Andymc1

That looks excellent. I go to a normal quiz on a Wednesday and we were talking last night about finding a football/sports quiz. I know the Chillingham on Chillingham Road were going to start one on Sunday afternoons after Super Sunday had finished but they haven't confirmed anything. That looks like a good mix of question though - some I wouldn't have a clue on to be fair.

I dont know what people have seen that makes them have a good opinion of him. He was awful against Liverpool and Sunderland. Scoring a goal shouldn't mask what was a poor defensive showing, including schoolboy defending when standing still appealing for offside. I know everyone likes to have a local lad playing and trying his best but he is massively out of his depth.

When he played in Scotland he was just a bang average SPL player. Even at conference level for Gateshead he didn't really stand out from the rest, he just looked comfortable at that level - granted I only seen him for Gateshead 3/4 times. When he has played for us I think he has been awful - especially in the game he scored v Liverpool he was all over the place and he got really lucky that Sturridge wasn't on song. I may be being slightly over critical but I don't think he's good enough for this level. He's 22 year old and has played for us in 3 league games, he'll be another in a long list of players who waste their time trying to get into a PL team instead of going out and getting himself a full time club. He'll still be here at 26/27 with about 25 appearances to his name.

Not really. That's his level, he'll never be a Premier League regular. See Huntington, Edgar, Ramage, Kadar and Tavernier will be another.

Dummett is useless. League 1/SPL footballer.

He's paid £200m for unlimited advertising. It's like an all you can eat deal, he's winning big style from it. Some opinions re:advertising are staggering and quite worrying.

I'm only speaking from a personal point of view but I don't watch a match in our stadium and see their signs and suddenly think 'I must pick those cheap shin pads up next time I'm passing SD', in the same way I don't think 'I must change to Barclays Bank' every time I hear about the Premiership or neck a can of Carling every time I hear about the 'Carling Cup'. Perhaps it's part of a wider SD campaign (?) but I think it's affect would be negligible in terms of the bigger picture footfall numbers. That business, in the midst of a recession, was only ever going to grow and rapidly at that. A blind man could see it. Cheap stuff when people have less money, during Olympic time etc. I don't think a boat load of banners at the ground had any bearing on that. It's not meant to be hypnotizing you into immediately dropping a couple grand on Lonsdale Boxers, it's giving you an awareness of the company. So when it comes to you needing X, the first thing you think of is Sports Direct. It's the same as that WEBUYANYCAR bullshit. You hear that filthy f***ing advert on the radio, and you hate every c*** responsible for it. But then as soon as you want to get rid of your 30 year old Vauxhall Nova, WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM ANY ANY ANY ANY Understand that but does a brand that's xxx% cheaper than anyone else in their market, on every street corner, in a sector where they've pretty much got the monopoly actually need the exposure he's gained from NUFC, including all the negative stuff too and is that actually dragging more people through the doors than if it weren't the case? As already explained, I used to by sports equipment from online stores and the odd time JJB. Now, I don't think twice about it - straight to SD. This isn't by chance. JJB is gone and SD (I assume, don't shop there) is probably the cheapest outlet online for this stuff? Surely you would've stumbled upon it anyway - no? I would have continued to use Pro Direct Soccer. Without the adverts I never shopped there, with the adverts I regularly go there. It isn't rocket science - why do you think so much money is spent on advertising if we'd all just 'stumble upon it anyway'? I'm not talking about advertising more widely, more the specifics of SD given their monopoly and the discussions around MA's reason for buying us. If we were only ever going to be an advertising vehicle, surely he would've done some proper due diligence to ensure he wasn't buying the worlds most expensive clothes horse? A quick google search shows that Chanel paid $33m for a two minute commercial NINE years ago. Two minutes, two whole minutes. Whilst I'm not suggesting the Chanel is on the same level as SD - it does go to show how much advertising can cost. Ashley has had 5 years of adverts and exposure.

