Ankles Bennett

More evidence for De Marco and co to show our takeover was subjected to far stricter scrutiny than any previous. I would have thought the government would have pushed for them to accept the bid. Premier league went to them.... I think they would, but the point is why did they feel they had to go to them. It’s meant to be a confidential process and if scrutiny of our takeover has been shown to be different to others, it all plays into the narrative that we have been treat differently. I expect to tell them that they are going to reject the bid and wanted to explain why (Piracy) or get more info on the buyers. Also we probably have been treated differently but I can't think of any club being bought while at the same time running an illegal sports stations that steals games. I'm still confused by this. Is it PIF that are illegally streaming games? Is this still going on? https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2020/6/16/explainer-the-piracy-case-against-saudis-beoutq-channel Think we all know if the Saudis wanted to shut it down they could. Probably could have but its still got nothing to do with PIF. Separate legal entity which is what do marco is trying to prove. I suppose its a bit like having a limited company over here. I am the sole director and shareholder of my company, i earn its money, i spend it, i have complete control over the business, its direction and its finances. But legally, its separate to me. That's where a problem arises though surely. As the owners and directors test has to find the parties who are have control over said company. With PIF describing themselves as the sovereign wealth fund of the state then the state surely has control over PIF. So it doesn't really matter if it's a separate legal entity in itself in that respect. Exactly this. The Saudi state could turn round after the takeover and dissolve PIF and take over control of all the enterprises PIF entered into including control of NUFC!

More evidence for De Marco and co to show our takeover was subjected to far stricter scrutiny than any previous. I would have thought the government would have pushed for them to accept the bid. Premier league went to them.... I think they would, but the point is why did they feel they had to go to them. It’s meant to be a confidential process and if scrutiny of our takeover has been shown to be different to others, it all plays into the narrative that we have been treat differently. They probably went to the FCO to let them know that they were about to p*ss of the Saudi royal family by knocking back their bid to buy NUFC due to the KSA pirating EPL games in the MENA region. They probably wanted to make sure it wasn't going to cause an international issue between the KSA and the UK government thyat might have a knock on effect on trade between the two countries. All above board in my view and good practice by the EPL!!

You are wrong. They don't want a club that is anywhere near the Championship. They could easily buy one now without all the bother if that was the case. If we get relegated they most likely will decide to go for Leeds, they tick all the right boxes. One club city, fanatical fanbase like us, been in the doldrums for years like us, also the Reubens most likely have business interests in Leeds and Amanda is a born and bred Yorkshire lass, plus Leeds could probably be bought for a lot less than £350m!!!

I didn't see it as I'd gone to put the kettle on, but There probably was seeing sheffirlds owner is a Saudi prince.

Our midfield is disgusting. They either avoid the ball, pass it sideways to the nearest person to them or play it back. Every single one of them have no invention or desire to get the ball moving forward. That's why he picks 3 holding midfielders to protect our 5 man defense.

or Arbitration says the Saudi's refusal to answer reasonable questions about ownership, means they fail the O&D test, however, the consortium will then be able to appeal against the decision.

I like to think of myself as a realist when it comes to the takeover and have been sceptical ever since PIF "withdrew". Where are you getting the information that Masters has said arbitration has begun? Because he hasn't confirmed that in his letter today. He's confirmed the club (MA) has a legal case ongoing which we all knew already. Also, you should understand that when arbitration does start (if it hasn't already) that is a good thing. It is the only way the deal gets done. I'm still far from convinced it'll happen but imo the soundings of the last 3/4 days have been nothing but positive. It literally says on the 2nd page “(the club) has commenced arbitration proceedings with the Premier league” That is confirmation of the statement the club (MA) issued months ago after the PL confirmed to NCSL that the club has raised a legal case against them. It isn't confirmation that the arbitration hearing is underway. That is how I have interpreted anyway. That's my take on this also.

They explained that it would not look good if we went to court without first of all trying Arbitration!

He must be pretty confident of selling to the Saudis if he has knocked back other offers because at the end of the day, 350 million is 350 million, it doesn't matter who it's from. That doesn't necessarily mean the other offers are £350m. They might just be £250m from chancers who think Ashley must be desperate to sell because of the legal action he has taken.

Ok so Poch has gone to PSG but that means Tufell is available. Got to be better than the current waste of air!

In my lifetime we have won the FA Cup 3 times won the European Fairs cup which was replaced by the UEFA cup lost the FA cup final in 1974 and League cup final in 1976 and runners up in the EPL in 95/96 and lost FA cup finals in 1998 and 1999. It's not like we haven't had opportunities to win more trophies.

Would it be fair to say James Tavernier is our most successful active Academy product? How is his injury record since leaving the club? Paul Gascoigne?

Amazing isn't it how fast the Burnley sale was passed through by the EPL. Could it be because the buyers are American. Seems to me the Yanks either are or on the verge of controlling the EPL. I think that's at least 5 clubs owned by American consortiums!

If this does go through in the next few weeks lets hope the consortium are busy approaching possible transfer targets to sign before the deadline passes on Feb the 1st

This!

I thought that once arbitration has commenced, it was a case of the PL being allowed to appoint someone to the panel, NUFC appoint another, and the FA appoint a chairperson (I think). Each party is allowed 2 weeks to appoint their choice for the panel, not sure if that is done concurrently, or a total of 6 weeks to form the panel, then a date has to be set. Obviously the EPL will be arguing that they are tied up legally for the next 6 months so the date will probably be next June in the hope that the consortium finally say enough is enough!!!

Before we get too carried away with replacing Bruce with Howe, lets not forget that this was Howe's second spell at Bournemouth. He previously left Bournemouth and went to Burnley but failed there abysmally!!!

My genuine concern is Bruce wont resign but will sell our best players to generate cash to bring in players that love bruceball!!!

Has this excuse for a football manager not been sacked yet! Of course he wont resign that would mean his contract wont be paid up!!!

I can wait a bit longer.....that's what I said when we lost the FA cup final in 1974, and again when we lost the League cup final in 1976, had my hopes raised in the Keegan years and again in the 1998 and 1999 Cup finals, and now here I am in 2020 having waited 46 years to see us win a domestic trophy and still waiting. Don't assume the law of averages means you will see us win a trophy eventually. We may win something one day but we may all be pushing up daisies if and when it does happen!!

We're also comfortably above the drop zone. Bruce is Ashley's dream manager. We wont be after the next 3 games!

When you look at the players he has managed to ruin in 18 months ASM, Longstaff x 2, Schar, Almiron, Lewis to name a few. If these players were sold now compared to their value before Bruce demoralised them completely, I do wonder how much transfer value he has managed to wipe out???

They are certainly playing better than us!

He also implies it could be through Aramco. If it is through ARAMCO we will experience the same problems as PIF because ARAMCO is owned 100% by the Saudi government.

Perhaps he is going to be dealing with a really heavy workload over the next 3 weeks?