‘Straight talking’ Toon fans vent their spleens on Wonga…

Posted on September 4th, 2013 | 82 Comments |

Wonga Shark.
Tyneside: Now a haven for sharks.
As some of you regular readers may recall, I posted this blog a few days ago, asking readers for their views on 1. The Yohan Cabaye transfer situation and 2. Wonga’s sponsorship of Newcastle United now that the season has started.

I compiled the results into two seprate pieces for my blog on metro.co.uk and though the first one on Cabaye was published on there, the second one on Wonga was “rejected due to unsuitable content.” So, I am publishing it on here for your delectation and delight!

Hello and welcome to the third blog here on metro.co.uk where I take a look at what Magpies fans are thinking about the burning issues of the day at Newcastle United. In this one I take a look at what my fellow fans are thinking about the club’s latest shirt sponsors, the controversial payday loan sharks perfectly respectable ‘Digital Finance Company,’ Wonga.

As with the last one about the current Yohan Cabaye controversy, I published a blog on my own site requesting 50-60 word comments from readers on giving their thoughts. As space is tight though, I won’t waste any more space with my own waffle except to say that the comments have been arranged to gradually move through the spectrum of opinion from one extreme to another, so here goes!

“Why do people care about Wonga being immoral? – The bigger banks who sponsor other teams get no negative press yet they cripple the worlds economy. Alcohol and gambling companies also sponsor plenty of teams and both can cause addiction and other things” – Steve.

“Football has become thirdly a sport, secondly entertainment, and first of all about business. Ashley got the best financial deal he could find, get used to it.” – Paul in Hollywood.

“Two despicable organisations, WONGA and Sports Direct, birds of a feather that presently have control of both Newcastle United and the local press. Not a good situation.” – Chuck.

“The whole situation is a con and I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Less money, Virgin given no chance to bid, stadium name shenanigans – something doesn’t smell right. Maybe Ashley just likes dealing with shysters.” – Tunyc.

“I normally buy the new strips but haven’t bothered this season ’cause no way am I advertising a company that brings so much misery to people’s lives and no sporting club should ever promote a company like Wonga. Its a disgrace.” – Phil D.

“Don’t get me started! A despicable organisation that feeds off human misery and I’m ashamed to have them associated with my club.” – Simmo.

“No matter how many half time competitions Wonga run, they are still a toxic association that makes me ashamed to be a fan of my beloved Toon. It will take a long time to wipe the stain from the club.” – Pete Toon.

“Ashley & Wonga, Rose & Fred West, Myra Hindley & Ian Brady. Get the picture?” – Joe Hawkins.

If any of you have any further thoughts, please feel free to add them below.

Well, that was the blog, but on the same topic, I have also posted a new poll (below) asking the question “Do you think that Wonga’s sponsorship of Newcastle United is damaging the club’s image?” It would be great if you could participate and give us your vote!

My latest metro.co.uk blog.

NUFC Blog on metro.co.uk
NUFC Blog on metro.co.uk
Continuing the Metro theme, though not the Wonga one, my latest blog did manage to get past the censors at Daily Mail towers and was published. As you can see below, the title is fairly self explanatory:
.

Newcastle United transfer window report card: Don’t blame Joe Kinnear for lacklustre transfer policy.

Poll

Do you think that Wonga's sponsorship of Newcastle United is damaging the club's image?

 (view results)

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NUFCBlog Author: workyticket workyticket has written 1091 articles on this blog.

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82 Responses

  1. Does WONGA’s sponsorship of Newcastle United damage the clubs image ?
    Yes of course it does, as did the changing of the venerable name St. James’s Park, to Sport’s Direct Stadium.
    But what do you expect from this philistine of an owner, sensitivity ?
    Not that I prescribe to the common usage that philistines, were a people who are commonly assumed to be lacking in either sensibility or were an ignorant crowd, of course.
    They being a very cultured race, who I believe were descendants of Greek seafarers.
    The term just came to mind and I shall mind not to use it again.

  2. In furtherance of what Paul in Hollywood said above (oh, that’s me!), it needs to be seen in the same context in which a country where youth unemployment exceeds 50%, the focus of attention and the hype can be centered on paying 100 million euros for a player in a team where all the players will earn more in a week than many of the working 50% will earn in a year or more. Money has corrupted football and become the plaything of billionaires captured so well by Pink Floyd in the song “Money”: “Think I’ll by me a football team”. Long gone are the days when the chance of winning the Premiership (Division One) is wide open.

  3. chuck says:
    September 4, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    “Not that I prescribe to the common usage that philistines, were a people who are commonly assumed to be lacking in either sensibility or were an ignorant crowd, of course.”

    Early Zionist propaganda Chuck, they were actually a civilised lot for the Iron Age. Hence, I never use the word “Philistine” to denote someone who is lacking in cultural sensibilties. Despite the similarity in the two words, they don’t have anything to do with the modern day Palestinians though as they weren’t Semitic.

    According to some, they may have originated from Crete, home of one of the world’s oldest civilisations, the Minoans. I remember reading all about them in one of my history books when I was a bairn, yet I can’t remember what happened five minutes ago nowadays! :lol:

  4. Paul in Hollywood says:
    September 4, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    “focus of attention and the hype can be centered on paying 100 million euros for a player in a team where all the players will earn more in a week than many of the working 50% will earn in a year or more.”

