TK-421

Amazing how the rumours went from being after Piatek, to being after Giroud on loan, and then to Glenn Murray on loan. Its just so NUFC under Ashley, and you just know it'll be Murray we'll sign on loan, on deadline day. And Joeshinton will still start.

Nah, O'Neill made his debut in the mid-end of the 87-88 season (my first going to matches) under McFaul, and scored quite a few goals in a short space of time. Smith did however bring Wayne Fereday to the club.

Couldn't quite remember if he left or was sacked, but according to Wikipedia... With no prospect of promotion by March 1991, Smith resigned amid a boardroom power struggle at the club. and this article from the time... https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/0F91EB858C49200E&f=basic Attendances at St James' Park have fallen to fewer than 14,000, with chants of ``Smith out" echoing around the ground as the ageing side failed to establish itself in the play-off zone. Remember that Leicester 5-4 match. Me and a mate left at 2-4 to Leicester. By the time we got home on the bus, we'd won 5-4. Learned not to leave a match too early again! RIP Bald Eagle.

Yeah, Totalsport very similar last night. Loads of supporters ringing in to give Steve Bruce credit for the recent run/form, and Ando getting shirty saying that if Benitez had gone on this run he'd have been hailed a tactical genius, whereas many still won't give Bruce the same credit. Yet totally ignoring that the 'tactical genius' that is Steve Bruce, is basically using Rafa's tactics, since his own tactics got us humped 0-5 at Leicester. Also, one caller claiming that he likes Bruces' 'positive substitutions', which have changed games... yet (and I may be wrong) but does Bruce not just make 'like for like' changes, and never really attempts to change the formation or setup if it isn't working?

Because 'The Don' said they can afford to, and he wouldn't lie, would he?

But if you were a fan, you’d be hoping they can’t pay right? So the yanks get the club for fuck all? Or am I reading this wrong. I don’t see a downside to them not re paying Suppose it depends if FPP really want to be lumbered with a 3rd division club with dwindling crowds (damn you North Sea!), it Madrox default on the repayment. Here is some more detail from The Don, from todays Chronic... https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stewart-donald-explains-consequences-sunderlands-17253146

It's not just those buildings/facilities. 'The Don' effectively said if they default on the repayments, then FPP get control of the club - the deal is basically secured against 'The Club'. Yep- the shares in 'Sunderland Limited' (immediate parent of the operating company) are included in the package. If they fail to repay, the chancers are out and they won't get a bean. However in terms of structure of the security documents, that looks pretty standard secured lending. The club must still be bleeding cash even though Ellis Short has got his £40m in parachute payments so any remaining amount will be going to the club. I thought they'd said it was not a loan and therefore not repayable? Thats what they said to make it look like some rich Americans were just gifting them £10m, and before they'd realized that companies house documents would then be released showing the truth behind the 'Investment'. Hence, loads of mack-peddeling going on since then.

It's not just those buildings/facilities. 'The Don' effectively said if they default on the repayments, then FPP get control of the club - the deal is basically secured against 'The Club'.

'The Don' also confirmed that they (Maddrox) had a 2 year plan when they took over Sunderland. Year 1 - make the play-offs... year 2 - Promotion. So it seems they are pinning their plans/hopes on promotion or bust this season, and it'll be very interesting to see what happens if (hopefully when) they don't go up.

Once again, fans calling into Totalsport last night, claiming that the team is starting to settle and click with 'Bruces tactics', and the football is more expansive and more exciting to watch than under Benitez, now that Bruce is playing with 3 up front. Under Benitez we played a regimented one up front withn Rondon, who was isolated a lot of the time, apparently.

'The Don' was on Totalsport last night explaining this 'investment' deal... first time I've heard him speak, and he sounds very much like David Brent. He claims Sunderland fans should be happy with this 'investment' as all the risk is on Maddrox, the company he and Charlie Methhead own. So if they don't repay the 'investment', then the club in its entirety default to FPP, and it becomes "the takeover with new american owners that Sunderland fans were so excited about in the summer". By the time he'd finished, the SAFC fans forum member was right up his hoop again.

There was someone called Totalsport last night, stating how he was impressed at how animated Bruce was on the touchline, and the 'passion' he showed (kicking water bottles over and stuff!), compared to Benitez who used to just 'stand there'. Also stating how the players were now showing that same passion, and playing for him, as the results showed.

In fairness, the gazette and the chronic are both jumping on an article in todays The Athletic.... not sure which writer its from though.

For what its worth.... https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/mexican-group-confident-newcastle-united-takeover-deal-reaches-advanced-stages-920838

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/strawberry-place-plans-council-approval-17179890

Was just going to post the same... no signings during the window because of the 'takeover' uncertainty, followed by one or two last ditch loan signings before it closes, when the 'takeover' hasn't completed. Rinse and repeat. Also saw this earlier... Ashley in another legal battle, this time in the US... https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-7617373/Mike-Ashley-engulfed-100m-legal-battle.html

Was it not when Bruce was mackem manager, and probably living in Darras Hall... used to read about him always being 'in The Diamond', in Ponteland where Shearer allegedly goes too. He'll have been fan-boying over Alan, coz yer knaa, Steve 'bleeds black and white' and all that.

Like clockwork... though a little early this year... usually starts in October, doesn't it? /Groundhog Day Gif/

Love how that line has never died.

People say he doesn't care about protests or what people say about him, but that clip above proves the exact opposite. A discussion about the SD business strategy, and he still can't help mentioning 'panto villain' and 'picking the Newcarsel team'. He's rattled. He's as thin skinned as anything, and that clip should be fuel to the fire to ramp up the protests against him and his stores. Incidentally, on the 'picking the team' bit, I think he's either referring to the buying of players (Joelinton alleged to have been lined up since January) or trying to refute the idea that he tells the 'head coach' to drop certain players for the (not priority) cup matches.

Lyn Spencer. She was a teacher at my secondary school in the late 80's.

Was someone back in our office yesterday who left the company earlier in the year. Was taking of rapping his season tickets in when Rafa left (his and his sons), but yesterday was saying he'd renewed them when they signed Joelinton. Who wins again?

It's not a 'conclusion' that Shearer has come to... it was stated in Paul Ferris' book exactly how the conversation went down (re: the phantom groin twinge). Has he (Owen) ever or does he in this book refute Ferris' claims?

I seem to remember Shearer being linked to Liverpool in Sir Bobby's last season... its not as much of a secret as Little Mikey is making out, and clearly hoping it'll turn NUFC fans against Shearer. In fact, its as much of a secret as the fact that lil' mikey never wanted to join us. Surprised he hasn't mentioned or confirmed whether or not he was actually in tears when he signed for us, after his beloved Liverpool didn't come in and rescue him.