Kitman

I still don't get it though. How can these things drag on for so long? I'm not surprised the potential buyers looked at the books and saw that a lot about the finances was wrong, but that was more than a month ago, maybe even two months. What can possibly take the parties so long? To be fair due diligence involves more than a quick look at the books. Financial due diligence will look at all the clubs income flows, all its contractual liabilities (players, property, suppliers etc), bank financing and security arrangements, and the viability of the business, including modelling future cashflows and considering whether the asking price is reasonable; I imagine for a large club like NUFC the dealings are quite complicated and take somne unravelling. In addition there's legal due diligence and there may even be environmental stuff associated with the ground. Plus tax and accounting due diligence. If there are financiers involved like banks that hold security against assets, that might involve additional work. Then there will be negotiations around the offer based on the due diligence, maybe an agreement in principle which has to be turned into a contract. Supposing things get that far, then there's the sale and purchase agreement to be prepared and finalised, which has to be pored over by lawyers for all the parties, and warranties and indemnities which protect the purchaser, and any disclosures the vendor wants to make against these. The sale agreement may go through many drafts. There may be stumbling blocks and ultimatums, and the logistics of bringing all the different advisers and interested parties together can be time consuming. I've probably missed something out. If you're doing it properly it can take quite a bit of time. Unless you're Mike Ashley buying a company, in which case you conclude the deal on the back of a greasy napkin by all accounts in between courses.

Crikey. You need to relax.

You have to laugh. Otherwise you'd cry. I hope they're taking notes on how not to structure contracts, in case we ever sign anyone ever again. They'll need a big notebook, mind.

Ashley is a hermaphrodite - a cock and a cunt at the same time. Nothing he does surprises me anymore, unless it's something which benefits the club. Like him fucking off for good, for instance.

The cynical part of me can't help but think Habib was always going to leave once we got relegated. He owes us nothing and I expect nearly all the players feel the same way, being foreign mercenaries in the first place. Anybody who stays and kisses the badge probably can't get a good enough deal elsewhere - that's modern football. I'm expecting a lot more of this kind of 'sorry lads, but I've got no choice' sort of guff.

Dinnae Ken more like.

Well Dyer's record is pretty mind-boggling. He was a sick note with us but since he went to West Ham he's barely kicked a ball. The full horror of his record can be seen here: http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_pre...yer_injury.html At his age and given his injury record he might well be finished already, given his game is based on pace to a large degree.

You have to be sceptical as to why a 'source' close to Ashley would want to advertise that the club is up shit creek. Not that we hadn't guessed already that Ashley was asking more than people were probably prepared to pay.

It wouldn't surprise me, they've got previous as Jap Stam testified. However I wonder whether they would have bothered with the brochure if so....or was that a master stroke to throw people off the scent? Edit: 'they' in relation to the brochure being Owen's management company obviously

Shocking. Hope he makes a full recovery.

not just last season, the complete lack of a midfield that can hold the ball has put unneccesary pressure on our defence and keeper for a while now and it contributes to our "defensive problems" that they have so much more to do than most other teams, man for man we have a decent first choice defence, certainly a prem standard one IMO but they can't be expected to shut out opposing sides when they are being attacked constantly every game Certainly doesn't help when your defensive shield is a balding ginger OAP trundling about trying to catch the ball up

tbh they had over 50 minutes and 11 overs to get one wicket including Monty Panesar, possibly one of the worst batsman in test cricket. They should have won easily and it's partly down to the Aussies letting England off the hook and partly down to sheer determination of Collingwood and the tail enders not to throw away wickets cheaply. This is just typical graceless bitter bollocks from Ponting and if I was Australian I'd be embarrassed by the hypocrisy. He should shut his trap, show a bit of class and get on with it. The Aussies were by far and away the better team over the match and they should leave it at that instead of whining like bubbly bairns about timewasting. Even if it's true.

You know things are desperate when senior players can't even trot some vaguely positive cliches

Fabulous result, feels like a win given we were nailed on to lose it when Strauss was out. We're still at 0-0 and live to fight another day, the Aussies will be flat as hell after totally outplaying England. Top marks to Collingwood, maybe his best days aren't behind him after all. Some of his team mates need to have a serious look at themselves though, especially Pietersen and Cook. We also need to freshen up the toothless bowling attack, Harmison anyone?

Are we supposed to be pleased about this? He sounds too small time to me, maybe he should look at Shamrock Rovers instead.

Scotch Egg!

As much as i admire Stevens spirit, unfortunately, I don't think he will ever be a Mr Reliable at centreback like Terry is - decent but a bit lacking at the top level He'd be out of his depth imo

I thought he was supposed to be furious and heading back to the Beeb?

Has the look and feel of a completely made up story. You wonder why they bother.

Back on topic, any half decent manager at this point in time would be preferable to none at all. Strachan would be OK for the CCC imo, but he wouldn't be a long term appointment if we get back in the prem. In all probability it's just bullshit though.

Would anyone seriously think Saylor was a replacement for Terry, even if Terry was for sale?

I think that point is particularly well made. The situation is poisonous and I fear for our start to next season. Compare us to other clubs with a clue about what needs to be done to prepare for the CCC.

More 'messiah' bollocks from the red tops, I notice. Regarding the story, I'd hardly blame Shearer if he did go back to the sofa. Any chance of a decent start to the season has been well and truly depth-charged by our fat moron of an owner. No transfers in or out, bar the free agents. I think Brian Clough would struggle dealt this hand, let alone a newbie manager.

Well done. Disappointing the trust hasn't bought the club yet though [/Rod Liddle]

which reminds me, Michael Jackson was also preparing to place a bid to buy nufc before he died. That's the last thing your mum said as she choked on my 10 inches of chorizo. That'll teach her to take her teeth out first