A miserable day on Tyneside (in more ways than one) with West Ham showing their quality in the end in a game that was generally dominated by wasted chances.
It’s a rare hammering for us – only the third time Rafa’s NUFC side have been beaten by three or more in the league – with us being punished for missed chances and poor defending; it’s as simple as that.
The results ends our run of four unbeaten, with us missing our chances to make it four wins on the bounce – seeing us drop down to 15th (just three points above the drop zone).
Despite badly messing up huge chances on the counter attack on countless occasions, West Ham only ended up having 7 shots to our 15, but their quality told. Really, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise in a game we allowed to be too open, with their front 4 cost just shy of £90m – almost £75m more than ours.
We had our chances and it could have been very different had the woeful Ayoze Perez got his shooting boots on, but it’s one of those days where we just weren’t at the races – and proof that A) we’ll struggle to win with these players if we’re no ‘at it’ and B) that several of our back up players just aren’t up to it (Manquillo and Atsu being examples).
On the plus side, Schar and Ki performed admirably once again, showing bravery and quality on the ball. Rondon was a handful, holding up the ball well and giving us a focal point, but he had very little to work with at times today – with Perez having a shocker, Kenedy struggling to get anything going and Ritchie very quiet. It’s easy to say in hindsight, but the system didn’t work well today, raising questions as to whether we should’ve stuck with the same side that controlled the game at Burnley on Monday.
The 11th minute walk in was sparsely attended, but can you blame fans for trying to do their bit when West Ham’s winger Felipe Anderson cost more than our entire starting eleven.
Here’s how the table looks after today’s results (*before Southampton vs Man Utd at 5.30pm):
Results elsewhere so far this weekend have been pretty mixed from our perspective. On the plus side, Burnley have lost again, losing 2-0 away to Palace and Huddersfield surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 1-2 at home to Brighton, but Cardiff beat Wolves on Friday night and Southampton are currently drawing 2-2 against Man Utd – despite being 2-0 up at one stage!
Here’s our next five fixtures between now and Christmas:
- Everton (A)
- Wolves (H)
- Huddersfield (A)
- Fulham (H)
Our three wins in November may have given us some hope after a truly dreadful start to the season, but it’s not vital that we get back on track – with some very tough fixtures awaiting us in the new years after these four fixtures above between now and Christmas.
Olly – I didn’t need hindsight. In fact a saw it about an hour prior to kick off – as soon as the teamsheet went up and Manquillo was on it and we’d switched back to 4-2-3-1.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Mostly I agree with the “in Rafa we Trust” people because of his record. He does make some baffling subs though and I do not get why he wouldn’t make an in-game change in formation today. He spent the international break drilling the 3 CBs and 2 WB formation into the team so why not sub Manquillo for Clark and go back to what worked on Monday?
I know we were home and West Ham wanted to play more on the counter, but why not change formations instead of bringing on an out of form Atsu?
I didn’t see the game but it sounds like Perez had a ‘mare. Take him off for Atsu if you think he will make a difference.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Chris “the intern” Waugh said there were several hundred demonstrators from The Magpie Group who waited on the concourse before entering on the 11th minute. He then went on to say “possibly thousands”. My guess is that his first statement of hundreds was nearer the truth. Ashley wasn’t even there to see it.
I think it was mentioned once on the radio, not sure if the TV even took any notice.
I said it would be a flop and they should call off the Wolves protest as well.
We have now lost 6 games at home and this cr@p isn’t helping. Negativity spreads like a virus and these fans should know this. I don’t doubt their good intentions but I do doubt their methods. It has never worked.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am sure some would ask what should we do then? Ashley does whatever he wants and no protest at the ground will change that. He will sell when he is good and ready, if he is even serious. I know Kimtoon and a few others have their doubts. I would like rid of Ashley if we can get owners willing to back Rafa but then again you never know what you will get. A crook like Abramovich or Middle East despots wanting to launder their sins with good publicity. Or worse still, Venkys.
