Interpolic Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Just a quick side point here, Kinnear is not a healthy man, he looks like he has just been dragged out of the Tyne with his greasy hair and ill fitting suits, he needs protecting from himself, but Ashley is quite willing to put him in the firing line to meet his own selfish needs what ever they might be, this job will kill this old fella and although the Newcastle fans will get the blame the ball will be firmly in Ashleys court for putting this old fool in the position in the first place. This has crossed my mind like. Despicable that Ashley's willing to wheel his mate out to take this much flak when he's clearly got a screw loose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Mike Ashley’s voice has only ever been heard once in public. It is the 2008 instalment of the BBC TV Comic Relief telethon. The nation is watching the Celebrity Apprentice, and Louise Redknapp is seeking charitable donations from pals. She puts a call in from the back of a London taxi. "So, Mike, could I tempt you into buying some tickets and giving us some money, please? There are some people who have given us £200 for a ticket and other people have given us over £30,000 for some tickets," she says over the speaker phone. "Really? Right, three tickets, I'll give you £100,000," squeaks out a southern accent of the type that meets with disapproval in Tyneside streets. The voice might be unfamiliar, but the impetuousness of the snap decision is not. "What an amazing man,” Redknapp says as she hangs up. Others might voice amazement in describing Ashley, though perhaps not in the sense the fragrant former Eternal songstress meant. Joe Kinnear's return to Newcastle United is the latest piece of Ashley astonishment. Even if it is a reprise of a previous routine, it has been no less effective in its achievement of shock and awe. Actions will always drown out words in Ashley’s world. The simplest formula to successfully owning Newcastle is to keep the Toon Army happy. In the early days, hundreds of Newcastle fans were treated to largesse when the Ashley credit card was placed behind city-centre bars. They all laughed with him, too, when he was caught illegally necking a pint in the stands at Arsenal. It seemed he just wanted to be one of the lads, a status cemented when he returned Geordie Messiah Kevin Keegan to the manager’s job. However, the unwinding of that regime was a prelude to a tenure in which the owner’s decisions have almost always been inimical to popularity and sanity. When you are a self-made billionaire, the angry complaints of 52,000 football fans would not seem to matter. “Hughton is a Geordie” was the ultimate accolade the Toon Army could bestow on Chris Hughton, but he was removed within weeks of a 5-1 thrashing of Sunderland, despite his newly-promoted team punching well above its weight. United went into their penultimate match of the 2012-13 season with relegation a real prospect. Who better to turn the ship around than a 66-year-old whose management took them to the brink of their relegation of 2008-9? The overriding suspicion is that Kinnear is a Trojan horse to smoke Alan Pardew out from his eight-year contract. Only at Ashley’s Newcastle could a long-term deal be the source of such doubt. Gustavo Poyet, looking for work after suspension and fall-outs at Brighton, is now being linked with Newcastle. Poyet is a friend and former team-mate of Dennis Wise, the member of the “Cockney Mafia” whose presence was the first indication of the Keegan revival going awry. On the face of it, one of the keys to reviving Newcastle is to build a bridge to their sizeable Francophone clique. However, in the unlikely event of Kinnear ever saying “pardon my French”, he will not be referring to his incorrect use of a participe passe. We live in an era where the director of football is finally becoming acceptable in the English game. Andre Villas-Boas has requested one at Tottenham Hotspur, and is expected to work with Franco Baldini. Even Tony Pulis combined well with John Rudge at Stoke City. Sir Bobby Robson used to manage in tandem with Gordon Milne at St James’ Park, but the three names mentioned are discreet operators who sought to take a back seat rather than making their voices loudly heard. Kinnear is not that type of man. He quit such a role at Oxford United in 2001 because of frustration at a lack of day-to-day involvement, and exited calling fans “muppets” in a fashion similar to the now notorious talkSPORT interview on Monday night that almost crashed Twitter with its hilarity. “Some are talking out of their backsides, a load of tosh,” he said when asked to deliver his message to doubtful fans. “I'm not accepting it, as simple as that. I have certainly got more intelligence than them, that’s a fact.” X-rated press conferences, mangling of names, tall tales and angry settling of scores are hardly compelling indicators of suitability for a job that is presumably one of considerable responsibility. Neither is there evidence of any semblance of an embracing of football modernity, yet Kinnear returns as Ashley’s man, and one whose football judgment the owner supposedly values above all others. “What I'm saying is that I've got my finger in the pie halfway around the world,” Kinnear said on Sunday, a sentence that makes as little sense as his return to Newcastle. Then again, we are not Mike Ashley. Billionaires do not make their impossible fortunes by being nice or following the rules that others do. Popular does not necessarily mean