Raconteur

It’s not unreasonable to think it might not apply in the last six months of the contract? He’s still going to stay until May (unless Ashley fires him early).

As shite as that front six was, it was better than what we have at the minute though: 4 - Raylor 6 - Barton 5 - Jonas 3 - Ferguson 4 - Lovenkrands 5 - Ameobi Average = 4.5 6 - Rondon 1 - Perez 3 - Ritchie 2 - Murphy 5 - Ki 6 - Shelvey Average = 3.8 You can't help yourself, can you? The bolded ones are objectively bullshit.

It won’t be true. Even when you read the article there is nothing to suggest that he’s doing anything like a crowd funding campaign, sounds more like he’s been trying to get investors. Not that I believe the article but that's still a slight worry in of itself why go to try and buy the club not having sufficient funds to do so. Also while may be able to generate our own income unless he is keeping a massive amount to one side the rebuild to the infrastructure and team run into the 100's of millions. Is he going to put it all on as club debt would be a worry. There is no reason other than the Sun’s lies to think that Kenyon is far off the funds to buy the club. To be fair its all about filling the paper with something but the media line from the leak of who were these mystery bidders said he was short of the 280/300 sale price. Now could be bollocks could be he doesn't think we are worth it or he has more money but it's set aside for a short term and costly rebuild job. It’s no coincidence Kenyon and Stavely both reportedly made bids below Ashley’s price after looking at the books.

Feeling a lot of this myself. I feel sadder about the future of NO when everyone gives up on SD Utd than I do about not caring myself when Rafa leaves...

Sackings are frequently brutal, but this one had to happen. If Stoke stay down this season, they’re not coming back for a while.

The best historical equivalent I can think of is Darren Ambrose, who cost virtually nothing, was shit and left after a couple of uninspiring seasons. Would be interesting to see whom other older hands thought offered more. My vote’s for Ambrose...

The man blurts out words that he thinks will put out the immediate fire - nothing he has ever said stands up to the passage of time. He’s like Trump in that sense: truth has no value, only dealing with the immediate concern.

I wish people would consider what the phrase “can’t be worse than Joselu” means. Hoss is poo, but it is certainly possible to be a worse premier league striker than him. If Rafa was on the verge of picking the lad, he would have been in the Blackburn squad.

Puke inducing. 70% possession and never looked like scoring. Mat Ryan will be back at Brighton soon enough...

Underlines that Ashley was never really serious about selling us back then. Also does make you cautious about any new buyer lined up as well. If they are reluctant to pay a premium for the club, it makes you think they won't necessarily be much more expansive than Ashley when it comes to investment. Obviously they could run it with a bit more ambition, but you need to actually own the club first, and the buyers we are talking about don't seem to have the clout to just toss Ashley an extra £50m just to get him to fuck off. I am sort of agreeing with HTT's earlier post about their credentials. The people who are able to invest hundreds of millions in a football club aren’t the same people who flush £50 million for no good reason. No transaction of that scale includes in its negotiations “yes, let’s happily pay a “premium” for an already overpriced product.” A top quality full back costs £50m these days, you could lose that much in a year's bad transfer deals to put things in perspective. All the more reason to not just hand it over to Ashley - every coin is needed to rebuild the squad. Well you have to buy the club first, and unless Ashley has suddenly decided he'll forgo the premium, how likely is it to happen? Which is why we still have Ashley instead of Staveley or Kenyon.

Underlines that Ashley was never really serious about selling us back then. Also does make you cautious about any new buyer lined up as well. If they are reluctant to pay a premium for the club, it makes you think they won't necessarily be much more expansive than Ashley when it comes to investment. Obviously they could run it with a bit more ambition, but you need to actually own the club first, and the buyers we are talking about don't seem to have the clout to just toss Ashley an extra £50m just to get him to fuck off. I am sort of agreeing with HTT's earlier post about their credentials. The people who are able to invest hundreds of millions in a football club aren’t the same people who flush £50 million for no good reason. No transaction of that scale includes in its negotiations “yes, let’s happily pay a “premium” for an already overpriced product.” A top quality full back costs £50m these days, you could lose that much in a year's bad transfer deals to put things in perspective. All the more reason to not just hand it over to Ashley - every coin is needed to rebuild the squad.