I have no solution but neither does The Magpie Group.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If we lose at Everton my guess for the boycott will be about 3,000. Win or draw and probably nearer 1,000. Either way it will make no difference to the Fatman.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BTW, if we lose at Everton there would probably be a couple of thousand not going anyway because of our form and Christmas shopping.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Daily hateMail is saying Man U have had a 91 million bid for a Napoli defender turned down. That’s more than the cost of our entire team.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The only time I can think of when a fan revolt sort of worked was ironically West Ham last year. Even then it was more against the stadium move and a bit about underinvestment. It forced the porn merchants to spend a bit more but they had already spent 27 million on Arnautovic before the protests so it was hardly at the Ashley level. Even Hicks and Gillett at Liverpool were forced out by a loophole in their finances and not fan protests and, of course, the Glazers are still at Man U after years of protest even under Ferguson. The daft Man U fans were protesting as Ferguson won the league for them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t even think The Mackems forced Ellis Short out. It was more that he was sick of subsidizing them and wasn’t really that interested to begin with. I am not sure if there was an organized protest but they stayed away in droves and left at half time but that was more down to the awful football and results rather than discontent with the owner.
The Mackems are not out of the woods even if they get promoted because Ellis Short, having almost given the club away, still has a lien on parachute payments. The 2 chancers that bought them have no money so they will be skint in the Championship. IF they get promoted, there will be a few Mackems crowing about it but wait and see. Not getting promoted will almost certainly mean administration.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Came away from the match quite depressed. This season I have been fed up with seeing failing players being replaced by equally failing players. In these circumstances I would love to see some new faces from the under 23s. They could hardly be worse. Yesterday we would not have scored if we had played another 90 minutes. It is terrible watching knowing that. I feel sorry for Ritchie. He seems to be the automatic fall guy now. He has his weaknesses but effort is not one of them. Like Gouffran before him he seems to be the first to be subbed irrespective of his contribution. Kenedy and Perez should have been first in the queue for replacement.
Groucho(Quote)
Stuart: I watched the second leg of the MLS Cup and Almiron is definitely a cut above the rest of the players. Whether he is worth 25 million or even if that is the figure they want, I don’t know. The top teams in MLS are probably lower half Championship quality so it is hard to tell but you can usually see the difference in class when there is someone like Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey. Almiron seems in their league. And you have to think of who he would be replacing – PEREZ who has been absolutely terrible all season. Sure he was our top scorer last season but that papered over the cracks of failings in his overall game and was on the back of a short hot streak.
I read NUFC.coms report and they mentioned Perez’s falling over. They are usually pretty measured when discussing individual players’ failings so this was big. They also said that the Shelvey blast over the bar from free kicks has become his trademark. I am glad somebody else noticed. The problem is, who else do we have as Kenedy is guilty of the same thing and Rafa doesn’t seem to trust Ritchie.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The only way to go for this squad of players is counter attacking. We have no clever quality up front or good strikers and just cannot dominate games. The list of poor players yesterday is long and continuously losing the ball in midfield is guaranteed to cost. Kenedy, Diame and Perez kept losing possession and their attackers were in. Very bad day.
georgio(Quote)
Atlanta paid 7.5 million Euros for Almiron. That is a big fee for MLS and shows he was not exactly an unknown when they got him. The owner doesn’t need the money but I think Almiron will leave because he will have ambition to play in a better league. Can play attacking midfield, LW and RW so would have his choice at NUFC.
If you look at our team we don’t really have an attacking midfielder. Shelvey plays quarterback and I am not sure what Perez does anymore – holding attacker if there is such a position?
Also, it looks like Rondon is what the West Brom fans said he was – a hard worker who needs a lot of chances to score.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa can go on about the difference in quality up front. He had a player who has scored 17 goals in 53 PL appearances – 7 in 13 for bottom of the league Fulham and 23 in 46 for Serbia – take a guess who I might be referring too.
