HawK

To be honest, I've always taken news of dressing room 'home truths' and calling each other out as an indictment against the manager. It shouldn't be down to the players to manage themselves. There should be someone employed by the club to manage them... Hughton did well for us, I've always liked him, and the thumping of Villa on our return will always be a high-point in my memories of him as our manager, but the way that the 'player committee' formed with Harper, Nolan etc. never sat well with me as a positive reflection on Hughton as a capable manager.

Sure, it might not be. But I think it's unlikely it isn't connected now, as the amount of money involved for Staveley is absolutely huge in comparison to her estimated net worth. I just can't see her using a case against Barclays, winning it hopefully so she can fund part buying us, or paying back borrowing to buy us. Just sounds like pure fantasy. 2+2=5 like. A couple of petrol shop owners just bought out Asda with Asda's own money, stranger things can happen. I'm just saying that it can't be ruled out is all. In the pre-Covid times when things were more stable, it was easier to risk a bigger % of your assets on seemingly risky ventures. But now the risks are higher due to the volatility and unpredictability of the economy, she may not be as willing to part with whatever standing capital that she had available outside the Barclay's case at this point in time. So my overriding point is the outcome of the case would matter more now, than it did when it was initially brought. However, I do agree it's far fetched that the takeover bid was launched predicated on funds from a court case not even brought yet. There's more nuance to this than some are suggesting.

Sure, it might not be. But I think it's unlikely it isn't connected now, as the amount of money involved for Staveley is absolutely huge in comparison to her estimated net worth.

What if its less money though? I'll let you ponder a bit more to draw the expected inference if that's OK. What I'm getting at is if she wins the local media will spin it as great news for the takeover they are pretending is still on, but if she loses they'll say it doesn't have any effect on it. All about needing something to write about. Like you say, I don't think it's unreasonable in these uncertain times that extra available capital for a risky venture like buying NUFC would be more than a welcome to help. However, I think the negative outcome of the case would matter more now than it did before in the current economic climate. Yep. But in terms of what does it mean for a takeover in terms of happening /not happening its completely irrelevant. And it's not happening anyway. I disagree - I was making the point that if this case falls flat, Stavely is not getting the funds that may be to some degree expected and considered in future ventures. We do not know if those funds are being leveraged behind her portion of the ownership bid for example. If they are, then yes it has a massive impact on the takeover if it relies on her having skin in the game (unlike the Man City deal). And if the funds were not counted on at the time, they might be now with the current uncertainties.

What if its less money though? I'll let you ponder a bit more to draw the expected inference if that's OK. What I'm getting at is if she wins the local media will spin it as great news for the takeover they are pretending is still on, but if she loses they'll say it doesn't have any effect on it. All about needing something to write about. Like you say, I don't think it's unreasonable in these uncertain times that extra available capital for a risky venture like buying NUFC would be more than a welcome to help. However, I think the negative outcome of the case would matter more now than it did before in the current economic climate.

What if its less money though? I'll let you ponder a bit more to draw the expected inference if that's OK.

Tbf most established PL teams grabbing players from their whole PL history could make an amazing first XI. Personally I'd have Lee or Batty in for Cabaye, though. Always liked Merino, don't think he did enough for long enough to be one of our best 3 though.

Do we think there is a connection with this case and the Takeover ? Anything that gets a potential buyer more money can only help imo.

If I recall correctly, only 2 managers under Ashley have been sacked whilst we're not in the relegation zone - Allardyce and Hughton. The former was blatantly a statement sacking to bring in Keegan when it looked like Ashley actually wanted to do something with the club. The latter doesn't make sense to this day and I still think it had something to do with Pardew's dodgy background. So I'll agree to disagree on this one, in that I only think Bruce will go while we're above 18th is if he walks.

Of course he's safe, safe as houses. He's above 18th, that's all that matters. When he's 18th for a little while, then Ashley/Charnley might flinch. Until then, all good in the upper echelons of SJP, everything on track, keep it up Brucey.