Motivation due to the club having no ambition. We had something to play for in his first two full seasons under Rafa, promotion and the league title and then staying up during the first season back then what? Same again lads? Just do the bare minimum to try and keep the SD adverts on prime time TV. Just doesn't work unless you build on the momentum and push on. Blame lies at Ashley's door. I suspect players don't think like that, more along the lines that the better they play the more likely a move to a bigger club/contract. They must be incredibly self-motivated to get where they are. If you're unable team who sell all their best players then maybe, but not sure if the summer was as negative as that. They will not consciously think like that but it will have a big impact on them. Collective desire and motivation and momentum are massive in football. Shouldn't be underestimated the impact it has where there's not much to play for beyond what you've already achieved when that in itself is not exactly something special. The fact that these workers know their outstanding boss is leaving, likely to be replaced with someone much less skilled, would surely have most people concerned about the future, no matter what industry you’re in.

Underlines that Ashley was never really serious about selling us back then. Also does make you cautious about any new buyer lined up as well. If they are reluctant to pay a premium for the club, it makes you think they won't necessarily be much more expansive than Ashley when it comes to investment. Obviously they could run it with a bit more ambition, but you need to actually own the club first, and the buyers we are talking about don't seem to have the clout to just toss Ashley an extra £50m just to get him to fuck off. I am sort of agreeing with HTT's earlier post about their credentials. The people who are able to invest hundreds of millions in a football club aren’t the same people who flush £50 million for no good reason. No transaction of that scale includes in its negotiations “yes, let’s happily pay a “premium” for an already overpriced product.”

Seems Steve Taylor is a love rat. Somehow, he pulled two seperate hot birds, and gave them both the same lovey-pet name “Long Pins.” Girls got wise and messaged each other. Check out the moves on this smooth motherfucker. That said, the pics are worth a look. Old mate Steve is batting WAY above his average.

10th place last season with that lot wasn’t a sign that he’s good?

You’d think that with Pulisic going to Chelsea, this lad would be playing for his career. He’s in danger of flushing it all away if he doesn’t turn it on soon.

You’re forgetting that Rafa chose Yedlin at centre half instead of Manquillo. Even so, it’s hard to pick out a 4-2-3-1 formation with that team unless there’s a surprise at #10

33yo Perchinho would be a suitable replacement for Hayden if he gets his move. “Mint” might be gong a bit far, but have you seen Manquillo play?

Felt the need to restate that I am still at 0 - and I say that expecting about one point in the next handful of matches. We will certainly be in the drop zone come February, but we’ll be 17th at worst come May. Getting in early with a 10 for 2019/20, though.

Extraordinarily quotable post there if it happens, Kiddy. It's pretty much not even possible for us to be cut adrift after the next 6 games, so no worries. 15. NUFC - 20 matches - 18 pts 17. Soton - 19 matches - 15 pts 18. Fulham - 20 matches - 14 pts 19. Burnley - 19 matches - 12 pts 20. HTFC - 20 matches - 10 pts So, in six games, NUFC gain 0 points, Southampton, Fulham, Burnley and Huddersfield all gain 18. We’d then be ten points behind Huddersfield with 12 games to play. Not even mathematically possible to be “cut adrift” in the next six matches.

So Salah collapses under Dummett’s touch and the penalty is awarded. But wait, the crackle comes over the headphones - you need to have a look at that ref. Very well. Yup, still a pen. Now, let’s throw to Graeme Souness and Jamie Carragher to discuss the VAR referee’s decision here at Anfield...

Yup, it’s a deal between Spurs, the Korean FA and the Korean military re Son’s compulsory service.

Can’t see Rondon missing this game - without him as a target we’d be looking at 15% possession instead of maybe 20+% with Rondon. Dummett as WB is not a good option - a shit Ritchie or shit Kenedy is going to offer more than Dummett in a more advanced role. But they’re all shit options and no doubt if Salah is cutting in from that side we’ll be suitably spanked.

Reek Shaw

Needs a Benny Hill track