Rayvin

All any of the mooted suggestions need is organisation. If we settled in a truly representative fan group, and all fans put their lot in with it, it would be much harder. We stand divided currently.

Yes but, he does appear to be attempting to recoup his losses on the initial purchase. Over time, him spending money we gain by finishing 10th etc will pay off his loan, thus expediting his departure as (in theory) the sale price falls. That has to be the only reason he's even still bothering paying any attention to us at all.

That's a relief...

I'm not saying it's any more likely to happen though It would require a level of organisation beyond mere football fans. We'd need one of the supporters groups to take the initiative and for some real leadership to emerge. So far, from what I've seen, it looks like we're all pulling in different directions and squabbling. (See the 60 vs 69th min. walkout).

I didn't mean we'd gradually buy in - I meant that the money is pledged and only released once another buyer comes along who is prepared to make up the difference between MA's asking price and whatever the fan group manages to accumulate. Essentially, our hand would grow year on year (for a while, I'd imagine the pledged would expire if it took too long, and would need renegotiation). My suggestion was actually a means by which we could erode the false value that he has attached.

We've probably established that money is the only thing that'll do it, I would guess. We as fans can't raise the money to buy out Ashley, but we can raise some of it. If season ticket holders, and regular matchday goers were to avoid spending their money on the club, and stayed away, instead putting the money into some kind of legally protected fund, we could over time start amassing money which could be used to assist any potential buyers in the taking over of the club. In turn, fans could have a say in the running of the club as we would end up with a stake in it. The fund could be invested in by local businesses on the back of promises to allow them set periods of exposure once the club's ownership has been changed. Say we got to a point where even £50m can been put to one side through either local business pledges or fan investment - that's £50m off the sale price for any prospective buyer. Sure, they have to surrender ownership of a part of the club to the fans - but really, this could be set up in such a way that it worked for everyone, with legal control belonging to the main party of buyers, but with special considerations made for fan viewpoints; considerations which were contractually protected. Is this likely to happen? Of course not. Would it even work? Who knows. I dare say someone will think of a reason why it wouldn't. But it's all I can think of. EDIT - how long this would take would depend on uptake amongst fans and local business alike. Maybe 5 seasons if we were lucky and attracted enough media attention.

I love this bit about Benfica being cursed by a manager from the 1960s Thing is, they seem to have made such a big deal about it that it's probably now true, and hanging over the players heads!

Bet Chelsea wish they'd done that with Matic...

Isn't it more about nationalism these days anyway? Agreed with the majority anyway, patriotism is just a tool that those in power use to influence those without.

UK: Carlisle for me, largely because my dad supports them. I know they're a bit too close for comfort, but they've never been a threat to us in any form. Overseas: Juventus - must be the strip

I love that Cisse goal Largely because of Cech's desperate efforts to touch it, along with his subsequent facepalm, making it even more epic.

Fuck sake, the guy is hopeless. Where next, I wonder...

Is it just me who thinks that Simeone will go on to be a rather unspectacular manager after his purple patch with Atletico comes to an end? He'll be picked up by a team in the top four of the PL or by Real Madrid. He will fail to meet expectations by not winning the treble in his first season, and will be fired. He will then be picked up by a team like Spurs and ruined. Not saying he's a bad manager, just have this impression that it'll all end in tears. If he stays with Atletico mind, I guess he could on to build something special.

Good point actually - shame we can't hold the club to this pledge given that Man Utd seem to be keen on parting with about £150m...

That is amazing..!

We don't have 4-0 in us. Well, not with us on the scoring end anyway. I predict 0-0 or 0-1.

Yeah, that was a bizarre one... Although they lost control of the game when they put Eto'o on actually. I think they stood more chance with 6 on the field. Taking Cole off allowed Atleti to stretch them.

An all Madrid final then..!

Then again...

Chelsea 1-0 up... that should be it really, they should close up shop and Athletico will be unable to prise them open. Would have been a more entertaining spectacle if it'd been the other way around.

That sounds profoundly sensible. Saying that, I'm in now. I wanted something familiar to kick it off with, and I thought I might see the bad news coming if I'm close to it. I totally get what you're saying though.

Sherwood is a bell end of the highest order, mind.

God, I'll just give up now I would only back Chelsea because of the milestone it would represent for their manager. I like seeing stuff like that, dunno why.

I know, it's controversial - in my defence, it wasn't so much Barcelona. It was how every other team played against them - ultra defensive. It was awful, until counter attacking developed specifically to deconstruct tiki taka. The climax of which, we just saw

that mackem vid... Is he their version of True Geordie? I'm starting to think we've got off lightly with him actually.