He swapped a player with a better goal scoring record in Gayle with Rondon – who had less PL goals. He fit his style of player better? 1. I refer you back to Mitrovic (oops I gave it away) 2. Maybe his style of play is wrong? – or maybe he does have other players to fit that style either – Perez doesn’t look good, Kenedy hasn’t been great and he keeps hooking Ritchie – so he can’t be sold on him either.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – if the papers are to be believed, the lad has a choice between us and WHU …. if he was watching yesterday I’d take a wild guess on which team he’d rather be in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: it would be nice to have a flair player in the side so when we get beat at least it might be fun. So many of our games are just dour dog fights. Ki seems to have been our best player so far and he has only played 3 and a half games. Hopefully Muto will be fit for Wednesday. We haven’t seen much of him but Perez needs a rest.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I think Ki is real quality mate. I also think Kenedy and Perez can both be more effective than they are in this 4-2-3-1 formation – I thought both were better in the formation we played against Burnley. But that was largely due to them having to worry less about defensive duties thanks to that formation.
Flair players are great to watch and a great asset in a team – but you don’t sign them for their ability to track back. Yes you want them to put pressure on defenders and not give them time to pick their pass – but primarily you want them focused on our offensive play. Rafa doesn’t seem to play that way – neither does Jose but that a different story.
He got rid of Mitrovic coz he wasn’t doing a job for the team – but if he’d scored 7 in 13 for us, I’d be happy he was doing his primary job for the team.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Read that Jose called Pogba a virus after yesterday’s game. I said when they signed him that he (along with Wilshere) was one of the most overrated players I had seen. He has 1 good game in 5 and the other 4 are flicks, dinks, missed tackles and giving the ball away. He could get away with it at Juve because they didn’t concede and had players like Dybala and Higuan to make up for him.
The sad thing is that Pogba cost more than our entire team.
The other sad thing is that even though Perez is off form Rafa feels he has no choice but to play him. I think he has like 1 goal in 15 now and I am not sure if he even has an assist. I am not ragging on Ayoze. He is a symptom of the malaise at the Toon. We all know it but there is nothing we can do about it unless and until Fatty is so worried about relegation that he puts his hand in his pocket.
The reckoning might come soon as there is a good chance that the 3 wins in a row will be followed by 3 losses. Wolves are stinking up the place but they have better players than us so what better game to have than against NUFC.
Still hoping for 18 points by Man U as that gives us a chance of survival but will not give the impression that we are anywhere near safe.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well first half Perez had a bad miss early on and Rondon would surely of scored but for a fine block by Zabaletta, when they scored it was against the run of play in all honesty. After that it became much more open. Second half we had a fine chance to level through Schare’s cross come shot with a great stop by Fabianski to keep it out. Then Rondon nearly scored when he went sliding in, just needed a wee bigger foot and it would of gone in and Diame fluffed a golden chance to make it 2.1 too. We were creating chances but as I said yesterday, still *****, when it comes to finishing. All the same on such fine margins are games won and lost.
And a word on full backs, before we all have a pop at Manquillo, and I’m not his biggest fan by the way, yesterday the biggest liability was Yedlin who had rings run round him. I still say he is a poor defender who has the odd good game but mostly gets caught out and resorts to cynical fouls when getting beaten for pace/skill.
Ritchie coming off for Atsu is a strange one but if you watch Ritchie he runs his self into the ground by 70 mins, he was also oddly quiet yesterday.
Agree 3 at the back looks our best bet, but maybe Rafa thought a four would nullify their forward threat better, hmmm.
Ki and Schare are revelations though, excellent buys as are Dubravka and Ferdanand imo and Rondon is a beast who I still think will come good and be better than Gayle, Who incidentally has been stuck on the bench last three games with Moore favouring Jay rod to lead his line.
Mitro is a pointless debate really, Rafa didn’t rate him, even if we did, he’s gone and that’s that. It’s not like losing Andy Cole or even Carroll in his prime. It shows how far we’ve fallen behind when we get worked up over losing Mitro .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – there was no fee for WBA to pay in loaning Gayle. His loan deal comes with payments on number of appearances and goals for WBA. If he plays so many games they have to pay us – that’s the reason he’s been dropped to the bench.
I think Mitro is a debate to be had whilst Rafa wants to blame lack of quality in the final third. He had a striker who gets a goal every other game for club and country – he’s a top forward and Rafa get it badly wrong.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That was a bit of a kick in the nuts for Everton and their mackem goalie. Hopefully they are still whinging about it on Wednesday.
