extension. It’s a positive to an extent, but in the long run it’s not what Benitez, or the fans, wanted. I also think it would be pushing Rafa too far this time and after three previous ‘failed’ transfer windows, he may walk at this point anyway. We can’t risk that happening.
3 – The ugly – Ashley digs his heels and Rafa walks
Ashley does the unthinkable. Calls off talks with Staveley (again) and pulls club off the market and/or alienates Rafa, failing to change his ways and forcing Rafa to walk. This would be a disaster for Newcastle and we would be left with the thankless task of recruiting a manager of a lesser calibre, one who would be willing to work with his hands tied behind his back with Ashley. Ashley won’t invest as per usual and we would have a limited squad whose biggest strength, strong character and good management, totally demotivated. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to this come August.
With the situation having to change soon, what outcome do you think is most likely at this stage?
My first assessment was right then. Hughes is a **** manager.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pardew with a Welsh accent.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s them done now Stuart, mate. Us up and 1 more to go. Likely Stoke?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric , aye Conte makes to changes and boom up and running. Saints get nuked in the space of 13 mins lol.
Still think there could be a twist yet
kimtoon(Quote)
Well Stoke are likely to go I think. I still think I saw more from Southampton than I have from Huddersfield recently so it’s not cut and dried just yet. Of course a Huddersfield and Palace win today basically means the relegated teams are more or less done and dusted.
Stuart79(Quote)
Doubt it, man. I think it is Stoke and Southampton and the Pardewed team.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just glad that we seem to be safe 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What about the Mackems though? Are they done if they lose today?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Mr Roy is probably going to get credit for keeping the best squad in the bottom 14 up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rooney. 10 goals. 2 assists. But 4 from fcing penalties. They just showed it and I am still mad that they are pretending he is still good.
6 goals in 28 games is his record without the penalties.
Taken off on 56 minutes in the last 2 games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hoping Hoots boys win today against palace
kimtoon(Quote)
Really, it is like there is a cabal in the press and pundits to big up Wilshere and Rooney. WHY?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Both staying up whatever the result. I think. Plus West Ham. I have met a kindred spirit who hates their BS as much as me 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, Brighton have an awful run in mate
Spurs
Burnley
Man utd
Man City
Liverpool
That’s evil
kimtoon(Quote)
And Palace get a 3rd 3.1
Oh dear 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
Palace by contrast have an easy run in
Watford
Leicester
Stoke
WBA
kimtoon(Quote)
Sunderland losing
kimtoon(Quote)
What the hell is happening at Palace?!!
Stuart79(Quote)
Go on Brighton
3.2
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Brighton lose every single one of the games. They’d be in trouble then I reckon.
Stuart79(Quote)
Palace defensive frailties their downfall, more goals in this yet I reckon Stu
kimtoon(Quote)
Exactly mate that’s why I want them to win, they’d be on 38 then and like us all but safe. I wouldn’t wanna face that set of fixtures stuck on 35.
kimtoon(Quote)
Trying to work out how soon S/land get relegated, they need to win next 3 games to get 42 points supposing they lose today. Barnsley are winning today and if they win will be on 40 and have a game in hand over them and Bolton and brum are on 39 and 40 with the same games played. Looks like Scum are toast if they don’t win next game .
kimtoon(Quote)
Scum level now
kimtoon(Quote)
NEW THREAD:
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/04/14/arsenal-h-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups/
Arsenal preview
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
What a time for Huddersfield to score?!!
For me now it’s between Brighton (because of their run in) and Southampton. But it looks more and more likely that the current bottom three will be the ones relegated.
Stuart79(Quote)