Sean

Plus the American consortium, the Mexicans, was there Chinese mentioned also at one point? :lol:

Whether it happens or not, you are twisting the facts (probably because you really want it all to be true, as we all do). This is far from being a certainty. The club confirmed their statements to be true. I'm standing behind all of that other than the fit and proper persons test bit but it was assumed this process would begun ASAP. Since when has our club been a bastion of truth? Also, I thought Charnley wouldn't know fuck all about this? And you're going to ASSUME that they will start soon? Why?

It isn’t confirmed as far as I’m aware but BZG said that they are awaiting the ‘so-called fit and proper test’ and are ready to assist the PL with it. Think Ashley is the one who has to submit the actual forms with the PL. So the statement that didn't actually say it's started? They said documentation has been submitted to the PL and that 'The so called fit-and-proper Premier League process is a standard procedure which will take time, and we are doing all we can to assist the Premier League during this process'. To me that indicates yes it has been started. Nah. They didn’t say it had been submitted. As I said, fans are so desperate for this to be true that they're twisting things in their minds to be positive news. We need to be cynical where this club is concerned, as if the last 10+ years haven't happened.

It isn’t confirmed as far as I’m aware but BZG said that they are awaiting the ‘so-called fit and proper test’ and are ready to assist the PL with it. Think Ashley is the one who has to submit the actual forms with the PL. So the statement that didn't actually say it's started? They said documentation has been submitted to the PL and that 'The so called fit-and-proper Premier League process is a standard procedure which will take time, and we are doing all we can to assist the Premier League during this process'. To me that indicates yes it has been started. It's vague.

Whether it happens or not, you are twisting the facts (probably because you really want it all to be true, as we all do). This is far from being a certainty.

It might happen, it might not. The rest, none of us actually know the truth, same as with Staveley and Kenyon. Theres just so much smoke and mirrors around us though, I'm sick of it. We all just want us to be a normal, well ran club. Imagine being able to make signings in the timeframe of other clubs, rather than the way we take a month to pay Lejeune's release clause for example. I remember the feeling of deflation when Stanley's bid failed, as I was just starting to believe it was happening. There were HUGE noises that it was going to be completed, then he calls them time wasters. I'm not putting myself in that position again.

It isn’t confirmed as far as I’m aware but BZG said that they are awaiting the ‘so-called fit and proper test’ and are ready to assist the PL with it. Think Ashley is the one who has to submit the actual forms with the PL. So the statement that didn't actually say it's started?

Where is it confirmed that the fit and proper persons test has been triggered? Or is this just assuming from something?

I think a lot of fans want rid of Ashley so badly that they're twisting every bit of info so that in their heads its all positive. Things like "journalists who are sceptical are just jealous they missed the scoop" - ignoring the fact that extreme scepticism is absolutely needed with Ashley. And especially when it comes to supposed takeovers. The position we need to take is to call it out and say we will believe it when it happens. We've seen this stuff fall apart far too many times before. Remember a few days ago we were already sold, it was a done deal ffs. Now? Starting to look like our bi-annual takeover saga that drags on for a couple of months...by which time Rafa's contract has ran out. Why? Because the process and takeover haven't been completed in the six days since the story broke. You're letting the journos whip you up into a state where if there's no official statement for a day or two then ITS OFF. It'll be completed, fat man is gone, just wait for the announcement when it's actually finished and ignore the clueless media. Its nothing to do with the journos, its the frequency of failed takeover attempts at this club. Has to be a record. Fingers crossed this one happens, but I can't believe until he's gone. I had these same arguments over the Kenyon deal...everyone said it was definitely happening (even ITK's being nudged by people close to the deal etc). He's still here though. No they didn't because he couldn't raise the funds. Some might of hoped, but there was never any indication that the deal was anywhere completion. When did Kenyon release a statement saying, the fee had been agreed, proof of funds supplied and sent to the PL for the fit and proper test. Fans' groups called off protests to help the 'takeover' last time (who exactly asked them to do this?). Also Kenyon was reported to have agreed a fee in principle: https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/12/mike-ashley-agrees-300m-deal-in-principle-to-sell-newcastle-united-by-instalments-report/ Theres only a suggestion that BZG have agreed on a price too. It can still go the same way as the last one. And Kenyon released a letter thanking Mike for being so good to deal with, you couldn't make this shit up: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/revealed-peter-kenyon-letter-mike-15633013 All I'm saying is, why are people so sure we're gonna be sold? OK, this might be a bit further, but theres still every chance it will go the same way as previous takeovers that never happened.

