TheBrownBottle

The problem with state ownership is that when something like this occurs (and if anyone isn’t aware, Man City hasn’t simply been accused over going over FFP - this is far more serious and involves fraud), then a small private body in one country is, in effect, able to convict another govt of deceptive practice. It’s a diplomatic issue. Which is why the UK govt would be likely to intercede on Man City’s behalf.

I could have lived with that tbf

That’s £8m more than we paid and he’s two years closer to retirement. We’d be getting just over half that would be my guess

Bayern would be a very, very difficult club to turn down. The number of clubs who are arguably bigger can be counted on one hand - maybe with a finger or two to spare. (I do find the German league boring as fuck to watch mind). I’d have no issue at all with Trippier’s head being turned, especially at his age and given how this season might turn out. Potentially win a league title and the European Cup, or hope we can put together a run for an FA Cup win and a top seven finish? No brainer

Might need to stick the Audi on AutoTrader as well mind. He’s a hard-nosed businessman is KLD

Incredible to think that Wraith has been pushing out sub-par fanzine content since the mid-90s yet he’s still kicking about. It’s a mystery of the age

Due to the PL & UEFA regs, the club would have to sign English players - which is why they attract a premium As others have said, I do also end up scratching my head at Howe praising Solanke etc - he’s not the type of player I’d hope we’re interested in; but that’s just my take. It’s Howe’s team at the end of the day

Honestly, I don’t think he would have added much more than Asprilla - Boksic was never prolific.

Aye, fuck this. Couple of snouts will dee for me. Kaka was gannin radge as usual

He only said it to get your attention. Get. Their. Attention.

Now I know how my old teachers felt when they’d leave the room for five minutes and return to chaos

You say it like it’s a bad thing

Add in the Cole money from January which wasn’t spent until the summer

I’ve just cringed so hard I’ve pulled my back

Yeah, was thinking exactly the same. He just comes across as a complete arse, and I wonder if he’d be a problem in the dressing room at a club where he’s not the king of the dungheap

Likewise. Love the bloke but that doesn’t mean sentiment should get in the way.

He was never my guy. Two cunts don’t make a right.

Jonathan Wilson is an excellent football writer and journalist. Until he writes about us, and the bitter Mackem side comes storming out: https://amp.theguardian.com/football/blog/2024/jan/20/is-the-game-really-up-for-jose-mourinho-or-could-he-morph-into-the-geordie-one

It helps the other clubs by stopping runaway escalation. It limits the ‘non-big six’ in what they can spend to stay up - keeping the odds as closer to three-in-fourteen as a chance of relegation. And by the ‘big’ clubs being curtailed, transfer fees remain with a degree of consistency - they can only increase in relation to turnovers. Makes perfect sense if you’re either one of the sky six, or you’re a club which is simply happy to enjoy PL income with no more ambition than that. Look at the clubs in the PL - Fulham, Palace, Bournemouth, Luton, Brighton, Brentford. Those clubs between them have a solitary League Cup win between them in their collective histories. They’re all clubs who have spent the vast majority of their history in the second or third tier. Every year in the PL is an achievement, and their ambitions go no higher. Add to that Forest, Sheff Utd, Burnley, Wolves - all of whom do have a history, but have little to no chance of getting back to their peak. Why would they give a shit about whether or not a Newcastle or a Villa or an Everton can restore their status at the top end of the table? Even West Ham - with their new ground etc - will be perfectly happy with the status quo, protecting as it does their current status. West Ham has finished in the top four once in their entire history - they’re not about to start aiming for it now. FFP is good for all but a handful of clubs.

It’s my assumption that they won’t give anyone anything like five years - they’ll demand results.

The medical team, yes. Physio - no https://trainingground.guru/articles/head-physio-leaves-newcastle-united-after-15-months

Might have been the point of it tbf

We definitely are

100%. Best traditional no.9 other than Shearer we’ve had for me (I know others will disagree). Love the man when fit. If he didn’t have the fitness issues, he’s a £40m player even at his age

Yeah, it’s suddenly getting interesting. Players out likely means players in. I’m all onboard for this tbh - could be an exciting window when nowt would have been anticipated