Let’s see what happens with Klopp running on the pitch. Remember Rafa got a 60,000 pound fine for something innocuous about a Ref. I think he appealed it after Jose was let off for swearing in Portuguese.
These people have no concept of money. 60k for a nothing comment. Then they go and prove it again with Scudamore and Gordon Taylor. They wanted to give Scudamore the 5 million pound golden handshake but when there was a stink made they kept him on as a consultant. They will still pay him but now they will hide it as salary, or fees rather than the gift it is. Disgusting.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Pickford actually had a terrible game. He came off his line twice for Mane who with a bit more composure should have scored. His kicking was terrible, which is supposed to be his strength and that goal was on him.
I would have let it slide since he is England goalie. But he is a Mackem so enquiring minds must be told about it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – yeah Pickford had a stinker today. But good on Origi for following it in and putting that pressure on him – he’d have got away with it otherwise.
Klopps reaction was disgusting and he should get set to the stands for a few games imo. No way he should be entering the field of play like that.
But overall Everton looked good today I thought, and they really have strength in depth now with the players that came on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, Gayle was out injured but has been on the bench since fitness returned , Moore said he has to fight to get back in as J rod is doing well (same goal tally as Gayle ) . They are reportedly going to buy Gayle as well.
kimtoon(Quote)
Reading Eds blog and there is a lot of criticism of those who will not “take a stand” against Ashley. Some saying that thousands left early but would not come in 11 minutes late. What a joke and a false equivalency. Just about every set of fans leave if you are 3-0 down with 10 minutes to go. Hell, Chelsea were 3-0 down the other week at Spurs and their fans left even though they were unbeaten and 3rd in the League.
I am sick of being patronized to by certain sets of fans who think they know best. Before-match and in-match protests are self defeating. Protest after the game if you must, but you won’t, because you know everyone wants to get home or to the pub. Well from the numbers I saw when you last did it that’s the way it appeared to me.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy you keep going on about Mitro – have I missed something? Are full top 7? What’s the point in Rafa keeping him if he doesn’t fit into what Rafa thinks will give us the best chance of staying up? It’s not like he’s Messi.
I am still staggered that people are criticising Rafa. We finished 10th last season (without Mitro) and we’re 15th now. Given the amount of money every other team has spent where do you think we should be in the league, Sharpy?
Oh and I would like to know how on earth I am suppose to know there’s another thread started! I have been talking to myself on the other thread for a day!
Stuart79(Quote)
Would you rather we kept Mitro and were bottom of the league like Fulham? His goals haven’t exactly helped them have they..? Maybe the style they have adopted is good for Mitro but not good for the team overall?
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – what you are suggesting is madness. Fulham are bottom coz their defence has been none existent so far this season – not coz Mitrovic has scored 7 in 14.
As for your prior point, league positions aren’t decided by how much money is spent. If so then yes, we would certainly be bottom, but then Leicester would have never won the league either.
League position are decided on points earned and I think we had a very good chance of getting something at home to WH. Rafa changed the formation and brought Manquillo in at LB and we lost 0-3 so yeah, I’m going to question Rafas thinking behind that.
I’m also going to question why he would let a striker who has a ratio of a goal every other game for club and country go.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – if you don’t believe league positions are impacted by money then you should tell the top 5/6. They’re always there and funnily enough they also spend more money than they everyone else. Using Leicester (a once in a generation event) realy doesn’t help your argument…
The point about Mitro is that if Rafa believes he has to lose something in order to get Mitro in then he has to make a decision. He made it, and whether you like it or not he’s been proved right hasn’t he? 10th place finish last season and 15th this season so far. Surely you don’t expect more?
Stuart79(Quote)
nail on he head,and i saw him lose his head with his team mates as they didnt play the ball “he” wanted
icedog(Quote)
Stu – of course it has a baring and it certainly gives you a better chance. But it doesn’t guarantee anything – Man Utd are a prime example of that, as well as (ironically) Fulham – who spent £100m in the summer and are bottom.
Transfer windows are a fine balance and probably more about good scouting over big spending at our level. Though that said Spurs are top 6 without spending huge, but that’s more through wise investment over the last 10yrs or so.
