Sean

We still don't even know Ashley can't pull out. Staveley has said he can't, but that's not proof. We're a long way from being sold still.

I'm convinced this will fall through. Convinced by what? You're not. You think it will fall through because it's the most Newcastle thing to happen, which isn't based on anything going on right now. Well aside from us, nobody wants it. Literally every other club, pundit and fan wants this to fail. Not because its us, but because they don't want another rich club and because they genuinely don't want the Saudis involved in the league either. The piracy concerns are genuine, and that could put a spanner in the works depending on what has been handed to the PL. Likewise, the Sheff Utd conflict of interests thing could be used against us. It's pretty fucking obvious that if the PL want to block this, there's some ammunition around for them to do so. And they will be under enormous pressure from all the people listed above to do just that. I think our only hope was that it went through quickly. Now that it hasn't and that furore has gathered around it in all quarters, I think our chances diminish every day. And those days keep ticking by. I'd be delighted to be wrong, utterly overjoyed. But I am at this stage convinced this will fall flat on its face, yet another in our catalogue of times something nice nearly happened. So yeah a tiny bit "Most Newcastle thing to happen", but largely based on what I'm observing. This will fail. These are all genuine concerns, despite the majority laughing at anyone expressing these views. As you say, time will tell.

It's almost like it's a massively complex and detailed legal process involving multiple parties occuring during a totally unprecedented international health crisis. In that case why was it supposedly done and ready to announce this week then? I bet it's still going on in 2 weeks time which will show it was never close to been done this week Have we ever had a definitive statement that it was going to be announced on X date? Excluding the litany of bad tits who talk utter shit on Twitter, the best we've had are leaks about the buying side being optimistic to certain journalists that have always been massively caveated. It was only last week Caulkin uttered the words 'takes as long as it takes'. The last weekend in April Caulkin said "once the PL give approval, which they will, very soon" and said the buyers were told it would be approved by the middle of that week (29th/30th April). Now they speak with much less certainty, just saying "it will take as long as it takes". Their info is coming from Staveley, who can hardly tell George she isn't confident of passing the tests.

It's almost like it's a massively complex and detailed legal process involving multiple parties occuring during a totally unprecedented international health crisis. In that case why was it supposedly done and ready to announce this week then? I bet it's still going on in 2 weeks time which will show it was never close to been done this week It was actually Wednesday 29th April Staveley's side were briefing journalists they thought they would get approval. 2 weeks ago tomorrow.

Love it

what a load of shite

He's giving us the buyers side of the story. Whether that is "being straight" isn't down to Caulkin, it's down to how reliable his sources (Staveley's camp) are.

They are not holding it back because of lockdown ffs. And project restart wouldn't explain why it was nearly done 2 weeks ago, but now keeps facing new delays. People need to stop making scenarios up in their heads.

Oh well, at least the buyers still remain confident eh. Although they haven't been very good with their predictions over the last few weeks (or years) You're absolutely desperate for it to fall through No, Im actually as desperate as we all are for it to happen. Just haven't been 100% certain of it happening like your good self. The only time you comment man is when an alleged issue arises Thats because Im bored of you quoting my posts. Ignore me if me posting annoys you so fucking much

Oh well, at least the buyers still remain confident eh. Although they haven't been very good with their predictions over the last few weeks (or years) You're absolutely desperate for it to fall through No, Im actually as desperate as we all are for it to happen. Just haven't been 100% certain of it happening like your good self.

I could be wrong, but has copy been added to the original Guardian story? I didn't catch the above bit the first time I read it, and it appears to be a very important caveat. The buyers can hardly leak to the press that they think they'll fail though can they

Oh well, at least the buyers still remain confident eh. Although they haven't been very good with their predictions over the last few weeks (or years)

Turn off the swear filter (or stop adding asterisks) - it helps get your anger across better, and is also more fun to read

Riveting.

I wouldn't get ahead of yourself. If you were looking to buy a club you'd know whether you wanted a new training ground etc long before even bidding. Like Mike did. Doing what Mike did isn't a good thing surely?

I wouldn't get ahead of yourself. If you were looking to buy a club you'd know whether you wanted a new training ground etc long before even bidding.

Also mentioned Pochettino being approached but that’s not for this thread. Why would someone from the club know who the prospective new owners are talking to ffs. Its almost as if its bullshit.

Also mentioned Pochettino being approached but that’s not for this thread. Why would someone from the club know who the prospective new owners are talking to ffs.

Means its well designed and probably cost a few quid to build Please keep going

You're meant to tell us 'MASSIVE UPDATE AT 10!' first. Hype things up a bit.

Fucking hell, the bio.

It seems to all boil down to how reliable his sources are. It doesn't really bare thinking about about what happened 2 1/2 years ago. His source is almost certainly Stavely or someone very close to her, considering he’s the one journalist who interviewed her. Yep, it was last time also though. She led him to believe she was going to buy us, then the next thing was Ashley's "timewaster" statement. I hope its a happier ending this time. His interview with Stavely was after it had already fallen apart last time. She was Caulkins "source" throughout that whole affair, just as she is now. Ok. I’m not entirely sure of the point you’re attempting to make? My point, or my worry, is that Staveley is saying Ashley has no way of scuppering this deal now. Ashley's side have planted something via Luke Edwards that by the end of this week "something could happen" if this isn't complete. Now we hear it won't be complete this week. I hope Staveley is correct in that it is a "done deal", but we've been here so many times in the past (including once with Staveley herself), only for it to unravel. I have some doubts that it's as simple as she is leading us to believe. I've often felt that you've shared my level of cynicism Sean, but even I believe that now, there is literally nothing that Ashley can do (without huge expense, and possible litigation, to himself so I don't think that'll happen). It's 100% a PL thing now. It might all still fall apart of course but it won't have anything to do with Ashley. I'll admit it's probably nerves more than anything, but I can't be fully convinced unless Staveley had actually shown Caulkin the contract, which I don't believe she has. I'll be unbelieving till the end I think sadly