manorpark

Of course people do not 'state' it, but it is spreading like a disease - they are DOING it. They are starting to like being a no-hoper type of club, happily content with winning lots of lower-league games.

It is disappointing how winning a few games in the Second Division, seems to have pacified a few people. It is the S E C O N D D I V I S I O N (whatever it's called this week) for goodness sake, it means nothing at all that we are beating a load of 'nothingness' teams, that are even worse than the middle and lower Premier League 'nothingness' teams that we should have been thrashing last season. As someone wrote a few posts back - the best you can describe this useless time-wasting season as, is as a "Gap Year". Disagree. In principle, yes of course, we're not winning in the top division. In principle, a club of this size belongs in the top division. However, I disagree that this year is a waste of time. We have needed that winning feeling for a few seasons now. We have desperately needed for the focus to be on the football pitch rather than the director's box/manager seat/underperforming superstar/tabloids etc.... We are still a considerable way off that The Keegan affair, the "takeover" from the hideous Ashley, etc, etc. Meanwhile, we are in the Second Division. Yes there'll always be stories about us in the media regardless, but ask around, and I think you'll find that most people aren't bothered anymore to some extent. The football has given us a respite and something to shout about. I think it's absolutely stupid to take one side or another in the whole Keegan vs Ashley affair because the team are giving us the chance to unite and just enjoy the football for a bloody change. There's nothing we can do about the outcome of the tribunal or about the sale of the club. I myself have chosen to stop fretting and grumbling, and just look forward to the next Kevin Nolan hattrick Nothing personal about you, but that is the perfect reply to illustrate the illness that has swallowed up this club and its supporters. It can be summed up as . . . "THE DEATH OF AMBITION / JUST LET ME LIE DOWN HERE AND DIE IN PEACE . . . IT'S ANOTHER NOLAN HAT-TRICK, AFTER ALL"

It is disappointing how winning a few games in the Second Division, seems to have pacified a few people. It is the S E C O N D D I V I S I O N (whatever it's called this week) for goodness sake, it means nothing at all that we are beating a load of 'nothingness' teams, that are even worse than the middle and lower Premier League 'nothingness' teams that we should have been thrashing last season. As someone wrote a few posts back - the best you can describe this useless time-wasting season as, is as a "Gap Year". Disagree. In principle, yes of course, we're not winning in the top division. In principle, a club of this size belongs in the top division. However, I disagree that this year is a waste of time. We have needed that winning feeling for a few seasons now. We have desperately needed for the focus to be on the football pitch rather than the director's box/manager seat/underperforming superstar/tabloids etc.... We are still a considerable way off that The Keegan affair, the "takeover" from the hideous Ashley, etc, etc. Meanwhile, we are in the Second Division.

It is disappointing how winning a few games in the Second Division, seems to have pacified a few people. It is the S E C O N D D I V I S I O N (whatever it's called this week) for goodness sake, it means nothing at all that we are beating a load of 'nothingness' teams, that are even worse than the middle and lower Premier League 'nothingness' teams that we should have been thrashing last season. As someone wrote a few posts back - the best you can describe this useless time-wasting season as, is as a "Gap Year". I've enjoyed it tbh Yes, that is exactly what I was saying, a fair few people are enjoying it. Perhaps, if we get relegated again (down to the Third Division) . . . a FEW MORE people will enjoy it EVEN MORE. I thought this season would be one long period of depression but I've loved it so far. It's much better to be winning consistently in the Championship than losing consistently in the Premiership. In that case, FORGET the Third Division, lets just play in the 4th Division or the Conference!!! Yeah - H A P P Y days all round then? That's what you are saying!! League One and League Two man. What does that mean? It means there's no such thing as the "Third" and "Fourth" division anymore. Yes there is, obviously!! The Third Division is currently called "League One" (at the moment) but it is still the third division of English Football. The Fourth Division is currently called "League Two" (at the moment) but it is still the fourth division of English Football. To fully understand the 'level' at which teams are playing, it is useful to keep a grasp of these facts, hence my use of the titles. The currently in use 'temporary names' (eg "The Championship") have varied in recent years, and no doubt will do so again in the near future. The one thing that remains constant, is where-they-are in the pecking order. The most RIDICULOUS temporary name of the lot is THE CHAMPIONSHIP. The awful bunch of teams that we are playing against in the Second Division of English Football, are made to sound a great deal more than they are, by the use of this ridiculous name. I am sorry if this offends some people, but I far and away prefer us to recognise where we are . . we are in the SECOND DIVISION . . . that's all, the grotty, awful Second Division.

