Conjo

Will be interesting to see how it pans out, as I'm sure the same will apply for buying clubs ability to offer competitive wages. Will players want to move on in the same frequency as before if they know they will most likely get a worse deal than they are currently on?

I guess the difference is that: Chelsea were competing at the top of the league before Abramovich came in, and were signing players to match that ambition (above what they could reasonably sustain). Lampard came to Chelsea at 24 or 25 years old in 2001, after being a regular for West Ham since 97 and believed already to be one of the better central midfielders in the league. Terry had been a regular in a Chelsea side that were competing for the champions league spots for 2 or 3 seasons, since the age of 20, and was widely known to be one of the most talented CBs of his generation. Not really sure why I made the above point because I agree that we need to keep most of our players in the short term post takeover. However, if we bring in a few central midfielders that pushes the Longstaffs (or anyone else listed above for that matter) out I won't really mind. I think it's very unlikely that they are good enough for a top 10 and better club, even if I'd prefer the new manager to focus on improving other weaker areas of the team which would allow the Longstaffs to at least show whether they are good enough or not. The other players I'd say are good enough to warrant a place in a side competing for a top 6 spot.

I agree that CB is probably the last position that needs improvement in the short term. Lejeune over Stones though... Come on. Even if there's room to suggest one is better than the other, one plays regularly while the other has been injured more than available for a start.

It's way different to discuss the impact of Milner now and then. When he left we were still, for the most part, judging him against the level of SBRs team with Robert and Solano which is where the we expected the club to work to come back to and maybe even surpass. In that regard I don't think he was good enough and didn't really mind that he was sold. That being said I think it's fair to say he was not used in his best position here. He's just not fast enough, and didn't/doesn't really cross the ball that well to be playing on the wing. Of course, for the team we have today he could walk into any position in midfield or full back positions and be the best player in the team.

He’s not saying there *is* an issue. Just presenting a few different options for what could be causing a delay. I think people are not reading that tweet with the context of what he was replying to. He quite clearly says there is an issue which wasn't anticipated at the start of last week (when he first said it could be done by Wednesday). Like I said I'm not shitting I the bed, still expect it to go through, but aye... That quote made me think it wasn't going as smoothly as they expected. This. Staveley thought it would be done last week, she was wrong. What if she's wrong about passing? She also led Caulkin to believe she was going to be our new owner 2 1/2 years ago. Hopefully its only a week or so delay, not years this time. Is not a fakeover man stop crapping on about that will you. It's down to the Premier League nothing more nothing less. Didn't say fakeover, just that it's not complete yet. Also just reminding everyone that Staveley has told her contacts she was expecting to be our new owner 2 1/2 years ago. Hopefully she's right this time. I think you just need to chill. Wait until it’s done. You reminds me of Lee Ryder. Let's be above petty name calling to keep this thread somewhat civil.

This lot might actually be useful under new ownership if they gain any sort of influence with them. Their priorities suit a club with a decent ownership. Will never join them myself though, their continued support of Ashley will always leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

Krafth will be difficult to shift unless he's given away and/or agreement to pay part of his wages for a period of time. I imagine there would be plenty of suitors for both Yedlin and Manquillo though.

So the borehole was a massive success! I've probably said "final straw" before during the last 13 years, but for some reason my interest in/love for the club remained at some level. However Rafa leaving was actually the final straw for me. The only connection with the club after that was this board and its posters basically. Objectively looking at it that is far from the worst moment of Ashley, but subjectively that is what got my vote. Wasn't aware I could vote for more than one though.

In the same boat as many others in that personally the first choice would be Rafa, but any new manager that isn't British and has had stints with at least two other current premier league clubs would be good enough for me.

You don't see any problems with this plan? Looks bulletproof to me.

Saudis should buy the Newcastle Brown Ale brand, move production back to Newcastle and pay them to sponsor Newcastle like Barca did with Unicef. Then bring back the 95-97 kit design.

If we're going to continue playing with three central defenders and wing backs sure I'd have him here on a permanent deal. Don't think he'd do particularly well in a back 4 with more defensive duties though.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1436390/Commons-to-bar-MP-over-Brazilian-escort.html

As far as CBs go, I'd rather keep Schar and Fernandez over any of the others. Assuming that with better players in currently weak areas, we will revert to a back 4, that would be my starting pair.

