TK-421

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.

Had a bit of back and forth with someone who commented on one of my FB posts last night... my post being about how Ashley is now splashing the cash, and maybe he should have backed Benitez in a similar manor. Some of the replies i got from this person... About Ashley letting Benitez go: "Maybe Ashley saw something we couldn't" About Benitez: "He left both liverpool and everton under a cloud, my opinion is if he wants to run a club he should maybe buy a club" Yeah, i know.. everton?? "I'm just being positive for the forthcoming season I loved Raffa but hes gone, time to move on mate" "maybe this is the catalyst for a successful future, positive thoughts produce positive results" "Look at the shite our neighbours down the road have gone through,the hardcore are still loyal through and through" That last one is almost like he's trying to justify what Ashley does/has done, and saying he/the fans should just keep going because at least we aren't in the 3rd division. Truly brainwashed.

So they've also put up a new turnstile sign, which doesn't match any of the other existing signs all around the ground. So are they doing them all or just that one? Again, just smacks of what it is... a quick, probably cheap fix/tart up, that won't be followed up elsewhere. And that wall might look worse as its is probably soaked after last nights rain. At least the black paint hasn't washed off. Yet.

Pastie, more like!

Guessing the signage needs planning as its illuminated. Wonder if they are going to paint/replace those sh*tty brown doors, which also stand out a mile, now. Haven't seen the column they painted 'in the flesh' yet, but on that 2nd picture (behind SBR), it look like it might be grey to match the cladding above?

Yep, same. Just keep thinking... why didnt they back Rafa with that sort of money/investment? He was given Joselu. I mean, we know why... its the transfer model, simply back to the way it was under Pardew, with players using the club as a stepping stone... something Rafa even came out against. And the fee... £35-40m for a not very well known, not very prolific player. But then again, we want £50m for longstaff.

Heard that last night... 'Maurice' a regular caller.... also said he used matchdays as a 'day of bonding' with his son.... because aye, theres literally nothing else to do on a weekend/midweek night. He even came out with the line that whilst he supports the team, not the regime, he was still going to renew his (and his sons) ST's.... missing the point completely... I was shouting at the car radio.

From Fans Forum minutes, 23rd September 2013 Yep, nowt to do with Ashley, that. And since that, Ashley has come out in an interview and said that the aim is to win a trophy... And he won't leave until he does And since he said that, we won the championship trophy. The C**t is still here.

From Fans Forum minutes, 23rd September 2013 Yep, nowt to do with Ashley, that.

Just drove past on way home. Paintwork looks better from a distance, put it that way! They also painted Bobbys statue plinth the same, and the front wall of ghe next staircase up from Bobby. Can't understand the bits they've done, unless they intend to do all the rest, otherwise, its just going to look a mismatch of black next to dirty beige stone/blockwork.

Aye, the black really brings out the scruff in the beige next to/around it.

Before. And after, I believe... he was offered it again when Souness left, and we ended up giving it to Roeder.

Of course the black is also making the scruffy grey metalwork and cladding above look even worse now!

Oh aye, they're just painting around the signs... Haven't even taken down the ground level (reachable) stadium map sign. A proper amateur, half-arsed job... totally apt for the general running of the club.

Yeah. It maybe a breach of planning code as they never applied for permission. They may need permission because it’s on a prominent building, in a prominent location, and the colour may not be classed as being in keeping with the area. If writing, graphics, or a logo/sign go up, then it’s a blatant breach of planning laws. TBH, I think they'll get away with painting what they have Black, but if the intention is to paint even more (i.e. corner opposite Strawberry too), then Council might ask them to set-out exactly what and where will be painted. Remember seeing in Chronic, that L'Occitane shop on Grainger Street (near Monument) was made to repaint their shopfront after they painted it yellow to match their logo. Think it ended up grey.

I wonder if they realise just how much beige blockwork there is around St James' Park, if the intention was/is to paint it all Black? This'll end up not getting finished and having this or a couple of areas Blacked out, and the rest in the same old scruffy block and stonework. At least where they do paint it, the black signs will stand out against the black paintwork and make them easy to see.

That bit in brackets though

Photo on Twitter from Steve Wraith yesterday... Looks like they are painting around the signs too. Typical from this club, another half arsed job.

twitter or in the times? Times. Can anyone post the article please?

Heard some of Totalsport earlier, and Ando turning Bruce apologist already. Saying 'Head Coach' is just words, and no-one knows that he wont have any say in transfers and stuff. Also on Look North, talking to people in Wallsend, you know, where 'Boyhood NUFC fan' Bruce grew up, all saying he should be given a chance, and one bloke saying he's probably learned from past mistakes/experience. They are really pushing the 'local' lad angle.

Aye, 3yr deal basically confirms any sort of takeover is deed. Just waiting for Fat Mikes statement that "the club is no longer for sale", and "Steve can have every penny the club generates". Let it burn.