TheInfiniteOdyssey

A potential Saudi takeover is not threatening to actually upend the regulations and merit-based format of both the domestic and European competition though.

Pretty sure the joy would come from actually winning a trophy considering we haven't won one for 65 years (or 52 years counting the Fairs Cup).

Why should those teams be denied an opportunity to play those fixtures though? CSKA Moscow did the double over Real Madrid only a couple years ago as one example. Should we change the FA Cup so only the top two divisions can enter?

What an absolute load of rubbish, it's a European football competition, those teams have won their domestic leagues and as per co-efficient regulations deserve a place in the competition. Not to mention, they'll have likely gone through an additional qualification play-off stage beforehand. The meritocratic nature of the sport should be protected at all costs, even if UEFA are threatening to dilute it further.

Me too, would be absolutely class to see completely different dynamic to the competition. Especially, if it means teams like Atalanta can progress further.

Would be amazing if they actually deducted points off the teams who signed up to it. Arsenal would potentially be relegated depending on how severe the deduction was.

He's a member of the UEFA Executive Board as well

Atalanta beat Juventus 1-0 today to leave the latter 4th in the league. Can't imagine why they're so eager to reform the meritocratic process.

Even if they remain in the domestic league, surely this dramatically upends the existing structure i.e. how many European qualification places and what teams? I don't see how this could feasibly coexist.

Back up to a 4, but we just need to take it week-by-week. Nothing else we can do, except focus on our own games.

What a shame there’s still plans for them to remain in their domestic leagues. Would be absolutely class if they all fucked off.

3 Only reason for it still being relatively high is that our next four fixtures are horrendous and 0 points is the most likely outcome from them. We should be okay in any case if Fulham and West Brom drop points during that run.

4 more points and we should be safe. Things will look very tight though before the Sheffield United game I'd expect.

Going on about expectations again. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9456743/Steve-Bruce-wont-allow-Newcastle-quietly-ahead-crunch-Burnley-clash.html

2 wins in 21

Quite right Joe, this is the Barclays.

The super fans will love Brucey remaining in charge, support the team not the regime!

That Werner miss

It’s literally what he said at Villa before he was sacked as well 2 wins in 20, what an intimidating record for someone else to try and exceed.

Perfect encapsulation of the club under Ashley. Dwight Gayle signed in 2016 to get us out the championship, 5 years later sign an extension to get us out of the championship again Incredible progress

No even if I want nothing further to do with the club with Ashley in charge, Newcastle United should always be playing top-flight football.

It was a similar story the last time in the Championship, Sky Sports would be absolutely devastated every time we won a match, harping on about big expectations and the negative style of football. Funniest bit of coverage was when we stuffed Huddersfield 0-2 at their place when they were bang in form. David Prutton and the rest of the punditry team were patronising Newcastle all pre-match and then at the end of the game looked in tears at how easy it was for us.

I think Chris Waugh is actually a canny writer and produces a lot of interesting content on The Athletic, but he's just not particularly engaging in interviews / podcasts etc.

Of course I hope it turns out differently mind.