The Fish

But, from what I understand, the issues about piracy were intrinsically linked to the ownership issue. The state was pirating, so if the state was owning Newcastle then they'd fail the test. The previous separation assurances given by PIF weren't up to scratch, but, surprise surprise, the minute the piracy issue is resolved, these assurances are ok? Come on man. This is capitalism at it's worst. Ashley was just looking out for himself in all of this, regardless of what PIF and the PL were doing. Sure his court cases may have revealed something the PL didn't want revealed, but you're kidding yourself if you think they'd have caved had the piracy issue not been fixed.

I think that there may be two issues that resolving the piracy issues fixed. 1. the Piracy issue 2. the legal cases would have revealed more than the PL wanted. There wasn't a way to drop the cases without sorting the piracy issue.

Do they? This piracy issue could and should have been sorted 18 months ago. No red flags, remember? When this first turned up, we were genuinely talking about Benitez or Pochettino. Now it surely has to be Conte, right?

Aye the fans of other clubs are just doing what fans do. Us vs them. What makes them different? Their new owners are horrific? Super news. I'm not bothered by that as I don't have to defend Saudi Arabia. Just like I didn't defend Mike Ashley. Or Shepherd. Plus, the PL says there's separation so technically, TECHNICALLY, we're owned by a few investment funds.

I'd love to read a far reaching interview with Charnley. The little weasel has yes-manned his way through life for over a decade, it's about time he faced the music. Unlike his boss I don't think he's got the balls to front it up, so inevitably he'd reveal more than he means to.

I'm 'working' but shifted a couple of meetings to tomorrow. I'm fucked if this thing isn't announced today

There's a dissonance, Short was all right (even though he was the ultimate architect of their demise). Ashley is a good owner in their eyes because he only got us relegated twice, has only returned us to our 'natural position', and has us in a healthy financial state.

They're all over that already. Saying how ungrateful we are.

There's one saying that the Saudis could go bankrupt. Another saying that the players won't come because their wives don't have enough expensive places to shop. Some saying that it's not our club any more. It is fascinating.

No. Choose. Like you have to choose between supporting Newcastle United, or thinking murdering journalists is bad. You cannot possibly do both at the same time.

Not purely because they're the richest, because they're built on foundations stronger than ours are now. Patience padawan.

And yet, FFP and the very landscape of football means we can't just spunk a few hundred million over a couple of seasons and buy the title.

You can all act like pricks to me if you like, or you can be excited for the end of Ashley?

We're not going to Man City it, and you're a child if you think we are.

This is true, and there are mitigating factors now as there was then. However, Bruce is bad at football management and a cunt.

You're not wrong.

Wasn't there a short lived comedy, pretty much about this starring Steve Carrell?

They definitely do not want it done quietly.

That bloke is deranged. He honestly thinks he's 'taking on' the Premier League!

But I don't want to run.

Sorry to hear this mate. My dad was able to swap nominated person between himself and my Godfather's two sons for weeks before Jim died, is that not possible for your Dad? The Office of the Public Guardian might be able to give you advice on Power of Attorney? That said it's a civil service department, so I'm not sure how efficient they'll be.

The press seem to have rounded on Nuno Espirito Santo for doing such a terrible job at Spurs (3/0/3), but they're still saying Bruce is doing a good job at Newcastle (0/3/3). Now, Spurs have a much better team than we do, so maybe NES isn't up to that job and the press are maybe entitled to have a go at him. But surely, this squad is better than 17th? And shouldn't we be entitled to criticise a manger who performs badly and behaves like a prick as well?

Marginally better Wolfy, come on.

Look, I was right about English Tapas, and I'll be proven right about freezing grapes an'all.