Always had a soft spot for them since we got knocked off our perch by them in the UEFA cup. Then I met my wife who is from that area so I've been around the city a few times and been to San Memes. The cup loss was actually the ice breaker! Geographically, it's quite an isolated region and historically not too well connected with the mountainous terrain so there's a real sense of 'us against them' when it comes to the wider country, not withstanding the whole terrorist campaign that culminated in an MP being abducted and subsequently executed after their demands were not met (releasing ETA members). Their ongoing footballing achievement of never having been relegated in today's world of football with their playing staff policy is nothing short of extraordinary. The type of video above just drives home that Basque-first mentality that gets hammered into them at a young age. My wife didn't learn Spanish until she was 9, and didn't even acknowledge that Spain is 'their country' till she was older and understood better. She was brought up to believe Basque Country, was exactly that, a country in its own right.

ASM posted that ?

Sorry but I just don't get this post - in what world view is Steve Bruce's Newcastle not living up to every expectation that Ashley sets? Steve Bruce's job is the safest in the Premier League as long as Newcastle United are not in the bottom three. From Ashley's perspective, he's even better than Rafa. No illusions of ambition or growth, not a bad word said against the owners or the board or even mentioning their names. I've said it before, and will again - unless Newcastle United are in real danger of relegation, Steve Bruce is going absolutely nowhere. So there's the issue - Ashley doesn't understand "real danger" in that sentence. Newcastle United ARE in real danger of relegation. Everyone can/should see it. To be honest, going against the grain here, I don't actually think we are at this point in time. 2 or 3 games more, and closer to 18th, sure. There's just a risk now in my opinion. Ashley will just take one look at table, see we're 8 points clear, and say 'good job' and that's that.

Sorry but I just don't get this post - in what world view is Steve Bruce's Newcastle not living up to every expectation that Ashley sets? Steve Bruce's job is the safest in the Premier League as long as Newcastle United are not in the bottom three. From Ashley's perspective, he's even better than Rafa. No illusions of ambition or growth, not a bad word said against the owners or the board or even mentioning their names. I've said it before, and will again - unless Newcastle United are in real danger of relegation, Steve Bruce is going absolutely nowhere.

I didn't mean the whole approach of 'nice passing' them to death and not scoring, I'm not an advocate of possession-based football and I agree with your point. But in this thread, I disagree that this was Jones' direction to the team in the second half. This was Bruce taking Jones' approach and telling the lads to pass it to death, so that when they lose he can say 'well they tried to do it the passing way' and put the blame on him. Yes he's that shit and petty. I noted in the early second half we were pinging in tonnes of early crosses, at least half a dozen in from either side, so the urgency was definitely there. I can only assume it was Bruce that then told everyone to calm down and just sit back for the loss to pin the blame as required.

Players have also been blatantly told to 'have a go' in the transition, i.e. take players on. Only Saint-Maximin had been looking to take anyone on so far from what I could tell this season, and that includes Almiron who'd run as far as he could, look up to find a pass, and lay it off. Seen many more players these last 2 games try to be more confident on the ball, and it completely changes the way teams treat us now, the press is less intense as they know if they go screaming in (like we used to do all the time), it'd be easy for the player in position to change direction and take it past them and beat him. Before, we'd just pass it backwards, so we invited the intense press without consequence. The slick passing triangles are all a result of punishing a fast press with simple quick feet and the 80s Liverpool adage of pass and move. Been a breath of fresh air. Our players actually looked good sometimes.

If you are a legendary, and I mean legendary man manager, you can do that. But Steve Bruce is just a cabbage.

He's been a different player the last 2 games.

This should be a new thing tbh, press conference mock-ups

it was intended

Post-match interview prediction : "The new coach.. Gray-em, has been trying some new shapes and drills with the team and it didn't seem to work as well as we both hoped. The team are used to playing in a certain way, since before I got here, and we've been trying to make changes, but it's not working as quickly as we thought. If we roll our sleeves up and get stuck into it, it might work, but we need a little bit of luck and time. Look at Tottenham, losing away at Brighton, every game is difficult for everybody. But coming down here to London, through all the snow, you've got to be a bit special to come away with something. Roy's a great manager and he's been at this even longer than I have! I've got over 500 games, and he must have had more than me".

Perfect

Jesus Christ Hope there's not some Freudian connotations there!

ta