James

Hughton appeared to set up Saturdays starting XI against the second string in training. Don't think there were any surprises. The first string line-up was: Harper Taylor Taylor Colo Enrique Jonas Barton Nolan Smith Duff Carroll

Didn't he still get more assists last season than anyone else despite lack of games?

It is what they do. They buy a pub chain for £4.6bn then sell it on for a profit. Sometimes they'll make losses, they take risks, but the wins have outweighed the losses in their careers it would seem. NUFC are at a low ebb at the moment, and they may feel confident they can get us back up then sell us on. Vincent Tchenguiz is apparently very publicity hungry, so this might be an appealing risk for him.

If the Telegraph article that states that Tim Smalley is negotiating the deal is true, it is unlikely we are going to have to worry too much about money if the Moat deal is agreed by Ashley, as I reckon R20 will bankroll a promotion then try to sell us at a profit.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/leisure/article708242.ece Good find, so it looks like Moat may just be a broker or a minor investor for a private equity firm, who can splash out the £s and expect to get more money back a little way down the line. So this lot will be looking to splash money out on getting us up, and then attracting a more wealthy buyer ASAP.

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/229/98186-152749-principal-skinner_large.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Tchenguiz http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/migrationtemp/2809565/Business-profile-The-fantasy-world-of-Vincent-the-other-Tchenguiz-brother.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/crash-landing-the-fall-of-robert-tchenguiz-775594.html

"Smalley, a law graduate, joined R20 about three years ago, having spent most of his career working for high-street lenders. " From the Times Interesting. Robert is worth £850m and I'd presume Vincent is worth a few bob too. The Iran link brings us back to Sirous Mahjoob, who could have been a small player in all this, hence the lack of google, or it could all just be pure coincidence.

My money is on SSN denying it, just so people sit watching them all day waiting for them to confirm it.

"Now let me tell you all about that night in Barcelona where I jumped around in a Manyoo shirt pretending to win the Champions League"

Show me where I am wrong. You're the one saying one thing proves another, not me. Lets say you were my boss, and I said I wasn't coming in to work one day because I refused to travel. You would sack me for refusing to work. Same thing here. Not if I'd already told you you weren't needed that day, you moron. Look: We know he refused to travel. We don't know whether he was selected to play. We know Hughton says he wasn't selected to play. Those are the facts. You're the one assuming that means he refused to play. All I'm saying is you can't say that as fact. Fair enough. Still it shows that he was in a huff and disobeying club command.

Show me where I am wrong. You're the one saying one thing proves another, not me. Lets say you were my boss, and I said I wasn't coming in to work one day because I refused to travel. You would sack me for refusing to work. Same thing here.

Anything but admit being wrong, eh Dave?

It never worked last season so in theory why would it now? Because the likes of Guthrie, Barton, Enrique, Duff, Shola, Taylor and Harper will suddenly become the best players in the division.

The fact that he is refusing to play until he is sold? Making shit up again I see. He was fined for refusing to travel. Apologise please.

I think people are going to be pleasantly suprised at how shit pre-season players suddenly look good in this division when Shearer walks in.

Basically the issues of our playing personnel are no longer the same as when we are in the Premier League. Things like a back-up left back are too luxurious for a Championship club.

We don't need a left back if we keep Enrique. In the current situation (ie assuming Beye and Bassong are out of here), I think we need one striker who is proven at this level, a no nonsense CB, and a right winger. Then for each other player that leaves, we'll need a like for like replacement. What happens if Enrique gets injured ? Ryan Taylor has spent many years in that position, and Shane Ferguson is ready for a small role too in my opinion. Not to mention that Kadar and Tozer can play there too.

The fact that he is refusing to play until he is sold?

We don't need a left back if we keep Enrique. In the current situation (ie assuming Beye and Bassong are out of here), I think we need one striker who is proven at this level, a no nonsense CB, and a right winger. Then for each other player that leaves, we'll need a like for like replacement.

There is a press conference, but it is Hughton talking about WBA.

They better make the most of it.

