Big Onion

No chance Keegan's coming back under Ashley. He'd still be a perfect fit for us under other circumstances but not these, where the manager's role is so diminished because of Wise/the DoF. I actually wouldn't want to see KK back unless there was a change of ownership. It couldn't work, and nothing's changed.

What's the fucking point in publishing that? It's not telling us anything we don't already know. Very strange. Out of nowhere, and for no obvious reason that I can think of. It's also curious that the club is speaking on Keegan's behalf - strikes me as a bit odd anyway for the club to be making statements in the name of both parties. Why not just say the club is in the arbitration process and will be making no comments? And, as you say, it tells us nothing we don't know. I've been trying to work out what might have prompted this but can't think of anything at all.

Looking on the bright side it all very well but the current bottom four of the championship (Notts Forest, Southampton, Norwich, Charlton) tells you that it's no given that you're coming back up anytime soon. This is a top division club, and has only ever not been because of incompetent management. I can't see anything good about being a division below the fucking mackems. Losing the big wage/small contribution lot (most of whom Ashley brought in) is all very well but we'll also lose the few remaining good players we have. I haven't got the information or patience to work out the numbers but I'm pretty sure any savings on the wages side will be more than offset by the revenue crash relegation would cause. And anyway I don't buy the idea that getting the wage bill down will result in any significant increase in investment in the first team. I think that's all bollocks, and they'll come up with a new set of excuses when that one no longer stands up.

Pretty much how I see it as well. The idea of Phil Brown being instrumental in putting us down makes me feel physically sick.

I'm with whoever it was who said the Hull game is critical. Massive game now.

Relegation is a black hole. I'd not trust this mob to get us straight back up as they haven't got a clue about football - and Ashley strikes me as too pig-headed to accept his methods aren't working and change accordingly. I also doubt he'd take a big loss on the club which he'd have to if we went down, so relegation makes a sale less likely.

Relegation is a terrifying thought. But perhaps the worst of it is that even if we manage to avoid it, we're still fucked. Ashley will congratulate himself on his gamble coming off, the 'plan' will run it's course and we'll have more of the same next season. Kinnear or some other no-mark, good players wanting out, zero net spend, falling attendances and shit football. Christ I hope he sells, but I can't see him getting the price he wants this summer. I dread to think what state we'll be in by the end of next season.

Bolton's home form (W5 D2 L6), is slightly misleading as four of the six defeats were Arsenal, Manu, Dippers and Chelsea (Everton, Wigan the other two). They've had decent results against bottom-half sides. Not confident but I can't remember the last time I was this season. Draw for me.

No casino apparently: I'm sure there are attractive alternatives for sites like those though. Hotel Xisco or Shola's bar perhaps

I think Hadrian is on about the Metro car park and land on the old brewery site. It'll be interesting to see what happens with the land. I remember in Mort's time the council were making very favourable noises article here Ashley is said to be involved in property investment projects with Paul Kemsley, and Jiminez is also a property man. Nothing to worry about obviously, as they have promised that not a penny will be taken out of the club

Ran like a donkey and got pulled up

Oily Derek confirmed via a lawyer he'd said he'd like to slap Keegan. With that in mind, I can confirm that I'd absolutely love to smash the fuck out of Dennis Wise's face

I have a feeling Wistow in the 3.40 at Doncaster will go well today. Around the 6 or 7/1 mark, worth 50p each way. Not a tip, just a fancy.

The idea that we should be grateful for 'communication' irrespective of what is actually being said That piece is transparently pro-club bollocks. Ashley the 'man of principle' and Keegan the money-grabber, fuck me. The suggestion that we'll be spending £30mil net, or anywhere near that, is total horseshit.

Yes, 100%, you know you're fucked when the Managing Director turns up for a meeting with the fans flanked by two journalists from the Ronnie. Journalists who then back everything said by DL and provide the arguments for him when he doesnt know the answers. Strange though isnt it that the statement has always been "we are unable to discuss Keegan due to legal reasons" the mere mention of his name getting disaproving tuts and a "look we cant discuss it at all legally" yet when it suits them they can put statements out about how he will be responsible for the lack of transfer funds. To be honest I reckon they know they have no case and are now looking to get the fans onside by saying future player recruitment will be the fault of KK. Spot on like. Luke Edwards is now officially a cunt. And the lip-service paid to KK 'the messiah' etc is laughably insincere.

