Happinesstan

Nothing's been decided and it would be wrong to do so based on the balance of probabilities. Everyone knows they've virtually sewn the league up but it's setting a dangerous precedent if you decide things before they've actually happened. Where do you stop? Relegate the bottom 3? Award CL for the top 4? Who goes into the EL? With a quarter of a season to go? Is nothing going to change with regards to the league table? What about prize money? If you've already played all of the better teams you'll probably finish higher? It's a huge can of worms predicting what you think would probably have happened and it should be ruled out imo. Who's making decisions based on the balance of probability?

Given that it's Staveley's takeover and Rafa was involved in her last takeover attempt (in some way?) i'd be staggered if he wasn't her first choice. The only things that might stand in its way are the cost of releasing him from his contract and/or him being too honourable to walk away from it. I realise it's ridiculous, but if there is such a thing as a 'NUFC Takeover release clause', there would be no dishonour. In fact it would be a dishonour if he didn't honour it.

That's never going to happen. It's hilarious watching him talk to people and he turns it into a personal therapy session.

Pray tell who you think the best England manager was. Because you imply both of them. Whichever one you pick is wrong anyway. They were both hopeless as England managers. Still think Sven was a freak free-kick away from bringing that World Cup home with him like. Beckham shit himself. He was never an international captain. Role model? Possibly. He allowed us to sit too deep and let Brasil come onto us.

£40 million forward. Lols.

"Enter Mohammed bin Salman, a prince who was never meant to be king. Ibn Saud had 36 sons and 27 daughters. It is estimated that the family could number 15,000. But the throne only passes through the sons and it took a series of deaths, from sons and crown princes who passed away from poor health, before Ibn Saud’s 25th son, Salman bin Abdulaziz, the former governor of Riyadh, became king in 2015. MBS was King Salman’s sixth, but favourite, son. When Salman bin Abdulaziz became king in 2015, MBS was made deputy crown prince and handed the defence portfolio. In 2017 he was elevated to crown prince, and King Salman’s anointed successor. " Imagine having 63 kids :lol: Even with 9 wives that's excessive.

That wipes the floor with the changing of the guard. I'm in.

Because he'd need to get us there, first.

If they spunk their wad on Bale it will be the first real sign that they're not investing in the club, but their reputation.

They'll play for less, but they will want honoured for their philanthropy. Can you imagine giving up, say, £50k per week, man? How will they ever survive? Skysports might join forces with the beeb for a telethon.

But we don't even know if we can have Rafa, that's where the complication lies. Would he leave mid-contract? Would we really be prepared to pay £20m to buy him out of his current one? Until I know the definitive answer, I am going to be looking at realistic alternatives as well. Although I would love to have Rafa back IF it's on the table. Still very intrigued to see what he could do with a full budget to work with. We could get Poch for an extra year for that money.

Rafa for me. I have no doubts about his ability in every aspect. I just don't know enough about Poch, so naturally have concerns which could simply be erased. His successes at Spurs and Saints are noteworthy, as is his ability to develop talent. But I know nothing about his record in the transfer market. I know at Spurs he didn't have much opportunity to demonstrate his ability in the transfer market and the situation at Southampton meant he is remembered more for his outgoings, but that doesn't mean he's not the man to be trusted with our kitty. I just know Rafa is astute as they come. But what the hell, does it matter if we waste money?

Is that a Saudi delicacy?

One for sorrow... Sorry mate.

50/50 whether they will or won't? Sterling journalism. I can see why he's so well respected.

Also, we wouldn't be without jobs, we'd all be self-employed. The tory dream, if you believe a fucking word they say.

Once the takeover goes through the government will want the football up and running. Their sports-washing campaign will lead to more bombs needed, could save the country from economic oblivion.l

Test them before starting. Although testing footballers before testing frontline NHS workers would be a terrible idea.

