NUFC Blog’s 2019/20 awards – Player of the season, unsung hero, most improved, best goal & more

Well, that’s it folks. The 2019/20 season is finally over.

It’s not been easy on the eye and it’s ended just as flatly as it began in that home defeat to Arsenal way back in August last year, however there’s been the odd high along the way and a few standout performers who’ve our latest survival season that bit more bearable!

We’re already looking ahead to the next season with Newcastle facing a battle to finish in the top 10, and you can get a Football Index referral code to bet on the upcoming season.

But for now, here are a few end of season awards, from player of the year, to unsung hero, most improved, best goal and more:

Player of the season:

  1. Martin Dubravka
  2. Allan Saint-Maximin

The Slovakian has been absolutely outstanding, keeping us in several games, making more saves than any other Premier League and being a constant calming influence at the back. He may have made the odd mistake, but so many of our narrow early season wins (or draws!) were only made possible from him keeping us in the game. I think it’s safe to say we’d be in the bottom three without him.

An honourable mention must also go to Allan Saint-Maximin, who would be just as worthy of the award. A breath of fresh air on and off the pitch, a player we’ve barely ever won without and an explosive attacker who’s regularly been by far our biggest threat. Like Dubravka, I dread to think where we’d be without him!

Young player of the season:

  1. Allan Saint-Maximin
  2. Matty Longstaff
  3. Tom Allan

It has to be ASM. His numbers in terms of goals and assists are far from spectacular, but his influence on the team has been huge, with us winning more, losing less, scoring more and conceding less when he starts.

Matty Longstaff comes in a close second after a brilliant breakthrough year, although that may mean little if he leaves for a few thousand, while Tom Allan also deserves a mention after bagging an assist on his senior debut vs Rochdale following an impressive campaign at U-23 level saw him get into double figures.

Unsung hero:

  1. Isaac Hayden
  2. Ciaran Clark / Federico Fernandez
  3. Jonjo Shelvey

Hayden may not always get the plaudits he deserves, but perhaps the best tribute we can pay to him is that we don’t half miss him when he’s not there. Fully committed, consistent and someone whose….

Clark started the season our SIXTH choice centre-back, yet he’s quickly become arguably Steve Bruce’s most reliable option this season when he was fit, putting his body on the line at one end and scoring a few key goals at the other end. He missed the last few months of the season, but he never let us down when he played! Like him, fellow centre-back Fernandez is another who isn’t flashy but barely puts a foot wrong.

Jonjo Shelvey also deserves praise for adding a few goals to his game and enjoying the slight bit more freedom he’s been given under Bruce, with his six strikes seeing him end our top scorer in the league.

Most improved player:

  1. Miguel Almiron
  2. Javier Manquillo
  3. Matty Longstaff

Matty may be the obvious player given he’s gone from U-23 prospect to securing a place in Bruce’s Premier League squad, but I feel it has to go to Miguel Almiron, with the Paraguayan ending the season as our top scorer in all competitions (8) after adding goals to his game following a difficult start to the season.

As for Javier Manquillo, the Spaniard is arguably our best right-back as things stand and turned things around brilliantly to earn himself a new contract at the club. Matty Longstaff also deserves praise for going from U-23 talent to a member of Bruce’s senior squad and rarely looking out of his depth when he’s been handed a chance.

Disappointment of the season:

  1. Joelinton
  2. Andy Carroll
  3. Sean Longstaff

It has to be Joelinton. He was never prolific in Germany and signed as a young prospect, not a proven scorer, but we all expected much more from our £40m man. Two goals and several unconvincing displays have left so many of us scratching our head – even if he hasn’t always been used right.

Elsewhere, Andy Carroll has not only struggled to stay fit but hasn’t made enough of an impact when he’s featured, failing to score all season on his second stint at SJP.

Then to Sean Longstaff. He’s had to odd good game when played in a more advanced role in 2020, however he has generally struggled to get anywhere near that form that saw him linked with a big money move to Man Utd this time last year!

Moment of the season:

https://twitter.com/cwrsmith2/status/1180980896775753728
  1. Matty Longstaff’s debut goal vs Man Utd
  2. Miguel Almiron breaking his duck at the Gallowgate
  3. Saint-Maximin’s winner at Oxford

The ovation Carroll received on his ‘second debut’ was also a spine tingling moment, but these are the three top moments for me. Three goals that sparked incredible scenes and a rare moment of unrivalled joy in a season that generally lacked emotion and entertainment value.

Goal of the season:

  1. Saint-Maximin’s FA Cup winner at Oxford
  2. Jetro Willems’ thunderbolt at Anfield
  3. Matty Longstaff’s debut goal vs Man Utd

Matty’s goal was magical and Willems’ strike an absolute stunner to give us a shock leat at Liverpool, but ASM’s corker in the cup had everything. An individual bit of brilliance that came just when we needed it in a cup tie that was threatening to get away from us. The scenes that followed in the away end were pretty special too!