It is disappointing how winning a few games in the Second Division, seems to have pacified a few people. It is the S E C O N D D I V I S I O N (whatever it's called this week) for goodness sake, it means nothing at all that we are beating a load of 'nothingness' teams, that are even worse than the middle and lower Premier League 'nothingness' teams that we should have been thrashing last season. As someone wrote a few posts back - the best you can describe this useless time-wasting season as, is as a "Gap Year". I've enjoyed it tbh Yes, that is exactly what I was saying, a fair few people are enjoying it. Perhaps, if we get relegated again (down to the Third Division) . . . a FEW MORE people will enjoy it EVEN MORE. I thought this season would be one long period of depression but I've loved it so far. It's much better to be winning consistently in the Championship than losing consistently in the Premiership. In that case, FORGET the Third Division, lets just play in the 4th Division or the Conference!!! Yeah - H A P P Y days all round then? That's what you are saying!! No, he isn't saying that. Please follow this link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man Not Applicable

Sorry, but that is the ONLY place where we should be playing football.

It is disappointing how winning a few games in the Second Division, seems to have pacified a few people. It is the S E C O N D D I V I S I O N (whatever it's called this week) for goodness sake, it means nothing at all that we are beating a load of 'nothingness' teams, that are even worse than the middle and lower Premier League 'nothingness' teams that we should have been thrashing last season. As someone wrote a few posts back - the best you can describe this useless time-wasting season as, is as a "Gap Year". I've enjoyed it tbh Yes, that is exactly what I was saying, a fair few people are enjoying it. Perhaps, if we get relegated again (down to the Third Division) . . . a FEW MORE people will enjoy it EVEN MORE. I thought this season would be one long period of depression but I've loved it so far. It's much better to be winning consistently in the Championship than losing consistently in the Premiership. In that case, FORGET the Third Division, lets just play in the 4th Division or the Conference!!! Yeah - H A P P Y days all round then? That's what you are saying!! League One and League Two man. What does that mean?

It is disappointing how winning a few games in the Second Division, seems to have pacified a few people. It is the S E C O N D D I V I S I O N (whatever it's called this week) for goodness sake, it means nothing at all that we are beating a load of 'nothingness' teams, that are even worse than the middle and lower Premier League 'nothingness' teams that we should have been thrashing last season. As someone wrote a few posts back - the best you can describe this useless time-wasting season as, is as a "Gap Year". I've enjoyed it tbh Yes, that is exactly what I was saying, a fair few people are enjoying it. Perhaps, if we get relegated again (down to the Third Division) . . . a FEW MORE people will enjoy it EVEN MORE. I thought this season would be one long period of depression but I've loved it so far. It's much better to be winning consistently in the Championship than losing consistently in the Premiership. In that case, FORGET the Third Division, lets just play in the 4th Division or the Conference!!! Yeah - H A P P Y days all round then? That's what you are saying!!

It is disappointing how winning a few games in the Second Division, seems to have pacified a few people. It is the S E C O N D D I V I S I O N (whatever it's called this week) for goodness sake, it means nothing at all that we are beating a load of 'nothingness' teams, that are even worse than the middle and lower Premier League 'nothingness' teams that we should have been thrashing last season. As someone wrote a few posts back - the best you can describe this useless time-wasting season as, is as a "Gap Year". I've enjoyed it tbh Yes, that is exactly what I was saying, a fair few people are enjoying it. Perhaps, if we get relegated again (down to the Third Division) . . . a FEW MORE people will enjoy it EVEN MORE.

