BigWalrus

That's a huge, huge myth!

Do they write obituaries for non-entities?

Just thought the exact same thing.

Republic was purchased by Sports Direct, not Mike Ashley (as far as its been reported anyway)

Profit...but fully reliant on loans and overdraft. We were essentially overtrading.

I'm sure you know I'm aware of that! Behind the scenes however, we were losing ridiculous amounts of money and were heading for certain administration. Barclays were weeks away from pulling the plug. We are now operating profitably, without silly wages, with a stringent recruitment policy and without the burden of significant external debt. We are such a strong position, comparatively, its untrue. The problem is that Ashley is a long term business strategist and is thinking long term. Fans are impatient and want results now. Shepherd tried the strategy of trying for instant results by throwing money (that's borrowed money, not his own cash) at big signings. It was high risk, and it failed.

I don't think Ashley expects to be loved or liked. I would struggle to name five owners that are well liked. Even Sir John Hall was a massive cunt - its pretty much a key attribute to be able to sleep at night in a role like that.

We were in a shocking state prior to Ashley arriving. We were losing cash hand over fist. Turnover and gates don't matter at all if its all bleedung out in dividends and unnecessary "operating costs". Ashley's NUFC has a much neater balance sheet and a simpler business model. The level of turnover being generated by Shepherd was good, but it was based on unsustainable spending. The club was heading into administration under Shepherd, which would have all but guaranteed relegation.

That's not true. Maybe in terms of the "debt" on the balance sheet, but the majority of it is essentially what Ashley paid for the club (albeit immediately after he paid Hall and Shepherd). It's an interest free directors loan, with no real possibility of repayment being demanded. This compares with a whopping Barclays loan secured on the stadium, costing the club a fair wedge in interest every year. The club had net liabilities in 2009 and was therefore technically insolvent. The club is absolutely in a better state now. It has cash in the bank for a start, as opposed to surviving on the upper limits of an expensive overdraft.

Can't post image via my phone, but look at note 23 of the accounts.

To be fair, the team that shipped 5 was under strength. A few players were rested in advance of the cup final.

Sports Direct haven't paid a penny to NUFC for either advertising or stadium naming.

Harper is earning a good £1m a season, easily. Canny wedge for 3 or 4 games a season.

No impact on the football club.

Contracts also mean the club can demand a higher transfer fee if another club come sniffing. It's not rocket science. They protect the interests of both parties.

But to single him out as "very poor"? Seems overly harsh to me. We were solid down his side and some of the intricate one-twos were spot on. I have no complaints over his performance.

Go on then, I'm intrigued. What did Jonas do wrong this time? I saw him draw two fouls, getting two of them booked, as well as holding off a centre back prior to Cisse's goal. I also remember a quality through ball late in the first half that was only just intercepted. Explain how he was poor.

Defensively, Debuchy has some weaknesses. Beaten in the air regularly and his positioning needs plenty of work. That said, his reputation from France is of a positionally poor full back, so it doesn't surprise. He has a cracking first touch and can knock the ball around with ease, so I'm sure those weaknesses can be worked out over time. He is certainly a better option than Simpson.

One thing in our favour is the secluded lifestyle he can live up here. He isn't hounded by the press - he just goes about his family life in a nice house in Darras Hall. Move to London and all that changes. It would take mega wages to tempt him.

Taylor and Colo deserve to keep their place, equally

Get yourself a coffee grinder (£15) and an espresso machine (£50) and do it properly. Cheap, fresh coffee.Hot chocolate shouldn't be made in a machine - pan of hot milk with a few cubes of melting drinking chocolate is the way forward.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B006K9XR00/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?qid=1361641603&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

1 game to be fair, 2 years ago. He's as much an Argentina international as Seth Johnson was an England international.

Berbatov just scored a great volley for Fulham. So well controlled.