Howaythelads

So it's his fault when it goes wrong and someone else is responsible when it goes right? It was nowt to do with the previous Board when the team was doing well in the PL but it was their fault when things took a turn for the worse, or even when things didn't get better than 3rd. Surely you remember that? Why should it be any different for Ashley? In any case, the facts show quite clearly he's taken the club backwards since he took over and that's his fault no matter how you want to ignore it. The strong position in the Championship we find ourselves in currently is nothing to do with Ashley, it is in spite of Ashley. In January 2009 and summer 2009 Ashley sanctioned the sale or release of a number of players, the only players who came in during the summer were either sub-standard loan signings or free signings. I'm talking here about Danny Simpson (loan), Peter Lovenkrands (Free), Zurab Khizanishvili (Loan) and Marlon Harewood (Loan). He also failed to bring in an established manager, in fact, he didn't seem at all bothered whether the club had a manager or not, such was his undermining of the football club. Basically, Ashley didn't do anything permanent to improve the position of the team/club until January came around. It's open to debate whether bringing in a few Championship quality players is the best way forward given the club is in a good position for a return to the PL, however, it's obvious the squad did need more numbers due to earlier decisions by Ashley that reduced the size of the squad to an alarming level, so January 2010 did see an improvement of sorts with the influx of a few Championship players. He made the decision to do something in January only because : 1. The manager and the playing/coaching staff had performed very well despite being handicapped by Ashley and his undermining of the football club. This saw the club top of the Championship, so a return to the higher revenue of the PL suddenly looked to be possible. 2. Ashley had once again failed to offload the club so he was left with either speculating in an attempt to recover PL money, or flounder due to a thin squad. The small squad was thanks to Ashley and he didn't give a damn about that until he failed to sell the club, he'd have handed that crap situation over to someone else. The man's a plank. Simple as that. It's about time people stopped trying to defend the indefensible because it's laughable.

It's because he doesn't really know what the hell he's doing, man. What on earth was the point in appointing Shearer, ffs? Is he really that deluded? It was a good decision when he didn't offer him the job permanently but I'd have been happier again had he gone out and appointed an experienced manager. Nowt against Hughton, who is doing a decent job under difficult circumstances. It does look like Ashley is getting better, but that's not saying much on previous performance. He needs someone like me to help him out. Here's something.... Mike, I already have a career job that I'll have to give up, but I love the club so I'll do it. I'll sign a 9 year employment contract with Newcastle United for £60k pa to help you out with your PR. Annual increases in line with inflation and a car will do it. You'll easily get that back from the increased attendance revenue just by me preventing Derek putting his foot in it every time he opens his mouth. hang on htl, wasn't the appointment very reminiscent of appointing another of our ex faves into the managers seat without any experience when fighting a relegation battle. Speak for yourself. I don't have any favourites, I grew out of that by about age 12, the club is all that is important. If the club is all that is important to you then I'm not sure how you can come to the conclusion that immediate success on the field is anyway near as important as survival off it?! You think I'm after IMMEDIATE success when I've been supporting this club since 1968? Mate, if you're going to reply at least think past the knee-jerk dig before you do it. I haven't demanded immediate success, or even just success, that's the game of those who wanted rid of the previous Board. You know, the people who weren't happy with 3 x top 5 finishes and with signing 3 players in 2003. They are the one's who were demanding success. I'm critical of Ashley and co because their decisions led directly to the club being relegated, therefore placing into jeopardy the very existence of the football club. Not being relegated from the PL last season is very much tied to the survival of the club but it happened, in reality there is a direct relationship between what happens on the field of play and what happens off it. However, my position on Ashley is obviously nothing to do with calls for immediate success. I guess you must mistakenly believe my annoyance that Ashley brought about relegation is somehow a call from me for immediate success. After saying that, I believe immediate promotion is definitely tied to the future of the club. You may disagree if you like. So going back to the title of the thread, why exactly do you think we are going in the wrong direction? I mean in your eyes the club is getting progessively worse and worse and has a very bleak future. Right? Here's some advice. Stick to what I did actually say. I know what you said, I'm just trying to draw out your views on the club's by asking a very relevant question, care to oblige? Genuinely interested to know if you have anything positive to say about the club in its current state. I addressed this earlier when I said the playing and coaching staff have been doing a great job this season despite Ashley. It's somewhere in the thread.

