Sir Toon

Scenes when Ashley does another interview with David Craig to say he's not selling.

How would that work if they turned out as bad as Ashley? Would we have to boycott petrol to repent our sins?

That Karen Brady looks like the wife with the blackboard on the owld BBC test card. That Stavely looks like a typical neglected barn lass, so nee three-bies on my agenda...

Ive resigned myself to this scenario for the next few takeover links over the next ten years, so im laid back about this. It's at best just a page filler through the usual repeated click bait sh'ite that we get through the international breaks.

Wonder if she paid for her ticket as Ashley supposedly knocked the freebies on the head.

If that banner has a message on that says Rafa is the best manager we've had here since Sir Bobby then we're fu'cked...... #MissingB

Exactly. Nowt to see here. As long as Ashley is associated with SD, we're stuck with him. All just another rung of the PR ladder.

A striker is top of the list as it may be the difference between David Prutton doing the predictions over Paul Merson.

I must be missing the point of a non-disclosure agreement if people are saying some have been signed. I call bullsh1t.

How can Rafa realistically plan for the next two windows when all his planning in the last two were for nothing? Its still all about rebuilding trust and promises. nothing more nothing less.

Wonder if we'll bring out an anniversary shirt like Liverpool did with the all black one?

Wonder if the club is short of pens as he's been ready to sign for a week now.

Im sure I read somewhere that Ashley is meeting Rafa soon or did I dream this?

A transfer cant be based on starts as a relatively young unknown entity to the league having to start 20 out of a possible 38 games in arguably the toughest league in Europe would be some going. May as well have no clause in as it's like Dortmund saying they dont want him to be sold.

Even before a ghost left his body, his corpse would still do a better job than Pardew.

A potential banana skin as Sly Sports will be on the Rafa bandwagon predicting that the fans expect Europe etc.

Smoggy Graeme Bailey reckons Nobby Solano is taking over as boss of Gillingham next week.

On paper this game is perfect to continue the momentum but in the real world there couldn't really be a harder game to come. A team that will be set up to play similarly to us with the added extra of diving bodies or players potentially leaving a foot in. It'll be the usual case of a team trying to play the crowd up here in expectation that it will turn. The majority wont but there's always the odd numpty group that is quick to change their opinion or be of the type that believes the media shite. Hopefully that wont be on match day. Still cant see Shelvey getting a start which means it's one more game closer to Merino either getting that permanent deal or Ashley putting the block on him being chosen. Barring injury, confirmation of either could come around Christmas. If we get a team that plays it one game at a time and keeps the attitude of us against the world then that'll do for me. The result then wont be far away.

Once Merino improves his shooting then his potential will be right up there. Reminds me a bit of Hamaan .

Has the feeling of a younger Dieter Hamann to be honest. Comes in as a bit of an unknown, only to impress. Then before you know it, the season is done and he's off to another English club with a sweetener for us and a premium for Joe Bloggs Uncle. The only difference here is that we dont own him yet so maybe we'll get an extra season out of him before his move to Liverpool.

That transfer window idea is utter sh.ite in reality. Absolutely nowt would change for us with the fear of a few being sold just hanging that bit longer with no sweetener to fall back on in a purchase. Just get the whole of Europe to start their seasons on the same weekend and close the window both in and out a couple of days before. The Winter window just plainly for the whole of January. Surely a Summer window open from the end of May until the middle of August is long enough without adding to the confusion with geographical differences. Maybe something for FIFA to impose?

Been very quiet today in what was supposed to be Rafa's first day back at work since the window shut. Seems strange that there's been nothing said of it unless ive missed it.

Surely this thread should be locked now as all rumours have been proven to be shite.

Looks like the typical type that get snared by Dark Justice.

It isn't just Ashley that needs questioned though because there are many complicit to the whole charade. The likes of Charnley get away with murder for supposedly being out of the loop but he's a shite deflector and has no real terms in his job. Sky's 'Craigy'. David Craig is another that knows the score but is willing to peddle the guff that Ashley wants out there. Also the premier league is accountable for allowing this sort of thing to be created in the first place with unattached owners coming in and making decisions that hurt decades of tradition or in some cases over a hundred years of history ripped up, just in the name of lining their pockets or promoting their tat.