Be honest here, just because you don't like something Ashley/Shepherd has done, doesn't mean you wouldn't do it if you had the power. 1) How much money would you need to have in the bank before you were willing to buy the club in the first place? (assume club can be purchased for £100m) I think I'd need £500m, £50m of which is kept in my own bank account and never goes near NUFC. 2) Who do you appoint as manager? I'd talk to the players first, talk to them about their thoughts on last season and suchlike, if I sense good respect for Shearer, that will get the all clear from me. 3) Do you take a hands on approach with the clubs operations, or do you appoint a chief executive? I'd find a chief executive, but he wouldn't have any say on any footballing matters whatsoever. 4) Do you appoint a director of football? Yes, but his job description will be very specific and binding. The manager shall have the right to pick an assistant manager and spend the majority of the transfer budget as he chooses. The director of football shall be given his own smaller transfer budget which can only be spent on players U21, and make the employment decisions on every single coach and scout bar the assistant and the manager. He'll also be expected to advise the manager and scout any player the manager tells him to. 5) How much money per season on transfers? First season, £20m plus sales for the manager, £10m for the DOF. After promotion, it will vary year by year, but I'd say an initial £50m and decreasing over time, with the DOF given 6) Who controls how transfer budget is spent? The annual transfer budgets can go into accounts that only the manager can have access too. Similarly for the DOFs transfer budget. The hope would be that if one needs more and one needs less they'd be able to cooperate and transfer the money from one account to the other. The manager might also be able to persuade me to provide a top-up, but only for a player that met my approval. 7) Do losses (excluding transfer fees) come out of the transfer budget or out of your wallet? To start with out of my wallet, but when I get down to my last £100m its going to have to come out of the transfer budget too. 8) What is your overall business plan? Find youngsters, buy them cheap, flog them for more and find someone better. Ultimately invest in a good mix of youth and experience, but keep the team fresh and full of talent. Sell the club when the money starts to run out, leave on a high with the club in a much better state than as found. 9) Would you ever intervene on any issue? Where do you draw the line on intervention? Not on a day to day basis, but I'd be questioning managers decisions in private, make him accountable for his actions. Also say things like: you've got a £20m transfer budget, unless you want to sign Messi, in which case you've got £70m 10) Where do you sit on match days? Directors box. 11) Would you maintain a high or low-profile? High profile. I want all the love and attention. 12) How do you respond to the press? On the first day, I have Louise Taylor and everyone else who has given us supporters incredible shit over the years forcibly removed from the stadium, and their employers told that if they want to come back, bring someone else. After that, be cordial, but give George Caulkin the exclusives, but try to leave transfer stuff u to the managers discretion. 13) How would you make future managerial decisions? I'd like to get the board involved, but essentially if the club is in danger, or fails to meet a target two days in a row, or the board vote no confidence, he's gone. 14) Would there be fan representation on the board? My board would be quite interesting. Yes there will be fans on the board, but not NUSC. Season ticket holders can apply to lead an Official Supporters Club, and Supporters club Members get to vote every year or so, and the two highest voted for can get on the board. They would be accompanied by myself, the chief executive, the DOF, the manager, and the longest serving player. 15) Anything else you'd do? Name the academy the Sir Bobby Robson academy. Also put a large framed photo of Sir Bobby opposite the managers desk, and insist it stays there. Also get some massive banners done up, get the stewards to give them out and collect them back again each game.

Be honest here, just because you don't like something Ashley/Shepherd has done, doesn't mean you wouldn't do it if you had the power. 1) How much money would you need to have in the bank before you were willing to buy the club in the first place? (assume club can be purchased for £100m) 2) Who do you appoint as manager? 3) Do you take a hands on approach with the clubs operations, or do you appoint a chief executive? 4) Do you appoint a director of football? 5) How much money per season on transfers? 6) Who controls how transfer budget is spent? 7) Do losses (excluding transfer fees) come out of the transfer budget or out of your wallet? 8) What is your overall business plan? 9) Would you ever intervene on any issue? Where do you draw the line on intervention? 10) Where do you sit on match days? 11) Would you maintain a high or low-profile? 12) How do you respond to the press? 13) How would you make future managerial decisions? 14) Would there be fan representation on the board? 15) Anything else you'd do?