The Fish

Aside from the identical wins, draws, points, goals etc. the story of the season has played out very similarly; Shoddy start, disappointing performances from previously impressive players, surprising performance from central midfielder who was much derided earlier on, Perez' goal scoring run, January transfers turning the season around. Just odd isn't it. I regret typing this out more than you regret reading it.

Aye, and it's missing the point that having facilities that are fit for purpose aren't a luxury, they're a fucking necessity.

Don't think that's ever been in question. He obviously wants to stay, and if we had an owner with a modicum of ambition, this wouldn't have been an issue at all. We've got the money to pay competitive wages, we've got the money to pay competitive fees, we've got the manager (and renown) to attract the standard of player that would command that kind of outlay. What's the prize money difference between the league positions? About £2m? So finish 7th instead of 17th gets you about £20m. Tv fees were £12.3m plus 'being on tv loads' money for about £1m a pop after the first 10 featured games. I'm sure we've been on the tv more times than any club outside the top 6. That's another £17m or so. Naturally if we were competing for cups instead of abandoning them asap, we'd get tv money for those as well. Sponsors would be more willing to tolerate a light association with Sports Direct if Newcastle were a progressive, ambitious brand. I'm all for running the club's finances well, but it's a football club. As with all clubs, ambition is it's raison d'etre. Stagnant clubs will hemorrhage fans, sponsors, and league position. You have to be wilfully ignorant to not see this. Speculation from a sound financial footing is the best way to improve fortunes on and off the pitch.

Would have been good for him to finish the season with a goal or two under his belt, but we're mathematically safe, so

Aye, and if we sold Gayle to WBA for £16m to pay for Rondon, Charnley and Ashley wouldn't include the money saved on DG's wages in the pot for Benitez.

What the fuck? Fuck you you fucking fucker.

Morrison scores from that corner I think Cardiff could have held on. Yet again Warnock ruins football for everyone.

Steady on.

That was a nailed on penalty to be fair. Salah was theatrical, but he was being wrestled by the Cardiff lad.

Thing is, if he got £50m plus whatever he makes from player sales, that's enough to get Newcastle United a consistent top 10 side and challenge in the cups etc. I just do not believe that he'd actually get that much, and he wouldn't have free reign to sign whoever he wants with that £50m. Say we sold Shelvey, Hayden & Murphy. What would we get? £30-40m? £90m is plenty on transfer fees. But I doubt Benitez would get the £50m, I'm convinced that £50m would include wages, agent fees and the like and I am convinced that wouldn't be allocated immediately so we'd get the same situation we saw with Almiron where we have to wait until deadline day in January for the deal to be finalised.

Fuck me, Morrison wants shooting with shit. Watches the corner all the way, then stoops too early and the ball goes off his back for a goal kick!

Aye, I did. Fuck sake. I'm an albatross.

No way Cardiff can hang on for another 40 minutes, can they?

There's surely a couple that have done enough at a promotion chasing team to get the attention of teams in the Championship? Surely? That said, they're not saleable assets in the same strata as Pickford, or... well, you get the point. Their best player went to Bordeaux for buttons, I can't imagine Honeyman or whomever pulling in the £18m they'd need to break even. Staying down in League One would put off investors that have enough capital to assure them of promotion to the 2nd tier (still funny), so cost -cutting measures will inevitably follow. Scouting, coaching, medical staff will be let go. Which of their high earners are coming to the end of their contracts? Because no fucker is going to pay money for Cattermole, and certainly not match his current wages. Of course, if they have to release/sell a load of playing staff, that's another unsettled season of 'rebuilding'.

Spider Man; Into the Spiderverse. Stunning, absolutely brilliant.