I make no apologies for this image (a “Scene’s we’d like to see” sequel to my previous one) despite the fact my first one seems to have upset as many people as it tickled. The movie “300” is one of my favourites and it’s no stretch, for me, to imagine Shearer as Gerard Butler’s King Leonides; leading us into battle against insurmountable odds.
Wednesday’s battering by Blackpool was either a blip or the end of the world (depending on whose advice you hold sacred); but whatever it was it was a reminder that this league will still take some winning, whatever the odds say. Chris Hughton (target for too much vilification) and the backroom staff have worked a minor miracle to get us in ANY kind of shape to face this season. Our great start has surprised everyone, including ourselves, and we can only pray in continues. Standing on the edge of tomorrows game with the “Green Army”, we mustn’t allow ourselves the luxury of too much introspection. If we succumb to that vital momentum will be lost, and with it whatever confidence we’ve been able to muster. (more…)
Firstly, many thanks to bowburnmag and workyticket, for granting me authorship on this fine site…I promise to blog responsibly, visually and as often as I can.
The illustration is an old image of mine, appropriate for this week as KK’s battle begins, and shows Big Al triumphing over “The Chunky Cockney Monkey”…with KK looking on as referee.
I’m with BBM on this issue; the more pressure brought to bear of this rotund fool, the quicker he’ll want to sell. I’m for censuring the man but supporting the team. Difficult I know, but external forces are being marshalled to help us. The Mirror reported Keegans claim, this morning, as being something that could facilitate a quicker sale of the club. Any prospective new owner would not want their first act to be shelling out £10m for KK’s compensation. An out of court settlement (after a withering judgement from the Premier League this week), could see Barry Moat’s bid accepted…finally!
Our old friends the Serious Fraud Office are putting their wagons in a circle, and calling Ashley out for a fight! Charles Sale (Daily Mail columnist) reports today that “sources” close to Ashley say, he does not want the “distraction” of “running” Newcastle United (sorry, I wasn’t aware that the club was being run by anyone) while simultaneously fighting a lengthy, costly and (potentially) ruinous court case. In which case, a quick sale seems on the cards….I know, I hear you laughing when I say “quick”. The sooner this ‘incompetent’ is out of our lives, the sooner the healing can begin…and, god knows, we’ve a lot of healing to do. (more…)
Never forgetWell I’m a bit gutted that Simon Bird beat me to it but in fairness he’s got more time for this sort of thing and he gets paid for it. However, despite not always agreeing with what he has to say, he’s got this article spot-on in my opinion. I would hate to think that any protracted and complicated court proceedings would detract from our good start to the season but there are wrongs to be righted so far as I’m concerned.
This isn’t about Keegan versus the club, this is about Keegan and Ashley and a man clearing his name. A man who earned our respect on numerous occasions and helped to lift this club from it’s sagging backside, and from falling backwards into complete oblivion in the third tier of English football. A man who with his many faults, has never let this club down during his spells at the club.
Forget what happened elsewhere, though again there is argument to justify his actions and to contradict the cries of “bottler”. Remember what he did for this club and think about what that means and think about whether you really believe he would intentionally leave this club to rot.
However, also as Bird alludes to, this is more than just about our club or about Keegan. It’s about football in general and the multi-millionaire playground it has become. Where arrogance and ignorance at the top level, seem intent on ripping the guts out of our beautiful game. (more…)
Innocent?Mike Ashley could find himself doing a spell of porridge if the investigations by the Serious Fraud Office turn up anything untoward.
Acting on a tip-off from JJB Sports, the Office of Fair Trading and the Serious Fraud Office raided Ashley’s Sports Direct offices following allegations of fraud and price-fixing.
JJB’s own offices were raided too but they’ve allegedly been offered immunity from prosecution in return for their cooperation. JJB reported Sports Direct to the OFT in January a few days after it suspended Chris Ronnie, its CEO and a former friend and employee of Mike Ashley.
It all sounds a bit tit-for-tat because in 2000 and 2001 it was Ashley pointing the finger at JJB Sports, landing the company a £6.7m fine for its price-fixing activities, for which I assume they were less than grateful. However, since then price-fixing has been declared a criminal activity and is punishable by up to 5 years in the clink and an unlimited fine so, if guilty, Ashley is likely to face a much harsher penalty than a mere £6.7m fine. (more…)
40,000 crowds help MoatThe 40,000 crowds we’ve been getting at home games could help Barry Moat’s attempts to take over Newcastle United Football Club.
According to a recent article in The Journal, Moat’s original business plan was based on the Toon attracting 25,000 for home games. I have no idea how The Journal knows that but if we assume it’s true for a minute then the 15,000 additional fans we’ve been attracting could provide leverage for Moat in his negotiations with Barclays about the overdraft.
To be honest, I still wonder what the actual cost of the club will be to Moat or any other potential buyer. We know Ashley’s asking £100m and it has been suggested that the club has drawn £20m on it’s £40m overdraft facility but it’s still not clear to me what happens about the £100m Ashley loaned to the club to clear the debts. (more…)
I make no apologies for this image (a “Scene’s we’d like to see” sequel to my previous one) despite the fact my first one seems to have upset as many people as it tickled. The movie “300” is one of my favourites and it’s no stretch, for me, to imagine Shearer as Gerard Butler’s King Leonides; leading us into battle against insurmountable odds.
Firstly, many thanks to bowburnmag and workyticket, for granting me authorship on this fine site…I promise to blog responsibly, visually and as often as I can.