    Oh not that that one again, Paul! :roll:

    That fat slug, that sweatshop parasite sitting in his chair at SJP earns more than the whole of his squad put together and the same goes for nearly all football club owners. Without those top players and top coaches though, their clubs would be nothing and they’d make bugger all out of them.

    Really, this footballer envy just an anti working class snob thing which says they should be kept in their place and have their considerable talents mercilessly exploited by their social betters. And yet, the working classes themselves have fallen for it hook, line and sinker, never saying anything about the scandalous earnings and tax avoidance strategies of the leeches in the boardroom, not to mention the Murdochs and others with their TV cameras.

    What would you rather pay to see, a fat bastard called Ashley slumped in a chair or Hatem Ben scoring a goal?

  5. Whilst I was in Suffolk we went on a boat trip around the Wroxham area. There were some beautiful houses many of which had one or more expensive cabin cruisers moored in private docks. We later spoke to a woman in the Fish and chip shop (there is actually 4 or more within 20 yards of each other). She told us that the front houses are the £1 million ones, further back are the £3 million ones and the most secluded are the £4 million plus ones. to which she added many of them belong to footballers.

  6. Simon Bird has done a bit of a polemic on Kinnear’s appointment, And subsequent performance thus far.
    I can see Joe having some colourful language for Mr Bird, The next time he sees him.
    Apparently Joe was seen by a fan at an airport, The day after the “The Summit Of St Tropez”, And was looking rather disheveled, He told the fan, There would be three in by the weekend, They still haven’t turned up!

    Uncle Joe is going to be under the microscope, From here on in.

    I thought it was bad enough seeing Sports Direct, Being paraded around the advertising boards, But seeing W***A.COM around the pitch, Is another kick in the stones.
    I’ve never seen “The Proud Sponsors Of Blackpool”, At Bloomfield road.
    It’s like we have become the poster boy, For their numbers racket, Of a business.
    Ashley has well and truly brassed us off, With W***A.COM!

  7. Worky says: “What would you rather pay to see, a fat bastard called Ashley slumped in a chair or Hatem Ben scoring a goal?”

    You’re missing the point Worky. Besides, it’s not a class issue, it’s a moral issue. “Today as in the days of Rome” when throwing Christians to the lions was considered sport. What I am saying is that we have become horribly out of balance as a global society, where footballers/entertainers can earn massive sums of money when millions can barely afford the bus fare to the stadium, let alone the match ticket. In my book, something is horribly wrong and we can no longer see it. Repeat: not a class issue – a moral issue. Hence my earlier comment about sport being pushed to the background.

  8. Sad sad sad sad.
    I’d guess that 90% of the fans do not understand the business aspects of the club, and do not appreciate where we were headed before Ashley stepped in.
    Yes it’s just easier to slag him off than to even TRY to understand the business.
    Of course some do understand the business but choose to ignore the details.
    Ashley and Sports Direct have saved the club from falling into receivership. I’m sure he does not expect a warm pat on the back but – well actually he probably does!

    On the Wonga side again people either just don’t understand the business or are just looking for a reason to slag off Ashley.

    The club is on its best financial footing for years and this is the beginning.

    Ashley is referred to as the “Greedy Cockney Bastard” and of course there is no evidence of greed and he’s not even a Cockney. I’n not saying he’s not a bastard but we should really have more than 1 out of 3 right.

    This is just mob ignorance taking over.

    By the way – does anyone know what the total amount raised by NUST is? Are we any nearer to having a fans club?

  9. worky – you always know the blog is doing something right when the Sports Direct PR department feel the need to hop onto the forum and tell us how wonderful Ashley is, how he’s kind to small animals and he once turned water into wine at a wedding.

  10. A lot depends on whether Ashley is strapped into that chair, And some other items are provided:
    One rubber bouncing ball.
    Duct Tape.
    A huge metal container of Duckham’s Hyper Grade.
    One Black Suit.
    One thin Black Tie.
    One Ghetto Blaster.
    One pair of aviator shades.
    One old 90 minute cassette tape, With “Stuck In The Middle With You”, Continuously recorded.
    One flick knife.

    Yep, I think a could just about be persuaded to turn away from, Ben Arfa’s moment of triumph!

  11. I’ve just had a browse on Footymad’s Newcastle’s site, And they are all at each other’s throats.
    This is why it will never change, Ashley has got what he wants, If there is no unity!
    “Divide And Rule”, Age old proverb!
    Like i said previously, There are now two distinct factions

    “The Bed Sheet Brigade”, Who have taken a militant stance against Ashley’s running of the club.
    This faction wants the club to succeed, And will not compromise, On how it is done.
    They want total transparency, And a clear plan, For the club to move forward.
    This is without Mike Ashley’s involvement, And they want him to leave, YESTERDAY!

