Jump to content

Various: Mike Ashley in talks with Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan


Recommended Posts

Tough one:

 

Scenario 1: Ashley sells, but a CL club comes in for Rafa and he's off too

 

Scenario 2: Ashley doesn't sell, but Rafa stays

 

What would you choose?

 

I love Rafa and he's our best hope for success, but as this is hypothetical. Ashley gone would top anything else.

 

Yeah, that would be my knee-jerk answer. But as has been said, we won't get anyone better than Rafa. If he would commit long-term (i.e sign a new contract) and get, say the transfer money that McClaren got, the future would look bright. Potentially :lol:

Link to post
Share on other sites

It is the hope that kills you. See, I'm expecting an Ashley window. I've decided a takeover is too much to hope for, so I'm setting my sights lower.

 

I'm hoping that somewhere in the region of the £50-80m previously mentioned is made available for Rafa. I'm hoping that will cover Kenedy, a decent starting striker and another starter (AM? RW?). After that, we can sell players (that Rafa approves of selling, like Mitro) to fund other upgrades.

 

It shouldn't be too much to hope for - there are many who would say there is no hope under Ashley.

 

The sales is the big one - if there is a £40m bid for Lascelles it is entirely conceivable that Ashley would accept it before asking Rafa. You'd hope that Rafa would argue that he's irreplaceable and that £40m is not enough if he got the chance (and Ashley might be swayed by that).

 

In the worst case, you'd hope Rafa can find another gem like Lejeune. Oh, and the small matter of hoping Rafa doesn't walk over a sale against his will.

 

Back to hoping. :(

Link to post
Share on other sites

If there's no takeover then I'm afraid, ruing negativity, the can is kicked down the road - a decade of Rafa at Newcastle and Ashley's methods is a paradox. I want to enjoy things whilst they are good and am but objectively you have to be worried. Bit shit really.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest The Little Waster

Ashley isnt going anywhere , he will look to get Jamal away for £££ Rafa will leave ... Just accept reality now rather than later

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ashley isnt going anywhere , he will look to get Jamal away for £££ Rafa will leave ... Just accept reality now rather than later

 

That's two terrible posts, now.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ashley isnt going anywhere , he will look to get Jamal away for £££ Rafa will leave ... Just accept reality now rather than later

 

That's two terrible posts, now.

 

One of the admin needs to change that user name to The Little Wa**er

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the whole Wenger thing actually strengthens Rafa's 'play'.

 

We know he is a great political player and strategist, for want of a better phrase.  I think Rafa will use this news to bolster his own position here.

 

A few carefully phrased words to make it clear his loyalty is with us BUT that the owner must back him and show same ambition etc. All this against the backdrop of safety, a decent league finish, takeover rumours that are still floating about and an owner who is either going to have to put up or shut up/shove off.

 

I trust Rafa to play this well.

Link to post
Share on other sites

My fear is that Rafa does hold all the cards, nothing guarantees premier league money like rafa does, he keeps players here and attracts players to us and if he goes the fans will revolt again, probably worse than ever before. This all looks good for rafa getting a deal but knowing Ashley I think he will loath being in such a poor negotiating position and instead will see it as some kind of macho show of strength to ditch Rafa just because he can and hire another yes man.

 

(that's just my paranoia mind, I kinda think Rafa will stay)

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the whole Wenger thing actually strengthens Rafa's 'play'.

 

We know he is a great political player and strategist, for want of a better phrase.  I think Rafa will use this news to bolster his own position here.

 

A few carefully phrased words to make it clear his loyalty is with us BUT that the owner must back him and show same ambition etc. All this against the backdrop of safety, a decent league finish, takeover rumours that are still floating about and an owner who is either going to have to put up or shut up/shove off.

 

I trust Rafa to play this well.

 

My thoughts as well.

 

Rafa is already playing it perfectly in my opinion, he's not committing to anything until he gets some guarantees but now Ashleys words aren't enough, so he's waiting to see where we are after the window.

 

He's started something here and I think he will want to carry it on as long as he doesn't get fucked over again.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ashley isnt going anywhere , he will look to get Jamal away for £££ Rafa will leave ... Just accept reality now rather than later

 

That's two terrible posts, now.

 

It's just a defence mechanism TBF, never hope and Ashley can't get you.

Link to post
Share on other sites

What version of reality am I in whereby I'm on a football forum and have to open a new tab to learn what a Hegelian dialectic is??

 

Hell, i'm glad i wasn't the only one!

 

Haydn must have an IQ of 120 to know that shit at 17.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...