I think a lot of fans want rid of Ashley so badly that they're twisting every bit of info so that in their heads its all positive. Things like "journalists who are sceptical are just jealous they missed the scoop" - ignoring the fact that extreme scepticism is absolutely needed with Ashley. And especially when it comes to supposed takeovers. The position we need to take is to call it out and say we will believe it when it happens. We've seen this stuff fall apart far too many times before. Remember a few days ago we were already sold, it was a done deal ffs. Now? Starting to look like our bi-annual takeover saga that drags on for a couple of months...by which time Rafa's contract has ran out. Why? Because the process and takeover haven't been completed in the six days since the story broke. You're letting the journos whip you up into a state where if there's no official statement for a day or two then ITS OFF. It'll be completed, fat man is gone, just wait for the announcement when it's actually finished and ignore the clueless media. Its nothing to do with the journos, its the frequency of failed takeover attempts at this club. Has to be a record. Fingers crossed this one happens, but I can't believe until he's gone. I had these same arguments over the Kenyon deal...everyone said it was definitely happening (even ITK's being nudged by people close to the deal etc). He's still here though. Frequent? This is the third. Oh sorry I forget loads of owners try to sell their club 3 times in 18 months, find real serious buyers, but just can't do a deal. Yes, frequent. Yes but two incidents of failure, dont mean the third will be. And yes, someone who is trying to sell something, may try to sell something more than once. Well I don't believe he's really been trying to sell it. Shit, I want to sell my house if anyone will pay me double the going rate.

Yep, he would have had a list of names fully scouted by the time the season ended no doubt. And this is the only bit of 'good' news about him. 28 days to go...

I think a lot of fans want rid of Ashley so badly that they're twisting every bit of info so that in their heads its all positive. Things like "journalists who are sceptical are just jealous they missed the scoop" - ignoring the fact that extreme scepticism is absolutely needed with Ashley. And especially when it comes to supposed takeovers. The position we need to take is to call it out and say we will believe it when it happens. We've seen this stuff fall apart far too many times before. Remember a few days ago we were already sold, it was a done deal ffs. Now? Starting to look like our bi-annual takeover saga that drags on for a couple of months...by which time Rafa's contract has ran out. Why? Because the process and takeover haven't been completed in the six days since the story broke. You're letting the journos whip you up into a state where if there's no official statement for a day or two then ITS OFF. It'll be completed, fat man is gone, just wait for the announcement when it's actually finished and ignore the clueless media. Its nothing to do with the journos, its the frequency of failed takeover attempts at this club. Has to be a record. Fingers crossed this one happens, but I can't believe until he's gone. I had these same arguments over the Kenyon deal...everyone said it was definitely happening (even ITK's being nudged by people close to the deal etc). He's still here though. Frequent? This is the third. Oh sorry I forget loads of owners try to sell their club 3 times in 18 months, find real serious buyers, but just can't do a deal. Yes, frequent.

I think a lot of fans want rid of Ashley so badly that they're twisting every bit of info so that in their heads its all positive. Things like "journalists who are sceptical are just jealous they missed the scoop" - ignoring the fact that extreme scepticism is absolutely needed with Ashley. And especially when it comes to supposed takeovers. The position we need to take is to call it out and say we will believe it when it happens. We've seen this stuff fall apart far too many times before. Remember a few days ago we were already sold, it was a done deal ffs. Now? Starting to look like our bi-annual takeover saga that drags on for a couple of months...by which time Rafa's contract has ran out. Why? Because the process and takeover haven't been completed in the six days since the story broke. You're letting the journos whip you up into a state where if there's no official statement for a day or two then ITS OFF. It'll be completed, fat man is gone, just wait for the announcement when it's actually finished and ignore the clueless media. Its nothing to do with the journos, its the frequency of failed takeover attempts at this club. Has to be a record. Fingers crossed this one happens, but I can't believe until he's gone. I had these same arguments over the Kenyon deal...everyone said it was definitely happening (even ITK's being nudged by people close to the deal etc). He's still here though.

I think a lot of fans want rid of Ashley so badly that they're twisting every bit of info so that in their heads its all positive. Things like "journalists who are sceptical are just jealous they missed the scoop" - ignoring the fact that extreme scepticism is absolutely needed with Ashley. And especially when it comes to supposed takeovers. The position we need to take is to call it out and say we will believe it when it happens. We've seen this stuff fall apart far too many times before. Remember a few days ago we were already sold, it was a done deal ffs. Now? Starting to look like our bi-annual takeover saga that drags on for a couple of months...by which time Rafa's contract has ran out.