    In the other corner, We have, “The Spread Sheet Brigade”, Who seem to want to support Ashley to the last.
    Like Worky has said previously, They are all a bunch of Amateur Bankers, And wannabe Wall Street Traders.
    They all seem to think Association Football is played on paper, Or a computer Screen.
    They were the only one’s who didn’t seem to realise a 35 Million pound cheque, Doesn’t get you 20 plus goals a season, Unless he has a name like Karel Poborsky, Or Vaclav or something or other.
    They will always point to the fact we are in great financial shape, And how Ashley saved us from certain Bankruptcy.
    Even though we owe him over a hundred Million debt, Which he is now taking back.
    I ask one question to these people though, What is the point of having the best Bank Balance, In The Championship!

    Do we get together as fans, to find a way forward?
    Or do we start picking our side?

  12. joe – I’m with you on this. I’ve picked my side, and it’s Toon forever. Shame that there’s no real agreement as to what this means for people.

  13. joe hawkins says:
    September 5, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    “I’ve just had a browse on Footymad’s Newcastle’s site, And they are all at each other’s throats.”

    That’s a really nasty Islamophobic site, Joe, some of the stuff they wrote about Papiss Cisse when he was having his drama was absolutely vile.

  14. I’m going to write to my MP, And i want W***A.COM done for “Homophobia”
    These b*****d’s are only offering, “Straight Talking Loans”, Howay, There has to be something in that!

  15. <<<<<<<<<<<<, this dude here dint give 2 hoots about who the sponser is, as long as they pay the cash

  16. joe hawkins says:
    September 5, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    “The Bed Sheet Brigade”, Who have taken a militant stance against Ashley’s running of the club.
    This faction wants the club to succeed, And will not compromise, On how it is done.
    They want total transparency, And a clear plan, For the club to move forward.
    This is without Mike Ashley’s involvement, And they want him to leave, YESTERDAY!”

    They’ve been diverted on to Joe Kinnear now because they’re as thick as shite. It’s so easy to lead that lot by the nose.

  17. Speaking of “The Bed Sheet Brigade”, Can anyone remember this Serbian Newcastle fan?, Who when the “KEEGANGATE” Scandal broke, Was after getting a “lynch mob” together.

    He proposed getting a mob together, Driving down to Bucks, Or Herts, Where ever Ashley’s Mansion was, And laying siege to his home.
    He wanted to set fire to his house, And when Ashley fled the burning building, He was meant to be intercepted, And hung from the nearest tree.
    He said that’s how Partizan Belgrade fans, Would deal with him.
    Which i can well believe after what happened to young Toulouse Fan, Brice Taton R.I.P.
    He was murdered, And no one was ever brought to justice!

    That’s what i mean, You are always going to get extremes, From all sides.

  18. “No, it will actually enhance the image of Newcastle United? (2%, 5 Votes)”

    Chances on those five being Mackems? Then again, Wonga’s probably a prestige brand on that side of the north east. If you get accepted for a Wonga loan there, you’ve arrived in high society! :lol:

  19. joe hawkins says:
    September 5, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    “He wanted to set fire to his house, And when Ashley fled the burning building, He was meant to be intercepted, And hung from the nearest tree.
    He said that’s how Partizan Belgrade fans, Would deal with him.”

    He’s probably right, Joe!

    I know where Ashley lives, though being the evil arch c**t that he is, he has a hell of alot of security. We could stinger missile his helicopter as he arrives though. :-)

  20. Worky, The whole thing surrounding Joe Kinnear, Has been nothing more, Than a diversionary tactic, From day one imo.
    It despairs you when you see local and National media, Jumping on this, And running with it.
    Then a lot of the public at large, Are daft enough to fall for it.
    I think Joe has been duped as much as anyone else, And you cannot blame him for taking a job offer.
    What do the fans expect Joe to do, Only having been in the job for a short time, And having no experience, At that role.
    I honestly think Joe thought he was going to be more involved with the Football side, And helping Pardew, And his role would involve a small part of Player recruitment.
    Ashley is a disgrace, And it seems he has had a man of more senior years, Who has had health issues, Running around like a blue a**ed fly, Going down blind alley’s.

  21. Archie Brand says:
    September 5, 2013 at 7:40 am

    “Ashley is referred to as the “Greedy Cockney Bastard” and of course there is no evidence of greed and he’s not even a Cockney. I’n not saying he’s not a bastard but we should really have more than 1 out of 3 right.

    “This is just mob ignorance taking over.”

    Where has anyone on here referred to him as a “Cockney,” Archie? He was born in Walsall. You just make yourself look stupid and ignorant with silly statements like that and no one with any intelligence will ever take you seriously.

  22. dokky says:
    September 5, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    “Sports direct was a Nazi sleeper cell propaganda unit”

    Dokky, it is true that Newcastle United’s PR department has learned alot from Nazi propaganda techniques, like telling a big lie, because a big lie is actually more likely to be believed than a small lie, then just keep repeating it over and over and over again relentlessly until it becomes accepted as truth.

    There are so many examples of big lies at Newcastle United since Ashley has been here.

  23. “Ashley is referred to as the “Greedy Cockney Bastard” and of course there is no evidence of greed”

    So, that’s all the people who work at Sports Direct have full contracts and the full backing of employment law then. Good to know. Until Ashley, I hadn’t even heard of a zero hour contract.