profitable. Neither, seemingly, does sensible. The fans at St James' may hate him for his seeming desire to make theirs the most mocked club in football but, as they walk to and from the stadium, they must head past a branch of SportsDirect, the flagship company that belches out pile-em-high-sell-it-cheap sportswear to the masses. Those who wear a replica shirt must do so with the legend 'Wonga' emblazoned across their chests. A city riven by unemployment and economic problems has its most famous asset serving as an advertising board for a loan company that offers an APR of 4214%. Why must Ashley do things like employing Joe Kinnear? How does he get away with it? Because he can. He bought the club without due diligence and paid the price of front-loaded sponsorships. He messed around managers and bore the shame of relegation. The opportunity cost of Kinnear’s return is likely to be Pardew’s departure and yet more instability. And Newcastle fans must suffer yet another spate of theirs being a comedic crisis club. Before he became involved in football, Ashley was personified in the business world as a recluse, Britain’s answer to Howard Hughes. Perhaps the hasty purchase of Newcastle in 2007 was his way of showing that he does cut his fingernails and hair, and does not sleep on a bed of Kleenex tissues. It is as plausible an explanation as any for his utterly bizarre stewardship of a football club. Louise Redknapp was right. She still is. Mike Ashley never ceases to amaze. http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/6976?cc=5901 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuy_O Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 good times. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Would anyone stomach relegation if it meant Ashley sold the club? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenBartonCentrePartin Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 "But I am now a dad who can't take his kids to a football game on a Saturday because I am advised that we would be assaulted." Get ready for round two Mike... People are resigned to defeat these days IMO. Agree. It's not like 2008 when KK resigned anymore. Don't get me wrong, I'll support and love NUFC - always - I'll be there at SJP for our first home match of the next season hopefully and will be cheering them on but, the spark, that kind of passion that once was - it's not there just this moment of time. I think once Ashley f***s off it'll be back 100%. Till then, it's turn off the on field actions, support the 11 players on the pitch... That's what he wants. Money in the coffers from fans in the belief it'll all simmer down. He's not fucking off anywhere anytime soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belfast Mags Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Would anyone stomach relegation if it meant Ashley sold the club? Would make it less likely to be honest. If Mike was to get out, it would have to be at the top of the market (which makes this latest move even harder to understand) I admire the fact you're clutching at straws here crambling around in the dirt for anyway out. Fair play Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannybagoftudor Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 I would welcome relegation if it meant all of the rats involved with NUFC left - even more I am not sure that I could really cheer a domestic trophy (I know as if) - the lunatics are making it very difficult. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanji Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 If he was going to sell, he should have sold on the back of the 5th place finish with a manager on a short-term contract and a young talented squad bought very cheaply; the likes of Tiote, Cisse, Ba, etc were all at the highest of their valuations as well. He probably could have had a case for the amount of money some could cost if they were traded and added that to his sale price. He could have earned his money back on a massive premium in my opinion. It was his absolute best and easiest time to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Would anyone stomach relegation if it meant Ashley sold the club? I would take starting over as a club, United of Newcastle, in the 17th tier of football at this point. At least we'd have our pride back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Green Balls Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Has Kinnear actually been seen in public since all this? He claims he's never been fitter. Which admittedly means he's probably in a wheelchair and isn't allowed on Ryanair flights. Or he already died, but the stubborn cunt refuses to accept it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duo Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Surely this is MA just trying to drive AP out? And who better for the job....it's the only explanation I can think of the appointment is so ridiculous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Surely this is MA just trying to drive AP out? And who better for the job....it's the only explanation I can think of the appointment is so ridiculous. Drive AP out? Do you think he's unable to sack him if he wants to? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