Ive been asking these questions for a while, it stinks.

"Ready to move on from Rafa"- a clear sign that if this guy is legit he is also legitimately fucking stupid. He's not legit is he? No-one could be that fucking stupid.

It's not deliberate, but the rules seem to have been unofficially changed by officials so that it doesn't have to be deliberate anymore

Same as ever.

No....No he hasn't. People give bishop way too much credit he isn't that powerful and he isn't that smart Isn't how smart? How clever do you think someone needs to be to plant stories in the papers ffs? Also, lets pretend Rafa won't sign up on Ashleys terms, what do you think Bishop would suggest? Tell the fans the truth? Especially when as a fanbase we are so fucking easy to con. From the very start I've been suspicious of this, the main reason being why now? Just as we were meant to be signing Rafa up long term. It stinks. To fake being an Arabic consortium though? Howay man. Im not saying they're faking being them, no-one knows whats really going on, I just have massive doubts that this is our way out of the Ashley nightmare. It's just all so bizarre. It's only at this club under this regime that the news of "NUFC has been bought!!!" would turn to "they might have an agreement on price, but they might not have even made a bid. Not happening any time soon etc"...its how all the other supposed takeover attempts started/continued. But can anyone answer why the news leaked just as we were meant to be securing our world class manager to a new deal?

No....No he hasn't. People give bishop way too much credit he isn't that powerful and he isn't that smart Isn't how smart? How clever do you think someone needs to be to plant stories in the papers ffs? Also, lets pretend Rafa won't sign up on Ashleys terms, what do you think Bishop would suggest? Tell the fans the truth? Especially when as a fanbase we are so fucking easy to con. From the very start I've been suspicious of this, the main reason being why now? Just as we were meant to be signing Rafa up long term. It stinks. Then you add in the character and history of our owner, and our bi-annual "takeover talks" and surely even our most optimistic fans must question this?

This is exactly the sort of shit Ashley would try to pull. Rafa wouldn't fall for it, but if he left and got blamed for a takeover collapsing, enough people might fall for it to continue filling the stadium. On a related note, how are Rafa's contract talks going? It's not like this would have came out of the blue to the club just the other day, so why the fuck did we spend a week talking to Rafa to not conclude anything? Its suspicious as fuck. Especially given this regime's history, all of which gives cause for concern.

There's no way this Bin Zayed Group would want to lose face with an aborted bid, as the concept of personal dignity, honour and protecting one’s reputation is very important in the Middle East, particularly in the business world. That was always my impression of the culture over there, was quite surprised to hear that anyone with any sort of connections high up would be involved in bullshit like fake bids. well aye but its already happened before with Liverpool Also with their $2billion Telangana investment agreement too. Always full of promise but is there ever actual proof of investment with these lot Where can we find the talk of it being a scam that you alluded to earlier? This is a bit of a comedy show at the moment..will he, won't he? Does he have the cash...doesnt he? Who is he even (to the journalists at least). Does he even give 2 fucks about Rafa? What have his companies actually done? No-one fucking knows a thing. To be honest all this talk in the media from them isn't a very good sign going forward if this does actually turn out to be true. Coming across very amateurish....a bit like their website. That is a fucking HUGE red flag surely.

If true looks like they have pulled the pants down on Ryder and co again regarding sources. We're they not the only ones who also had the exclusive on Ashley and Staveley in the same restaurant for the alleged meeting/dinner. The curry house photos were set up. A PR stunt basically. As this supposed takeover may well turn out to be too. We don't know much, but to ignore the past is foolish in the extreme when it comes to this club.

I think you are wrong, but don’t blame you in the slightest. It's just been so many years of repeated lies, media et al all going along with it that it will probably take a while if it ever happens for me to fully believe it. Its got me so cynical.

The default position of each and every fan to rumours of takeovers should be to instantly dismiss it as bollocks (owing to past history, which keeps repeating itself over and over). This looks shady as fuck. Gone from "clubs been sold" to "nearly sold" to "hasn't given proof of funds" to "we want to complete this as soon as possible" to "wont be done till after Rafas contract has run out". A blind man can see its been a piss take from the start surely I'd love to be wrong, but this is my default position with this club and cunt of an owner. Am I wrong to think this way?