Best team performances of the season:

  1. Tottenham 0-1 Newcastle
  2. Newcastle 2-2 Man City
  3. West Ham 2-3 / West Brom 2-3 / Bournemouth 1-4

My winner may surprise a few, but I thought we were outstanding in every area of the pitch that day, executing Bruce’s clear game plan to perfection.

The 2-2 draw against Man City was another superb display, while 3-2 wins at West Ham and West Brom (FA Cup) along with our recent 4-1 victory at Bournemouth were the only three occasions we’ve played with swagger and genuinely outplayed the opposition (the scoreline flatters the hosts massively in both!).

Worst team performances of the season:

  1. Norwich 3-1 Newcastle
  2. Leicester 5-0 Newcastle
  3. Newcastle 0-0 Oxford

Our first away game of the season against newly promoted Norwich was a low point. We got absolutely battered without putting up a fight, looking all at sea defensively, anonymous in midfield and like a team of strangers in attack, with Almiron and Joelinton worryingly isolated.

The collapse at Leicester was worrying, as was the recent surrender at Man City, while the 0-0 draw at home to Oxford was tough to watch considering the level of opposition and occasion.

Signing of the season:

  1. Allan Saint-Maximin
  2. Jetro Willems
  3. ???

ASM is a clear winner here, with his £16m arrival from Nice proving to be one of the signings of the summer across all Premier League clubs.

A big shoutout must also go to Jetro Willems, who had been impressive at both ends of the pitch before injury cut his loan deal short, scoring some stunning goals and defending better than most expected too.

Worst signing of the season:

  1. Joelinton
  2. Krafth
  3. Bentaleb

At £40m, Joelinton’s return of 3 goals and 4 assists in all competitions hasn’t been nearly enough, while Krafth has proved to be a bizarre signing given he’s spent most of the season being our third choice option in a area where we lack real quality in the first place.

Bentaleb would also make the ‘top three’, having shown next to nothing since arriving – despite many having high hopes for the former Spurs talent.

I can’t say Danny Rose has impressed me either, looking unfit at times and a shadow of the player who was starring for Spurs not so long ago, but at least he’s done a job since Willems’ injury.

Feel free to give us your answers to all the above in the comments section below!

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

340 thoughts on “NUFC Blog’s 2019/20 awards – Player of the season, unsung hero, most improved, best goal & more

  1. ******** Pundit of the Season: Miguel Delaney, who decides he is not really a football writer after all and would rather enlighten us on geo-politics and human rights, subjects he is singularly unqualified to talk about. Man U fan who forgets their commercial deal with the Saudis but is outraged about NUFC takeover.

    Amdy Faye award for “is he really a professional footballer and gets paid for it”? Nabil Bentaleb. He wasn’t in the Shalke 1st team, he wasnt even in their reserves, he was training by himself when we picked him up. It showed. The Jack Colback of Shalke. And Brucie is thinking about extending his loan. I despair.

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  2. The Mike Ashley award for most references to his appearance: Steve Bruce. Corbridge Cabbage, Mrs. Doubtfire, Bagpuss and a few others I cant recall at the moment.

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  3. I dont understand how the PL can attribute control over NUFC to Bin Salman. He has appointed someone to take care of investments at the Saudi PIF, who will also be Chairman of NUFC, but do you think he looks at the overall investment profile. Has he taken notice that the fund are investing in Facebook and Carnival Cruiselines and Disney? I highly doubt it. He has the ability to fire the guy but that would be based on overall performance. As far a NUFC is concerned they would be a tiny part of the investment performance so would not even be on MBS’s radar. It is a 250 billion fund after all so NUFC at 300 million would represent 0.0012% of assets.

    There is the sportswashing issue but that is also there at Man City, Sheffield Utd and Qatari owned PSG.

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  4. There was an interview about 6 weeks ago (I think in The Chronicle) with a mergers and acquisitions lawyer about the NUFC takeover. He said that the rules for the O and D test were very narrow and as far as he was concerned there were no roadblocks. Now the PL seem to be taking into account every political, human rights and business move the Saudis have made in the last hundred years. It is a lawsuit waiting to happen if they deny this takeover. However it will probably drag on until the season starts.

    Meanwhile, we have Brucie scrambling to spend the coppers Fatty will give him and to sell players that nobody wants to give him that “warchest”.

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  5. It would be nice to get David Brooks but that would be the whole budget. I have said before that I think there will be about 20 million from internally generated funds. THere seems to be a built in profit of 50 million (before CV) but that is offset by having to pay back 12 million of TV money and no gate money for about a year, hence my figure of 20 million. Will Ashley dip into his pocket to fund purchases during a takeover? That’s about as likely as Bruce cancelling his daily delivery from Greggs. I doubt he would allow a bank loan either, or that might even be prohibited under the takeover terms. So, where do we stand because we surely have to prepare for this to drag on and we will be relegated with the current squad (and Manager)?