I'm only speaking from a personal point of view but I don't watch a match in our stadium and see their signs and suddenly think 'I must pick those cheap shin pads up next time I'm passing SD', in the same way I don't think 'I must change to Barclays Bank' every time I hear about the Premiership or neck a can of Carling every time I hear about the 'Carling Cup'. Perhaps it's part of a wider SD campaign (?) but I think it's affect would be negligible in terms of the bigger picture footfall numbers. That business, in the midst of a recession, was only ever going to grow and rapidly at that. A blind man could see it. Cheap stuff when people have less money, during Olympic time etc. I don't think a boat load of banners at the ground had any bearing on that. It's not meant to be hypnotizing you into immediately dropping a couple grand on Lonsdale Boxers, it's giving you an awareness of the company. So when it comes to you needing X, the first thing you think of is Sports Direct. It's the same as that WEBUYANYCAR bullshit. You hear that filthy f***ing advert on the radio, and you hate every c*** responsible for it. But then as soon as you want to get rid of your 30 year old Vauxhall Nova, WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM ANY ANY ANY ANY Understand that but does a brand that's xxx% cheaper than anyone else in their market, on every street corner, in a sector where they've pretty much got the monopoly actually need the exposure he's gained from NUFC, including all the negative stuff too and is that actually dragging more people through the doors than if it weren't the case? As already explained, I used to by sports equipment from online stores and the odd time JJB. Now, I don't think twice about it - straight to SD. This isn't by chance. JJB is gone and SD (I assume, don't shop there) is probably the cheapest outlet online for this stuff? Surely you would've stumbled upon it anyway - no? I would have continued to use Pro Direct Soccer. Without the adverts I never shopped there, with the adverts I regularly go there. It isn't rocket science - why do you think so much money is spent on advertising if we'd all just 'stumble upon it anyway'?

I'm only speaking from a personal point of view but I don't watch a match in our stadium and see their signs and suddenly think 'I must pick those cheap shin pads up next time I'm passing SD', in the same way I don't think 'I must change to Barclays Bank' every time I hear about the Premiership or neck a can of Carling every time I hear about the 'Carling Cup'. Perhaps it's part of a wider SD campaign (?) but I think it's affect would be negligible in terms of the bigger picture footfall numbers. That business, in the midst of a recession, was only ever going to grow and rapidly at that. A blind man could see it. Cheap stuff when people have less money, during Olympic time etc. I don't think a boat load of banners at the ground had any bearing on that. It's not meant to be hypnotizing you into immediately dropping a couple grand on Lonsdale Boxers, it's giving you an awareness of the company. So when it comes to you needing X, the first thing you think of is Sports Direct. It's the same as that WEBUYANYCAR bullshit. You hear that filthy f***ing advert on the radio, and you hate every c*** responsible for it. But then as soon as you want to get rid of your 30 year old Vauxhall Nova, WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM ANY ANY ANY ANY Understand that but does a brand that's xxx% cheaper than anyone else in their market, on every street corner, in a sector where they've pretty much got the monopoly actually need the exposure he's gained from NUFC, including all the negative stuff too and is that actually dragging more people through the doors than if it weren't the case? Edit - surely £200m could buy loads more 'exposure' if it's required? How many people watch Premier League football? The amount of exposure is phenomenal. By owning a Football Club he is hitting his target audience. A sports stadium/club is the best place to advertise a sports shop.

I'm only speaking from a personal point of view but I don't watch a match in our stadium and see their signs and suddenly think 'I must pick those cheap shin pads up next time I'm passing SD', in the same way I don't think 'I must change to Barclays Bank' every time I hear about the Premiership or neck a can of Carling every time I hear about the 'Carling Cup'. Perhaps it's part of a wider SD campaign (?) but I think it's affect would be negligible in terms of the bigger picture footfall numbers. That business, in the midst of a recession, was only ever going to grow and rapidly at that. A blind man could see it. Cheap stuff when people have less money, during Olympic time etc. I don't think a boat load of banners at the ground had any bearing on that. It's not meant to be hypnotizing you into immediately dropping a couple grand on Lonsdale Boxers, it's giving you an awareness of the company. So when it comes to you needing X, the first thing you think of is Sports Direct. It's the same as that WEBUYANYCAR bullshit. You hear that filthy f***ing advert on the radio, and you hate every c*** responsible for it. But then as soon as you want to get rid of your 30 year old Vauxhall Nova, WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM ANY ANY ANY ANY Understand that but does a brand that's xxx% cheaper than anyone else in their market, on every street corner, in a sector where they've pretty much got the monopoly actually need the exposure he's gained from NUFC, including all the negative stuff too and is that actually dragging more people through the doors than if it weren't the case? As already explained, I used to by sports equipment from online stores and the odd time JJB. Now, I don't think twice about it - straight to SD. This isn't by chance.