It is disappointing how winning a few games in the Second Division, seems to have pacified a few people. It is the S E C O N D D I V I S I O N (whatever it's called this week) for goodness sake, it means nothing at all that we are beating a load of 'nothingness' teams, that are even worse than the middle and lower Premier League 'nothingness' teams that we should have been thrashing last season. As someone wrote a few posts back - the best you can describe this useless time-wasting season as, is as a "Gap Year".

NE5 vs the World? Whatever happened to NE5 and Mick? Who is NE5?? NE5? God knows. NE3 is the place to be. NE3 is good ("but it's not right" . . . ) NE2, is the place to be (and to parteee)

IT IS GONNA HAPPEN!! It is! I can feel it in-me-bones, it will happen this week and be announced (as I said) on Friday/Saturday this week (25/26 September 2009).

thommo who? AND, when did he say it would be happen this week and be announced this Friday or Saturday?

and when it doesnt you will get treated like all "itks" Aye . . well its a dangerous job, but somebody's got to do it!

Now, when the takeover is announced on Friday or Saturday, I hope I get all the KUDOS that I deserve, for being the one on this board who (after more than 17.000 posts) BROKE THE NEWS FIRST . . . !!!

Ha Ha - possibly, but he did make it sound more credible than that. Anyone else hear it?

My thoughts exactly - but he did sound certain on the radio. I'm only reporting what I heard.

Steve Howey has just stated very clearly (18.05 Hrs today) on BBC Radio Newcastle ('Total Sport' programme) that he has been told that . . . (1) The result of the Keegan case will be known on Friday. (2) The takeover of the club should be completed by the weekend, and may also possibly be announced on Friday. More cr*p . . . . or the truth from someone who is in a position to know?

This seems to be spot on. We've been 'had' (and had and had)

. . and what would be the point of him buying it anyway, he couldn't afford to run it. The BEST we could hope for with him, it seems (which would be 'hopeless', but still better than right now actually) would be 'mid-table Premier League nothingness', like we used to think of Villa, Everton, Spurs, Man City & co. Still, no matter who (if anyone) buys the club, it is difficult to imagine us ever competing 'season in season out' for the Premier League Title - which was always the Sir John Hall aim, and is always where a club with such huge support and resources (income) such as us, should always be. No, the short term future is poor for us. The medium term future is poor for us. The long term future is poor for us. Basically, as "achievers" and "potential achievers" I think we have HAD IT. We will always just be able to look back at the recent 'SBR' and 'first-KK' eras . . . and D R E A M. Thats all.

We only spent about £10m net on transfer fees iirc, but it's further evidence of Ashley's incompetance that he allowed the wage bill to expand the way it did whilst apparently trying to tighten purse strings. A lot of high earners have been brought in on his watch. Also, I'm pretty sure it isn't well known Ashley spent £100m of his own money paying off debt, doesn't he want it back as part of the sale? I think it is possibly THE single most well known fact from the Ashley era, that he spent his own money to pay off most of our debt. It was all over the papers for weeks and weeks and Chris Mort was particularly public in thanking him (on behalf of the club) for doing that! The thing that is NOT known, I think, is whether Ashley will expect this £100M+ back, as part of the sale, or not . . . My point is that if he expects it back, he hasn't paid it off. If I buy you a pint, but then ask for the money I've not really done you that much of a favour. Also, I think "THE single most well known fact from the Ashley era" is that the c*** got us relegated. Yes, I agree your last sentence!

We only spent about £10m net on transfer fees iirc, but it's further evidence of Ashley's incompetance that he allowed the wage bill to expand the way it did whilst apparently trying to tighten purse strings. A lot of high earners have been brought in on his watch. Also, I'm pretty sure it isn't well known Ashley spent £100m of his own money paying off debt, doesn't he want it back as part of the sale? I think it is possibly THE single most well known fact from the Ashley era, that he spent his own money to pay off most of our debt. It was all over the papers for weeks and weeks and Chris Mort was particularly public in thanking him (on behalf of the club) for doing that! The thing that is NOT known, I think, is whether Ashley will expect this £100M+ back, as part of the sale, or not . . .