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  6. I reckon we can get Willems for about 5 million because of his injury and Covid. A new loan with another buy option for Lazaro. Inter would probably want a loan fee of about 3 million. That leaves us still needing a CM and CF with probably 20 million left in the kitty even after sales.

    I just dont see much demand for the players we would want rid of so I dont see much topping up of Bruce’s transfer funds from this source.

    I wouldnt be fooled by City’s spending as they are a law unto themselves. And Chelsea had the transfer ban and Eden Hazard money so they had a bounty ready to go. I would pay more attention to what the teams from 5th down do. Spurs even had to take a 150 million loan a couple of months ago.

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  7. As Shearer said, right now Newcastle don’t know if they are shopping in Aldi or Harrolds.
    Ridiculous situation to be in really, but very Newcastle.

    Honestly cannot see it happening.

    Maybe the PL are dithering so we can’t spend big in this transfer window and appeasing the other top teams ?
    Never underestimate the levels of skulduggery that goes on within the PL, they are motivated by £££ starting the PL back up in the middle of a pandemic shows that. All it’s done is knacker players and likely skew results. We had City and the like able to bring on 5 outstanding players in the middle of a game with the 5 sub rule, something the smaller teams could only dream of.
    How was it ever fair ?
    It better be scrapped for new season along with the drink breaks, we are not US football playing in quarters ffs.

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  8. I think the Saudi approach to the WTO report shows that the Saudis will not be easily pushed aside. If Masters had made his decision earlier he would not have presented the opportunity for so many objectors to crawl out of the woodwork.

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  9. Kimtoon: the NFL is unwatchable. They cut to break about 50 times a game. That’s why I watch so much normal football/PL. It is actually the same with golf. They show about 5 shots and then have an ad break. I dont watch that anymore either.

    Whatever people think of the BBC or the license fee it spoiled me growing up because I could watch sports without constant interruption. I think that is one of the reasons streaming services like netflix and hulu are so popular because there are no, or limited, ads. I also think that’s why Amazon or Facebook will get more involved in football because they do not totally rely on TV type ads and want content to drive clicks for their other businesses. That’s also why I do not see an implosion of PL revenue coz the US big tech cos will pick up the slack. They have money to burn.

    I dont know if you have visited here but it is about twice as bad as Sky.

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  10. Where did this figure of us having 35 million in a transfer kitty come from? Was it Bruce? Was it Ryder? It is completely made up. We may have had money in the bank in January but that is gone, or allocated to keep us afloat until and if a takeover happens. I had a glance at Eds and between the bickering I saw this number quoted a few times. I am not sure if Ashley would release the number that I think is there (20 mil). It might all just be loans.

    I mean, there is no gate money. No gates means no concessions. There has been a claw back of 12 mil TV money even with the reopening. Do people think that this will get better quickly enough for the TV cos not to want money back next year as well?

    We know how Ashley operates and yet some of our fans remain so naive. Even last year they looked at the top line number of money spent on Joe and St Max and thought he had loosened the purse strings. Bollox, we sold Perez so the net spend was about 30 million which placed us about 13th in the PL. And that’s if you believe the Joe fee.

    And still, some gullibles are believing this 35 million kitty.

    We know how Ashley works and now he has the uncertainty of both the takeover and Covid19. Every other business without a sugar daddy has been affected, does anybody really believe NUFC haven’t?

    No, the Fat Man will go back to his knitting and spend as little as possible praying for the takeover and flying by the seat of his pants until January. Then he might act out of desperation. The more I think about it the more I think loans and no more money released. And would you buy any of our surplus players? What is Atsu worth? 1 million? Remember we couldnt give Colback away because of his wages. I can see him going to Turkey on a free.

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  11. I hope that I am wrong because there will be some bargains out there once Man City and Chelsea have shot their load. Reality will set in and it will bite. The real reduced values will then be seen, and we will see nobody has any money.

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  12. Knew it.
    That’s me done with it all now, the thought of more Jabba or Mauriss (jabba mark 2) is more than i can stomach.

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  13. Fck. My thesis which I only wrote about an hour ago is going to come true now. Loans, lads and lasses and maybe a bargain or 2.

    Their explanation for pulling out means they do not value NUFC at 300 million anymore. Doubt anybody will bid more than 200 mil and the Mauriss guy looks like a charlatan so dont expect anything there.

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  14. kimtoon:
    Knew it.
    That’s me done with it all now, the thought of more Jabba or Mauriss (jabba mark 2) is more than i can stomach.

