wormy

Have I misremembered? I thought Allardyce came here well aware of the financial constraints that were to be expected under Shepherd. As you mentioned, Shepherd went for him specifically because of his bargain bin achievements, and I recall everyone and their dog know that ahead of the appointment. If he didn't realise it then I've even less respect for him than the little I already had. If anything, he lucked out with Ashley coming in and not yet being the prick we all know and hate, as a quick look at Transfermarkt tells me we had the 9th biggest expenditure in the league that summer. Nothing crazy, but I'm sure it's a damn sight more than if Ashley hadn't taken over that summer. Maybe it's an overreaction but in hindsight, I actually hold Fat Sam responsible for a lot of what we saw over Ashley's tenure. Maybe it was just always destined to go wrong, but it sure as hell didn't help that he had to sack his first manager after less than a season for spunking any money given up the wall. Probably what led him to trust very few managers again, leading to the undermining of KK and overall deterioration of his relationship with the fans and ultimately, the wild swings between negligence and spiteful actions. Ashley was clearly always a prick, but I blame Allardyce for it surfacing so damn quickly.

The problem with all this stuff is while I won't deny it's all an impressive use of technology, I'm yet to be directed to a genuine problem in the world that it's solving. The idea of 'decentralisation' being a positive is insane to me, as if getting market manipulated, hacked or scammed out of your money is better because at least it's by a faceless cryptobro online instead of corporate entities you can at least directly point a finger at. I'd rather everyone was honest and admitted they're just looking to hit the next Bitcoin-style jackpot tbh.

World leaders are probably some of the last people that want this shite replacing cash. Unfortunately there's just enough people that have now gotten rich off this sort of thing that they can form a vocal minority pushing everyone to get in on these modern day MLMS. I love that the Burnley one is trying to make it sound like you'll hold a vested interest in the club or something through their 'security token'. Not gonna just let people access actual shares in the club though, are you? Nah, thought not.

There really is something about him that makes me skin crawl. This statement is interchangeable for both of them.

Probably signed his wife and kids up and makes them drink their morning brow out of that mug. Probably gives them a Michael Owen calendar that they have to hide every year too.

Have they actually been saying/doing anything of note lately? Asking as a non-member so don't get any email updates. I peek at their Twitter but it just seems to be 99% retweets of other NUFC Twitter accounts at this point.

Just reads to me like he's still just trying to take the heat off his old pal's managerial ability even though everyone's past giving a fuck about him.

Wow this exchange had me check out what Welbeck's been up to of late. Didn't realise he's 31. I feel old.

At least higher ups in the club are willing to argue the toss with referees, even if our players can't be arsed.

I'm actually quite grateful I've been out of the loop on the wider football world for so long. I was never going to be underwhelmed or overwhelmed with whoever comes in because whether they're considered a big name or not I'll know fuck all about them or what they've done. Best of luck if he comes on board.

Been thinking this myself. Now 30 with his history of injuries and a calf problem that's kept him out for half a season so far. Doesn't bode well.

It's working exactly how they think it should be.

Could the club theoretically call for some sort of investigation in to the refereeing of our games? Presumably the club would have every right to access internal correspondence relating to those matters. Bet they'd squirm like they have every other time the club has pulled them up since takeover talks began. The league hates us already. Might as well go all in.

When commentary can't even defend it you know it's corrupt. Absolute fucking cunts. As if this club hasn't given itself enough of its own issues and they feel the need to pull this kind of shit.

Nah I'm sorry I can't watch this.

Might watch for the first time in years just to see how they pad it out.

That Crook Town owner sounds so detached from reality tbh. Doesn't he know how hard it is for a lower league club like sunderland to make ends meet? That £710.50 could go a long way for them.

This is mad.

I don't think I'm ever going to understand the Nations League. Granted, I haven't even tried to.

Carr has to be getting on now hasn't he? If he's still got the passion I think there should be a role for him. Clearly knew his stuff. With the way Ashley always went to the bottom of whatever lists he compiled, I'd guess he'd have no issue simply being some sort of senior scout, swanning about and putting lists together for Howe/DoF to then decide on who to pursue and not get involved in the actual recruitment side.

He had the slightest of mercy to leave Dubs alone. Sticking Darlow in would've broken the forum.

Kennedy out.

Won't claim to know a single thing about him so I'm not going to happy or sad until we see results, or a lack thereof. At least we're looking to get football men in with the relevant experience, rather than just snapping up ex-players and managers they met in the pub or casino. Hopefully.

Yeah? Well can they draw almost half their games? Thought not. Pathetic.

As someone that can only justify a handful of matches a season I'm fucking delighted I recently gave in and got match and return train tickets from Ipswich to Southampton away and Watford at SJP in January. Always fun to not know whether you've thrown hundreds of quid down the drain.