Shays Given Tim Flowers

People seem utterly convinced we're going down without the takeover happening in time for substantial investment this month. To be fair I might have said the same a couple of weeks back. Bit more relaxed about it now. We do need some signings, but we've shown we're capable of getting results even with the current squad. Suppose what would change that is if the other strugglers bring in their own improvements and we're left behind. What worries me the most about relegation is how our performance against Stoke was probably us at the ceiling of our ability. 1-0 winners against a very poor Stoke outfit who had some very good chances.

Wouldn't be ideal but as we would have a reasonable chance of relegation with Ashley remaining I'd prefer a reasonable chance of relegation with a new owner.

You mean buy us in time to make their own signings and keep us up? Yeah, so reports are that the valuation is apart and there were issues over relegation clauses. Ashley will want maximum sale price and no relegation clause. If he refuses to allow PCP to 'help' in January he essentially puts pressure on PCP to quickly agree to his value and waive relegation clauses so that they can provide funds for investment to reduce the risk of relegation. I understand the argument but only a buffoon would come up with it in a serious negotiation: "I will offer you 5k for your car" "8k" "Maximum I can do is 6k. Take it or leave it" "8k or I'll f***ing crash it against that brick wall" "..." The analogy is understandable but doesn't really apply. No/minimal investment in January is risky but it is not akin to smashing the car into the wall. If it is a mechanism to force PCP to terms it may be that investment follows if PCP walk away. At the moment the January window is potentially leverage for Ashley and this may well be a bit of brinksmanship. I think the analogy works as it is. The club getting relegated will not hurt PCP as they would just walk and buy Southampton or some other club. They don't have a vested, real interest in NUFC yet, like Ashley has. Ashley stands to lose a fortune by not strengthening. Threatening to run the club into the ground to attempt to force someone else to buy it at a higher price is not leverage in my book, it's idiocy. We clearly represent a specific opportunity that they are interested in. You wouldn't try and buy a club or anything from Mike Ashley unless you were serious about it. Ashley stands to lose a fortune by not strengthening, well yes if the club is relegated and never returns to the premier league he will lose a fortune. This idea that he has to sell now is just untrue though. Even if the club is relegated, lets say we return to the Premier League the next year, how much value has the club lost? To a potential investor we remain the same opportunity as we are now. It may be that the TV deal is more lucrative at that point so we may actually be worth more by default in 2 years time. I'm not saying he doesn't want to sell, I suspect he does but he also wants the price that he wants for the club and I suspect he wants that more.

It's also worth keeping in mind that each relegation has been overcome relatively easily. It has also given Ashley the opportunity to put his feet further and further under the table as he 'loans' the club money. If TV deals keep on increasing exponentially then there's not a massive rush for Ashley to sell.

You mean buy us in time to make their own signings and keep us up? Yeah, so reports are that the valuation is apart and there were issues over relegation clauses. Ashley will want maximum sale price and no relegation clause. If he refuses to allow PCP to 'help' in January he essentially puts pressure on PCP to quickly agree to his value and waive relegation clauses so that they can provide funds for investment to reduce the risk of relegation. I understand the argument but only a buffoon would come up with it in a serious negotiation: "I will offer you 5k for your car" "8k" "Maximum I can do is 6k. Take it or leave it" "8k or I'll f***ing crash it against that brick wall" "..." The analogy is understandable but doesn't really apply. No/minimal investment in January is risky but it is not akin to smashing the car into the wall. If it is a mechanism to force PCP to terms it may be that investment follows if PCP walk away. At the moment the January window is potentially leverage for Ashley and this may well be a bit of brinksmanship.

You mean buy us in time to make their own signings and keep us up? Yeah, so reports are that the valuation is apart and there were issues over relegation clauses. Ashley will want maximum sale price and no relegation clause. If he refuses to allow PCP to 'help' in January he essentially puts pressure on PCP to quickly agree to his value and waive relegation clauses so that they can provide funds for investment to reduce the risk of relegation.

A lack of additions in the January window may well be Ashley's way of making PCP come to terms.

Don't think its too much of a leap of faith to infer that there is still clear water on the purchase price. Certainly would explain why it has been difficult for PCP to make any funds available for this window. PCP investing in the window would in theory increase the chances of NUFC staying up which in turn would increase the value of the club and as such increase the purchase price MA wants for the club. The uncertainty surrounding the league status makes it a tricky negotiation for both sides

Arseholes

It's offensive like. He should get s*** for this, doesn't matter how old you are at the time you shouldn't they spouting crap like this In the context of what can constitute homophobic abuse it’s right down the bottom end. Aaron’s should perhaps be spoken to and challenged on his views if still present but really doesn’t merit much more than that. Very unfair for much more of a punishment for something tweeted 5 years ago.

It’s stupid but it’s not particularly offensive.

If the takeover happens, you probably won't be able to get onto the site tbh Daves got all of our phone numbers for this situation.

Benítez is often cautious to a fault. He knew what he was doing, no injury, next round, next.

Lee Bowyer was in the same Birmingham League Cup Winning side as Martins.

Awww man :'(

He's a decent little finisher.

He works well when there is some pace in the team.

The man is a colossus. He clearly retains the confidence of all these players. It's a poor squad and the youngest in the division too. His reaction when we were denied a penalty was to calmly instruct the players back into position. In the circumstances that shows just how experienced and in control he is. So fortunate to have him at the club during this dire period of ownership.

I like him. If we stay up this season will have done him the world of good.

YABBA DABBA DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

F U C K

Jacob Gutierrez

Yep Just wish he had a higher tempo. Seems to take an age to get the ball under control and or release it. He's playing well. We're playing well. Good to see us have some menace going forward.