It's because he doesn't really know what the hell he's doing, man. What on earth was the point in appointing Shearer, ffs? Is he really that deluded? It was a good decision when he didn't offer him the job permanently but I'd have been happier again had he gone out and appointed an experienced manager. Nowt against Hughton, who is doing a decent job under difficult circumstances. It does look like Ashley is getting better, but that's not saying much on previous performance. He needs someone like me to help him out. Here's something.... Mike, I already have a career job that I'll have to give up, but I love the club so I'll do it. I'll sign a 9 year employment contract with Newcastle United for £60k pa to help you out with your PR. Annual increases in line with inflation and a car will do it. You'll easily get that back from the increased attendance revenue just by me preventing Derek putting his foot in it every time he opens his mouth. hang on htl, wasn't the appointment very reminiscent of appointing another of our ex faves into the managers seat without any experience when fighting a relegation battle. Speak for yourself. I don't have any favourites, I grew out of that by about age 12, the club is all that is important. If the club is all that is important to you then I'm not sure how you can come to the conclusion that immediate success on the field is anyway near as important as survival off it?! You think I'm after IMMEDIATE success when I've been supporting this club since 1968? Mate, if you're going to reply at least think past the knee-jerk dig before you do it. I haven't demanded immediate success, or even just success, that's the game of those who wanted rid of the previous Board. You know, the people who weren't happy with 3 x top 5 finishes and with signing 3 players in 2003. They are the one's who were demanding success. I'm critical of Ashley and co because their decisions led directly to the club being relegated, therefore placing into jeopardy the very existence of the football club. Not being relegated from the PL last season is very much tied to the survival of the club but it happened, in reality there is a direct relationship between what happens on the field of play and what happens off it. However, my position on Ashley is obviously nothing to do with calls for immediate success. I guess you must mistakenly believe my annoyance that Ashley brought about relegation is somehow a call from me for immediate success. After saying that, I believe immediate promotion is definitely tied to the future of the club. You may disagree if you like. So going back to the title of the thread, why exactly do you think we are going in the wrong direction? I mean in your eyes the club is getting progessively worse and worse and has a very bleak future. Right? Here's some advice. Stick to what I did actually say.

People will believe it though. Aye, course they will and justifiably so too.

Do they need the windows licking at SJP though? You should be all in favour of me being offered a job with the club. Just think, a real ITK on the forum.

It's because he doesn't really know what the hell he's doing, man. What on earth was the point in appointing Shearer, ffs? Is he really that deluded? It was a good decision when he didn't offer him the job permanently but I'd have been happier again had he gone out and appointed an experienced manager. Nowt against Hughton, who is doing a decent job under difficult circumstances. It does look like Ashley is getting better, but that's not saying much on previous performance. He needs someone like me to help him out. Here's something.... Mike, I already have a career job that I'll have to give up, but I love the club so I'll do it. I'll sign a 9 year employment contract with Newcastle United for £60k pa to help you out with your PR. Annual increases in line with inflation and a car will do it. You'll easily get that back from the increased attendance revenue just by me preventing Derek putting his foot in it every time he opens his mouth. hang on htl, wasn't the appointment very reminiscent of appointing another of our ex faves into the managers seat without any experience when fighting a relegation battle. Speak for yourself. I don't have any favourites, I grew out of that by about age 12, the club is all that is important. If the club is all that is important to you then I'm not sure how you can come to the conclusion that immediate success on the field is anyway near as important as survival off it?! You think I'm after IMMEDIATE success when I've been supporting this club since 1968? Mate, if you're going to reply at least think past the knee-jerk dig before you do it. I haven't demanded immediate success, or even just success, that's the game of those who wanted rid of the previous Board. You know, the people who weren't happy with 3 x top 5 finishes and with signing 3 players in 2003. They are the one's who were demanding success. I'm critical of Ashley and co because their decisions led directly to the club being relegated, therefore placing into jeopardy the very existence of the football club. Not being relegated from the PL last season is very much tied to the survival of the club but it happened, in reality there is a direct relationship between what happens on the field of play and what happens off it. However, my position on Ashley is obviously nothing to do with calls for immediate success. I guess you must mistakenly believe my annoyance that Ashley brought about relegation is somehow a call from me for immediate success. After saying that, I believe immediate promotion is definitely tied to the future of the club. You may disagree if you like.

Luque has to get in there somewhere. Good thread and pretty much agree with the team though not the manager obviously. It's not spineless to walk away from a job when you're being shat on from a great height, it's spineless not to.

