Cronky

That's a good summary. Keegan transformed the whole thinking of the club, and in a sense we'll never go back to a pre-Keegan era, even though we haven't fulfilled his dreams of success. But Robson had the characteristic of the great manager, which is to over-achieve on the resources available. He did it with Ipswich, and he did it with us. Who knows whether he would have won in 96, because I think he would have felt the pressure as well. But for sure, if he'd have failed, he'd have picked himself up and kept going.

Got to mention that sinking feeling when I settle down to watch a game and Robbie Savage's voice comes on.

The only journo I make a point of reading is Tony Cascarino, in the Times, if he counts. Interesting and original thoughts, unlike nearly all the rest.

He's improving steadily, after a dodgy start, and 24 is still quite young for a centre back. Unless we get a silly offer (and £100m would be silly), I'd hang on because his value is likely to increase and we don't yet know how good he's going to become.

Don't forget the halo on top.

Chelsea completely chucked the game away. Barca didn't look like scoring all second half until that mistake.

But also the blight of inevitability. Will look a bit daft when they score what about - 'you'll seldom beat Dubravka'?

Notts Forest fans used to sing 'You'll nev-er, beat, Des Walk-er'. Dubravka would fit in just as well. Not original, but with the virtue of simplicity.

Right from the start, it looked like we wanted it that bit more than them. The League is already done and dusted so it can't be easy for them to raise themselves for this sort of game.

I thought the picture was that no-one knew how many investors there were, how much money they were each putting in, who they were, or where they were from. I don't think you can even call it a consortium. That would imply they were an already-established partnership.

This lad has filled me with hope.

Shelvey got it, but I think it should have been Dubravka. Looks like our least heralded signing could be the most crucial. The value of a good keeper is often underestimated, and he looked the bizz.

As usual we lack precision in the final third, which will probably cost us in the end. But the spirit looks good. But it looks like we may have struck big-time lucky with the new keeper.

The main point is that Staveley does not head a consortium, and isn't a fund manager. She's a broker who puts together deals for other investors. As such, her ability to put together and sustain a big financial offer is bound to be questionable.

This. His willingness to play through injury for the sake of the club meant that he was never able to fulfil his true potential. Even then, he was better than most will give him credit for, but that's another story.

He's strong and quick, so that will give us something different in the striking department. In our situation, I'd see him as a better bet than Sturridge. I can see him playing with aggression, whereas my worry with Sturridge was that he'd see us as being a bit beneath him. Come to think of it, he seemed to act like Liverpool was beneath him at times.

hmm.. I'm a bit nervous. That's a very new and untested midfield against a side that has got its act together. Hopefully fortune will favour Rafa's bravery.

He's a talented player for sure, but not as good as he thinks he is, which I think can create problems for his team mates. He also has the reputation of being very self-protective when it comes to assessing his own fitness. All of which explains why he may be coming to us instead of banging in the goals for Man City, Chelsea or Liverpool. I just hope he comes with the attitude of wanting to prove himself, rather than thinking what a great honour it is for us to watch him in action.

From a video scouting, Luan didn't look totally beyond our reach. But clearly the time and space given to strikers by Brazilian defenders is totally different to the Premiership, so he may take a while to adjust - longer than we can afford to give anyone. I'd prefer Iheancacho, who amongst other things, is used to the English game.

I think Staveley, from her past record, has a genuine interest in football, and probably isn't trying to get into it just for a fast buck. But it would stand to reason that she has difficulty in raising the funds. PCP isn't a consortium, or even a managed fund. It acts as a broker to fix deals, and I can well believe that she'd struggle to find investors to buy a business for £250m, when the value of that business might plummet to £100m or even less, based on the results of 15 football matches.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/18/newcastle-united-amanda-staveley-mike-ashley-unusual-case?CMP=share_btn_tw Probably the only thing I’ve read about this whole sham that offers any scepticism of Staveley and PCP. You’ve all bought wolf tickets I’m afraid. It's never been clear where the money for a bid was coming from, and it sounds like Staveley has been hoping to get the funds together through various connections with investors from all over the world, once she'd managed to agree on a price and terms with Ashley. PCP seems to be a one-person band which puts deals together, rather than a company with funds and resources already in place. All the complete opposite end of the spectrum from a Mansour-Abramovich type takeover.

If they were prepared to make a second offer that included an acceptance of the risk of relegation, it would have been a lot less than £250m. Caulkin is no better informed about this situation than you or me. Well I think that's just wrong. Do you actually believe that story about the two bids?

If they were prepared to make a second offer that included an acceptance of the risk of relegation, it would have been a lot less than £250m. Caulkin is no better informed about this situation than you or me.

The deal is off man, you don't get to say what Ashley has said and still sit around the table laughing and joking before coming to deal. Before today's statement it was likely that the deal would happen if and when our safety was confirmed, now today's statement has happened then it's over. There has not been any statement to the effect that the deal will never happen. The comment on Sky Sports was that the deal is off 'for now'. What I think has changed is that Ashley has realised that it won't happen during this transfer window, for the reasons I've stated, and that therefore the responsibility for making any investments in the squad this January will lie with him. This is what's probably behind the other news item about him giving the go-ahead for three signings. You don't say what he's said and come to a deal man. Sky were saying it's off for now, either they are making the whole thing up and are backtracking somewhat to save face incase the deal does go ahead, or Ashley is playing poker with cards from card against humanity thinking it's going to land him the jackpot. Has Ashley said anything? All we have is a twitter account saying that 'the nufc hierarchy' have this opinion. All a bit vague, and rather interesting that we suddenly have all these ITKs coming out of the woodwork on this matter within a couple of hours, whereas up until now, no-one's had much of an idea what's been going on. It's inevitable that the media are going to blow this story into the most dramatic dimensions possible, and part of the process is to wind up the supporters.

The deal is off man, you don't get to say what Ashley has said and still sit around the table laughing and joking before coming to deal. Before today's statement it was likely that the deal would happen if and when our safety was confirmed, now today's statement has happened then it's over. There has not been any statement to the effect that the deal will never happen. The comment on Sky Sports was that the deal is off 'for now'. What I think has changed is that Ashley has realised that it won't happen during this transfer window, for the reasons I've stated, and that therefore the responsibility for making any investments in the squad this January will lie with him. This is what's probably behind the other news item about him giving the go-ahead for three signings.