ExiledGeordie

It's the lack of communication that worries me. He seemed to suggest in interviews that he wasn't genuinely in the dark as to why nobody was signed in Jan. Maybe he knew more than he stated, who knows? I just think if he has a sense that he's going to be undermined anymore he'll be off as there'll be loads of clubs after him. My fear is also based around Ashley's ego and his inability to hand over control to someone who knows what they're doing and accept that his methods don't work even in the face of clear evidence.

I'm afraid I'm the same, I think it'll be all the cloak and dagger stuff from Ashley and Benitez won't get the assurances he needs. If Benitez was to go it would comepletely kill off all interest in nufc while Ashley is there. Agree with Michael Martin, many would desert in droves, at least many of the regular hardcore that remains. Ashley's playing a dangerous game but if is ego gets the better if him again this could be his most costly decision.

That's what I've just been thinking. Had key players missing too

Cunts they're going to win this

Yeah the crux of the argument was a bag of bollocks

That's my fear too. Ashley treats the club like his business portfolio, he can't ever not be in control of something even if he's clueless. Complete egomaniac

I'm much more confident going into these games with Gayle returning soon, Diame back and presumably Atsu not far off A couple good results in the next two away games would set us up for two winnable home matches. Then it's those 3 tough away fixtures and if we come through those without losing our position too much I think we'll go up.

Yeah I'd like to see that too

Be great if Gayle is back for this. Hanley to retain his place? We'll probably need his physical presence

If Rafa is forced out due to the same old bullshit that forced Keegan out and shafted Hughton, only to bring in some yes man manager with the aim of hovering anywhere from seventeenth up if we got promoted. Begs the question, why on earth would you go to St James? Utterly pointless.

Seems very realistic

We made 30m profit in the summer man and they wouldn't part with a few million with potentially 150m on the line. This has Ashley all over it ffs

I have a bad feeling about this

He's all over the shop at the moment

That was dogshit

It will all be very coded I reckon

I think it'll happen too but if it doesn't and they've refused to pay a 2m loan fee offset against the known riches of the prem promotion would secure then I think this raises some serious questions moving forwards.

Give the amount of money to be made going up, if they pull out over what's being mentioned I think it does signal the beginning of more real issues at the club with Ashley. Definitely worrying stuff

He's not good enough and will be gone in the summer but seems to have a cult following becaus he gets radged up now and then. Murphy over him any day of the week

Spot on. Murphy is testamount to Rafa's belief in the right mix of players including older players with experience. It's a timely reminder to Ashley with first hand evidence he can see for himself.

Just hoping for a comfortable, routine win. Confident Murphy will continue to step up, knows how to mix it in this division.

He excelled under Benitez and would give us more of that offensive threat we'd be missing. Ohmelads is spot on above about cutting noses of to spite faces regarding any potential return.

FairPlay to Brighton but pathetic from Wednesday to lose that from the position they were in

2-3 weeks is nothing for a hamstring and great news if that's true. They can easily become chronic and go on for months.

It would be a mind boggling fuck up on Ashleys part, let's just hope it's rubbish. Moving back to a system which has been proven a failure contributing to two relegations, yeah ok.