Keegans Export

No way. Its not as if they've had a full season, into an International tournament then straight back into a new season. They'd be training/playing regularly at this time during any normal season without an extended break. They've played 15 (or so) games then had a few weeks in Qatar where they've mostly just trained (rather than playing). Injuries aside they shouldn't need a week off then another week to get back up to speed.

Agree. Still 11 days away, even if they aren't back straight away it'll be over a week back at home then it's another five days before Leicester. Plus, it's halfway through the season, they'd be playing weekly (at least) at this stage any previous year.

I won't lie, I've ordered that black and white L/S top for my dad's Christmas present. Who am I kidding, by the time Castore have got their shit together it'll be his birthday present (March)

I know this isn't really the thread for it but a Keegan best XI vs SBR best XI would be interesting. I haven't really put any thought into it but my initial feeling is that Bobby's "peak" team had more weaknesses than Keegans (eg RB, whoever was CB with Woodgate)

The Reubens will have built up a fair amount of goodwill with the Council too, with all the developments going on along Pilgrim Street.

That's how I read it too. Even if he gets a work permit, he would be loaned out anyway.

The thing is, he makes some points that are probably accurate. They were "sold" the club by intermediaries - Staveley's interest pre-dates KSA/PIF by a number of years & they probably did want to buy MUFC at some point. The fact they didn't shows that they aren't in the business of paying overinflated prices for football clubs, otherwise that's exactly what they would have done (because let's be honest here, they have the money to have made the Glazers an offer they couldn't refuse).

Not much else you can do there, just get it on target and hope the keeper doesn't get in the way. He'll be gutted but scoring the winner in the 2024 FA Cup will make up for it I'm sure.

Possibly a little bit of B and eventually C. Hasn't it been reported that PIF will at some point take full ownership? Or did I imagine that?

As far as wide options go, he's behind Maxi, Isak, Almiron & Murphy. We've also seen Joelinton/Willock alternating on the left. There's enough depth there to justify letting him go.

Would be interesting to know whether the figures being thrown about (£20m/year) are accurate or not...?

I think the main issue with SJP as it is (vs the "Elite" stadiums) is the corporate facilities, or lack/quality of, rather than just the capacity. Adding 8k to the Gallowgate isn't really going to change that so I think long term we will probably move. Land swap with Leazes Park most likely.

It's become pretty apparent that they didn't just want the ESL, they needed it. Remarkable that in this era of "Financial Fair Play" and now "Profitability & Sustainability" such big clubs can find themselves in such a mess...

£20m or so would make sense, below the established "Big Six" but ahead of the chasing pack. Plus if it includes more than just shirt sponsorship it would justify the extra (vs West Ham, Leicester etc)

I've got the Ferdinand bobble hat and it's great ??

I don't think this Saudi/Qatar beIN thing is going away any time soon. KSA will keep taking the piss because they know that ultimately there will be no real consequences. Edit - and I'm not classing anything negative to do with NUFC as a consequence

Yeah, seems pretty clear; if there are investors and the numbers add up, and it makes a good business," he said. "Then the private sector could come in, or companies could come in, from the kingdom He wants investors from Saudi Arabia, rather than the state taking over. To an extent it doesn't really matter if they get super-rich owners, FFP is limited by commercial (and other) income and they're already miles ahead of the majority of clubs in Europe. It'd be better for them to get slightly less wealthy owners who put a team in place who really know what they're doing rather than someone mega rich who just throws money around.

There was some very clever corporate re-structuring to avoid any issues so they aren't both owned by Red Bull now (as I understand it) If you had two clubs (eg NUFC and Inter) who were majority owned by PIF then you'd have problems.

I thought they'd changed it so that an extra place goes to the countries with the best coefficient - essentially England and Spain

He would be the antithesis of everything that made the signings of Isak, Bruno & Botman so exciting. I wouldn't take him even if he played for free and I don't think Eddie would either.

That was a cracking shirt, aside from Wonga obviously

I'd love to see a Hummel take on our home kit. Chevrons

I actually quite like both the 21/22 and 22/23 shirts (reservations about Castore aside) but both are ruined by the sponsor. The problem Puma has was the material felt flimsy and cheap. I don't know whether the current Adidas/Nike/whoever shirts are any better of course.

He does raise a valid point that having new owners shouldn't necessarily put an end to the aim of fan representation, although I'd like to think that NUST (etc) are going to give the current owners a chance to make moves in that area before trying to force their way in.

So 40% of them either think it should go ahead, don't care or only think it should be stopped because it gives their "rivals" some ammo