east stander

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Only Rafa fits the bill for me. Has the expertise, nous, feel for the club and determination to take on such a necessary rebuild. Poch too easily a dummy spit out manager for me (I'll admit Rafa has had his moments in his career) But as long as Bruce goes, whoever comes in will get support and hopefully time.

I think it is fair to say Martin is a marmite character but I thought he was spot on during the latest podcast.

Maybe wishful thinking but hopefully Ashley is pushing Barnes and his daughter’s fiancé to force it through so he can get the cash, knowing this is the most money he is going to get in the current climate.

It's not the SD board, it is the auditors "Furious shareholders are expected to oust the entire board of Sports Direct auditor RSM at the embattled firm’s annual meeting this morning as discontent within the firm pours out into public view. Five shareholders, who claim the backing of about two-thirds of investors, have tabled a motion to remove the current management, as first reported by The Telegraph."

Absolutely and the football played towards the end of last season wasn't too shabby either.

Shildon 8 Thornaby 1. Minute's applause for Nufc Chief Overseas Scout Kevin Stonehouse who died at Hillsborough last weekend watching Sheffield Wed play Espanyol (I think). Shildon lad who started playing for his (and mine) home team before signing for Blackburn. He'd been scouting in Armenia a couple of weeks ago for Nufc. Rip Stoney.

Conspiracy theory: takeover price £350 mill including £111mill loan. Sell Longstaff, Perez etc etc, use proceeds immediately to pay off his loan, more profit on sale of club.

Rafa has been waiting for a month for feedback. These delayed accounts are all part of the spin to backup their claims that they were willing to support Rafa after he has gone. If the teaboy thinks this has been a good season then he is even more stupid than we all think. Sadly, Rafa will not accept this and will go. And I will have to seriously ask myself if I want to continue my 35 year season ticket stretch.

Can someone post, pretty please?! Article here: Rafa Benítez has had no response from Newcastle United three weeks after telling the club’s hierarchy what it will take to keep him at St James’ Park beyond the end of this season. At Newcastle’s request, the manager submitted a wishlist in the week before their Premier League fixture at Arsenal on April 1, in the expectation that they would form the basis of contract negotiations. As of last night, he was still awaiting a reply, causing Benítez to seek clarification from the club; with only four games still to play, the clock is ticking. Benítez, the former Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager, who celebrated his 59th birthday yesterday, is out of contract this summer when his three-year stay on Tyneside is due to end. Over the course of his £6m-a-year deal, he has lifted the team from the Sky Bet Championship and then kept them up on a limited budget, a feat he has almost certainly repeated this season. There will be concern from Newcastle supporters at the apparent drift on behalf of the club, which remains on the market. While Benítez, a Champions League-winning manager, has repeatedly expressed his willingness to remain on Gallowgate, he continues to attract interest from clubs in Europe and beyond. It is understood that all previous contract offers have been superseded by the most recent talks, meaning there is presently nothing concrete for him to consider. He has accepted that Newcastle will not improve their training ground in the immediate future, but is seeking compromise over their transfer policy, which favours signing players aged 24 and under. There has been tension during transfer windows, with Benítez expressing frustration at the time it takes for the club to complete deals and he wants guarantees about when and how his budget will be spent. Lee Charnley, the managing director, will this week be pressed on the issue during a round of media briefings to mark the release of the club’s annual accounts. After Newcastle’s 1-0 victory at Leicester City last Friday, a result which all but guaranteed their position in the Premier League next season, Benítez gave an insight into his thinking. “We have to have a team that can compete,” he said. “This city, this club, has potential. It’s massive. I’m not looking to spend £200m, but doing the right things.”

I've turned the sound off!

Cannot fault the workrate of the team but the lack of quality is so apparent. Still, it's only pre season and yet you cannot help but get worked up.

Hang on a minute chaps, someone's put ten bob into the meter!

Judging by the official feed so far, another credit will need to be paid back!