ExiledGeordie

There's more pressure than on them I think. The way we are playing we're set up well for away games. Ritchie is in fine form and Atsu really seems to be coming on and adds real pace to the side. I can see this being a draw but we have the players to win it no doubt. They'll get very nervy if it goes a while in the match without them making any impact. Be great to see Joselu bag one after last week, would do loads for his confidence.

Presumably he'll sell once he decides he's not making money from it/not worth the hassle and then gets an offer close to what he wants? He's been here 10 years, he must be doing quite well out of us otherwise surely he'd have made greater efforts to sell a long time ago.

His latest action is his worst yet given we actually have a proper manager in charge for the first time since Keegan or Robson. He's shown again he absolutely doesn't give a f*** and won't change.He will continue to exist as long as he likes with a full St James Park, he's shafted fans and managers (well not the yes men obviously) for a decade. A series of co-ordinated walkouts creating continued negative publicity for sports direct on tv would be the only thing that might get him into either a) changing his ways somewhat or b) stepping up attempts for a sale. People ranting on social media amounts to absolutely nothing. This won't happen however.

There'll still be plenty fans going even if Rafa walks

He should walk, no point in staying. The fans would understand anyway even if there's attempts to put ridiculous spin on it

Good to see him score but the usual moronic dickhead on show throwing an elbow which may yet result in a ban. Seems he'll never learn.

Spot on

Totally agree, I'm as cynical as the best if them, but ffs the amount of folks on here that seem to want to remove all possible hope from the season is crazy. Ashley is a dick, we have a squad with holes in it but we have a world class manager who can get the best out of players. Seriously this is about as good as it's been under Ashley, if you can't at least hope for a season where you can truly get behind the team, then why bother at all. Give up, go watch the darts or something. Why should it be enough that we have a world class manager? Why can't we build a side to properly compete? Are you so worn done by Ashley overs the years that you happily accept finishing 17th? I don't expect millions snd millions spent i expect us to compete with West Brom, Watford et al for players. But now we can't afford a striker circa 15m or genuine quality to help keep us in the league and properly stabilise. Ashley's latest comments are just farcical. Comparing us to Man City??? Blaming a lack of stadium naming rights deals when his company is plastered all over the stadium. I'm looking forward to the Spurs game and I'll be watching and cheering them on. It's the same old rubbish from up top though, the same rubbish that was happening TEN years ago to Keegan. So ofcourse people are going to be p*ssed off about this latest rubbish.

Pack up and go home shame shit...........after 10 years

Scrabbling around for loan deals, dear oh dear.

When the fans walked out over those couple matches a few seasons ago, that didn't look good on the cameras and the board definitely took note. I agree though, there won't be enough of this t make a difference. Mind if it goes tits up and Rafa walks there'll be the proverbial chaos, be interested to see what happens then.

There's something in this line of thought, actually. He seems to be the only owner constantly being caught off-guard by transfer "packets," wages, commissions and all. What world has he been living in? He's watched every single club pass him by it seems. f***ing nuts. He clearly knows nothing about football and fails year on year to learn from his mistakes. If he dicks Rafa around to the point where he's off at Xmas and we're languishing near the bottom of the table we are basically completely screwed. He stands to risk millions but for some basic sensible decisions on transfers. I've never understood this about Ashley and never will. His methods have failed miserably and even when presented a chance with a top coach he's seemingly making life difficult. I genuinely believe he thinks the fans will turn up whatever and just doesn't really care either way Agree with this except I don't think they're mistakes. I think it's all very deliberate. Makes it worse cos you know it'll never change but that's the situation we're in. I guess he looks at balance sheets and nothing else.

There's something in this line of thought, actually. He seems to be the only owner constantly being caught off-guard by transfer "packets," wages, commissions and all. What world has he been living in? He's watched every single club pass him by it seems. f***ing nuts. He clearly knows nothing about football and fails year on year to learn from his mistakes. If he dicks Rafa around to the point where he's off at Xmas and we're languishing near the bottom of the table we are basically completely screwed. He stands to risk millions but for some basic sensible decisions on transfers. I've never understood this about Ashley and never will. His methods have failed miserably and even when presented a chance with a top coach he's seemingly making life difficult. I genuinely believe he thinks the fans will turn up whatever and just doesn't really care either way

I'm looking forward to seeing a Rafa side in the prem and will enjoy it while it lasts but you just get the feeling it'll go belly up sooner or later with the morons at board level. The next few weeks will be interesting to see if they at least bring in a decent striker, keeper, midfielder and/or full back. Striker is absolutely vital though and you think if they piss about and go past the window with only Gayle and Mitrovic that'll be the final signal to Rafa

Justin Barnes a barrier to progression, well there's a fucking surprise eh A financial lawyer who knows nothing about football holding up transfers

Great that we've gone into the transfer market with such gutsy excitement recruiting key players already Hats off to Charnley and those above for the tenacity

I have it on good authority that three different players were set to sign end of June (Abraham was one of them) but Charnley got clever and moved the goalposts. Basically penny pinching and wouldn't cough up. All three fucked off and Rafa close to walking. Sounds like same old shit to me, just different year

It doesn't inspire me with much confidence when Atsu is the only player we've signed and we're waiting on Gouffran. Sounds like there's been stuff going on behind he scenes. I hope a load of quality players start rolling in asap but i hope it's just frustration in the market causing the delay a step opposed to something more sinister.

10m already earmarked for Thauvin. We'll generate 20m easily

I'm here mate. Been a long time coming this and I'm under no illusions, it'll be a hard league to get out of next season. Without investment? I hope the young lads step up. Our U23 side is in a final. They must have something. With/Without Moyes? I must be one of few who think sticking with him is the best option. He was dealt a s*** hand both at the start and throughout this season. Hasn't helped himself I admit but I think he could build something. I feel pretty apathetic towards this, pretty 'meh'. My shift change has recently allowed myself to get a season ticket again next season for the first time in four years. I'm looking forward to going to every game again and a weekend away in Leeds with some of the lads off my Sunday league team. Still my team, I'm disappointed, it's not the end of the world I think Moyes was dealt a bit of a shit hand but he's been been so dour the way he's come across. He just doesn't seem to have inspired or organised players one iota. Normally you'd say you lot can't change the manager again but you just get the feeling it's going to be more of the same shit with him there. No idea who else's you'd go for though

Spot on. For example a proper attacking left winger carrying a goal threat, a proper Number 10 and solid, experienced centre half would make a huge difference. Shelvey and Ritchie would get so much more space to operate in if we have a proper number 10 and left winger.

I think he'd take 70m plus players sales

It's just so great having someone like him as manager. A class act who identifies with the fans and region. What a difference to the horrendous ego driven nonsense of Pardew

The absolute worst cliches are being thrown about already. Jason whopper Cundy for example on talk sport last night. These characters just throw out these age old cliches about nufc "think they're a big club" "demand too much" "will expect champions league next season" blah blah blah There's very few who talk sense

Assuming Ashley doesn't fuck this up again and Rafa is backed properly I just can't wait to see the players he gets in to fit his system. Watching a well drilled Rafa side with genuine quality and ability will really be something