ExiledGeordie

This is essentially the main issue and has been for years under Ashley. We aren't a true sporting institution because we don't strive to achieve anything.

Sports Direct United

4-0

Is anyone really that surprised? (Sadly)

Ridiculous dive but equally stupid to put his hand anywhere near Salah

Lascelles cock up?

Rotating players during the busy Xmas period with fixtures in mind where a result is more viable, who'd have thought.

January is going to be absolutely vital if only to give Rafa, players and fans a lift and early signings would really help with these tough fixtures coming up. No doubt the club will be utterly inept as always and assume everything is absolutely fine despite everyone knowing we're still teetering on the edge.

You have to consider his belief and passion for the area first and foremost. He's managed (to a degree) to unite the fan base and give many something worth going to the match for. The complete lack of direction prior to his arrival with the likes of McClaren and Carver et al was absolutely dire. That said he isn't beyond criticism and is too negative at times especially at home. I genuinely believe that if he had the players in that he wants you just can't measure how much of a difference a proper striker, goal scoring speedy wingers, full backs who can attack and a full on proper number 10 would make.....especially at home. Sure we'd alsways be resolute and difficult to play against but we'd be able to be so much more expansive. Under the ridiculous circumstances he's working under I think he's doing an incredible job with what is a squad basically full of bang average players. He's barely had a penny to spend!! Very difficult too judge how he might/might not do with the utter shambles above screwing him ever window.

We are approaching the end game, Rafa is sending out his final warnings to Ashley.

I think that’s a decent match report by Taylor

It’ll be interesting to see what the fat fuck does if he blows this or has just fabricated it all. Rafa isn’t going to stay so what’s he going to do? If it’s more of the same in january it’ll virtually confirm Rafas departure (if he isn’t already off) God even those most passive fans might be stirred into action if there’s obviously no takeover or signings in januray.

If this happens as you say it’ll make walking away from nufc into exile again very easy

They are pretty fit, tbf. ?

That's how I feel. We've got enough resilience defensively and Rafa knows how to get the points. Rondon is scoring but I guess him staying fit and what happens in January will be key for the second half of the season. Proper recruitment in Jan (don't laugh all at once) could end any lingering relegation doubts

Rondon should be licking his lips at the thought of this defence

I have to say after an initial bit of natural excitement and looking out for tweet updates and news stories I've completely lost interest again until something concrete happens. Boring as fuck the whole thing

Will he not see it as unsustainable for his vile model of spending as little as possible to stay in the league? The average net spend of PL clubs this year has been around £43m which he refuses to match. His refusal to match that whilst promoted clubs are spending that or more means relegation struggles which we would be dead and buried in if not for Rafa. Rafa is gone if Ashley remains. Is he not trying to get out at the maximum profit he can to focus on his shitty retail without having the bother of us going after his shite shop? It's the only real reason I can come to regarding him actually selling and not lying again. Based on the speculation and the mild optimism in the press, I do feel that he is trying to get a deal done to sell the club. He will only spend money on players if we have the money physically in our account, and will not speculate to accumulate. If he does speculate and say sanction deals for club record fees, then he is doing what he has never done for this club - pay going rate, pay in installments, structure deals like every other club does. Yep. From the people I've spoken to in the MG, they've been advised it's legit, like. It's not a case of there being no potential buyers it's whether Ashley is going to be a cunt and move the goalposts. The is my biggest fear, he could have the right deal on the table but rather than accept it, change the asking price or make sports direct advertising for 5 years compulsory type nonsense. Must be an absolute nightmare to deal with

Sell up, fuck off and let's start again. Jesus

He was woeful today to be fair

Luke Edwards is as sceptical and realistic as anyone but does seem that it's genuine so there's faint hope.

I think it's just in built to now assume any new bit of sale talk is bollocks even if there is something genuine in it. My only hope is the with Rafas contract up end of the season this might force the issue a bit. Ashley doesn't want to put any money but if Rafa leaves the value of the club goes down, club loses stability and he'd have to pay for another manager to come in. I'm just hoping this pushes him towards finally selling up.

I just don’t believe anything will happen, we’ve been here so many times before. I wouldn’t even put it past Ashley doing it as a pre Xmas fucking wind up to get back at fans for protests.

Dead in the water if you ask me. I noticed some animosity to some fans coming in late with the protest. In fact I bizarrely half expected some kind of sneer or words though they never came. There is too much apathy or lack of collective will to believe anything will change. I was pleased I did it but it all felt pretty futile really which is a shame.

Seems fairly depressing that people's reasons for not doing it are because "what's the point, it won't work" How will you ever know if you don't try? I still certainly wouldn't hold it against those who decide not to but it just seems a bit of a shame if people just follow the "won't work" argument. The recent run if results has probably killed it to be fair and poor showing with the walk in v West Ham will set the tone sadly.