    Another season of Bruce as well to add salt to the wound

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  15. I was more hopeful this time. Even NUFC.com said it was a done deal a few weeks ago. Richard Keys said it was a done deal. I was never fully convinced, but I still thought it had a chance even with all of the roadblocks. Mainly coz I thought the PL would be worried about being sued.

    Steve Wraith has a youtube meeting at 6pm UK time. I am going to listen to that as they were all adamant that this was happening.

    If anybody has read anything I have said recently you will see that I knew that supporters and journos were in cloud cuckoo land if they thought transfer values would hold up. My rant above from an hour ago was me feeling this would not get done until the season started. Didnt think they would pull out though.

    The Saudis have just confirmed that football is in a bad state, whatever blind pundits and journos say. There will be bankruptcies. There will be layoffs. The transfer market will tank. As I said, you cannot take Man City and Chelsea shooting their load as a guide for the general market.

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  16. Sad news on the takeover . 🙁
    We were all looking forward to buying star players and competing with and beating the likes of Man City.
    Looks like the premier league do not want the likes of NUFC taking a Champions League spot away from the ‘elite’.

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  17. Henry Winter
    @henrywinter
    PIF #NUFCTakeover withdrawal deeply frustrating for long-suffering #nufc fans desperate to get rid of Ashley. But other interested parties, inc two US. One long-standing bidding group (not Mauriss) weighing up Newcastle & another club. They have the funds. Newcastle prized.

    Issues behind #NUFCTakeover stalemate/withdrawal inc TV piracy dispute with other broadcasters, concerns of certain PL clubs over TV rights (+ perhaps not wanting wealthy rival) & exact make-up of board (inc whether a Saudi presence). Nothing to do with human rights pressure.

    Bidders who’ve withdrawn frustrated/gutted were going to give Bruce a chance to start with & were going to invest heavily in #nufc academy as they’d noted how many local talents (Shearer, Carrick etc) started down south, something Ashley’s eventual successor has to address.

    Note the bit about PL clubs not wanting wealthy rivals ? I said this could be part of the problem .
    PL have dragged the *** out of this test knowing full well that once we got into the window then time was against pif and co to do anything worthwhile.
    This is exactly what PL board, David Dein and top 6 were hoping would happen.
    I hope the Saudis now buy a club in another country and steel all the PL top players.
    Skulduggery i tell you, lot of greedy, nasty barstewerds who don’t want toon at the top table. PL have fecked with our season.
    SSN pushing the Mauriss bid now ffs.

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  18. SSN banging on about human rights in Saudi now, they forget that the PL sold tv rights to a terrorist backing state who happily watch migrant workers die on WC stadiums whilst their passports are taken away.

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  19. The double standards are breath taking.
    You know what, i would not be surprised at all if Pif end up buying another PL club within the next 2 years and it gets passed with in weeks.

    And if Qatar do go in for Leeds, i hope the human rights of that country are just as widely scrutinised .

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  20. Well the inevitable has happened. PL drag their heels that long the Saudis walk & save the PL having to say no. Total cowards and absolute joke really – I hope they pay the £17m back but I’m sure they won’t.

    On the same day Man City agree to spend £41m – but didn’t breach any FFP rules – b0ll0cks!!. Guaranteed the top 6 clubs were in the ear of the PL trying to put a stop to use getting backed with big money.

    I don’t see Ashley putting a bean into the club either.

    … and the issues on this site STILL aren’t fixed.

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  21. Listening to Wraith and Pals and they are parroting this 35 million transfer budget again. It is absolute bollix and they keep repeating it. When will they learn?

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  22. I’m pretty sure we’re jinxed.

    Sounds like PL just didn’t believe the PIF and Saudi State were desperate legal entities. Not sure where that sits in their O&D’s test…

    Personally think the PL knew they couldn’t reject it legally so kept them hanging on and hanging on until something like this happened or their time expired on the Sales agreement.

    Wouldn’t be surprised if this wasn’t dead. Wonder if it’s a rouse to hurry the PL up.

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  23. Geordie Dentist wrong again. He says he has a lot of contacts in the middle east but I think he was also sure the BZG deal would happen. Seems like a nice enough Guy but maybe shouldnt believe everything he hears. He was adamant that the Saudi’s would not pull out because of his inside knowledge of the way they do business, that when they make up their minds they stick to it to the last. Seems devastated. I think it is genuine and not just because of the damage this has done to his own credibility.

    As I said above they are still parroting this 35 mil transfer kitty on Wraiths show where him and John Gibson were on about an hour ago. They were also quoting the transfer fees BEFORE CV-19 hit. Didnt they read the Saudi press releases that basically said that NUFC was worth a lot less now. I would infer from that that players are worth a lot less because they are one of the assets they take into account when buying a club. Were still saying 20 mil for Lazaro and 8 mil Benelab. NONSENSE. I recon we can get Lazaro for 12 or a loan. Skip Bentelab.

