Doctor Zaius

Its absolute horseshit. Some clown from the The S*n completely blindsides everyone by claiming we've been sold and every other journo is running about trying to find out details. Clearly none of them know anything because the story is utter bollocks. Whether journalists are fabricating it or its based on false information, who knows but given the fact that its gone from a 'done deal' to 'in talks' tells you everything you need to know. This one has been bollocks from the start. No doubt it'll drag on and there will be radio silence or at best tiny snippets for weeks e.g Kenyon and Stavely and absolutely fuck all will come of it. It's funny how these things always crop up at critical times, like right before a transfer window or during negotiations to renew our managers contract. One would even suggest that the club aren't willing to give Benitez what he wants and this will provide a decent smokescreen to absolve the club of blame. Benitez will wind down his contract while these 'negotiations' are taking place and then it'll be too late to do anything.

Another Ashley false flag

Like what's down in Man City. ??

Couldnt have been sweeter this. I burst out laughing when it went in like.

Some meeting this like.

Mad to think Alan Brazil was once a professional athlete. Also, is this the worst dressed photo of all time? Laughably bad

Brilliant flag mind.

He was never a midfielder like. Ferguson trying to convert him a central midfielder and then that horrific injury ruined him. Prior to that he was a decent player.

Cant remember the likes of Jimmy McRamshackle from back in the 30's but in my lifetime Faye and Smith were the worst. Obertan shades it for me though, as highlighted by his career since leaving us. 8 games at Anzhi, relegated to L1 with Wigan and then onto Levski Sofia. Woeful, woeful footballer.

Nicky Butt was our player of the year in 2006/2007 yet he's somehow our WORST ever midfielder?

Passed away. RIP.

Nah. Home and away are segregated for a reason. If you're in the home end as an away supporter and you keep your mouth shut, then fair enough. Jump up and celebrate and you deserve to be ejected/given a hiding.

Whats gone on then exactly? I've barely followed it. Is it a case of asset stripping by an owner or what?

That Lawro AMA is class.

He was done up like a kipper by Ferguson. As was Benitez.

Can 7th in the PL ever qualify for Europe? Now that FA Cup losers don't qualify for Europe, if CL teams win the cups and no English teams with the European cups, does the final spot drop down to 7th? Edit: 7th gets preference ahead of the losing finalists. More devaluation of the FA Cup then. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47806720

I have no idea who Fred Rutten is, what he has achieved or any redeaming qualities he may have but due to the fact he's called Fred Rutten, he'll obviously be a massive failure.

I think letting him go will be the worst decision of the Ashley regime. Bringing in McClaren was bad but at least it had some degree of logic. Even bringing in Kinnear as DOF as a go between, kinda had some skewed logic, even though it was frankly ridiculous decision. Regardless of all the crap choices and player sales, we've genuinely got the best chance to progress now than we have had for 10 years. A calibre of manager we should be nowhere near and a squad that could be turned into the best we've had since we finished 5th. If he leaves it will signal the clubs ambition once and for all.

First and last days of the season are class but around christmas for me. Non stop football. I'd hate for them to introduce a winter break.

Lose and the're fucked I reckon. Draw or win and theyll beat Pompey to go up.

We’re not in debt. He owns the club, it’s his debt not the clubs. A club can’t be in debt to it’s owner, that’s just bullshit How cant it? St James holdings and Mike Ashley are two different entities? If the club owes Mike Ashley x amount and it is sold, it will still have to pay back whatever it owes to Mike Ashley with the agreed interest and payment structure. EDIT: I mean thats probably not how it works at all like, just the way I understood it.

Its nonesense for the most part. Tactical nous and the ability to carve out a style of play, where every player knows their role is far far more important. Solksjaer knows how to do neither. Creating a culture of hard work and professionalism at the highest order is all pàrt of the mix, but simply telling players to play with more passion or reminding them that they must play better because they play for Man Utdwont motivate them. Having said that though, Everton running 8Km further than them yesterday is something else.

Ed Woodward is the worst thing thats happened to that football club in recent years. OGS was a mental appointment. As a caretaker fair enough, while they search for someone more permanent but to give it to him permanently after a decent run is fucking bizzare. At least wait until the end of the season? Its a huge rebuilding job. Its way to big for OGS. Yet they've tied him down on the back of a decent run of form. Thats not to mention the contracts he's handed out in the last few weeks. From Van Gaal to backing Mourinho to the hilt even though his tactics were past it. Square pegs for round holes with the players brought in etc. Why the fuck is this plank still making massive decisions at the club? He's been an absolute disaster since 2013 for crying out loud. Long may it continue but its beyond belief like.

Two of the busiest weekends of the year in Newcastle too.

A full back whos decent going forward but cannot defend to save his life. Same as it ever was and not really good enough.