Unbelievable

Dummett

We're they not going to go bust till he got involved? From what I read in that article there was funding for 16 million which was scuppered when he got (more) involved, so no, I don't think so, not immediately anyway.

Cabella and especially Anita better start looking for new clubs if they want first team action this season.

Dear God

As long as the interest free nature of the loan/debt is being used as an argument by the club for the non-payment for Sports Direct having been plastered all over SJP I don't think any debt repayment is OK unless the club benefit from it in a tangible way.

Ashley cannot be blamed for our transfer strategy/disaster? I've heard it all now

I watched it 3 times and shared it on FB before I realised it wasnt.

Nobody has suggested he has. He's doing it because it benefits him. The fact it hurts NUFC doesn't come into the equation.

In your opinion, but it would have to be tested and argued. I imagine he would have a few arguments that would point the other way. I'm not sure what uncertainty you think there is in that interpretation. What are some of these arguments you're imagining? Well I can't really second guess what he might argue, but I'm saying it's unlikely to be a fight he gives up without trying. Just off the top of my head, he could argue his influence over the board is marginal and only extended to that one bloke he got into position. He might argue his only interest in Rangers is his commercial retail partnership, he could position himself more as a sponsor/business partner than a controller. There are probably others that a highly-paid legal team could come up with. PS I just enjoy this kind of debate, I'm not saying I agree that Ashley should be allowed to control two clubs. Dear God Ian, these guys don't even want us to qualify for Europe (EL at least). Why would they put up a fight to allow us in when the rules clearly state we wouldn't be allowed?

What decision is there to be made? These are the rules. Same as when a player gets send off, you know he is suspended for the next game(s), or when you lose a cup game you are out of the competition. I think it's more the fact that they said we may never play in Europe again while Ashley is in charge and also that he would pick Rangers above us when there is no proof either way. The thing is Ashley wouldn't get to choose who plays in Europe and who doesn't. Ian's argument of a ruling is also null and void as the rules are perfectly clear. By doing what he is doing Ashley is endangering any chance NUFC have of getting back in Europe. I don't know what's hard to understand about this. The club statement has come about because The Telegraph were 100% correct, not because they were wrong. As always though, some of our fans appear to have fallen for it. Club and fans shortchanged and lied to, Ashley under no pressure due to false propaganda. Mission accomplished.

The way I read it the only thing that may be up for debate is whether Ashley's interest is above or below a (I believe not explicitly specified) threshold where he is deemed to have a controlling interest in Rangers. To be fair to the Telegraph, if they asked UEFA the question what would happen if Newcastle and Rangers both qualified for a UEFA competition, and their reply was to refer them to that section of their regulations than that at the very least very strongly implies where they sit on the issue on whether Ashley's interest in Rangers can be deemed as controlling or not. I don't trust the media at all, but I trust Mike Ashley a hell of a lot less yet. The nature of the club statement makes it all the more cringe-worthy. We're being run by a bunch of fucking pricks who will do anything to protect their own reputation whilst slowly destroying the club as a meaningful force in English football.

What decision is there to be made? These are the rules. Same as when a player gets send off, you know he is suspended for the next game(s), or when you lose a cup game you are out of the competition.

Boom there goes the only thing the club could pssoibly claim the Telegraph were lying about, seeing as everything else was completely factual as per the UEFA rules. After seven years under Ashley the club's PR department can sometimes still surprise me by their complete ineptitude.

Our "build up play"

Cheick always looks rust the first few games coming back after injury. Expect him to have a shitter.

Why? It's a dream come true for him (and Ashley)... is it? i wouldn't have thought Ashley would want us to qualify for Europe. He would want Rangers there, but not us Precisely. Finishing in the Europa spots (higher TV money allocation) without the drawback of having to compete in Europe (and needing a bigger squad to handle more matches/risking relegation due to not being able to handle being in multiple competitions) would be ideal for them. I get what you are saying, but I mean, ti would likely cause extreme supporter unrest, which he doesn't want Very debatable. It's been relatively quiet for the last year or so, but at times you could be forgiven for thinking the exact opposite (SJP renaming, Llambias, Keegan, Carroll, Kinnear).

Why? It's a dream come true for him (and Ashley)... is it? i wouldn't have thought Ashley would want us to qualify for Europe. He would want Rangers there, but not us Precisely. Finishing in the Europa spots (higher TV money allocation) without the drawback of having to compete in Europe (and needing a bigger squad to handle more matches/risking relegation due to not being able to handle being in multiple competitions) would be ideal for them.

Why? It's a dream come true for him (and Ashley)...

Me too. And just look at how Anita turned out, albeit he's not in the same bracket or position. Dutch league is a toss up. Some work some don't. Not just Dutch league is it, more like transfers in general.

Lolerpool

Let me guess: out of contract in the summer?

Wow Bayern

Measy

More like a stunning shoulderer

City