Wish people would stop posting in this thread. I get excited every time it's back to the top 'cos I'm hoping Mr Ashley and Mr Llambias are on the verge of making a good decision by offering me a job. I've offered my services and that's not easy to do because I like my current job. I'm making a sacrifice here.

will he put his 20M a year as he said, along with surplus cash from TV money sponsorship etc, if he does, this should allow a kitty to buy the players needed to stay up whether hughton does this, and get's rid of the sloggers, is another Why should he have to put in his £20m a year? He's done that this year to keep us running, not as a long term strategy. Can anyone here tell me they would run a business at a £20m loss a year and never be in a position to recoup that? In my opinion the club needs to be run as if it were to finish 17th in the PL every year. If we do better than that any additional funds raised can be reinvested, so effectively the club is running at a not for profit system. If we run it 'smart' you could even put aside a "relegation kitty" so if we do go down we can take the loss to get us back promoted again, thus not needing to reinvest more of the owner's personal funds. Mike Ashley will never get a return on his investment, and deep down you can tell he knows that and he's given up trying to do it. How would any of you feel if you lost half of your worth because you bought a business? I'd feel gutted but I'd accept responsibility for my mistakes.

It's because he doesn't really know what the hell he's doing, man. What on earth was the point in appointing Shearer, ffs? Is he really that deluded? It was a good decision when he didn't offer him the job permanently but I'd have been happier again had he gone out and appointed an experienced manager. Nowt against Hughton, who is doing a decent job under difficult circumstances. It does look like Ashley is getting better, but that's not saying much on previous performance. He needs someone like me to help him out. Here's something.... Mike, I already have a career job that I'll have to give up, but I love the club so I'll do it. I'll sign a 9 year employment contract with Newcastle United for £60k pa to help you out with your PR. Annual increases in line with inflation and a car will do it. You'll easily get that back from the increased attendance revenue just by me preventing Derek putting his foot in it every time he opens his mouth. hang on htl, wasn't the appointment very reminiscent of appointing another of our ex faves into the managers seat without any experience when fighting a relegation battle. Speak for yourself. I don't have any favourites, I grew out of that by about age 12, the club is all that is important.

That's rubbish. More games have been played in the Championship and you could argue that the Premiership is more competitive so there are more draws and less points distributed.

It's because he doesn't really know what the hell he's doing, man. What on earth was the point in appointing Shearer, ffs? Is he really that deluded? It was a good decision when he didn't offer him the job permanently but I'd have been happier again had he gone out and appointed an experienced manager. Nowt against Hughton, who is doing a decent job under difficult circumstances. It does look like Ashley is getting better, but that's not saying much on previous performance. He needs someone like me to help him out. Here's something.... Mike, I already have a career job that I'll have to give up, but I love the club so I'll do it. I'll sign a 9 year employment contract with Newcastle United for £60k pa to help you out with your PR. Annual increases in line with inflation and a car will do it. You'll easily get that back from the increased attendance revenue just by me preventing Derek putting his foot in it every time he opens his mouth.

What a It's the same people who backed the destruction of the team by Souness, who complained we signed only 3 players (2 of them internationals) in 2003, who complained we finished top 5 for 3 seasons in a row, who claimed a "Director of Football" was the answer, who would now crawl through 3 miles of broken glass just to sniff Ashley's arse. He's getting better but he has a long way to go to get anywhere near the achievements of the previous people. As a supporter of the club and a believer that the club comes first, I hope he does it. He owns the club and until he sells it I recognise completely that it's down to whatever he does. He needs to start getting decisions right and he needs to instill some kind of belief that the club is heading in the right direction under his ownership. He hasn't done that so far, what he has done so far is undermine the club. There is no way that group of footballers should have been relegated last season, there is a reason for the shite performances last season and that's to do with the overall football club and lack of spirit. imo.