My concern is that Rafa favours Rondon over Mitrovic – I simply don’t see how or why, and had he been given £50m in the summer, the only difference would be that we now owned Kenedy and Rondon rather than loaned them – can’t say either have blown me away so far.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Not sure about that. Sharpy. It’s likely we got the loans because he knew he had no money. Although we’re told we bid £20m for Plea…
Stuart79(Quote)
Yep, and suspect temperament played some part in his transfer. We have no idea what happened behind the scenes and as much as I liked his passion he looked a hot head for sure. Even his celebrations with fellow team mates looked a tad rough to me.
Given time I still think Rondon will be better both football and attitude wise, we’ll soon see.
He was outstanding against Bournemouth and there is more of that I’m sure.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I know what went on behind the scenes. His training application was embarassing. There really was no chance of him getting a game when he couldn’t be arsed to train properly. What kind of precedent would that set?
Stuart79(Quote)
It’s already clear that Rondon is happy to defend from the front and press. Was Mitro?
Stuart79(Quote)
Now that Longstaff has a new deal can Rafa actually play him! At least give him 20 minutes in a losing cause like against West Ham. Maybe give him Atsu’s place on the bench who has shown nothing all season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can Schar play left back? Maybe worth a try against Everton. Or 3 at the back probably with Lascelles back and then a choice between Schar and Clark.
I am pretty sure Rafa will go back to 3 at the back as we are away and the Manquillo experiment failed so miserably. Plus Yedlin had no support and from what I read Anderson had him for lunch. I also read that Eddie Howe has targeted him in the past because he thinks him a Lascelles together are a weak link.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How many teams has Hughes been sacked from now? He must be catching up with Pards by now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, I image the club can expect a stampede from other players now all wanting a pay rise after Longstaff. That was the excuse the club used for not paying more money…
Stuart79(Quote)
Rafa wants four signings in Jan,well he might get one and a loan from abroad,bye Rafa hope you get joy from a better club,it cannot be worse
icedog(Quote)
Would we want Kenedy permanently? There is no way that Chelsea will get 20 million for him. I doubt they would want him back either, so 10 million would probably do it. But, he has been so inconsistent that you have to think he would be a risk even at that price. He plays ahead of Murphy though who I think is the same age.
And Longstaff is 21. That’s the age Kenedy was when we loaned him. Tammy Abraham was 19 when Rafa wanted him to spearhead our attack. It must be time to give him a go, especially with Perez being off the boil.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Seriously? Who cares if he’s getting a goal a game?!. That said, I’ve watched him Fulham and he does his fair share.
As for training, I’m sure he puts enough effort in – he’s fit enough to play 90mins every week and go away with Serbia. But again, I can’t say I’m bothered if he’s not the best on the training field if he’s banging goals in on matchday.
His discipline is no longer an issue from what I see. He’s not making wreckless challenges and has only picked up 3 yellow cards so far this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, Mitro himself said he could not play the way Rafa wanted, admitting he couldn’t defend when he was needed to as it’s not his game.
As Stu has said, Rondon looked more than capable of helping out defensively as well as his attacking role. In our team of limited capabilities every player needs to do a bit of everything, it’s not like the days of Ginola or Robert where they were given freedom to do their thing because we had a team of very good players who covered for their lack of defensive work.
You cannot build a style of play around one player such as mitro because every game requires a different approach. And anyway opposition managers would have us sussed in no time if we did that and what would plan b be then ?
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, here he says it himself
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/16690081.mitro-i-couldnt-play-the-way-rafa-wanted-me-to-muto-told-newcastle-chance-will-come/
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I’ve doubted it. I’m saying that I think Rafa was wrong to try and compromise Mitrovics goal threat by wanting him to defend as much. Clearly people disagree with me and that’s ok, I just can’t change how I feel about this. He has Kenedy and Ritchie tucking in to protect the full backs, he keeps selecting Perez coz of his workrate and defensive ability, he likes Rondon and Joselu coz they defend from the front – I find it all very boring personally.