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  24. And if there is a new bid they would have to be mad to give Fatty 300 mil now. You would have to get it all tied up before the season starts and get players in before THIS transfer window closes. They would be up against the clock because the current squad and manager has relegation written all over it. How much would NUFC be worth in The Championship? 150 million? IF, and its a big IF, there is another buyer you would think they would wait until January to see how we are going in the league and how CV-19 is.

    Fatty is faced with a dilemma because now he has to boost the squad but the money will not be there. Some loans and gamble on a striker? Anybody got an opinion of who we could sell and what we could get for them? Not St Max, I mean the deadwood. And not Joe because Fatboy would not take a 30 mil hit.

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  25. At least we won’t have to worry about how to accommodate fans back into the stadium when they get round to letting them back in.

    I was talking to my mate who’s a season ticket holder – they still haven’t been refunded their season ticket money yet. He got his FA Cup money back for the City game, but not the outstanding money for the games missed since the re-start.
    He was going to take the reduced price for next season, coz he was sure the takeover would happen – I don’t imagine he will now – he’s nee fan of the football he’s seen under Bruce.

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  26. There is a way forward once we are relegated. Stavely comes back in with 150 million and the EFL do their tests. Totally differnt to the PL tests. The EFL would approve Tony Saprano and Vladimir Putin as co-owners.

    We have to endure another **** season and then do a Leeds. Not the one that got relegated to the Sunderland division and stayed out of the top flight for 16 years. No, the one that invested in Bielsa.

    BTW it is quite funny to see some gloating from Mackems the state they are in.

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  27. Staveley, speaking to the Times, was asked if she blamed the Premier League and replied: “Of course we do.

    “They had a chance, they say we have not answered all the questions and we have done so. But the other clubs in the Premier League didn’t want it to happen. #NUFC

    Just as I thought.

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  28. I thought we were dealing with smart people here but they played into the PL and some clubs’ hands by banning Bein Sports in Saudi. That is the official sponsor of the PL in their region and sort of forces their population into illegal streaming. There are 50 million Saudis so this is one of the bigger and more affluent markets.

    This not only forced the PL hand a bit but allowed the clubs that did not want it to go through anyway on the grounds that the Saudis were stealing the PLs revenue and therefore the clubs’ revenue since they are all stakeholders.

    Many other things they did wrong in retrospect. I cant believe that for once Ashley is not the villain. I dont believe for a minute this Mauriss nonsense. I reckon that was Fatty’s way to try to move things along as I believe he wanted the money.

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  29. I still dont think the human rights issues should come into it as all the countries in that region have their own problems there and companies and Govts from around the world still deal with them (if it is safe). I think the exception is Iran which still has sanctions.

    What a giant mess. Couldnt their lawyers have predicted this? The banning of Bein was the final straw and the excuse the PL (and Stakeholders) needed. How couldnt they see this and just wait until this was done?

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  30. I wonder if Amanda and Co have pulled out so they can air all the dirty laundry in the media. I think they are calling out the PL here and letting everyone know how they behaved. I wouldn’t be surprise if they were still in to buy the club. I think some maneuvering is going on here.
    The PL have been sitting on their hands and now it is all out in the open. If Amanda and Co renew their interest now, what would the PL have to hide behind?
    Purely speculation but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is their play.

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  31. Fitting that this happened on the day the President of Fifa was brought up on criminal charges. There is no corruption in football. The WC being awarded to Qatar was totally above board despite the FBI bringing criminal charges against FIFA members. They hadn’t even decided to switch it to winter when the bid was approved. I think they had some half arsed idea of air-conditioning the stadiums. Maybe Richard Masters will have a film made about him like the 2014 $30 million epic United Passions about Sepp Blatter starring Tim Roth and Gerard Depardeaux. It grossed $968 in its first weekend in the US.

    I wonder who would play Richard Masters and Ricard Keys? I nominate Timothy Spall to play Mike Ashley.

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  32. Aussie:
    I wonder if Amanda and Co have pulled out so they can air all the dirty laundry in the media. I think they are calling out the PL here and letting everyone know how they behaved. I wouldn’t be surprise if they were still in to buy the club. I think some maneuvering is going on here.
    The PL have been sitting on their hands and now it is all out in the open. If Amanda and Co renew their interest now, what would the PL have to hide behind?
    Purely speculation but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is their play.

    Exactly this Aussie.
    She told the Times and also Caulkin that the PL told them we wont reject you or pass you , we’ll just sit on it.
    There are now reports that PIF saw a leaked PL document on tuesday that really pissed them off and was also part of the reason they pulled out.
    There is much more to come i suspect.

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  33. Eric, i think the Saudi’s banned Bein back in 2018 but it was confirmed again recently.
    Apparently the PL demanded that the saudi state was named as owners of us, never gonna happen for many reasons.

