ExiledGeordie

We'd have to have no major injuries and Rafa work his magic to stay up from here. I think we can judge the team properly over the next 6 games after these initial tough fixtures. Muto was a positive yesterday but we just lack any firepower. Ashley is staring at a 3rd relegation and will HAVE to spend in Jan to avoid it (yawn been here before) 7/10 at present

I actually thought we might lose this so let’s take the point and move on. There’ll obviously be some ridiculous over reactions though

Didn't the club shit it when there was the demonstration/walk out live on tv v Spurs a few years ago? I totally agree drawing negative attention to sports direct outside the ground is crucial but the negative publicity on live tv with an empty or emptying East stand and other areas would be huge if it was done properly.

I think Rondon has to start today, need some more power up front against them today

What's he saying?

My hope is that continued fan pressure/protests and negative press combined with the attention house of Fraser will require will push him towards a sale end of season. I guess we'll have to see how much of a gambler he is again this season. He knows without Rafa the clubs value drops massively and is very likely to go down without him and further investment. He either has to sell up or back Rafa to protect his investment. He's proved in the past he goes for the most absurd option however.

You just have to hope that this investment in hof and which is going to devote a serious amount of time combined with continued pressure from protests and bad press might finally push him to giving in and selling.

What a cock, ffs

Couldn't believe what I was hearing from Shola then, fuck me

Completely pointless embarrassing PR letter of which you'd hope most fans would see through.

I actually think we'll be alright again as longer as we don't get too many injuries. Doesn't hide that this window has been another absolutely disgrace from Ashley. Completely expected as ever though. End of season it'll all unravel when Rafa leaves.

Rattled!

He loves sticking it to the fans, anything to wind us up, genuinely convinced of that now. He also hates anybody who has a bond with the fans and wants even a modicum of control (see Hughton, Keegan, now Benitez) to do their job. Complete control freak who can't bare anybody not being a yes man and dancing to his tune even if in this case it makes perfect football sense and would actually make him money. He also thrives on the apathy of fans in accepting that he might be here for good after s decade of this shit which has worn most down. Absolute cunt of man who is destroying the club and seemily goads the fans in knowing he can get away with it. I'd love to see the bastard run out of town but just can't see it happening with not enough sustained pressure. Our only hope is the faint glimmer of a takeover. Quite what he thinks when Benitez leaves, loses value with him gone and likely hurtles towards the championship with some idiot in charge. I guess the fans will be in uproar but he'll probably get off on that. None of it makes sense but then I've just come to the conclusion he's an egomaniac cunt.

Seems like this is Ashley's perfect scenario to truly try and break Rafa. Surely though this type of thing would form part of a case a la Keegan if he did something like this? Impossible working conditions etc

This is what annoyed me when I heard Ando on total sport last night. He was saying everyone is just hoping someone comes in and buys the club because we're stuck with Ashley. That's the reason he's been here for a fucking decade because he's been allowed to get away with it and knows he can continue to get away with it! The recent Twitter stuff has clearly had an affect because you see all the bollocks PR articles come out as the Bishop machine goes into overdrive.

Something about the Andy Carroll feel about this

What a gutter 4 months at the earliest to get back running, 6 months out minimum

I’d be amazed if Rafa sanctioned a sale, he knows how important the lad is for the club right now. Sure if he continues to develop and has played a good few seasons its inevitable that someone might come in for him. Right now we need to keep him. The cunts above might try and push this through though with terrible consequences

If Ashkey cocks up and Rafa goes then that'll be me done with the club until Ashley goes whenever that is. I lost interest before and stopped going when we had the continuum of utter dross as manager and usual bollocks at board level with transfers or lack of. It wouldn't even be a hard choice, the soul will have been ripped out of the club once again

Very little chance from what I've been told by mate who knows one if the backroom staff Same source that said the takeover was done? Goal posts moved by Ashley over the takeover? Possibly. But it was never ‘done’. Fair point, likewise I don't feel there will be a takeover now either. I don't think Rafa will stay from what I've heard today sadly.

Very little chance from what I've been told by mate who knows one if the backroom staff Same source that said the takeover was done? Goal posts moved by Ashley over the takeover?

Very little chance from what I've been told by mate who knows one if the backroom staff

He won't hand over control to Rafa, looking unlikely he'll stay

Which means Ashley is primed for another colossal cock up and probably his greatest ?? Jokes aside the man is a legend, hope the club does something even vaguely correct and gives him a proper budget and control.

I'm afraid I have absolutely zero faith in Ashley and fully expect him to completely derail things imminently. It's just happened too many times over the years