et tu brute

'Touch base' is the most irritating buzz word ever, always wanted to give people a slap when they used it.

Not saying anything is happening, but they have a residence there, so they could be spending a few days at their place and the plane has retuned for other business trips.

You were on about our legal case though as you had a go at the super-positives.

The only people who will know that 'for certain' are Ashley's legal team based on the documentation they have (which nobody has seen). You are not certain and basing it on opinion. Which brings me to the point I made, let the legal teams fight their cases based on actual documentation and arguments that they can present. You're like a rocking chair back and forwards the last few months, just let it play out man.

Nobody has a clue what is happening positive or negative. Honestly wish people would stop getting their knickers in a twist every 5 minutes and just let the court cases play out.

Everybody knows that Ashley was never going to spend fuck all whilst this plays out. Has no indication of anything at all, this was always the case. He didn’t do it in January when relegation was a distinct possibility, so why would he do it now

They have the last four seasons since their relegation from the Premier League also and that has went well

We never got to find out exactly why, but he did something with Musgrave at the Chronicle (podcast I think) during the last Middle East takeover bid, which was pulled within 24 hours when it was found he had given some alleged less than truthful information. Can’t recall the full story, but seem to remember Mark Douglas slating him. Don’t care what he says he has an agenda and is being used by the Premier League and BEIN and now with all the Twitter posts and his non stop podcast appearances (seems to have a lot of time to make a hell of a lot for a self called investigative journalist). Wish him and Keith would both fuck off with their constant barrage of promoting the so called facts. I hope to god the cases are put to bed soon so that both will fuck off for good.

Be worth it though as really the vast majority of the Ashley ownership has been an absolute gutter. One season of 5th all to show for any level of partial success. Even under Rafa I thought it was mainly shit (I stopped going after the relegation season), as the lack of investment meant that Rafa was usually having to plan with players nowhere near the top of his wanted target. I’ve finally made the decision to not watch any games (even though I can) if Ashley and Bruce are still in charge. Can’t stand another season of just nothingness and no hope.

He has as I said really nice lad and you could tell by the amount of time he spoke to people in the couple of times I was in his company, that he really wanted to be popular and liked as it meant a lot to him.

Brilliant, brilliant player. Unfortunately he was not the brightest and the people he socialised with and classed as his friends, totally milked off him imho with little care for his best interests. Spent time in his company a couple of times in the 80s and he was good crack, daft as a brush and loved talking to anyone. Even now he still is in the newspapers for the wrong reasons at regular intervals. It could have been so different if he hadn’t chosen the bright lights of London instead of Man Utd. Honestly believe Ferguson was the right person to manage him and ensure his off field problems were curtailed. Mind he did still have a very decent career, just could have been a totally brilliant one.

You’re totally correct. Must say though that I was fully expecting a negative exclusive to be released in the Sunday morning papers to counteract the Sun story the other day. That was how it usually played out a year ago. Still think there probably will be mind in the next few days. I’m basically taking everything that comes out with a pinch of salt unless it comes from official press releases or is 100% verifiable. Last year was a total charade, which most of the fsn base (me included) got totally interacted in. Once bitten, twice shy and I will wait for the cases to be concluded and a definitive decision to be announced this time. Obviously won’t stop me keeping an eye on what’s being discussed (it’s the most important dilemma within the entire history of this club, with the absolute extremes involved with the takeover going ahead or not), just won’t take rumours and stories (either way) with any real credibility this time.

Actually wouldn’t say no to this as the amount of shit that comes from there with not only NUFC related stuff, but within all walks of life is unreal. I’ve never seen a social media platform with so many people, who fully demonstrate why we have so many issues with the world in general. The fact that the people responsible for managing the platform consistently refuse to remove at times (far too many) disgusting shit which can be seen by so many is totally wrong and deplorable. We then have multitude of people commenting with their own nasty shit and it’s very rare I see any post which has reasoned and constructive discussion or replies without some needing to have their abusive thoughts, quite often with something that often doesn’t even effect them in the slightest. Very rarely bother with Twitter now for that very reason. I know it’s a common theme with all the social media platforms, but in my experience Twitter is beyond any of the others with the showcasing of nastiness and hate by people, who often hide behind alias accounts. It’s time the world governments stepped in to force the platforms to stop this from happening. The issue is constantly highlighted every day and has lead to people (no victims), experiencing severe depression and actual suicidal tendencies as a direct result This is totally unacceptable and frankly totally disgusting. Rant over - sorry