It's comments like this that make me about some of our support, football is emotive, but after 12-18months you'd hope that people would start to get a sense of perspective, particularly when other events in the footballing world unfold and shed some light on the underlying situation at every business. Footballing-wise, there have been some horrendous mistakes made, especially the attempt to sign Harry Redknapp (wtf?!) then the doomed appointment of KK; however, it is noticeable that their decisions are improving (even if it's just because they are making fewer of them). Business-wise, we can only really go off the numbers published at the end of every year, as we all know that the club have deliberately misled the supporters in the past. To date, the financial situation is improving, so I find it hard to fault Ashley for those decisions. So what's the problem with HTL's point??? The "whole series of bad decisions" made by the "inept wankers" led a lot of people to draw the conclusion that they were deliberately trying to destroy the club. The ineptitude is beyond question. Drawing the conclusion that were deliberately trying to destroy the club is laughable. 1. Did ashley deliberately buy the football club without understanding exactly what he was buying? 2. Did ashley deliberately appoint Keegan? 3. Did ashley deliberately install a system that would not possibly work with a manager of that temperament? 4. Did ashley deliberately back Wise over Keegan? 5. Did ashley deliberately appoint a bloody joke as a manager? 6. Did ashley deliberately appoint a coach as a manager? 7. Did ashley deliberately appoint Shearer as manager, a man has no previous experience, thereby showing his panic at the situation? 9. Did ashley deliberately put the club up for sale then withdraw it from sale more than once, undermining the entire football club? 10. Did ashley deliberately see a surplus of money from transfer dealings during Jan 2009? 11. Was the club relegated by 1 point at the end of that season? Whether the bastard deliberately set out to ruin the club is not the point because nobody said that anyway, but his actions have lead to almost total ruin of the football club and there is no excuse. It wasn't just his actions though, you can't simply ignore what went on beforehand under Shepherd where we borrowed heavily and sooner or later the belt would have to be tightened. You can't just roll Souness and Allardyce's time here under a carpet when so much damage was inflicted by these appointments. I never have. I know they were bad appointments, especially sourness. I've said so numerous times. I also know that those who are somehow supporting ashley now are the same people (like mandiarse) who were telling everyone to give sourness time to build his own team. I also remember that when I posted I didn't want the Board to back Sourness with money in the January window I was slated and told that the Board HAD to stump up the cash otherwise they would be confirmed as being shite. I do understand that people want to whinge on about the previous Board because we had a good team but didn't win the title, especially after only signing 3 players in 2003 when we should have apparently signed half a team, but everything Ashley has done has been far worse than anything done by the previous Board.

It's comments like this that make me about some of our support, football is emotive, but after 12-18months you'd hope that people would start to get a sense of perspective, particularly when other events in the footballing world unfold and shed some light on the underlying situation at every business. Footballing-wise, there have been some horrendous mistakes made, especially the attempt to sign Harry Redknapp (wtf?!) then the doomed appointment of KK; however, it is noticeable that their decisions are improving (even if it's just because they are making fewer of them). Business-wise, we can only really go off the numbers published at the end of every year, as we all know that the club have deliberately misled the supporters in the past. To date, the financial situation is improving, so I find it hard to fault Ashley for those decisions. So what's the problem with HTL's point??? The "whole series of bad decisions" made by the "inept wankers" led a lot of people to draw the conclusion that they were deliberately trying to destroy the club. The ineptitude is beyond question. Drawing the conclusion that were deliberately trying to destroy the club is laughable. 1. Did ashley deliberately buy the football club without understanding exactly what he was buying? 2. Did ashley deliberately appoint Keegan? 3. Did ashley deliberately install a system that would not possibly work with a manager of that temperament? 4. Did ashley deliberately back Wise over Keegan? 5. Did ashley deliberately appoint a bloody joke as a manager? 6. Did ashley deliberately appoint a coach as a manager? 7. Did ashley deliberately appoint Shearer as manager, a man has no previous experience, thereby showing his panic at the situation? 9. Did ashley deliberately put the club up for sale then withdraw it from sale more than once, undermining the entire football club? 10. Did ashley deliberately see a surplus of money from transfer dealings during Jan 2009? 11. Was the club relegated by 1 point at the end of that season? Whether the bastard deliberately set out to ruin the club is not the point because nobody said that anyway, but his actions have lead to almost total ruin of the football club and there is no excuse. No, you said that. And not for the first time, either. Oh well. You had the chance to engage properly but once again you choose not to do so. What a loser.

It's comments like this that make me about some of our support, football is emotive, but after 12-18months you'd hope that people would start to get a sense of perspective, particularly when other events in the footballing world unfold and shed some light on the underlying situation at every business. Footballing-wise, there have been some horrendous mistakes made, especially the attempt to sign Harry Redknapp (wtf?!) then the doomed appointment of KK; however, it is noticeable that their decisions are improving (even if it's just because they are making fewer of them). Business-wise, we can only really go off the numbers published at the end of every year, as we all know that the club have deliberately misled the supporters in the past. To date, the financial situation is improving, so I find it hard to fault Ashley for those decisions. So what's the problem with HTL's point??? The "whole series of bad decisions" made by the "inept wankers" led a lot of people to draw the conclusion that they were deliberately trying to destroy the club. The ineptitude is beyond question. Drawing the conclusion that were deliberately trying to destroy the club is laughable. 1. Did ashley deliberately buy the football club without understanding exactly what he was buying? 2. Did ashley deliberately appoint Keegan? 3. Did ashley deliberately install a system that would not possibly work with a manager of that temperament? 4. Did ashley deliberately back Wise over Keegan? 5. Did ashley deliberately appoint a bloody joke as a manager? 6. Did ashley deliberately appoint a coach as a manager? 7. Did ashley deliberately appoint Shearer as manager, a man has no previous experience, thereby showing his panic at the situation? 9. Did ashley deliberately put the club up for sale then withdraw it from sale more than once, undermining the entire football club? 10. Did ashley deliberately see a surplus of money from transfer dealings during Jan 2009? 11. Was the club relegated by 1 point at the end of that season? Whether the bastard deliberately set out to ruin the club is not the point because nobody said that anyway, but his actions have lead to almost total ruin of the football club and there is no excuse.