I gave Rafa credit for the Burnley game because i thought he found a good balance between both defending the physical threat of their forwards, whilst still having that offensive threat with Ritchie and Yedlin a threat as wing backs, Perez and Kenedy a threat from a more central area and Rondon the spearhead. But the 3 CBs with Mo in front were defensively solid and Ki was alongside making the play between both.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly, was just in the middle of a reply to Sharpy when I got redirected to a fake windows update box again ! It will not let you exit the link without having to unplug my pc. This keeps happening on this site only, could something be on here that’s a bit iffy do you think ?
Is this happening to anyone else ?
Anyway I’m staying off for a bit as it’s getting on my nerves now.
kimtoon(Quote)
If we spend 25 million on Almiron that is only the Mitro money and we must have more in the bank from TV. We need another fullback, but would that be enough with 1 more loan signing?
Probably. If Rondon recovers from his world travels and Muto can be the player Rafa thought he had bought. At least it would give Shelvey players to ping the ball to and Almiron can play both wings as well as number 10.
The Fatman has spent in January before – the Frenchies that one time and then Townsend and Shelvey for McClaren.
If we can get Lejeune, Dummett and Muto fit we can probably survive in 16th.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Seems like the “safe by Christmas” lot on twitter etc have disappeared after 1 loss! Luke Edwards (formerly of Chronicle group, but from London) in The Telegraph wrote an article today saying it is NOT futile to protest ownership and then went on to explain why it pretty much is, especially on matchday 🙂 But he respects their right to do it. So much respect to go around!!! Journos respecting Magpie Group, Magpie Group respecting non-protesters. Think of the Children!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’m really pleased with the Sean Longstaff signing. I think got bags of potential. I’d allow Hayden to ****** off and step Longstaff up to the first team squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
NUFC official has the checkatrade trophy match on Wednesday whereas it is on Tuesday. Hope our under 23s team turns up on the right night.
Groucho(Quote)
Sharpy I agree. We should have got rid of Hayden in the last transfer window. However our problems lie mainly in the final third and frankly I am tired of seeing the same **** players up front giving the same below par performances. I think Sørensen and Roberts should be training with the first team as well as Longstaff. We don’t want another Mbabu situation. Perhaps it was thought he wasn’t good enough or lacked experience. Whoever thought that was clearly wrong. Unfortunately I think it was Rafa.
Groucho(Quote)
Jabba just told Sky News he hopes he can sell the club “for the sake of its fans…” hahaha! He also said it’s “possible but “unlikely” to be done before January. Claims to be in talks with one interested buyer.
Anyone would think there’s a transfer window on the horizon…
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – you know Mike, he’s all about ‘for the sake of the fans’.
Sharpy17(Quote)
He went on to say he’s in take with someone and is more advanced than at any other time. “Let’s hope we can continue the good form and get the deal done. I want to sell to the right person.” Bull ****.
Stuart79(Quote)
Groucho – I’d love to see Sterry in there too mate. My boy is 10 in February and it’s sad to think I was around that age when our academy produced some first teamers in the likes of Clark, Howey, Watson and Elliott – that’s about 30yrs ago now ? shocking really!!.
Would be great if Longstaff, Sterry, Roberts and Sorensen could end that drought.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – does this ‘advanced’ interest coincide with the fans upping the anti in their protests and targeting his $hithole sports stores?! ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
How can couple of hundred turning up 11 minutes late influence Ashley?
FA Cup. Home against Blackburn.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Luke Edwards reckons he’s heard that this is true and the possible buyer is wealthy enough to get it done and that Ashley has been impressed by him. That probably means it’s the Saudi Crown Prince. I get the impression Jabba would be impressed by his ruthlessness.
Stuart79(Quote)
No, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s times to make people think twice about boycotting on Sunday and to be used as an excuse to buy nobody in Jan.
Or, is Rafa looking at Almiron realistic and he knows more than he says…?
Stuart79(Quote)
I wasn’t even sure what Division Blackburn are in. 10th in The Championship. Venkys still owners.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Apparently the potential buyer is absolutely shocked by jabba’s media intervention this evening. I imagine that will be that then.