Pre takeover I'd never been to a SD store. Post takeover I've been in numerous times for football equipment. This isn't by chance, it's because I've became aware of the place and what products it sells. I only knew this information due to the adverts in newspapers/tele/SJP. I'm one of millions in the same boat.

I'm only speaking from a personal point of view but I don't watch a match in our stadium and see their signs and suddenly think 'I must pick those cheap shin pads up next time I'm passing SD', in the same way I don't think 'I must change to Barclays Bank' every time I hear about the Premiership or neck a can of Carling every time I hear about the 'Carling Cup'. Perhaps it's part of a wider SD campaign (?) but I think it's affect would be negligible in terms of the bigger picture footfall numbers. That business, in the midst of a recession, was only ever going to grow and rapidly at that. A blind man could see it. Cheap stuff when people have less money, during Olympic time etc. I don't think a boat load of banners at the ground had any bearing on that. It's not meant to be hypnotizing you into immediately dropping a couple grand on Lonsdale Boxers, it's giving you an awareness of the company. So when it comes to you needing X, the first thing you think of is Sports Direct. It's the same as that WEBUYANYCAR bullshit. You hear that filthy f***ing advert on the radio, and you hate every c*** responsible for it. But then as soon as you want to get rid of your 30 year old Vauxhall Nova, WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM WEBUYANYCAR DOT COM ANY ANY ANY ANY

I can't agree with you. You're arguing that advertising is pointless - it's an outrageous argument.

I think they had included all the exposure and every time Newcastle were mentioned in the paper he was referred to as "Sports Direct Tycoon". It wasn't solely relating to the adverts at SJP. I don't know how accurate it is myself but I dont think it will be far off, he's been here quite a long time now.

No debate that he has taken free advertising for Sports Direct, but how do you arrive at a value for the advertising of more than £250 million? It was some financial expert from Goldman Sachs that was on Talksport about 3-4 months ago talking about footballing finances. He was on about how well Ashley had done purely from a business point of view and how the growth of SD and his own current wealth was rising in a tough time for most other large businesses.

Hate to bring this up, but hasn't NUFC almost always spent all of its own money or more, made a significant loss and needed subsidy from the owner or the bank? all created by his own spiteful childish self Well not all, because we were financially f***ed before he arrived as well. But anyway, no point in going back through this whole debate. As per my post above, he is in profit by a long way through NUFC. To believe he has spent anything is naive.

He has used the clubs position to his strength and although he may have 'spent' £250m (roughly) on us directly, he has had a lot more than that figure back out the club indirectly through free advertising for Sports Direct.

Dummett shouldn't be anywhere near the Premier League unless it's based in Scotland. The best option is to play MYM at full back and bring Colo back in at centre half.

Someone in the pub today said that it was Debuchys 5th booking this season today. Can any of you football know it alls confirm this? Will he be suspended v Norwich?

Any bookie will match odds if you message them. Ladbrokes shop in Felling had Suarez first goal at 7/2 the other week and one of the lads went in saying it was 5/1 on Paddy Power. The shop rang head office and gave him 5/1 straight away.

Was excellent. There was a few Ajax fans on there who were expecting a quiet ferry home (they'd been playing Man City night before) - in the end they were running round deck singing about Shola Ameobi at silly o clock in the morning

This. Absolutely ruined by the time we got back to the town centre. Luckily found an off licence around the corner from that mini square that sold Strongbow, that sorted me out.

Wish I'd never actually went to the game. Felt like I had to walk about 10 mile there and 10 mile back with no sign of a taxi anywhere. My feet were in bits by the time we got back to the square but then the rest of the night was superb.

Man Utd Real Madrid Bayern + Mandzukic Wolves + Doyle. £4.10 returns £174.