What you say above is good and correct and I agree with it, as I always have. It is difficult to estimate how much of this MESS was Ashley's fault, but (as owner) he has to take by far the bulk of the blame. Now, without you having met him, or 'seen the photos', I would imagine you will agree with that. The reasons Keegan left (that you mention) are all valid, as I have always said, and are undoubtedly part of it. BUT, many people continue to rationalise and over-simplify the reason why he left, "latching on" to the Ashley-and-funds-and-choice-of-players, thing. It is most unlikely that anything as simple as that would have caused him to leave - it he came here to "finish the job" etc - with the speed with which he did. It just does not FIT. It smells. There must be more to it than just that. There is a lot more complexity in why Keegan returned and why he left so soon, that the simply-presented "reasons" of the funds and choice of players, that so many people (as said) happily latch on to as being the be-all-and-end-all of the situation. C'mon, the whole thing STINKS. I really cannot find any other way to say this now. I have described the "Ashley & Funds" bit, as the 'last chapter' and the 'last page', and I have tried many other ways to get the message across here - so I can do no more. Simply, there is more to it than that - it stinks to high heaven. He came back as soon as the Halls and Shepherds were out of the club, he came in thinking Mike Ashley was going to at least take the club forward, it then became apparent that Ashley had no intension to spend and he was going to reduce the operating costs of the club. KK couldn't deal with Ashley, Lambias and Wise as they were f*** nuts without a clue so was either sacked or quit. I'm not sure where you get this "must be another reason" for him to return from. Are you basing your argument for KK coming back with other motives on that shitty lazy article in one of the papers sayng it was because Soccer Circus was struggling and he needed cash. The same Soccer Circus which is still going even in the recession. Keegan, the person, the "motives" . . . have to share the blame for our demise with Ashley. They have both 'done us in' for the next few years, at least. Playing in the Europa League, The Champions League and challenging for the League Title - are still a long way off - thanks to BOTH of them . . .

Good post. I think you're right that many sneering at Man City right now really are just doing so because they're being childish and envious. Blackburn had Jack Walker and won the Premiership. Chelsea have had Abramovich, ditto. We had Sir John Hall, he two Freddies, loads of wonga, but we blew it and we've been in gradual decline for a few years now, accelerated by the current Ashley regime. Citeh are one of the few clubs who rival NUFC for recurrent melodrama and intrigue off the pitch. Over the past few years Citeh fans have had to endure various highs and lows including two relegations, the excitement of a Keegan promotion, the lows of Stuart Pearce's amateur hour, the media frenzy around Shinawatra's arrival and the accompanying political farce, Sven coming and going and now they're in total fantasy football territory courtesy of their current Abu Dhabi owners having splashed out silly money this summer. They've spent years feeling like the Premiership's media whipping boys, frequently ridiculed and undermined. If they buy the title, then they won't be the first, and I certainly wouldn't begrudge the fans a bit of joy from that either, but I can't say I feel comfortable with where this scale of spending is taking the game of football more generally. If they buy the title with all their money (which they probably will, quite soon) they are still only the SECOND club to do it this way. IE, "completely" with non-earned income, given to them from outside football. There is only them and Chelsea.. The likes of Manchester United, ourselves, etc, used almost exclusively, money we had EARNED . . . and a bit of 'future earnings' (loans) too! But we all lived in that real business world. Chelsea and Man City do NOT.

Degenerated? At least these two discussions have meant we are talking about 'events' as opposed to 'non-events'. Still, NOT what this thread should be about, really. So, who is going to win the takeover war? (1) Incompetent, 'thick-as-they-come' ASHLEY. (2) Pauper, 'have-you-got-10p-for-the-meter', MOAT or (3) Mega Rich, 'but-do-they-exist', YANKS. Wow . . . what a set of choices!