It's comments like this that make me about some of our support, football is emotive, but after 12-18months you'd hope that people would start to get a sense of perspective, particularly when other events in the footballing world unfold and shed some light on the underlying situation at every business. Footballing-wise, there have been some horrendous mistakes made, especially the attempt to sign Harry Redknapp (wtf?!) then the doomed appointment of KK; however, it is noticeable that their decisions are improving (even if it's just because they are making fewer of them). Business-wise, we can only really go off the numbers published at the end of every year, as we all know that the club have deliberately misled the supporters in the past. To date, the financial situation is improving, so I find it hard to fault Ashley for those decisions. So what's the problem with HTL's point??? The "whole series of bad decisions" made by the "inept wankers" led a lot of people to draw the conclusion that they were deliberately trying to destroy the club. Ashley has burned hundreds of millions of pounds before our very eyes, and there were a lot of people commenting on here, and elsewhere, that he was determined to put us into administration. I never went that far, but I'm in full agreement with HTL that the club is run by "inept wankers", and I'm not prepared to forgive and forget because we've had an amazingly successful season in the CCC despite Ashley and his cronies. A sigh of relief from me. Good post, mate. I don't bother much with this forum anymore and was starting to wonder what the hell was going on.

My stand is made of glass. As well as the well warmed up Sky digibox it also has a HD recorder and a telly standing on it. I don't need to make one myself.

It never hurts to post stuff that's down to earth.

I'm pretty sure you were predicting we'd struggle this season as well mind. Oh well...better luck next season. Yes, I did predict that. What do you mean by better luck next season? Oh well...I'm not surprised some want the club relegated. Sad to see, tbh.

When you said Laurent Robert was shite you showed how little you know mate. Nowt seems to have changed... I doubt very much I said that mate. He was one of the players I consistently stuck up for so I think you've got your wires crossed there. Fine, though that doesn't make your post at the top of this quote any more relevant to the point.

When you said Laurent Robert was shite you showed how little you know mate. Nowt seems to have changed...

I don't see the word "deliberate" in there anywhere. Perhaps you can let everyone know where it is? You said he had tried to undermine the club's promotion campaign. ("What they have done since is try to undermine a return to the PL right up until January.") Trying to do something involves intent. It is a deliberate action. If that's not what you were intending to say in that sentence, then perhaps you can explain what you were actually trying to say. Ok. How's this instead then, daft lad.... "What they have done is undermined a return to the PL right up until January"

If we are promoted and don't strengthen significantly we will do well to get 15 points. But don't worry lads, fat ash knows what he's doing.

It's comments like this that make me about some of our support, football is emotive, but after 12-18months you'd hope that people would start to get a sense of perspective, particularly when other events in the footballing world unfold and shed some light on the underlying situation at every business. Footballing-wise, there have been some horrendous mistakes made, especially the attempt to sign Harry Redknapp (wtf?!) then the doomed appointment of KK; however, it is noticeable that their decisions are improving (even if it's just because they are making fewer of them). Business-wise, we can only really go off the numbers published at the end of every year, as we all know that the club have deliberately misled the supporters in the past. To date, the financial situation is improving, so I find it hard to fault Ashley for those decisions. After over 40 years supporting this club I don't need you to tell me anything about perspective. We've been average to shite for most of that time, so I'm used to it and that is not why I think Ashley is a tosser of the highest order. It's more to do with HOW we can become shit. I understand the financial situation across football in general, I'm not slagging Ashley for us not winning the PL, which is what the previous Board were slated for on this forum, I think he's an arse for a series of poor decisions that cost the club it's PL status. Nothing he does now is going to change history no matter how much he bleats on about putting money into the club. He made the investment and his crap decisions reduced the value of that investment, nobody else.