Sean

There's been nothing but silence from both sides during every potential takeover. This. And every time people say "the silence means somethings happening"

New takeover rumours every 3 months = not happening. Thought it would have been obvious by now.

Who exactly, thought that a takeover was going to happen like?

Yes lets all have sympathy for PL footballers at a time like this.

100%. I've met him a several times and he's a cracking fella and loves NUFC and would never have penned that article for clicks or without being given big assurances about it presumably from Staveley! Playing devils advocate here, but he's said he was holding the story back as it could damage the prospects of a sale. It is perfectly reasonable to assume his bosses have told him he can't hold it back any longer. It's not as if they have much else to print football-wise. Also, why the fuck would the PL need notifying that a deal is "close"?

Yeah this gets me too. Are they submitting something saying "we're talking, we may not reach an agreement, but it won't be Ashley's fault as usual..." or what?

Didn't Rafa get her involved too? That's my understanding, which is the only piece of info that makes me believe she could be genuine. But since then she's had a lovely curry and piss up with Mike and a mutual friend, so fuck knows what to believe at this point.

Don't do it to yourself, Paully. It'll be gutting if Caulkin has put this story out with no substance to back it up. Why didn't he just leave well alone ? He's got links to Staveley - there is no way he'd have penned that article without a lot of belief and inside info that this was happening - he always remains quiet on takeovers so it's a huge thing for me this! What I don't get though is that if the first 'leak' in January supposedly caused problems, why publish this story now? We know that Ashley is vindictive and likely to change his mind on a whim. For the sake of argument, let's say that it is close, why put it at risk by publishing this story? What's to say it doesn't piss Ashley off and he scraps the whole thing. Caulkin has his contacts and probably trusts the info he has. I just don't trust Ashley one iota and therefore don't think that this is happening. Caulkin has said previously that he believes Staveley is genuine based on conversations with her, but couldn't guarantee she was. That's my worry here, that there is a possibility she's been using Caulkin as he's trusted by fans. Yeap, I think she's not trust worthy at all. In which case the whole deal should have been dismissed by now, but the club seem to be going along with it. Having already called her a timewaster once, would be pretty cynical to let the rumours keep flying if they really believe that's what she is. You can't seriously expect this club to be honest can you? :lol:

Don't do it to yourself, Paully. It'll be gutting if Caulkin has put this story out with no substance to back it up. Why didn't he just leave well alone ? He's got links to Staveley - there is no way he'd have penned that article without a lot of belief and inside info that this was happening - he always remains quiet on takeovers so it's a huge thing for me this! What I don't get though is that if the first 'leak' in January supposedly caused problems, why publish this story now? We know that Ashley is vindictive and likely to change his mind on a whim. For the sake of argument, let's say that it is close, why put it at risk by publishing this story? What's to say it doesn't piss Ashley off and he scraps the whole thing. Caulkin has his contacts and probably trusts the info he has. I just don't trust Ashley one iota and therefore don't think that this is happening. Caulkin has said previously that he believes Staveley is genuine based on conversations with her, but couldn't guarantee she was. That's my worry here, that there is a possibility she's been using Caulkin as he's trusted by fans.

It's 2 and a half years (to the day I believe) that Staveley was first shown in the crowd against Liverpool. So her interest goes back before then, probably 3 years. Give it another 5 years and they might complete a deal.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

This, it has no real effect on me.

The Government, the PL, both fucking idiots happy to let this virus spread around until they're forced to act.

Nah, forget Sports Directs football company.

He's an Ashley signing. He wasn't signed for football reasons, so I can't really get my head around those that really want him to do well, and feel like they have to defend him against all criticism. It's defending Ashley's recruitment model in effect.

Nice.

People getting his autograph ffs I've given up on the club, it's too far gone. Maybe one day we'll have a club worth supporting, but the earliest that is going to happen will be when Ashley retires/sells Sports Direct/dies. He's under no pressure, and has no desire to sell. And the next takeover will be a load of shit as well, and people will still believe it too.

Just seen this. Gutted.

That's amazing :lol:

Anyone buy the line that "they're still talking" in regards a takeover? They've been "talking" for over 2 and a half years now. The only talking they can possibly have been doing for that length of time is laughing at the fans.

This. Dubravka too.

Now this is a sentiment I can get behind

The flaw in this very simple argument so many like to put forward is this: Word gets around, and if that is what has happened repeatedly, for over 10 years, then there must be a huge queue of insanely gullible billionaires out there. Which there isn't. Ashley isn't that clever. They would all know he has no interest in selling. He is however clever enough to plant a few silly stories in the press and have people believe his shit (see:BZG).