Smal

Yeah, nobody can refute that more investment, jobs etc. in the area isn’t a good thing. I don’t think it makes you a hypocrite to welcome that. Where it has come from is not good but it is an unstoppable (for us, individually) symptom of the exaggerated capitalism we live in.

Why do you think Mike Ashley has sold the club?

This kind of sportswashing is evident even in this thread. Ironically on other forums the only people I've seen defending this takeover are... Man City fans. There is also the other side of sportswashing that Saudi Arabia get to entrench themselves within the UK economy. Strengthening their position at the table. It's a thing. Ultimately people are free to support their football club how they want. If you want to/can differentiate the football side from the political side then that's fine. But there isn't a moral case for defending the political side of this takeover, so it's frustrating when people even try to.

I just cannot see the justification that because the UK sell weapons to SA them taking over a football club is also fine at all. Unless of course you're pro selling weapons to Saudi Arabia so that they can continue their war crimes? Both are wrong. Really wrong. Two wrongs don't make a right and all that. The fact that people want to move this discussion to another board because they don't want to hear about it and want to shut down discussion is equally depressing.

I would respectfully challenge the narrative that fans don't get a say in who their owners are. I think it's a shaky argument at best and at worst I think it's possible you may be lying to yourself about your true feelings. Yes it has taken a long time to get rid, but why do you think Mike Ashley has sold the club? Were it not for fan pressure he would have a cushy number owning this football club for a number of years to come. Could we have stopped this takeover if we wanted to? Absolutely. The truth is that most fans aren't bothered and just want the money and to be rid of Mike Ashley. That's fair enough, but fans could have stopped this takeover if they wanted. If anything it's only happening because the fans were so desperate for it.

I’m not conflicted about the takeover. I’d flat out rather it wasn’t happening in all honesty. Of course I’m delighted we’re rid of Ashley and all the misery that comes with it, but yeah… I don’t feel an ounce of excitement about this at all. It’s completely wrong on every level in my opinion. I was already boycotting the club and fairly numb to it so not a lot has changed for me personally really. I don’t have that “I’ve got my club back” feeling that others have. Having said all that though, I have kind of managed to come to terms with it because ultimately; a) the amount of people it has brought happiness to in the NE is awesome and b) what can I do about it? There isn’t a wider desire to do anything about it. All I can do is hope it brings happiness to the fans. I feel like I should also point out that I’m not judgemental at all of anyone who disagrees with me. It is a silver lining for me that others are able to enjoy their club again after 14 years of absolute shit.

Can we get Bielsa please.

I agree like but how will you feel if/when we see thousands of fans turn up to the Spurs game dressed in Saudi garb waving Saudi flags?

Same. I’m happy that so many people are giddy as fuck. Genuinely delighted for everyone. I’m as numb to it as I was before though. Cheering on an NUFC financed by sportswashing murderers is honestly not something I can see myself doing. That’s no judgment on others for wanting to… like I say I’m happy that others are happy.

Fantastic assist from ASM.

We actually try and apply a bit of a press in this strikerless diamond formation.

Least athletic player I’ve ever seen. Only player who gets close is his brother.

Us not having a midfield looks like a fairly obvious issue.

Could be a back four with Hayden in midfield? I know, I know…

Am I the only one who though we played pretty well? One mistake from Walker and a shite clearance from Mount away from another very solid win and performance.

Btw are we going to be one of those teams where opposition think the best way to beat us is kick us off the park now? Seems to be every team we come up against us trying to bully us.

Rice/Phillips combination is getting better and better.

Or, you know… Foden, Rashford and Sancho are injured.

Can’t see this ending 11 v 11

Been some decent play into the midfield/forwards but then poor decision making at the end. Think we’ll get it right eventually.

He is very good when he plays this aggressively.

He did assist the first goal the other night tbf

It’s been a tragic game, but it really doesn’t matter what happens in these games.

Well this has been a hard watch . Andorra just booting us off the pitch to waste time.

Playing pretty well considering Southgate has ruined these players.