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  34. Kev Lawson
    @Edit_Kev
    Well. It just gets stranger. Some thoughts:

    Eight pointed star If MA is committed to the PiF deal, it suggests some collusion with AS, PiF & RBs
    Eight pointed star MA may test the EPL legally for his right to sell to the consortium
    Eight pointed star This allows KSA to test without losing face.

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  35. kimtoon: Exactly this Aussie.
    She told the Times and also Caulkin that the PL told them we wont reject you or pass you , we’ll just sit on it.
    There are now reports that PIF saw a leaked PL document on tuesday that really pissed them off and was also part of the reason they pulled out.
    There is much more to come i suspect.

    Kim, I think they will give it another go, now that they have painted the PL into a corner. If they re-apply the PL will have no secrets to rest upon. It’s all out now.

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  36. Aussie: Kim, I think they will give it another go, now that they have painted the PL into a corner. If they re-apply the PL will have no secrets to rest upon. It’s all out now.

    Aye mate, strange goings on all round. Maybe the deal just needs restructuring ?
    Clutching at straws a bit here mind.

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  37. 11 years ago today we lost Sir Bobby.
    What must he be thinking if he’s looking down on us.
    RIP Sir Bobby. 🙁 never forgotten.

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  38. Aussie: Kim, I think they will give it another go, now that they have painted the PL into a corner. If they re-apply the PL will have no secrets to rest upon. It’s all out now.

    Aussie – you might be right but there are just too many who don’t want this to happen.
    I get the feeling the PL were getting it from every direction – including the government and top 6 clubs.
    They didn’t want NUFC getting in on it – if they loose ground to other clubs they themselves could go under – such is the level of their spends.

    There is nobody giving a sh!te about this and the PL will not be forced to explain themselves – they’ll blame the delay on the impact of CO-VID and won’t be pressed any more than that – despite Richard Masters saying 3 weeks ago that he wanted it sorting quickly.

    Just when we all thought Ashley would be the biggest problem with a takeover – the PL pull this one off.

    I do think it had a lot to do with the prospect of making NUFC a financial super power. The top 6 have too much power – Chelsea and Man Utd who are desperate to get competitive again – they are huge for the PL commercially. The PL wouldn’t want to p!ss them off.

    Doubt we’ll ever learn the truth.

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  39. kimtoon:
    11 years ago today we lost Sir Bobby.
    What must he be thinking if he’s looking down on us.
    RIP Sir Bobby. ?never forgotten.

    A true legend of the game & the NE

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  40. Well my details seem to be staying put – but I’m having to type over a pop up advert every time ?

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  41. Sharpy17: Aussie – you might be right but there are just too many who don’t want this to happen.
    I get the feeling the PL were getting it from every direction – including the government and top 6 clubs.
    They didn’t want NUFC getting in on it – if they loose ground to other clubs they themselves could go under – such is the level of their spends.

    There is nobody giving a sh!te about this and the PL will not be forced to explain themselves – they’ll blame the delay on the impact of CO-VID and won’t be pressed any more than that – despite Richard Masters saying 3 weeks ago that he wanted it sorting quickly.

    Just when we all thought Ashley would be the biggest problem with a takeover – the PL pull this one off.

    I do think it had a lot to do with the prospect of making NUFC a financial super power.The top 6 have too much power – Chelsea and Man Utd who are desperate to get competitive again – they are huge for the PL commercially.The PL wouldn’t want to p!ss them off.

    Doubt we’ll ever learn the truth.

    A lot of fair points there mate. Hard to argue with. The PL had the veil of silence to hide behind before. Surely the lack of any sufficent reason not to approve the deal will need to be explained. Now that it is out in the open, questions will be asked.

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  42. The Chronic have a piece on reaction from the national media. Lots of moralizing from Miguel Delaney but also quotes from Louise Taylor and Luke Edwards. Surprisingly little criticism of the Premier League. Then there is Andy Dunn of the Mirror who is on his high horse about Saudi human rights abuses and Jamal Khashoggi. Maybe he should ask World Leaders why they are going to Saudi for the G20 and ask Boris why Britain is resuming arms sales. I wonder how much Mr Dunn donated to Amnesty International and the like last year (before our takeover broke)? My guess is a big fat zero. I also wonder if he will give up his place in the press box for the Qatar World Cup?

    Suddenly all of these journos became human rights crusaders.

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  43. Aussie: A lot of fair points there mate. Hard to argue with. The PL had the veil of silence to hide behind before. Surely the lack of any sufficent reason not to approve the deal will need to be explained. Now that it is out in the open, questions will be asked.

    They’ll get asked mate, but tentatively – nobody other than NUFC fans really give a **** this fell on its ar$e – and which journo is going to have the minerals to really drill the head of the PL – without fear of repercussions?!.