It’s an interesting one with Willock as we don’t really know what Arteta thinks of him and if he sees him as an important member of the first team squad. I agree with your thinking as I would imagine he would want a good look at him during good season to see if his undoubted current confidence, his overall level of performance and the fact that he’s played a number of consecutive first team games has brought him on to an improved level to demand a place in the Arsenal squad. So I could see Arteta definitely waiting to the final week to make any decision about any possible loan move after a good period of watching him closely during the preseason training and games. The other possibility could be that with his current increased stock, Arteta may think (if he doesn’t see Willock as a first team regular), is it’s the perfect opportunity to cash in and use that money for preferred targets. Ashley has been know to like a gamble on players with potential increased sale profit, so normally I would have not been surprised if he had made the money available for this signing. However, with this takeover still rumbling on, I just can’t see him putting any money towards any signings of any significant cost with the prospect of him not owning the club in the very near future. That’s the way he works. I think the only likelihood of seeing him back next year is a late loan deal, but I can’t say I’ve any confidence he will be here next season.

Oh I agree totally, that group of clubs trying to improve are expanding and the group of teams battling to stay up will in all probability get smaller. With the Ashley method of how to run a club it is only a matter off time before we are flushed as we’ve already seen twice before.

He’s Ashley’s little lap dog so will be super happy he’s just in a job in a division which is way above his actual ability. Villa another club trying to move forward and leaving us behind hoping to another battle for the Ashley holy grail of 17th. We’re well used to it by now though. Could well be the same old story for a good few years yet also without this takeover going through. Hey ho.

As I mentioned earlier I think the journalist exclusives will increase quite a bit over the next couple of weeks leading up to the CAT court appearance date. Think both sides will be using their chosen journalists to put their confidence across. Pretty sure this will happen. I would suggest that unless the exclusive is based on factual information that can be verified and not just opinion or rumours, that people just appreciate the games being played by both sides to influence opinion. I like so many others will remember the constant exclusives being published last year, which resulted in people going through highs and lows nearly every day. I was like this badly myself and I’m not going to experience going through that again. What will be will be and the journalist exclusives are not going to decide what happens in either case.

I’ve got no doubt he is for two reasons. One, that it’s probably his one, and imho only chance (especially with the knock on effect of Covid), to get the price he thinks the club is worth. Second (and possibly his main reason if it’s true and he has been in the Middle East multiple times recently), is that I think he has possibly!probably been given an opportunity to expand his business within the region. I firmly believe the fat cunt will be going down every route possible to try and get this through. Unfortunately as much as we can’t stand him, he is actually the main player in pushing for this deal to happen. We have to support his efforts even though it leaves a sour taste. Will he succeed fuck knows, but he’s actually the right kind of cunt in this situation to keep the pressure constantly going. Just got to hope his legal team and his ‘agents’ have found the necessary evidence to push it through. He won’t think twice about digging up as much dirt as he can and using it.

One day (fuck I hope it’s very very soon), the thread title will change with our ultimate wish and state the word sacked. Quite happily settle for the four letter word ‘gone’ also.

The way the cat and mouse game has been played throughout, I fully expect one of the usual anti-takeover journalists putting the exact opposite scenario, probably in the usual notorious Sunday AM slot and claiming the Premier League case will win. If I was a betting man I’d put money on it, as it’s been this way all the way through, especially last year. Been expecting exclusives from both sides as the dates from the court action approaches. That’s not me being negative either (I’m neither as I don’t know what will happen), just how it has played out previously.

Hope to god you’re wrong, but certainly would not surprise me one bit if you’re right

We all just got to hope that the now scheduled timelines for the legal cases do actually play out. Everyone connected with NUFC just wants this resolved. Is it this week there is a deadline for the CAT case? Must admit I can’t even remember what it is as I’ve switched off with the takeover, which shows my level of frustration with the whole thing, as this time last year I was checking and reading everything daily.

Their transfer business is going to be massive this year. Anytime I’ve seen some of their games or highlights, they have a slow ageing squad with zero pace. The fact they have to replace so many players is a big ask. They may also have money through the new owner, but with the pretty severe restrictions within league 1 (SCMP) scored that makes this advantage pretty obsolete. The league for that level looks pretty tough for the coming season also.

He towld is to fuck off and that’s not reet as al the other clubs fans love weh ye knaa

For that period I agree.