  24. pete_toon says:
    September 5, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    “Until Ashley, I hadn’t even heard of a zero hour contract.”

    Pete, you never know what you are going to earn from one week to the next, it could be £200 one week and nothing the next and you’re left starving and unable to pay the bills if you’re depending on that to survive. You can’t plan anything if you don’t have a safety net and if you are deperate enough to work on a zero hour contract, chances are you are someone who is living hand to mouth financially speaking.

    Funnily enough, it just drives people straight into the arms of loans sharks like Wronga, which I daresay alot of Sports Direct employees have had to do in the past. Who knows, maybe ths has something to do with Ashley’s partnership with his fellow parasites?

    I was in a Santander bank the other day and I struck up a conversation with a young lad in his SD polo top who was working at Sports Direct. It was quite revealing.

  25. workyticket says:
    September 5, 2013 at 2:25 pm
    “Pete, you never know what you are going to earn from one week to the next, it could be £200 one week and nothing the next and you’re left starving and unable to pay the bills if you’re depending on that to survive.”

    I know that now – and it’s because of Ashley that I know it.

  26. pete_toon says:
    September 5, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    “I know that now – and it’s because of Ashley that I know it.”

    Pete, you really should read this site more closely then! ;-)

    I was saying that a long time ago when idiots like Archie Brand were gushing about how “generous” he is to his employees because he pays share bonuses to his Kapos to make them flog the zero hour contract people like slaves. I was called a liar.

  27. Nice ken Ashley has, Looks like something out of the start titles, Of “Dynasty”, Well he has turned the club into a tawdry Soap Opera!

  28. Well nice to wake up in the City once again.
    just reading a few comments on football, on different sites.
    One of which analyzed the recent market transactions (no not the stock market)
    The much maligned former Liverpool DOF Comolli made an interesting observation.
    Following the recent screwed up attempts by Man.U., with Moyes and Ed. Woodward in charge.
    He suggested they needed a DOF.
    Apparently three guys in suits showed up at Bilbao, claiming to be representatives of M.U. and were prepared to make an offer for Herrera.
    The club Balboa, found this somewhat Bizarre and not how business was done in Spain.
    My point, it would never have happened with both Fergie and Gill in charge and showed a surprising lack of understanding on both Moyes and Woodwards part, of how business is conducted.
    Also his (Moyes) accusations that Martinez would hamper the careers of Fellaini and Baines, by not making them available to Man. U.. bit of bad tempered hubris there.

    Well whatever your opinion of Comolli is, he did sign such players for the respective clubs he worked for, including Bale, Kolo Toure, Eboue, Suarez and others.
    And I think he is right.
    Gone are the days unless the manager is exceptional, when one man can fill the varying roles that to-days managers have to deal with.
    The business side should be left to the so called bean counters, the player evaluation and requirement, involving a combination of manager and DOF.
    Leaving the manager to concentrate for the most part on football, training , tactics etc.
    In other words really a head coach.
    Then of course there are the control freak owner, who’s constant interference makes it impossible to run any club well.
    Which all football fans of NUFC are aware of.
    In which case I suggest both Man. U. and NUFC could learn from Comolli’s remarks.
    In Newcastle’s case by not by hiring a Joe Kinnear, a Llambias or a Pardew, all of who are/were in above their heads, but they come cheap (just like Ashley’s other crap)
    No ! you have to hire the best people (and pay them) in order to achieve success in any business, which he does, paying the Capo’s at Sports Direct, in accordance as to how hard the can drive the drones.
    It should be obvious following six years of on the job training that Ashley care’s little about either NUFC or it’s fans, other than attempting to use their loyalty and at he same time allowing him to make money from the club.
    What’s the point of having a billionaire owner, who is tighter than a drum, who at the same time openly insults the fans by degrading the club with it’s association’s with both Sports Direct and an official loanshark operation.

  29. joe hawkins says:
    September 5, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    “Looks like something out of the start titles, Of “Dynasty”

    Aye, ostentatious and nouveau riche, Joe.

  30. chuck says:
    September 5, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    “Balboa, found this somewhat Bizarre”

    If Rocky Balboa was involved in the deal, that would indeed be somewhat bizarre, Chuck! :-)

    Did you mean ‘Bilbao?’

    Hope you had a nice flight.

  31. “Dokky, it is true that Newcastle United’s PR department has learned alot from Nazi propaganda techniques, like telling a big lie, because a big lie is actually more likely to be believed than a small lie, then just keep repeating it over and over and over again relentlessly until it becomes accepted as truth.”

    I was messing about with my comment, But you actually made it into a half truthful statement. Wow this club is pathetic “smashes head repeatedly on table”

  32. The policy of NUFC come into question here.
    Mainly the signing of players, specifically the age limit and it’s relationship with a possible profit from a sell on.
    One my objections to this policy is, the usual lack of veterans in such side’s, who I believe provide that necessary experience.
    For instance the recent statement that Juventus would be interested in signing Xabi Alonso to possibly replace Andrea Pirlo.
    I mean who wouldn’t want either one in their side at whatever age.
    Plus the fact footballers usually come into their prime physically at around twenty eight and improve through experience for at least another five years.
    Which explains a lot about our (nufc) lack of ambition and makes it obvious we are involved only as a moneymaker.
    And before anyone jumps on the fact that any business exist’s as a means of making money, tell that to Man City and PSG.
    But there are also successful clubs who both make money and end up winning silverware, ours (nufc) being only interested in avoiding relegation, but making a buck for Croesus Ashley, unfortunately.