    Are the Saudis really likely to go through it all again?!.
    Maybe, but I think they will hit the same brick wall – because other than us fans – nobody really wanted the Saudis.

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  44. What are the circumstances with Frazer? Did he sort of go on strike or did Eddie Howe freeze him out because he wouldnt sign a new contract? Played well the season before last. West Ham must be favourites as he wouldnt even have to move.

    We know we will be shopping in the bargain basement. Hopefully Ashley will at least allow us to get a decent striker or we are doomed. Does anybody see Joe coming good?

    #BetterThanAtsu

    I actually think Lazaro showed enough even when played out of position for us to at least extend his loan or test the waters with a lower bid than the buyout clause. The world is totally different now to when that was agreed in January.

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  45. I think we have to move on. I see people on other blogs saying the deal might not be dead, parsing every word that Stevely and Charnley have said and saying the bid has not been OFFICIALLY withdrawn. But the Saudis said it no longer makes economic sense in the current climate. Maybe this is code for them not wanting to have their dirty laundry aired in the public domain anymore after 4 months of it, but it looks to me that they truly have had enough. I am sure they didnt expect 4 months, they probably expected 4 weeks of scrutiny and then make some big moves in the transfer market and that would be the new story. We are not worth the magnifying glass they have been put under in terms of human rights, business practices and Jamal Khashoggi. More hassle than it is worth would sum it up.

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  46. I mean, it is the opposite of sportswashing. If every journalist now becomes a human rights campaigner and there are hearings after hearings in Parliament, Op Eds in the papers etc it defeats the purpose of presenting a good image of the country. I can see why they thought enough is enough.

    The PL are still hypocrites. They have their rules for this and I think the Saudis passed those. It was more political and that some clubs for their own self interest were against it.

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  47. Anybody surprised by the failure of the takeover? Once it dragged on for months it was obvious the Prem wasn’t going to let it happen. And all these other potential buyers will disappear as soon as they are asked to put their money where their mouths are. It’s done. We’re stuck with Ashley and we will continue to be the same sorry club working to finish somewhere between 13th and 17th each season. A sad moment once again after 13 1/2 years of sad moments.

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  48. GeordieTwo:
    Anybody surprised by the failure of the takeover? Once it dragged on for months it was obvious the Prem wasn’t going to let it happen. And all these other potential buyers will disappear as soon as they are asked to put their money where their mouths are. It’s done. We’re stuck with Ashley and we will continue to be the same sorry club working to finish somewhere between 13th and 17th each season. A sad moment once again after 13 1/2 years of sad moments.

    Inclined to agree G2

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  49. You thought the football was over, but you would be wrong. There will be things to take your mind off our major summer signing being Brighton’s Glenn Murray, Age 76, unless he has retired.

    Next Friday and Saturday they finish up the last 16 of the Champions League and then move to Portugal for a straight 8 team knockout Tournament the following week. No 2 legs, lose and you are done. Should be really exciting, even without fans.

    The Europa League is doing a similar thing but the tournament is in Germany. Teams are not as good but Man U and Wolves are still in it. I actually like this version of Man U especially as they have 2 players who could start for England in the Euros next year – Rashford and Greenwood. Dont laugh about Greenwood, remember Kane’s injury history.

    I think they are staggering the games so they dont clash too much so there will be a festival of football.

    A lot of the usual CL and Europa games clash so I have to pick and choose which I watch. This year will be better (for me).

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  50. I am excited about the European format. I usually dont really bother much with it until the semifinals but two 8 team knockout tournaments winner take all will be like the World Cup without the boring Group stages.

    We are still partially locked down (up 🙂 ) in Chicago. Indoor bars and restaurants mostly closed. Have to sit outside and socially distance. Have only been to 2 in last month so going a bit stir crazy. These tournaments will give me something to look forward to.

    Remember the US elections are in full swing so that is on TV 24/7 for 6 months. It is hell. You are actually lucky in the UK to have such a short campaign. It actually runs for about 2 years building to a crescendo about now. Imagine 2 years of The Orange Man Baby!!! I can watch for a couple of days and then have to take a week’s break. Cant switch off totally though as I need to keep up with CV-19.

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  51. PS: I have a suspicion that Greenwood will be PL top scorer next season so there will be a lot wanting him to start for England.

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  52. Eric, bit peed off with all things football at the moment, i might watch Fulham v Brentford though on tuesday.

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  53. Kimtoon: you not watching the FA Cup? It used to be such a big thing when I was a kid but I have to admit I am underwhelmed about Chelsea/Arsenal. It is not even on TV here you have to livestream it on ESPN and that means paying extra. Giving it a miss as I dont care who wins.

