Jackie Broon

There has been lots of talk in the past that PIF have final sign off on every financial decision and that slows down transfers, and in the documentary PIF were involved in meetings that were shown.

That really are just like the mackems, new manager comes in with them looking doomed, works miracles to keep them up, turn on him when he can't continue working miracles creating a toxic atmosphere that transfers to the players gets the manger sacked, rinse and repeat. Hopefully this will be the season they finally get flushed.

That's cheered me right up

Yeah, but we knew that wasn't a possibility by the middle of December.

Could have happened already and hasn't leaked, although that seems unlikely. I had a look at what was disclosed about the timescale of the arbitration proceedings in Man City's court case. The PL commenced that arbitration in October 2019. The arbitration hearings were June/July 2020. The arbitration panel made its ruling on 2nd November 2020, so around 4 months after the hearings. That arbitration was on a seemingly more straightforward matter of disclosure of documents, rather than this that potentially involves complex arguments over competition law.

I'll admit I was one of those that had too much confidence in them. It's unforgivable that they got us into that mess, and by that I mean both Staveley and Eales.

It also seems possible/likely that putting all of our eggs in the Guehi basket was driven by Eddie. There have been reports that Mitchell wanted to go after other players but Eddie wasn't keen on them. It's a mess whichever way you look at it, and ultimately Eales responsibility to have got a handle on it and make the decision to move on to different targets earlier.

My prediction, Newcastle 7 - Spurs 1, Ange crying in the dugout and Howe resigning on Monday.

Until we hear they have release clauses in them.

I'd imagine that they'd work in tandem, but the final say will be from Eales.

Because that's his job.

Because he literally is responsible for it.

What an absolute farce this window has been from beginning to end, too early to for Mitchell to be blamed but serious questions need asking of Eales.

https://assafinaonline.com/news_details/en/21078/Saudis-Bahri-and-Marinakis-Capital-Maritime-sign-mega-VLCC-deal coincidence?

Hopefully that and @Shadow Puppets information is right but, other than the obvious personal stuff with Tripper which probably won't be resolved by the transfer window closing, the only person who there have been reports of being unsettled, and has looked not his usual self, is Gordon.

So today's comments by Howe all but confirmed that Gordon has been unsettled by the Liverpool stuff. It seems that we offered him to Liverpool, and they've effectively gone "no ta, we'll just leak that and take him off you for peanuts or nothing when he runs his contract down". What a fucking shitshow.

And that's the only reason why we were in the running for him. If they were willing to sell for what he is worth he would have been snapped up by one of the 6.

That's how I feel about our CB position too, Guehi would have just been a long term replacement for Schar and short term cover for Botman. I think we have enough at CB for this season, barring another freak injury crisis, which is less likely without European football.

I don't think it matters that much, it's only very recently that people started talking about what side a CB plays and requiring a right and left footed CB. That was never even really thought of in the past.

Barnes has just played well there, I don't think that's the 'plan' and I'm disappointed that we haven't strengthened there but he is clearly capable of doing a good job at RW.

That was the player who decided against coming here at the last minute wasn't it? Not the same shit at all.

Not bothered about not signing him in particular, it was a lot of money for a CB who has some limitations. I don't think we're in that desperate a need of another CB this season, it would have be useful but not essential. I'm more bothered that we haven't strengthened at RW.

I think if they want to head off a negative reaction there needs to be more communication from the club about our direction. What's actually happening with the stadium and training ground, is the project still to be No.1 or is that no longer realistic under PSR restrictions? The vacuum of information is going to be filled with frustration and worry if they don't communicate those things to the fans.

We don't have any property we could sell at anywhere near enought to make a difference to PSR. We don't own the land St. James' is on and the training ground land wouldn't be worth more than a mediocre PL player.

"why is he still smiling!"