  33. Chuck, I wish Newcastle had of turned up in Bilbao, With a suitcase of cash, For Iker Muniain, He’s a cracking little player.

  34. Worky, Funny enough, Ashley’s house, Is a lot better, Than i thought it would be.
    I don’t know what i was expecting, But wasn’t that, The house appears very Stately.
    Ashley is a tatty herbert, In a denim shirt and jeans, Carrying a plastic bag, I was expecting something more Charverish!

  35. Worky

    Yes that same Bilbao, with the great seafood that I love so much.
    The Bilbao who contrary to the other Athletico’s is named Athletic, a result of it being established by a group of British expats.
    Who’s business policy was recently described as something like , we are a club based on sentiment not on making profit’s and who I assume still only allow Basco’s
    to play for the side.
    though I could be wrong on that, however if it has changed it has been fairly recent.
    Newcastle have certain similarities, both coastal cities located in the extreme north east’s of their respective countries.
    However there the similarities end, unless you compare Crasters Kippers,North Shields fish and chips and a bag of winkles at Cullercoats, to the seafood delights encountered in Bilbao.
    Also the fact they have at least a majority of Basco’s playing for them, while we have only, a questionable London born Geordie in Taylor, as I wouldn’t describe any of the kids as regulars.
    Ah well!

  36. Joe

    Iker Munian eh!
    Strange their being no “K” in the Spanish alphabet that the Basques incorporate it in so many of their nameplaces and names.

  37. Chuck, He’s a skillful little player, And he’s only 20 years old.
    Euskara is the weirdest language i have ever seen, It’s all k’s and g’s and X’s.
    Nobody knows where it comes from, Because it is a unique language, And there is nothing to compare it, With other Indo-European languages.

    Iker Muniain is from Pampalona, In the old Kingdom of Navarre, Which is a disputed area, Which the Basques say, Is historically in Euskal Herria.

  38. dokky says:
    September 5, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    “I was messing about with my comment, But you actually made it into a half truthful statement. Wow this club is pathetic “smashes head repeatedly on table”

    Dokky, I’m deadly serious and it isn’t just the rantings of a madman. As I explained to GS some time ago, the biggest influences on the PR industry are someone called Ed Bernays, a very sinister character who was related to Sigmund Freud and used Freudian psychology to sell us shite we don’t need, and, Joseph Goebbels and Adolf Hitler. After all, if you can sell Nazism to a whole country, you can sell anything!

    As for Hitler and Goebbels’ “big lie” do you remember that “dodgy dossier” on Iraq? Saddam was going to fire weapons of mass destruction at the UK within 45 minutes even though it was impossible? As Hitler and Goebbels said, if you’re going to lie, lie big, because whilst people will believe you’d tell a small lie, they seldom believe that you’d tell an absolute whopper like that.

    With us lot it’s stuff like Wonga and the stadium renaming. That is a complete sham. Wonga almost certainly paid nothing, and if they did, it was a trivial, “peppercorn” amount. Ashley wanted to get out of a sticky situation as he was never going to sell it for the millions he wanted, so the club and Wonga cooked that up as a way of selling Wonga to mugs like us. Both Ashley and Wonga have completely insulted our intelligence.

    There are many other examples. Whatever Cabaye did or didn’t do, the way this thing has been handled by Pardew looks very fishy indeed. For example, if he really wanted to “protect” Cabaye from us lot, then why did he come out and say he was protecting him because that immediately makes it look like he is on strike. It’s either very stupid or very devious.

    Then there was Carroll, a certain ex Managing Director leaking stories about Keegan being a deluded madman who demanded all the best players in the world, Hughton losing the dressing room to a cabal of senior players when he wanted to sack him and avert a fan backlash etc etc…

    However well we do on the pitch, or not as the case may be, I really hate what has happened to this club. I’ve supported them through thin and thinner (15-20,000 turning up to watch the likes Ossie and Jim “Bald Eagle” Smith) and yet I’ve never been more depressed about it than I am now because they are stripping any remaining shreds of integrity the club had left from it’s previous owners.

    Rant over.

  39. Just like to add a thought on Bigiramana.
    Who I believe was considered for a loan, no doubt to avoid having to pay him.
    I think it would be a another dumb move by Ashley, as the kid is imo one of the best bargains we have signed in a long time.
    Already his game is better in certain respects than Tiote’s and has I believe a great future ahead of him.

    Plus we should have held onto Ferguson, what a cheapass!

    We couldda had a hardworking Shane Long, who I believe would compliment either Cisse or Remy and could still be available during the winter window, for around six million or so.

    We are still a side that lacks a quality bench, still carrying such players as Amalfitano, Ryan Taylor, Obertan, Williamson plus I believe Jonas may be a waste of space and not sure about Gosling.

