Cronky

Sticking it out would have been the better decision, although we can't be confident that the eventual outcome would have been different. A lot would have depended on what kind of effect a continued series of protests by the Keegan-supporting groups would have had on morale, on and off the field. That we don't know. In a sense, he made a similar rod for his own back with Shearer, who had power to dictate his own terms, due to his standing with most fans. Ashley could have said - this is the only viable business plan, if you don't want it Alan, I'll find someone who does. Of course, he'd have then risked a backlash. As a businessman, he's quite unorthodox, and his unsubtle strategies don't really work in a football club where there's a high degree of public involvement. He thought he would avoid any messing about and speed things up by saying unless you've got £100 million, don't bother. However, people then realise he's in trouble and can exploit it by underbidding and then feeding across information (eg the Profitable Group) that they've offered good money, and are going to do all sorts of marvellous things for the club, only nasty Mr Ashley won't let them. It's also possible that people have bid £100 million and then made excuses to drop the bid down in the final stages, knowing that Ashley is under increasing pressure to sell, both financially and from the point of view of pressure from the fans. It's a nasty business, but that's reality. I think we're coming to the endgame. Ashley has to either come to terms with the fact that any sale is going to be a rip-off, or hang on for the long-term. It's no good him saying that he'll try to sell at the end of this season, it's now or never. I don't believe for a second that he's messing about deliberately as an act of revenge. Just because you're a successful, wealthy man doesn't mean you always know what you're doing, or are in control of events. Your cock-ups are just on a different scale.

Yup, looks good to me. It doesn't help them score though, which is their usual problem. I can see Sheffield nicking it.

A publicity-hungry MP sticking his oar in is not going to help. He doesn't have a clue what's going on.

Tony Cascarino spent a good part of his career in France, and I can remember him pointing out that there were different conventions about players talking to the press. In France, it's basically more accepted that individual players can complain publicly about their team-mates, the manager, the club etc

If it's true, it sounds like Ashley is trying to make it as easy as possible for Moat or someone like him to buy the club. If a buyer is having to borrow money to finance the deal, then the interest payments would leave less money for buying players and therefore a possible continuing downward spiral would be set up. That uncertain future may be what's putting buyers off. If Ashley is allowing interest-free payment by instalments, dependent on results, then the risk is far less and someone might take the plunge.

I do get a bit worried the way so many seem to get so worked up about a bid that we know so little about. There may well be other candidates in a better position to take the club forward. Caaaalm down.

In the Radio 5 interview, Harris did slip in that he thought it important that there was some local involvement in the ownership of the club. My heart sank because I thought he had Shepherd in mind. Now it looks like he may have meant this bloke. There's been rumour of an American bid fronted by someone local for a while now, so it seems the story has substance. Whether they are the front runners is something else. The signs are that there's some competition.

Premiership Top 4 (in order): Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal Relegation (in order): Birmingham, Burnley, Hull Dark horses: West Ham, Wigan Top Scorer: Fernando Torres Championship Promotion: Middlesbrough, Sheff Utd, Peterborough - Newcastle to finish 12th Champions League: Barca Other World Player of the Year: Messi Who'll be NUFC's top scorer?: Andy Carroll How many will Nile Ranger score?: 2 First Premiership Managerial casualty: Steve Bruce Where will Man City finish?: 5th

He was probably sounded out about his willingness to take on the job if Ashley isn't able to sell. That's all. The bloke gets more stick than he deserves, but he does have this habit of trying to make himself out to be more important and more in the know than he really is.

The flaw in the idea of Ashley hanging on for another year is he'd have to appoint a temporary manager, with all the problems that brings. He either has to sell or commit himself long-term. Personally, I still think we'll be sold.

Ashley won't sell to Shepherd because a) he can get more than £60 million and b) he doesn't like Shepherd.

It's a bit early to write this story off isn't it? He didn't claim he knew the exact day.

Pardon me whilst I puke. A more blatant attempt to curry favour with the fans I can't imagine. It's really annoying that he should be using this occasion to do that. He sacked the bloke and, according to Sir Bob himself, undermined him at every turn. He should pay his respects and then shut up.

No C. Ronaldo? I've exchanged opinions on this before - not all agree. I see him as a very good player rather than a great one. He loses the ball a bit too often to be called great IMO. Fergie's willingness to let him go this time says something. I think he felt he'd already got the best out of him.

Messi I'd say was in a class of his own. In the sub-class below him, I'd put Iniesta, Kaka, Rooney, Gerrard, Torres, Ribery and Essien. Defenders you judge by different criteria, so I'm ignoring them.

I'm prepared to believe it. I don't think that silence from the club means nothing is happening, and the media may now be a bit wary of printing internet rumours, having been made to look stupid over the Vialli / Hong Kong story. Plus, if Thommo wanted to make something up, he'd surely have come up with something a bit more original and funny than the Dubai consortium, who have a previous interest in English football. There. That's the kiss of death on that one.

Good list. I'm not that keen on Eto'o, though. Not any more. Or Ashley Cole.

Director of football, with a particular responsibility for recruiting young talent. No?

Now I wonder who started that rumour...

*tin hat on* If Ashley had of appointed Wise instead of Kinnear then we wouldn't be having this conversation... Wow! Never mind the tin hat, mate, you need to disappear into a reinforced concrete shelter. One of the ironies of recent events is that of all the people involved in the disaster, he was the only one who did his job well - we've got a very good crop of young players coming through. Yet he's considered the main villain. That's the way it goes.

More weasel words from a man who never seems to want to take responsibility for his mistakes. I'm not buying it for a second. To be fair, Bobby had lost the support of alot of fans at the time anyway, so its unfair to blame Shepherd. Bobby did great for the club but took it as far as he could unfortunately. For sure he wasn't the only one who wanted Sir Bob to go. I'm just annoyed that he should be trying to duck his fair share of the responsibility with all these 'I was only obeying orders' - type hints. Anyway, enough of that odious little man.

More weasel words from a man who never seems to want to take responsibility for his mistakes. I'm not buying it for a second.

A real enthusiast who put heart and soul into the job. We didn't know what we had until it had gone. Sad that he ended up with a kick in the teeth for all his trouble, but no-one can take away the memories. He was the best manager we've had.

He's good but not that good. We need to replace him with a full back who can head the ball though - we're very vulnerable in that area.

It's no contest. Shearer wants the job. Keegan just wants his £8 million compo.