JH

The PL were never going to approve the deal, assurances or arbitration or whatever. If they weren't satisfied with the information that the Saudis provided, they should have rejected the bid. But they didn't. Because they knew they had no reason to reject it based on their own O&D's test. They needed MBS on the ticket, so they could link the takeover to piracy and reject it. PIF/Staveley/Ashley knew this, which is why it is now being played out in public. To try and shame the PL into making a decision that either a) results in an appeal/legal claim or b) pisses off their money men and the 'big boy clubs'.

Was really good until he did his ACL I think Meets the scouting test. Sign him up.

He wouldn't be, from what I read. Money in the club, but no shares, control or influence.

And then say it what it “almost certainly” means

It's obviously clear this leak hasn't come from Ashley/Bishop, just like all the others. The issue has never been interest in the club. The interest is there. It's the unwilling seller that has stopped it from happening.

The takeover bath is on standby.

We were awful in the second half. When Carroll and ASM came on, nobody had a clue where anyone was playing. Carroll was on the wing at one point ffs.

"the lads" always makes me cringe.

In fairness, if you discount the goals we've conceded so far, we're unbeaten. Great start to the season.

Look at this, and always remember, Bruce called this summer's transfer business "remarkable".

Nonsense; the pies are free.

9. Annoys me that the press are just like "Rafa started poorly and turned it around" as if there's nothing between him and pigeon woman.

He's your typical cliche-ridden, media fanboy manager so far out of his depth it's unreal. Like Pardew, Allardyce, Redknapp etc. That's why the press talk about how poor we look, how we're certain for relegation, how somehow he's managed to unravel three years worth of solid coaching in three weeks. Yet, they won't make the connection to the fact that he's a god-awful manager. Because he a press chum that talks to them and gives them the 'insider story'. Fact is, he's one of the worst managers in that has ever been in the Premier League, and that's not cliche, that's just fact. No amount of 'giving him time' will change that. Hell, I can't see how we're even going a win a game under him.

Dubravka Schar Lascelles Dummett Manquillo Willems Hayden Shelvey Ritchie Joelinton Almiron I reckon it'll be something like that 5-3-2/5-3-1-1.

The worse a manager is at Newcastle, the less likely they are to get the sack.

Waiting for the "Well did you expect us to win against Arsenal? LOL"

Seems everyone who has tried to buy us since Ashley took over has been a timewaster. What a coincidence.

Yep, leave as it is (but push back to August 31st in line with the rest of Europe). I can understand why it is the start of the season so you can prepare the squad you have and know you won't lose any players 2 weeks into the season, but it is totally pointless if everyone else stays at 31 August.

Totally agree. I've supported them for 32 years. Couldn't be more disenfranchised with the club, the majority of fans or the ownership than I am right now. This is where I'm at. Lots of people with short memories. Just feels like every summer from 2009 - 2016 - couple of decent signings, nowhere near what we need, poor manager, owner that doesn't care. Rinse and repeat. Tbh like every summer since 2016 too, we just had a good manager then.

Aye, you'd just get Liverpool spending £200m on a striker the week before the last game of the season to try and outscore City.

There's still League One and Two, Scotland and most of Europe open. Plenty of options.

It's a shame nobody ever asks them how they'd feel about those managers being in charge of clubs they give a fuck about. Exactly the point. As long as "it's not in my back yard" mentality.

IT’S COMING HOME

It’s scary that we’ve lost three forwards and two midfielders, from a squad which was already arguably poor, and replaced them with two expensive unproven forwards and a defender on loan, and that’s “business done”. We need at least another striker, midfielder and full back and that would still only be an “ok” window.

The Chronicle’s content is getting worse. Click bait and filler nonsense. And their website is the most un-user friendly experience ever.