    With most other PL sides breaking the bank this summer, the competition only grows,also the quality of the managers hired has improved, I feel we are going to have a tough season.
    Though I recently read that Ashley prefers the winter window to buy, which I don’t get, the only reason you would buy big there is the obvious threat of relegation.
    Obviously you buy in the summer if you have any intention of competing, ermm! does that mean what I think it does ?

  40. chuck says:
    September 5, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    “Iker Munian eh!
    Strange their being no “K” in the Spanish alphabet”

    There IS a k in the Spanish alphabet, Chuck.

    Check it out for yourself as you probably won’t believe me:

    http://www.rae.es

  41. I was just looking at the new San Mames Stadium, It looks a lot like Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
    It will have to be going to beat the atmosphere of the old one!

  42. Joe

    Yes I have been more than once to Pamplona and had a number of friends from there, all of whom considered themselves to be Basques.
    And yes they have (the Basques) managed to survive as in their mountainous areas at the eastern end of the bay of Biscay and retain both a language and a culture that along with the Finns is the oldest established language in Europe, with as you said, origins unknown, it being neither Indo European or like the Finns based on a Uralic language whose origins are from around the eastern Baltic areas.
    It often surprised me the similarities between the
    design of homes in the mountainous parts of the Basque country and those in the Alpine regions.
    Of course further to the west along the coast, parts of Cantabria and all of both the Asturias and Galicia are the last of the early Celtic Spain that covered most of the peninsula in pre Roman times.
    Who have also retained their language and culture to a degree.
    Having seen a group marching in a St. Patrick’s day parade, with saffron kilts, large black berets and bagpipes with only two chanters.
    Who in fact turned out to be a group from the Asturias
    region.

  43. Worky

    The usage of a the letter “k”in Spanish is rare I know and don’t dispute your claim.
    Being only foreign introduced words begin with a “K”.
    There are exceptions to the rule with the letter “C” sounding like a “K” such as in capo.
    But apart from the Basque regions, you will never come across the letter “K” being used in either a traffic sign or any kind of public written description.
    Which in fact apart from it’s rare usage in foreign words, all but eliminates it’s usage.
    It is also rarely found both in Gaelic or Italian and possibly other languages.

  44. /Rant

    Wonga is a legitimate business and has taken over from the local loan sharks – I personally would never use them and to be honest I can’t see why anyone else would.
    I was brought up to save for things you want to buy and not get loans etc ( well other than a mortgage ), trouble is that these days people dont give a toss about getting into debt until its too late and they are up to their necks

    I can’t see Wonga as any different to credit cards where idiots get a bunch of them, get in a load of debt then use one credit card to pay another until suddenly they are 50k in debt then go on some reality show … f**king idiots, what the f**k is up with them and their hey look at me I’m an arse who can’t help myself shopping for clothes / gadgets etc – they f**king boil my blood

    If your stupid enough to spend what you can’t afford you deserve all you get which is normally a helping hand to get into more debt

    /RantOver

  45. @workys rant you have far more knowledge about those things than me so no point me even trying lol but i still know ashley is a tosser and wonga are scumbags.

    Anyway check these 2 guys fighting on the internet about wrestling they look like haven’t seen fresh air in months

  46. chuck says:
    September 5, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    “Worky

    The usage of a the letter “k”in Spanish is rare I know and don’t dispute your claim.
    Being only foreign introduced words begin with a “K”.”

    Aye, you are right there, Chuck. “K” is hardly the most popular letter but it does exist. I guess you are NEARLY right in your point about ‘k’s only being used in foreign introduced words, but not quite! There are a few exceptions. It’s a bit weird actually becaue they even have arguments sometimes about what their alphabet actually is, and some do indeed drop the ‘k’ but it IS a part of the official alphabet. These foreigners are a funny lot sometimes. Why can’t they just be sensible like the British? :-)

    I was reading something, somewhere, some time ago about how they are actually dropping those double letters which count as single letters (you know, like ‘ch’ and ‘ll’). My Spanish has got rustier and rustier since I stopped my dirty weekends in Valencia. I’m not a big fan of their “j”s (hhhhhhhhhota) they sound like you’re preparing to spit and give me a sore throat after a while. Then there’s the ‘v’s which sound like ‘b’s or kind of like a ‘b’ with a very quiet ‘v’. Never quite got the hang of that one.

  47. dokky says:
    September 5, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    “Anyway check these 2 guys fighting on the internet about wrestling they look like haven’t seen fresh air in months”

    Lordy! You’ve really been wasting some time on YouTube watching that guff! I’m no better sometimes though.

  48. On the subject of wasting time on YouTube, here’s Kev’s greatest ever target man. The bit where he’s holding a trophy at the end is lie though obviously!

    Pardew could certainly do with someone like him now for his style of football! :lol:

  49. Worky

    Yeah I sometimes have to laugh at many of our former footballing color commentators pronunciation of foreign names, not that i’m much better especially on Slavic pronunciations.
    However some of the attempts at pronouncing the glottal “G” or “J” can be quite funny.
    And of course the double “L” as in Llambeas is normally mispronounced by most, using a “Y” sound as opposed to the L’yambeas like pronunciation.