Stuart79(Quote)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/12/03/mike-ashley-advanced-talks-sell-newcastle-united/
Stuart79(Quote)
My personal take on it this:
He says he’s not in exclusive talks with the potential buyer. That to me says he’s not actually that far down the road. Certainly not far enough down to have a sale done and dusted before the transfer window. There really can’t be a sale after that as we won’t have a clue what division we’re in next season and that obviously hampers any sale. He also mentioned carrying on the food form and getting the deal doneS that points to the buyer having reservations (rightly) about relegation.
Gut feeling is we will be still owned by the fat man in May.
Stuart79(Quote)
I just been a little bit sick in my mouth at that statement
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: there are a few things that make this different. That the journo’s have been aware of something going on behind the scenes. Luke Edwards says that non-disclosure agreements have been signed and intimated that at least one bid has been received. But mainly, it is that Ashley has said it. He normally keeps himself to himself.
Justin Barnes, his takeover lawyer, has been hanging about for a year.
We are the only PL club that doesn’t have a committed owner so the market is very limited for anyone wanting to buy. Relegation is the only sticking point.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You can say we have seen it all before but we haven’t really.
First time he put the club up for sale was in the middle of the financial crisis when nobody had any money and these PL TV deals were only a dream.
Stavely wanted a relegation clause and that was never going to happen, and it was not even certain she had the money.
The club has been on the market for 14 months and since then there have been stories of Liverpool and Chelsea bids/requirements of 2 billion. We are a bargain in comparison as long as we are in the PL.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can see that point of view, Eric, but I wouldn’t put anything past Jabba. He’s probably realised the leaks to the media are making their influence so he thought he’d go direct. Although I read some journos have been told things from trusted people that makes this legit. I still don’t see it happening in time for a new owner to influence things and that means relegation is a real threat and that’s the end if that if that happens. Unless the club spend money in January that it obviously has and that’s taken into account in the sale price.
Stuart79(Quote)
Arthur Blank’s name has been doing the rounds apparently. He’s worth not much more than Jabba and is 76 years old. It’s obvious what would happen just after he bought us…
Eric you might be able to shed light on who he is.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart: I don’t know a hell of a lot about Arthur Blank except that he was co-founder of Home Depot which is probably the biggest home improvement store over here.
He owns the Altanta Falcons NFL team and they are all worth a fortune mainly because of the way the draft system and salary cap works. A team can be bottom and a few years later win the super bowl. Atlanta is a big market as well. There is no relegation and they are in divisions of 5 so build up rivalries. It is a license to print money in a 1 team town.
He started Atlanta United 2 years ago and they will probably win the MLS Cup. Their fans have gone from nothing to being absolutely “soccer” mad in that time. He may have caught the bug and sees NUFC as a bargain. Which it is for the right price and the right owner.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh and when Blank started Atlanta United 2 years ago he brought in Tata Martino. Yes that Tata Martino, former coach of Argentina and Barcelona. Shows he has ambition and knows what he is doing.
If it is Arthur Blank I would be excited.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: a few short paragraphs from ESPN on what Blank has done with Atlanta United. It is almost a fairytale.
http://www.espn.com/soccer/atlanta-united-fc/story/3713497/tata-martino-proud-of-atlanta-uniteds-transformation-from-expansion-team-to-mls-cup-finalist
Eric Sykes(Quote)
MLS Cup is a sort of hybrid league and Cup so it would not be like Cambridge United winning the Caraboa Cup for example. You have East and West Divisions who compete in a league and the top half or so of each go on to knock out stages to become champions. It is like an expanded Champions League format.
The fact that Atlanta won their division and probably will win the cup is amazing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He will be buying the wrong club if he expects fairytales. Think I’d rather Jeff Bezos. Players would arrive via Amazon
Stuart79(Quote)
It would obviously be amazing to have an owner with the wealth to compete with the likes of City. But personally I would favour an owner who could come in and do for us what Leicester’s late owner did.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jabba said something very informative today in his interview with MP’s. He said “if there’s free glasses at the petrol station, I want them! I want them because they’re free”! Doesn’t that explain an awful lot?
Stuart79(Quote)