Agreed. We've tried that already, it didn't work out well. You get the odd moment of brilliance, but in general lethargic performances. The one positive thing about the current squad is that they work hard for each other. If we start getting in cheap past it players like we did with Duff, Butt, Smith, Geremi, Viduka, Campbell, Johnsen, Capcapa etc. Things won't be better on the field. There are exceptions of course, so it is a matter of evaluating the individual players personality like Benitez did to ensure we add quality on top of effort instead of replacing one for the other. Willian seems like a good shout in that regard.

How? He's had half a season with Real Madrid after being purchased for £60m. Any particular reason why they'd part ways with him that soon?

Keeper: Not needed right now. Center backs: Not needed right now. Fullbacks: We need better fullbacks on both sides, but we have loads of fullbacks on the books already. Yedlin, Manquillo, Krafth, Willems, Rose and Dummett. Since Rose and Willems are loans, I'd focus on getting in a quality left back as first priority and stick with the current right backs for another season. Central midfield: We lack someone that can make things happen from midfield. Graelish would be perfect as a first priority target for midfield. Let Hayden, Shelvey, Longstaffs battle it out for the more holding duties in midfield for another season. Wingers: Not a priority position with ASM and Almiron here. Maybe look for an available stop gap reserve/bench player that adds more to the team than Atsu and Ritchie. Maybe it's possible to make Lazaro a permanent transfer if he impresses in training/future matches. Striker: We need one. Main part of any transfer budget should go towards a new striker. Overall priority for next season: 1. Striker 2. Attacking central midfielder 3. Left back 4. Back-up winger Maybe in the context of the people hopefully taking over, this is a bit unambitious, but I don't expect them to go full Chelsea/Man City. I think it would potentially ruin the joy of any future success for me personally. If we manage to improve the team gradually, which in turn gradually improves the quality of football and results I am happy with that. Getting three quality players in those first three positions would also have a positive effect on the other players already here. I think that should be enough to be comfortably top half of the table, maybe competing for EURO cup next season provided we have a decent manager.

i'd honestly prefer we go the dortmund model myself, strong emphasis on youth scouting and development and hoovering up the best talent to build a team over time Agree to some extent. Would be nice to be able to keep hold of the talent that does emerge though. Dortmunds model includes selling top players.

Youtube "Newcastle United 3-0 Manchester United (Saturday 12th February 2000)". Just had it recommended in my feed. Great day. Ferguson scared the shit out of Stam and Keane. All three goals were excellent in their own way. Atmosphere in the ground electric.

You don’t think Rafa bought well in the Championship?! WTF?! Maybe it's a relic of the Ashley philosophy, but even at the time I thought players like Gayle and Ritchie were championship standard players and it all felt a bit short term. Ritchie Yedlin Gayle Hanley Murphy Sels Diame Hayden All very very good buys for a Championship team looking to get up, but I always felt we were a Prem club in the Championship and so maybe we could have bought with one eye on our return to the Prem in mind. Ritchie dropping down a division when he was already established at a good prem club showed that we did still have that pull. In my opinion we could have bought more players who would have been good enough for both the Prem and the Championsip, but instead, we went almost exclusively for players who were only good enough for the Championship. Ritchie, Yedlin, Diame and Hayden all played a big part in retaining our PL status in the first season.

Rafa obviously. Knows the club, most of the players, staff, has a good relationship with fans. Has demonstrated time and time that he knows how to build successful teams (Newcastle, Napoli, Liverpool, Valencia) and is able to get good results with established teams (Chelsea, Real Madrid). It's a no brainer if this takeover happens and he is open to the idea himself. I think there is a good chance that he will honor his commitment with his current club given the commitment they gave him though.

No chance this place is on a load balancer. Having issues here as well all day on my work laptop. Thought the site was down, but i can access the forum on my phone (same WiFi connection as laptop). For a moment i thought someone at work had blocked the site

Random observation: Watching highlights from Newcastle - Nottingham Forest (Newcastle Utd v Nottingham F 1995/96 on youtube) and it seems Paul Bearer is in with home crowd at 09:01 - 09:04

Completely ignoring the rules of the game, I'd go with the following top 5: HBA Solano Robert Ginola Gillespie

Ashley will just use that as an argument to squeeze out £56m more on their bid after they have met his initial "asking price", hypothetically speaking if any of it was true and a bid actually materialised.