  50. think it makes it harder to deal with being associated with wonga because it’s almost guaranteed that we all know someone who has been fprced into using them to make ends meet, finding themselves in a much worse position because of the astronomical interest rates.
    personally I think the blow would be softened if the money was being spent on the squad

  51. stevep says:
    September 5, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    “If your stupid enough to spend what you can’t afford you deserve all you get which is normally a helping hand to get into more debt”

    You really don’t get it, do you, Steve?

    As the world becomes ever more unequal, there are people who have never spent anything and are still desperate, it not a matter of f**king choice!

    As I pointed out above, there are people working in shitholes like Sports Direct for billionaire parasites like Mike Ashley who are on dreadful minimum wage zero hour contracts where they may get a pittance like £150 one week, then absolutely nothing the next. How are you supposed to exist like that? You can’t plan anything, you don’t know if you are going to go hungry or be able to pay your bills from one week to the next, and thats where other parasites like Wonga come in with their almost 6000% interest.

    These people don’t have wallets full of credit cards because they can’t get them, they dont have houses and cars on the never never because they can’t get that either; they live in grubby bedsits and can’t even afford the rent for those much of the time. Give your heed a shake man!

    Rant over.

  52. chuck says:
    September 5, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    “However some of the attempts at pronouncing the glottal “G” or “J” can be quite funny.
    And of course the double “L” as in Llambeas is normally mispronounced by most, using a “Y” sound as opposed to the L’yambeas like pronunciation.”

    Aye Chuck, but if you make the effort but still make funny little mistakes, it’s quite charming and it really works with the lasses! ;-)

  53. I think from the recent turn of events, Everton got a better deal than Man. U. in regards to managers.
    It appears Moyes has made a poor attempt at strengthening an ageing M.U., I recall a time when all they had to do was tell the particular player “we want you” and the deal was done.
    Clubs to-day can sense a weakness as far as who has got power and who doesn’t.
    And all along Martinez waited (having got his other players early)for Moyes to crack.
    Following a derisive first bid he told Moyes to go pound
    salt and sat back.
    knowing how much Moyes coveted both Baines and Fellaini, especially Fellaini.
    Finally the offer came and off went Fellaini.
    With the money available he immediately signed McCarthy,
    having picked up Kone and Alcarez for almost nothing earlier.
    Lets just see how he does in comparison to the mighty M.U. this season.
    I cant go without giving our ex manager Chris Hughton a congratulatory nod, following his successful moves in the market, wish him all the luck he deserves.
    As for our guys, our owner and his partner, “fat man and Robbin bastewards) you screwed up again, when are you ever gonna understand, just take a fcuging hike .

  54. @54 oh my fookin god!! that video bought back memories! i actually remember seeing that looool love it!

    and i know worky i have way too much time on me hands haha

  55. Pardew is a fan of one of the few players to have featured in all four matches so far.

    The manager loves the way he busts a gut every time he has been given a chance.

    “Gouffran, we felt, really pushed on when he got in the team last season. It will be interesting to see how he does this season,” said the Newcastle manager.

    “He is a really terrific lad, a wholehearted player, and someone our fans do already appreciate.

    “I think he’s like Peter Lovenkrands in that he’ll give you absolutely everything. He will run all day and night for the team. His attitude is fantastic.

    “I think our supporters appreciate those type of players. So it will be interesting to see how he does this year.”

    Proper Drivel.

  56. @Worky – how man – I’ve given my heed a shake and still don’t get it – £150 quid a week is kin luxury man, I have to get by on less

  57. SJT, He’s a complete prick, And this pathetic rhetoric, Was wholly expected!
    I think any sympathy the fans were giving him, Is on the wane, Because more people can see, He is either Ashley’s lackey, Or he knows exactly what’s going on!

    I see we have had more of these fans meetings going on last night.
    They have been brainstorming on how they can protest against Ashley.
    Boycott the Leeds Cup game was on idea, Another was a march through the City.
    FFS, All of these crap ideas have been done before, And none of them have made one bit of difference.
    The only way to get rid off Ashley, Is a serious long term Boycott.

    If they are not prepared to do that, Then put up with it!
    These fools are starting to look like the Resistance movement, Out of “The Life Of Brian”.
    “F**k Off!, Where not The People’s Front Of Judea, We’re The Judean People’s Front!
    They probably sit around debating, “WHAT HAS ASHLEY EVER DONE FOR US”!
    Is this the best they can come up with?

    Imagine the coverage in the media, If the players were playing in an empty stadium.
    A live game on Sky, And all you can see is row after row, Of grey seats.
    It is already starting to happen, And the Fulham game was testament to that.
    You can start to see empty seats behind the goal, In the Leazes and Gallowgate ends.
    This will only increase through time,And Ashley will run out of youngsters, To punt the tickets onto.
    Fan apathy will spell the end for Ashley, And he is overestimating fan loyalty, And they will only take so much.

  58. chuck says:
    September 5, 2013 at 10:09 pm

    “I think from the recent turn of events, Everton got a better deal than Man. U. in regards to managers.”

