Geordie Ahmed

There is that as well. The guy just doesn't give a shit, someone described us as a zombie club and that's really apt. Requires no investment from Ashley and it just coasts along.

It's staggering when the options are to believe either Ashley or Staveley (plus Caulkin) that people will still side with Ashley.

For me it's simple, either believe Staveley (don't truly know a great deal about her) or Mike Ashley (self confessed liar and we've seen numerous examples of this), I know which I'm going with.

I'm sure he'd take some joy out of selling us to a shitter owner, however it's all about what he can gain from it, so best offer wins. Unfortunately there hasn't been any serious offers to consider. Or there has been serious offers BUT he isn't really interested in selling?

Based on Dennis Wise scouting the lad knows how to ping a ball.

They've shown in the past when the will is there then deals can be done (a rarity no doubt), it's not an issue of incompetence, the issue is they have no intention of making significant transfers. Charnley is very limited, where a decent chairman/director can help in terms of commercialisation I'm not sure he can BUT that suits Ashley, the club is run on a shoestring and Sports Direct get their free advertising.

They say they're in talks with releasing it on other platforms BUT no confirmation yet. Also they've said they are limiting it to 1 screen use at a time, which depending on the price might not be worth it. Rules out being able to share a subscription with someone.

The article is typical of Ashley and his media chums, trying to lay the blame for this lack of spending on Rafa, which is absolute nonsense. Only one man to blame and that is Ashley. Conveniently none of these media people are asking the question as to why it matters whether Rafa signs, surely investing £100mill into the team is of benefit to the club regardless of who the manager is, unless of course it's all lies (which it will be). As for why Rafa doesn't sign and then sue Ashley, why on earth should he have to go down that path? That will cost him time and money that he shouldn't have to spend. I apportion absolutely 0% of blame to Rafa when it comes to our pathetic transfer activity and it's a shame if people don't see it that way.

What shite would that be?

Sadly Ashley has the skin of a Rhino - he'll not give a shit People keep saying this BUT we've seen that he does react when things get taken up a notch. Also a lot of fans (obviously has to be a significant amount) staying away will definitely have an impact, the difficulty is convincing people that staying away is in the best interest of the club long term. Finally whether it has an ultimate impact on Ashley is somewhat immaterial imo, this is about self respect. This isn't the club we love, somewhat aptly described it as a zombie club. The analogy I like to give people is that you wouldn't pay someone to punch your kids so why pay Ashley to damage your club?

Rafa nails it when talking about investment being linked to his contract extension. Normal football clubs invest for the purpose of improving and getting better, that investment should be done regardless of who the manager is or how long he is planning on staying. It just sums Ashley up and the stupid games he likes to play. I think Ashley's heart giving up is probably the best we can hope for otherwise we'll be stuck in this rut for many years to come.

Unless we're missing something BUT that's what I was thinking too?

Not massively disappointed, he didn't quite make the step up to this level that I thought he would. The concern I have is that it's another body we need to replace and we know how successful we are at signing players. Also think it's canny pathetic of people to doubt his intentions and questioning his reasons. Let's accept it for what it is BUT also let's make sure we don't just sell on the cheap (although not sure how much that matters since Rafa won't see it)

Not enough

I'm sure they're doing it in parts so holding sessions over a number of days. Don't think it would have been safe to unleash them all at once.

Nah, think that's a bit too much. They were absolute dogshit last season and they weren't that far off staying up. Although it's a poor standard league and getting out shouldn't be an issue the business they've done so far isn't great. Hopefully they get off to a shocking start and then the fans can turn on The Don.

Courtois wants to go back to Madrid to be closer to his kids so not sure he'd join Liverpool Though it's imperative Liverpool buy a top keeper, Karius will just cost them important points. They should go for Oblak if they're not willing to pay what's needed for Allison

Aye Barca have done well out of that. They could do with shifting Andre Gomes as well.

I read that it's a one year loan with an option to buy next year, the amount more than Barca paid last year.

He met the Russian Newcastle fans last week so must be

Could have sworn they play for Liverpool and Everton and not Sunderland. Guivarch won the World Cup just before joining us BUT it's hardly something we try to link to ourselves. They're really tragic.

High standard of penalties so far

Chance to make up for his awful performance wasted

What a shot and save

Sums Ashley up and shows he'll be up to his usual tricks again. Why on earth does Rafa signing a contract matter when it comes to spending money? Surely an ambitious owner (yes I know) would want his team to be strengthened regardless of who the manager is. Reality is if Rafa signs a contract Ashley will screw him over.