Tribesman

Villa are showing exactly how Benitez wanted to prepare Newcastle for a new season.

There will come a point where the Bin Zayed Group will have to pull out themselves if talks are dragging into July. They want to use the transfer market to influence the teams prospects next season if there isn't enough to do it then its not worth their money. Hopefully if that's the case they will release another statement before Ashley does.

It does feel like crunch time in the next 2 weeks for the club. We have been here many times before where it felt like a pivotal moment in the Ashley era, but it definitely feels like the damage will be difficult for the club to recover from if the worst scenario happens. Ashley will be denial and think he can continue to keep the club on a shoe string if the takeover fails, but without Benitez along with a demoralised and limited squad hard to see the club surviving relegation next season. Ashley can forget getting £350 million ever again if the club is likely relegated next season in its current state. If its a 3rd failed takeover in 2 years then surely word will get out eventually that its just not worth dealing with him. Benitez has been the plaster over the axe wound since he has been here and he has to drain every ounce of quality the squad to stay up the last 2 seasons. Good luck to the club trying to find a manager that can get the best out of the likes of Atsu and Manquillo on a weekly basis, trying to lift spirits in the squad who have all made clear they want Benitez to stay and making the most of a limited budget with all his contacts. Villa look like they are close to spending the same as Benitez's transfer budget on 4 players and they were a club close to administration not too long ago and they look like they are not done spending yet. This is the reality for Ashley even if he doesn't see it that austerity for a Premier League club just doesn't work anymore. As for one interested party pulling out of takeover talks its a good and bad thing. Its good because it means less bidders to slow down the process, but bad if that party just couldn't be bothered meeting Ashley's unreasonable demands unless the Bin Zayed Group are possibly are so far down the line getting a deal more or less its not worth getting involved. I'm not sure the silence is a good thing either, we have seen it before with Staveley and Kenyon thinking it was positive signs of a takeover getting done, but then Ashley came out and called them time wasters.

It seems like Lukaku wants to leave Man United judging by his quotes.

Sampdoria signing Ronaldo Vieria from Leeds as well.

From what I've heard, there is no chance that he'll sign it so it's ether Takeover or bye Rafa He would have signed a new contract a couple of weeks ago if he was happy with what he was given and it seems they haven't given him anything to help take the club forward. Even Coverdale in The Sun mentioned in his article yesterday Benitez is worried he will have less control if he signs a new contract so if that's true the club are given him less control than he originally had. Benitez went to the trouble to sell Ashley his vision for the club in that meeting yet he likely feels now that went in one ear and out the other with Ashley because of the takeover which they failed to inform him about. That meeting was a complete waste of Benitez's time. Even with a takeover its not certain Benitez would stay, but its the only way I see him signing a new contract. Any chances of rebuilding trust between Benitez and Ashley disappeared in the last few weeks because just like the first time cracks were showing in their relationship during the Championship season its a lack of communication as to why Benitez can't work with the club anymore. I would rather Benitez left at the end of June rather than sign a new contract as it will just be a repeat of the last two seasons and I personally just don't want to go through all that drama again.

Charnley is incompetent, but its bizarre you have so much hatred for him compared to Ashley. You surely realise he can't lift a finger without consulting Ashley, the same probably goes for everyone else working at the club. Charnley is from the area. He s***s on his own doorstep and doesn’t give a f***. I think where he from is irrelevant.

The elite clubs doing their best to make the Champions League group stage even more boring. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/champions-league-could-be-expanded-to-48-teams-under-club-proposals-tf2vzhjwk

He did and I think two players will not be picked for future international matches as well for not turning up against Kosovo.

I read in The Guardian Kosovo are 14 matches unbeaten. That's impressive for a new nation so should be a decent test for England. They definitely don't look like one of those teams that just make up the numbers in their group like San Marino and Gibraltar. Last weekend the Serbian manager of the Montenegro team didn't turn up for their match against Kosovo because he doesn't recognise Kosovo as a country. I'm glad Shaqiri broke Serbia's heart at the last World Cup.

Looks like Caulkin is leaving The Times. https://twitter.com/MarkDiStef/status/1138412119643348995

Giggs showing why he should have got the Man United job.

Charnley is incompetent, but its bizarre you have so much hatred for him compared to Ashley. You surely realise he can't lift a finger without consulting Ashley, the same probably goes for everyone else working at the club.

Midhat Kidwai is like an Arab Tony Xia.

Might as well ask this guy for takeover news because he just seems to answer everyone. https://twitter.com/mrjohnatkinson/status/1136617368216641536

It does appear he has no problem replying to people on Linkedin.

If he was going to sign a new contract he would have done it by now.

It was bullshit from Keith Downie to say it was just a normal day at work for Benitez. Its the start of June, he arrived at the training ground in the middle of the day, stayed for a couple of hours, met with Charnley and then went back home. Whether it was good or bad news that wasn't a normal day at work. Its no surprise Benitez is p*ssed off again, he went to the trouble to sell the club his vision, then silence, left in the dark regarding the takeover and if reports are to be believed they more or less ignored all his suggestions apart from a slightly bigger budget to spend. The lack of ambition annoys him, but once again just like for the fans its the lack of communication between the club and Benitez. He would be better being unemployed then signing a new contract. It wouldn't surprise me if there is news tonight in the papers if its true Benitez hasn't signed a new contract.

That doesn't sound good. Fair play anyway. Get a grip man will you what more is he going to say to someone he doesn't know at all I thought the guy that messaged him was a work buddy.

That doesn't sound good. Fair play anyway.

It was nice knowing you.

Its not worth losing your head over it.

Griezzman.

Even for Benitez it seems a bit early to be returning to prepare for pre season.

Mystery solved. He does have an actual account on LinkedIn if people want to follow him.