huss9 Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 no way he gave him an 8 yr contract without a get out, surely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Surely this is MA just trying to drive AP out? And who better for the job....it's the only explanation I can think of the appointment is so ridiculous. Drive AP out? Do you think he's unable to sack him if he wants to? Then it's pay-out time. It's either 1 of 3 things. 1) Ashley Believes JFK knows what he's talking about. ha ha ha 2) He's brought him in as the villain to deflect pressure off Pardew. 3) He's brought him in to help with the sickening off process so Pardew quits and gets bugger all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuy_O Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 no way he gave him an 8 yr contract without a get out, surely. There was an article not so long back on this board where it was claimed he was due the full lot if he got sacked. Obviously no one knows but it makes you wonder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Until now I would have thought Pardew's contract would have been stuffed with get out clauses. But using Kinnear to force him out is also mental, so take your pick really. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuy_O Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 If it is some crackpot way to unite manager / fans / players then it's unbelievably bold. Really not sure what to believe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Green Balls Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 bold would be stapling his nutsack to his thigh. This is just daft. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuy_O Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 bold would be stapling his nutsack to his thigh. This is just daft. Defiantly considering it's swinging off his forehead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shays Given Tim Flowers Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 no way he gave him an 8 yr contract without a get out, surely. There was an article not so long back on this board where it was claimed he was due the full lot if he got sacked. Obviously no one knows but it makes you wonder. If his basic is as low as its rumoured to be then surely it doesn't matter? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Perhaps the most vindictive and sinister cunt of an owner I've ever heard of. There's incompetence from ownership, and then there's blatant spitefulness and disregard for an entire community. Marlins? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuy_O Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 no way he gave him an 8 yr contract without a get out, surely. There was an article not so long back on this board where it was claimed he was due the full lot if he got sacked. Obviously no one knows but it makes you wonder. If his basic is as low as its rumoured to be then surely it doesn't matter? I heard someone say today maybe he doesn't want to look stupid, but that boat sailed years ago tbh. They had that meeting a few weeks ago, a statement followed not long after which in a rather conspicuous manner left Pardew's name out. It could be that words were said at that meeting and Ashley secretly had enough, and this is the method to get rid of Pardew. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Perhaps the most vindictive and sinister cunt of an owner I've ever heard of. There's incompetence from ownership, and then there's blatant spitefulness and disregard for an entire community. Marlins? Perhaps, but nobody cares about the Marlins anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Perhaps the most vindictive and sinister cunt of an owner I've ever heard of. There's incompetence from ownership, and then there's blatant spitefulness and disregard for an entire community. Marlins? Perhaps, but nobody cares about the Marlins anyway. Loria got a free stadium and traded away all the good players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia Posted June 18, 2013 Share Posted June 18, 2013 As a fan of this club, you're trained to take the bad times. I can take that. What I can't take is having an amazing 2011-12, with a fantastic set of players and yet here we are 12 months later staring into oblivion. For no reason at all, just because Ashley feels like it. The bad times are bad, the good times quickly turn into a disaster.....honestly, what's the point? I see other owners who are good people, people that dream, people with good intentions. And to see ours deliberately shit on the fans at every possible opportunity, purely out of spite, tears me apart. I thought 'bad Ashley' was over and I feel betrayed. He hates people, he hates tradition and it looks like he hates making money - which is odd for a billionaire. But he must do, otherwise he wouldn't be doing this. To have the audacity to even think of removing us from Europe is despicable, he possesses an evil that even Hollywood writers couldn't create. The last 3 days have changed me. For years its been a love-hate relationship with the club but now I hate that I ever fell for his tricks. I've changed. There's no light at the end of the tunnel this time. I'm at my most miserable when thinking about this club and at my happiest when I'm far away from it. That's not healthy and, honestly, I don't think I have the energy or desire to suffer through this again. All the good work of the last 3 years has been undone in an instant. Being on Team Pardew is horrific but, incredibly, the alternative has far bleaker consequences. Ashley isn't thinking straight, his intentions are evil and he'll not stop until he's reduced this great club to nothing. Mission accomplished. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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