    It’s ok Chuck, we won’t take the piss out of you constantly if your big crush is shite at Everton as well. :-)

  59. joe hawkins says:
    September 6, 2013 at 11:18 am

    “I see we have had more of these fans meetings going on last night.
    “They have been brainstorming on how they can protest against Ashley.
    “Boycott the Leeds Cup game was on idea, Another was a march through the City.
    “FFS, All of these crap ideas have been done before, And none of them have made one bit of difference.
    “The only way to get rid off Ashley, Is a serious long term Boycott.”

    “If they are not prepared to do that, Then put up with it!
    “These fools are starting to look like the Resistance movement, Out of “The Life Of Brian”.
    “F**k Off!, Where not The People’s Front Of Judea, We’re The Judean People’s Front!
    “They probably sit around debating, “WHAT HAS ASHLEY EVER DONE FOR US”!
    “Is this the best they can come up with?”

    Joe, I dont think that Geordies are very good at collaboration or taking collective action any more. They have been atomised.

  60. I will remind youse guys later as Everton have a fixture against us on the 30th. of the month.
    By then they will be strengthened with McCarthy, who we were interested in and both Lukaku and Barry on loan.
    We will see who’s right, ok!

  61. joe

    It’s been six years now and people are tired and have no heart for the marches or bedsheets, they tried it earlier and it had little or no effect.
    There’s no organized resistance, Ashley will do what he wants, after all when did he ever react to anything from the fans.
    You may say he changed the name back to “St. James’ Park”
    not really, that was only part of accepting the WONGA deal.
    It appears almost every season, there are changes in ownership of EPL sides, hang in, our turn will come.
    There appears to be more interest in association football here in the US., with one of the large big five networks, now showing games along with ESPN and Fox networks, not to mention those doing foreign language broadcasts.
    Plus the ever increasing revenues make for an interesting place to park part of the wealthy’s fortunes.
    Sure it would be a more attractive opportunity if the club were located in London, but it doesn’t seem to bother Ellis Short, who gan’s teh the “Shagorika” curry restaurant in Seaburn.
    Divn’t tell us Newcastle cannot beat that like ?
    Ey haweh man !

  62. Worky

    Of course the Newcastle fans know how to collaborate, is this not one of the best years ever in shirt sales, the new WONGA shirt has proven to be one of the most popular in years.
    Quite the fashion statement, i’m sure it makes our great leader and that most benevolent partner of his quite happy,
    now that’s collaboration.

  63. Chuckles, most of these Yank owners have gone down as badly as Ashley. Glazer plunging Manchester United into huge debt to finance his takeover. Ditto with Hicks and Gillett at Liverpool, all three have had the fans up in arms just like Ashley at Newcastle. Sunderland are one of the few teams who have been as bad as Newcastle United and Ellis Short has put the Benito Mussolini of the lower leagues in charge. If Newcastle aren’t buying enough players then they have bought too many if anything. It could take ages to get that lot to gel and they seem to have gone for quantity over quality. There are even some fans at Aston Villa who have wanted Randy Lerner to sell up too.

  64. Worky

    There’s truth in what you say, but I wouldn’t be so quick as to say they won’t make money and I believe the Fenway group will do well eventually.
    They wasted no time in getting rid of those they perceived to be responsible for the first years demise and losses.
    And imo Liverpool will do well this season, getting rid of unwanted players who don’t fit in with the style of football being played and earning full points at this stage.
    I know you rate Steve Bruce, but thank goodness he has a gig as he is he last guy I want to see take over from Pardew, a guy who was a miserable flop at Sunderland, as was M. O’N another retread.
    Anyway I would probably prefer just about anyone as an owner to our present Great Leader.

  65. And yes The Glazers have used M.U. as a cash cow for their other investments, however that cash cow ‘s earnings dwarf the competition in the PL.
    And Kronke has paid for the new Arsenal stadium and is investing heavily in players once again.
    At Villa, they are making a comeback and appear to be under decent management.
    as for Sunderland, yes radical changes and no one can forecast how they will fare, but O’Neill had to go and though there are numerous changes in the side, actually didn’t spend much more then the average side.
    But what any of this has to do with what we may expect from a prospective US owner, is nothing at all.

  66. chuck says:
    September 6, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    “They wasted no time in getting rid of those they perceived to be responsible for the first years demise and losses.”

    Well they were the ones who brought in King Kenny and Comolli the Clown in the first place, a bit like fatty bringing King Kev in for his third coming. Uncle Woy didn’t really get alot of time to turn things around.

    “I know you rate Steve Bruce”

    I seem to recall that I was just dangling a juicy worm for you to bite on there Chuck. :-)

    Thing is though, he actually was better at Wigan than loverboy. Also, when I watched Hull playing, they weren’t as bad as I thought they’d be.

  67. @ chuck
    if you think McCarthy is a better deal than Fellaini is a bit deluded bud and i will remind you what ya said when about Fellaini later

  68. @ chuck
    <<<<<< this dude here notices none of the bif four come knocking for your boy McCarthy, wonder why that is oh thats right he aint good enough for them

  69. @ chuck
    if you think McCarthy is a better deal than Fellaini u are a bit deluded bud and i will remind you what ya said about Fellaini later