Bastia. Johnny Rep, who ran the game.

They didn't realise that forcing out the manager who gave us the best teams we've ever seen for Dennis Wise would cause a backlash I think I've worked out what's going on. Kinnear's not well enough to talk utter bollocks every day so Llambias has stepped into the breach. Jesus fucking wept man

Ashley, who we're discussing here, owns the club in the present you clown You keep using empty phrases like 'draw a line' and 'move on' in a clueless attempt to suggest Ashley's mismangement of the club thus far has no bearing on what's happening now (you know, our shit, relegation-battling football team). Most of us don't believe fairies live at the bottom of the garden and, likewise, aren't buying into Llambias's ridiculous projections. Challenging for everything in five years, do me a fucking favour

I do believe I've elicited a good old-fashioned twisty-knickered chomp

Effectively finding and developing young players is something every fan wants to see. It’s no use if the first team is left to rot though, as the decent ones will fuck off to a better club as soon as they can. If we found a Fabregas, a Gerrard or a Giggs how long would they play relegation football for Joe Kinnear?

That's a careless interpretation. People have continued to go this season in spite of Ashley, out of loyalty to their team and because a lot of them had already paid by the time the shit hit the fan (a term more than usually applicable here, incidentally). But any complacent assuption he has about 50,000 turning up regardless is going to be shattered come summer. This club does not have enough diehards to fill the stadium - tens of thousands came on board because of Keegan and Hall, and they're going to be departing in increasing numbers. You've been where I am They don't let filthy mackem tramps in places I go Assuming you're for real (I'm not convinced you are like), what you're saying there is you used to mistrust Ashley but now you believe in him - a kind of reverse epiphany

...followed by You could not make this shit up.

Let it go.... Go On......Mooooooooove on! Truth in some of what you say but the past is the past. I bet if i look back there will be a post bleating about the club not communicating. Now they are and they are not suddenly going to sack wise and LLambias and sell up, so you might as well enjoy. Its been shit before you know. And lets not totally repaint history because your toys are out of the pram. Allardyce was here BEFORE Ashley arrived, so lets not totally blame Ashley for that season eh. I know a lot of long time season ticket holders and they are not gullible, just realistic about where we are here an now. The majority of them ARE prepared to see what happens over the coming months / close season based on what has now been said, not some NUSC wishlist. I think you may be dissappointed for some time to come. 'It's been shit before' - whose recent comments does that remind me of? And what was I saying about Llambias's scripts? You keep trotting out your platitudes and cliches, I'll call it as I see it. And what I see is a club going to shit. Your vendetta against NUSC (with which I have nothing to do) is verging on the obsessive, incidentally. You are talking absolute shit about ST holders by the way - very few matchgoers I know have any faith in Ashley. But then again, you said the other day that corporate is the 'only way' to experience the match, so I suppose it depends on who you mix with

Fuck me the Ashley party line being swallowed whole. Is Tree writing Llambias's scripts or merely regurgitating them? I notice the term prudence used further up, a euphemism if ever I've heard one. Is it 'prudent' to be involved in a relegation battle every season then? Because if you are -and Ashley's record so far is two out of two- then sooner or later you'll go (how much will that cost by the way?). Is it 'prudent' to run the club so badly that the vast majority of the supporters are completely disillusioned with what's going on and many long-standing ST holders will not renew (that's guaranteed)? Is a massive drop in matchday revenue 'prudent'? Is 'prudence' responsible for us being so devalued as a club that the only manager who would come is a relic who no-one else would touch? This 'prudence' also seems to be leading to our better players wanting out. That always works Will it take relegation for the gullible fucks still believing Ashley to open their eyes?

Reasonable chances against Stoke and the freefalling Hull I'd say, though you can't be confident given our away form. I don't see us winning any of the others. We've had a lot of draws like so there may be another couple in there. Seven or eight points is my guess. Less than that and we'll be back in the poo. Beyond that I hope we're safe by the second last game, as I really don't fancy having to go to Villa needing to get something.