morpeth mag

Terrible news. Agree with BobYule that it means that Ashley couldn't afford Shearer's plans and can't afford to dump Shearer. Whatever the truth of the overdraft we are in for a Summer of fire sales where we'll lose Taylor and Bassong cheaply and manage to keep Duff and Geremi. The sale of the club will spill into next season so we'll start the campaign with a temporary manager and the club in turmoil. The only plus I can see is that the sale of the JJB shares indicates Ashley is doing something to prevent a total meltdown. Hard to see where the £40m overdraft comes from given the profits we've made in the last two transfer windows and the fact that we don't have interest payments on the stadium now. Next season a virtual disaster already!

I'm on the 3 year DD scheme. Anyone know what happens if season ticket prices are reduced or indeed if they will be.

should we change the thread title to 'who will be the 121st person to leave the club'?

Probably going to announce the deal at the Fairs Cup dinner tonight don't you think/hope?

When did Butt get a new contract? I know it was talked about but I thought he was still on his original contract with one year to run.

Worried that everyone (including Shearer?) thinks Butt is staying. His lack of pace, poorly timed tackles (giving away pens) and inability to retain possession are one of the key factors in our demise as far as I'm concerned and i'd be worried if he was anywhere near our first team next season. Don't fault his effort - just not enough quality.

The Guardian has the team as Harper Taylor Taylor Colo Enrique Guthrie Butt Nolan Duff Viduka Martins I'm with the posters who are expecting a disappointing afternoon. There's no quality or pace in midfield and I've gone for a 3-0 loss and Villa winning at HT/FT at the bookies. My heart will take over from my head at 4pm tomorrow but i expect to be richer come 6pm. Roll on next season

There probably hasn't been a harder call for MoM for a long while - well done to Nolan for grabbing such a keenly contested accolade. Hurrah!

Hardly any positives today - the return of Barton would have been if he could just engage brain now and again for 90 mins not 75. Thought Duff had a good game considering he was at full back.

Still thing they'll play to contain and wait for Drogba to out muscle Barca's CB. Possibly will play Anelka out wide as a slightly more attacking formation but this will still be Chelsea playing for 1-0 or 2-1.

Ardiles was more than decent - Alex Sabella too if anyone can remember the 70s!

I'm going for: Harps Beye Taylor Bassong Edgar Nolan Butt Jonas Owen Martins Carroll as the team Shearer will pick. I'd have Guthrie for Nolan in my team.

I also thought that his front foot was over the line for most of the throws - anyone else notice?

Really worried now. Same as last time he was in temporary charge Hughton can't pick the right players or make the necessary subs. Even more worrying if JK is picking the team in the background - can't believe we are discussing contracts with him. No pattern to the play and Saylor and Lovenkrands on the right did less than nothing all match. Hull and Stoke away are the season on the line.

Feeling confident today as we are getting players back whilst they are losing them - oba to be the difference

32nd or 33rd June maybe but not the 31st

Put half of my spare fortune on an Andy Carroll double at 16-1. Should fund the celebrations afterwards.

All three clubs from the North East to go down?

Agree with wullie but I think part of his problem with the passing is just the lack of options and movement from midfield and strikers. Still think he is improving and worth keeping unless we can recoup big time.

Smooth the way for Big Mike to return???

Anyone know when was the last time we kept 3 clean sheets in a row away from home?

Starstruck bringing on Taylor to play out of position - enabled by playing Beye out of position - enabled by play Jonas out of position. Great when it works but he should come out and say he lost us the two points - Cacapa into midfield for me - else Taylor on and Colo into midfield. He remains a short term fix but he's here till the Summer.

clearly russian gold bars, arabian oil or made in china

I don't think MA would make the statement unless he knew there were buyers. The statement is just trying to keep the price up and make it look like he isn't just running away.

Never had a proble with MA's heart nor the business model he's suggesting but; Sports Direct has a major problem with communicating and so does the NUFC Board. If you are a top businessman know your weaknesses and deal with them. Appoint the right staff. Llambias has done nothing publicly other than be the token fall guy yesterday. Keegan was the wrong manager to build a youth based team over a five year period and Wise's appointment just shows a total gap in local knowledge. The only appointment he got right was Mort and that didn't last. Newcastle can't be run out of London. The regional element is central to who we are. Finally even if a youth based model is the strategic way forward NUFC needs some immediate investment to get back to being a side in the top 10. This was the emotional deal with the fans as the club wanted NUFC to challange CL in three years - we are nowhere near this - something only KK and the fans knew it seems. So I bear no grudges but MA is no more fit to run the club than any of the previous jokers - time to move on for better or worse. There is no going back and even MA has realised that now.