TK-421

"Newcastle are ‘still working’ on a deal to sign Strasbourg star Ibrahima Sissoko, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon. Nixon reported back in October that we were ‘close to an agreement’ over the 6ft 4′ midfielder, while Sky Sports confirmed we’d held talks, and it seems we are still pursuing a potential deal for the 22-year-old. A fee in the region of £10-£13m was mentioned when reports of our interest first emerged a few months ago, but Nixon’s latest update claims we’re haggling on price and looking to sign the powerhouse at a knock down fee." Whilst simultaneously putting as many hurdles and conditions in place, for anyone wanting to sign Gayle. Its just so NUFC.

https://twitter.com/EPLBible/status/1214963182294511624

"the significant investment by FPP" It's Investment, Marra... honest Must remember to thank Halifax for significantly investing in my house... Its amazing that 'The Don' (under questioning during an interview on the show) admitted on BBC Newcastle that it was actually a loan secured on the club, but now he's getting stick again, the official line (in that club statement above) seems to be that it's an 'investment' again. Pure charlatan, that bloke.

"the significant investment by FPP" It's Investment, Marra... honest

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.