TRon

I'm not convinced he' shit or lazy tbh. He might work again for a different manager who sets his teams up in a different way. Managers need strikers to perform certain duties. Rafa with Mitro being a prime example. Didn't mean Mitro was a bad striker, just Rafa wanted more work rate going the other way.

According to that piece they just pumped in another £45m in December. Does that not count as actions?

I think the board will want to give him another shot anyway based on his past success. A lot will depend on if our transfer policy changes and if Howe thinks he can deliver with squad we end up with. He's said he's happy enough to continue as long as expectations match that squad, and I think that's fair enough. Would still be about finishing in Europe is my guess.

It's not one bad season that's the problem, it's the lack of direction or seeming unability to put things right. If anything's been unhinged this season it's the football we are playing. I don't think Howe will want to replace proven stars with hopefuls either, and I have a feeling that will be our transfer policy this season. He might walk if he doesn't get to choose which players come and go.

I'd pay £10 a month if I could get every Newcastle game televised. Yes there are pirate streams available, but they tend to work a few times before they get blocked, and it's very hit and miss.

I do have misgivings about his volatility and his penchant for pissing off players, but I don't think he's turned into a bad manager overnight. I still think he can organise teams defensively, he's just not going to play the most exciting football. Also think he's not suited to the really top clubs, but I think he can still overachieve with a club which is punching above it's weight like he did in the days of Porto.

Honestly, despite my criticisms of Howe, I think the club will do everything they can to give Howe another crack at it next season. They could go for someone else like Iraola or Glasner ( just examples off the top of my head) but they won't have the same commitment to the club that Howe does. Howe won't leave unless he feels it's no longer his club. I don't think any replacement would have that attachment. That said, I'm still not convinced his football style will work for a team playing CL football every season.

More than likely anyone buying Newcastle would be doing to make money off the back of the club, not investing their own. The biggest advantage of PIF is that they don't need NUFC to make money, if anything they have pumped money in. Everyone knows it as well, that is why you won't get many enthusiastic about a takeover.

Or take one of those cheap 4hr cruises round the coast and take a few 4pks with you. Can at least have a boatload of cans if you don't get a boatload of goals.

It might be wrong, but my perception of Emery is that he's less wedded to one way of playing. He seems more open to switching formations and intensity levels given different opposition. In any case it doesn't really matter since his window of coming to Newcastle has gone. He's pretty much entrenched at Villa now, and he'll only move from there if a cartel club comes in, or a massive European club.

We aren't going to win by a boatload of goals, but we should still be more than good enough for a win at home. That in itself will put the talk to bed for a week at least.

It's a fair point. I don't watch them that often but Bournemouth do seem to play a high intensity game, so there might be question marks whether that translates to big clubs in Europe.

Like we took 6 months to tie up the signing of Trafford?

I wouldn't wish it on him, but he does play for Liverpool so no point in pretending I'm anything but happy.

Just one of Wolt or Wissa would do. But then the 4th choice striker just scored our only goal when he was given a rare chance so he's not getting dropped for this one.

I think a lot will depend on who takes ownership of last summer's transfer window. The way I see it, the CEO isn't going to sanction endless spending, it has to be in line with SCR. So if Howe isn't happy with his strike options, how do we fix that considering both Wolt and Wissa would have to be sold at a loss in order to buy new ones? If they were bought over his head (which I doubt) then he can justifiably throw it back at the board and tell them to deal with it. Will Howe be happy with sacrificing his blue chip players in order to get the ones he wants in? Or will he be happy to let Wilson bring players in and just coach the ones he's given?

He seems to be doing a lot better this season though, despite losing his best players.

The improved squad bit might be a bit tricky. I am not sure we'll be making big signings again after last summer's spend. Maybe if we sell a big player or two, otherwise it will be promising youngsters signed with an eye on the future.

Shepherd was never a serious owner, for him the club was a cash cow for himself and his family members. He didn't put his own money in, he borrowed against the club. There were several dubious signings and appointments which raised suspicion, Michael Owen and Boumsong's signature to name a couple. I think his brothers warehouses were linked to the club as well or something along those lines.

I don't think fans expect that much tbh. If we were 7/8th in the table now and had been in a position to get a European slot, then I think most would be ok with that. CL is overachieving given our budget resraints compared to the cartel clubs.

I think whoever is the manager next season, there will be a review of expectations. We gave it a good go at buying ready made stars, but the only way we can continue is if we sell big stars to fund new signings. Otherwise the players devalue with age if you don't sell them in time. Next season will be about getting Europe again. I don't think CL is realistic given what we are up against.

Ok good to know. Still doesn't move us forward as a club or offer any insight into what (or who) would.

It's also about whether you have belief in the direction and whether he can fix it. That's why I specifically said the board will need to take a holistic view. And yeah, obviously I'm only speaking for myself, I accept not everyone is going to share the same view.

Was only watching TTR while Alex (Statto) was on there, haven't seen him in a while so can't be arsed to listen to Paul. The fella from the Noise was good, although I've only ever watched one video.

You need to ask Man U fans if they are happy with what Man U owners are doing. I think they would swap with ours in a heartbeat.