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  54. First Cup Final I remember is 1951 Newcastle 2 Blackpool 0.Milbrurn 2 goals after goalless first half
    Following year Newcastle 1 Arsenal 0 late goal from George Robledo.Will not be watching today. Not the slightest interest

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  55. icedog:
    KIM how is Lewis foot ect mate?

    Much improved Ice, most of the bruising gone just slightly swollen now. Still fuming about it, i know someone was careless at center just can’t prove it.
    Looks like we were right about takeover not happening sadly.

    Eric, not the least bit interested in cup final mate, two London clubs i could give less of a **** about, especially at the moment. Probably gonna cancel Sky sports too now and go back to online streams if possible or listen to radio newcastle on matchdays, that’s if Jabba gives us anything worth watching.

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  56. It is now more important than ever to stay in the Premier League as if we get relegated Ashley will not get the price he wants. Looks like the Saudi deal is dead for now but they may come back in. Maybe Amanda can sweet talk them? In the meantime, I really hope this 35 million transfer figure is for real, although as I have said before I have my doubts. That, plus about 15 million in sales will get you a lot in this market.

    Dont be fooled by Man City and Chelsea spending. They are unique situations. Man U will also spend because of their commercial deals and because they are close to being a top team again. The rest of the league and especially the Championship are skint though.

    I dont mind free transfers if they are decent players but I worry that Fraser will choose West Ham. They will probably offer more money.

    In our current situation Willems is definitely a player that could improve us, as is Lazaro. And we have seen them in the PL. We could get them both for 20 mil. Or Willems for 5 and loan Lazaro. That’s a safe bet, and better than spunking 12 million on Jacob Murhy or 40 mil on you-know-who without seeing how they are in the Prem.

    We would then have some left over for a striker and Centre Mid. Not ideal, but we are faced with another grind next year so let’s at least give ourselves a chance.

    Havent seen much speculation about strikers apart from the lad on loan at Liepzig. I watched a few of their games and he looks a good player. Schick is tall, but not a prolific scorer. Could work with Gayle or another speedy forward. This is the market we are in though. We are not about to go out and buy his strike partner Timo Werner for 50 million as Chelsea did.

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  57. 1950s we had Arthur Caiger leading the community singing.Built up a real atmosphere,great fun and sorry when it ended in the 60s because it was old hat.

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  58. I am so used to this roller-coaster. You have to look for things to get you out of the despair. The lot in life of a NUFC fan is to be passive-aggressive, bi-polar, Manic-Depressive, knee-****. I know I am sometimes and it plays out on here. I am always willing to give players a chance and usually even Managers (except Ugly John who I knew would be a disaster).

    Maybe Mandy can make an impassioned speech to Bin Salmon along the lines of “we will not cow down to little tin pot dictators like Richard Masters. That is not who we are. The friend of Qatar will not dictate to us…” The other side of me says, they are sick of the bad publicity and will only be back (if ever) when the TV rights deal is up for grabs.

    Told you I am bi-polar when it comes to NUFC 🙂

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  59. You know the way Arsenal fans are always moaning? They have just won their 4th FA Cup in 7 years. Maybe that says something about how the Cup has been devalued but it is more than in our glory days of the 50s that Stan Hardy was talking about earlier.

    If you dont believe me watch ArsenalTV, it is fan TV and they are so ANGRY. I think they even banned one of them for being just a bit TOO angry. It is quite funny though because of their sense of entitlement and hurt and always makes me think – you’ve got it easy mate, compared to NUFC. And it just got even worse for us with the failed takeover and they win the FA Cup again and they will still moan.

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  60. So if the Chinese City group ( state owned investment group ) is allowed to have shares in owning Man City albeit 12% why the problem with PIF ?
    Maybe the deal simply needs restructuring so pif have a smaller investment share ?

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  61. Mark Douglas floating that we may sell Gayle. Why? Then we wouldnt have any strikers. Carroll had zero goals and Joe 2. And for 5 million… I would also worry about Callum Wilson’s injury record as well – cant have him Carroll and Gayle who are all likely to be sidelined for longish periods. You are just asking for trouble with them as your main strikers!

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  62. A bit devastating for Steve Wraith this takeover failure, like. He was just getting some traction on Youtube and his show is actually quite good. Supermac spends 10 minutes each show he is on berating Joelinton which can be quite funny. He really doesnt rate him at all. Mal can be quite a curmudgeon but he is likeable at the same time. The Geordie Dentist is OK as well even if his contacts are useless. Has got it totally wrong on takeovers twice now. And the Wraith interviews ex-players which I suppose is all we have to cling to for now. Has Nobby on today which I think I will give a listen to.

    Anyway, when the season starts I will listen to their previews and aftermatch. Much more entertaining than anything in The Chronic.

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  63. There has been all of this controversy about Henderson winning the Football Writers Player of the year. I looked back and saw Ginola won it. Not for us, for fcking Spurs. What was Dalglish thinking?

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