It's possible to be opposed to the Saudis an capitalism. In fact anybody with an understanding of capitalism and the workings of power should naturally be opposed to both. Without capitalism, we’d all be jobless and living in caves. It’s the best system there is, only we’ve allowed it to work the most for the few to benefit them best and the rest the worst. Do you have another system that works better or will? My own system of capitalism works great for me and my family and those I employ. I create jobs, wealth, I raise money for the state, I contribute to the system that benefits more and not less while the system I contribute to benefits me the least which maybe if not, I wouldn’t need to run a business or even need a job... It benefits far more others even less though and that’s where I benefit them or those like myself and indeed you do the most working the system or making it work. And it does work. I can’t remember the quote exactly or who said it but basically capitalism is the one thing that’s most right for us all out of everything we’ve triedfrom religion to communism, but the one thing we get so wrong or do it wrong badly the most of which defeats the whole purpose of capitalism. I try to come to terms with this all by reminding myself how far we’ve come in just 100 years alone and how far we still have to go which if we use the last 100 years as a yardstick and not the thousands of centuries before that, we’re kind of getting there and unless there is a better way right now, we don’t have a choice. It’s about making it work again which it kind of does, but it’s unfairly stacked and those right at the bottom or on the end, they have Everest to climb, naked, blind and on crutches. Clearly you were just looking for an excuse to spout forth the netty, as you haven't addressed the relationship with power that I specifically referenced. Capitalism’s relationship with those in power and those with power isn’t anywhere near as strong or rather as tight as the relationship to power between religion, status, heritage, royalty and titles. The relationship between capitalism and wealth and with it power and it’s negative significance is even weaker as wealth and power derived from capitalism is pretty much what is most positive about capitalism for most of us. I’d love to read your thoughts about another system that’s way better, if you have one. Please share if you do, you may just save the world one day and rid us of the evils of capitalism and it’s link to those in power and those with power. I say that because no matter how wealthy I become, I don’t hold out much hope of ever becoming King one day or even the PM. And I wouldn’t want to be the Pope one day or the sultan/royal prince of some 3rd world nation either. I’d rather be on some yacht bored out of my tits. I’d settle for owning my own footy club mind! Would I be able to do that in your non capitalist world? If not, I don’t think I’ll bother if that’s OK with you?! I've said nothing of a world without capitalism. I don't blame capitalism for the world's obvious problems, I blame people. Not everybody and not you. The argument that "we'd still be living in caves' is just lazy bollocks., though. Your original point was that people who understand capitalism should be okay with the Saudis. I say that if you understand capitalism you understand what facilitates the Saudis' behaviour.

It's possible to be opposed to the Saudis an capitalism. In fact anybody with an understanding of capitalism and the workings of power should naturally be opposed to both. Without capitalism, we’d all be jobless and living in caves. It’s the best system there is, only we’ve allowed it to work the most for the few to benefit them best and the rest the worst. Do you have another system that works better or will? My own system of capitalism works great for me and my family and those I employ. I create jobs, wealth, I raise money for the state, I contribute to the system that benefits more and not less while the system I contribute to benefits me the least which maybe if not, I wouldn’t need to run a business or even need a job... It benefits far more others even less though and that’s where I benefit them or those like myself and indeed you do the most working the system or making it work. And it does work. I can’t remember the quote exactly or who said it but basically capitalism is the one thing that’s most right for us all out of everything we’ve triedfrom religion to communism, but the one thing we get so wrong or do it wrong badly the most of which defeats the whole purpose of capitalism. I try to come to terms with this all by reminding myself how far we’ve come in just 100 years alone and how far we still have to go which if we use the last 100 years as a yardstick and not the thousands of centuries before that, we’re kind of getting there and unless there is a better way right now, we don’t have a choice. It’s about making it work again which it kind of does, but it’s unfairly stacked and those right at the bottom or on the end, they have Everest to climb, naked, blind and on crutches. Clearly you were just looking for an excuse to spout forth the netty, as you haven't addressed the relationship with power that I specifically referenced.

They would be wearing the tea towels in tribute to the people who are bombing Yemen and getting rid of journalists though In your imagination bubba Give me a different explanation so Daft Geordie humour? Same way as you get pillocks dressing up as kangaroos to support Australia in cricket, or the Barmy army wearing silly costumes around the world supporting England. Not everything is meant to be taken seriously, even if it may look support for evil regimes to some eyes.I really think these people wearing tea towels are just having a laugh, I doubt their intentions are evil. Abusing Khashoggi's wife is a different level. Daft Geordie humour? Great. Can't wait for them to start dishing out the lashes outside KFC at 2 in the morning. The lasses love that kind of humour.

It's possible to be opposed to the Saudis an capitalism. In fact anybody with an understanding of capitalism and the workings of power should naturally be opposed to both.

Poor people vote for Trump because they want things to be better, it's not that different to Newcastle fans, I suppose you're right there. Difference is, Trump will probably make things worse for them because he's a businessman, and business goals are not usually to put money in poor people's pockets. Voters in the rust belt voted Trump in large part because Clinton ignored them and called potential Trump voters deplorables . A few daft twats on twitter does not equal the vast majority of fans . In the end the question of Saudi backwardness won't be answered by the actions of NUFC fans , it'll be the Saudi people themselves that solve that one But they'll be too occupied watching us win everything on the table.

He's done fuck all in his managerial career to be in any way associated with success.

Vent away. I'm totally with you as well. Swear to God I think a large portion of the Toon Army has a chronic case of 'battered wife' syndrome. Just because a richer potential husband comes along promising the world, it doesn't mean you have to jump straight into bed with him, only to find he has a penchant for sticking a scimitar up your arse as he ejaculates in your face. Think I'll keep on quietly wishing for NUFC to somehow end up as a fan-owned co-operative with a bit of self-respect, pride and beautiful, flowing football without relying upon the dirty money of a murderous, evil Sheikh. Ashley's a vile specimen for sure, but this deal looks to me to be frying pan to fire. As a former denizen of this forum used to recite incessantly, "Be careful what you wish for"... Surely the main difference as that we expect the new owners to be much better for the club itself? Yes but it's still a Faustian deal, better football, a richer club, better players and hopefully some success on the pitch - just with a little more torture, murder and evil thrown into the mix. Yeah, but he does do the dishes.