James

I actually think there are a few reasons we could actually do this: A) would Rafa know the player and be interested? Yes B) does he fit the club’s model of never breaking its transfer record? £15.7m - Yes C) easily activated release clause at less than player’s potential future value? Yes D) Young? 24 - Yes E) Can sell to bigger club in a few years for a large fee? If Liverpool and Barca are interested but hesitant for whatever reason I’d imagine they would still want to look again when he is 26 with two years of European experience. But then again: A) Lee Charnley B) Justin Barnes C) Mike Ashley

Kenedy must be good, haven’t seen a player transfer break this forum so badly since Obafemi Martins.

The next N’Zogbia

I feel that this is the most unexpected signing since Pardew signed Tevez and Mascherano for West Ham

If only John Hall had Lord Mike’s brilliant business acumen and asked for an extra 14%

The same Allardyce that he sacked? And then this summer told Sky that it was the one decision he regretted and how sorry he was. In the same interview he said how amazing Rafa was. You don’t think he hasn’t learned from Keegan? He hasn't learnt from anything else. This is where we are all going wrong as a fans, we paint Ashley as a stupid buffoon. He has done many things wrong to this club, but it is all calculated, it is all purported. He is a billionaire. He is far from stupid.

The same Allardyce that he sacked? And then this summer told Sky that it was the one decision he regretted and how sorry he was. In the same interview he said how amazing Rafa was. You don’t think he hasn’t learned from Keegan?

The same Allardyce that he sacked? And then this summer told Sky that it was the one decision he regretted and how sorry he was.

I was watching a documentary about Robert Maxwell and how he was almost certainly a psychopath. There is a misconception that a psychopath is someone violent or crazy etc but in actual fact a psychopath can exist in other forms and use those traits to work themselves right to the top of the business world. The criteria applied to Robert Maxwell could well be applied to the media portrayal of Ashley.

So you honestly think Ashley would part with the compo and risk his chance at the PL money (more so than he already is)? The alleged interest in the club didn't surface til after the summer, no? What stopped him before that, when Allardyce was available? I believe he wanted to force Rafa to resign first. I also believe that he wasn’t happy with how close the Championship was last year and after walking it with Hughton he doesn’t rate Rafa at all. But whereas before he was worried about compo he could well be past that. He is a cornered and wounded animal. He’s lost but he is going to damn well make sure that we all lose too. Just a question of whether it is today, a few weeks, or he turns the screw on Rafa even further to incite a resignation.

I’m of the view that Ashley had wanted Rafa gone since summer and wanted Allardyce. The only thing that has stopped Rafa getting the sack is the knowledge that PCP would only buy if Rafa is the manager. That safety net is gone now.

What? This. If he is pissed and have no intentions of doing a deal with PCP then sacking Rafa is the ultimate fuck you. It is a completely rational possibility based on the Ashley we know.

After what Staveley said I’d say it is 50/50 whether Benitez lasts the full day without Ashley sacking him.

It is not really that vague, the person giving evidence has said under oath that he knew that Speed worked with Bennell as a kid. On the other hand though I do not think it is fair on Speed or his family for this to be mentioned in the media, should have stayed in the courtroom.

Three first teamers is the maximum we should be signing in January so I’m happy with this (as long as this is what actually happens). The best business when we have no pre season etc is to refresh and strengthen the team. Overhauling the team only makes us more likely to be relegated.

I think it is once and if we have secured our league status now tbh 5 more wins and 2 draws

Straight 2-0 a Rafa dream

Donated £1000 to a girl who had her special needs computer stolen. Good to see him in the news for positive reasons.

It was lovely that the whole of Britain got to see what a little bully that small man is on I’m a celeb last year.

Just had an email from Steve McClaren

There are only a limited number of good players available and too big a squad overhaul can impact results anyhow. Realistically not half of the clubs below and around us are going to sign the players they need to better us this season. So if we maintain our current squad and avoid injuries we will probably be fine, but will have dropped a bit to cause a sweat. Two clever signings, even loans will secure us mid table.

Curious. They were linked with Luuk de Jong a few days ago. Chief scout must be a character! Probably Graham Carr

Looking at the bottom half of the table we have the best GD and the most wins. Our position has been deflated down because we have lost too many matches rather than drawn. I think though projects us towards a 11-13th position if we retain this pattern. We will climb even further if we become a little more difficult to beat.

Over reliance on Lascelles points me towards Shawcross being a possible international we would be in a position to look at - and have genuine interest if the takeover meant the money is there.

Lovely pic though shows the bond the three had.