You're still sore over the lasagna we sent you a while back.

D'ya know what I mean, 'arry!

I suspect Ashley must have had a very large bet placed that the barcodes would go back to the championship this year and has acted to protect his investment


How can anyone think Pardew is a step up?

And a five year contract too.

Judging by the comments on the Guardian blogs the players might want to keep an eye on their wives. That's if they're not playing away themselves.

Clearly he's not stupid and has made sure that if (When?) its a short tenure he is well compensated in his pay off.

Oh no. He's not stupid. Apparently he thinks Newcastle is a "massive club, one of the top five".

Fat chance of that with Ashley in charge.

You know what he thinks?

Id say there is likely a difference between what he thinks and what he says publicly at a press conference where he acknowledged he has his work cut out to win over the fans after the way the previous incumbent was treated...

He has a good point about Newcastle being the largest city with only one team, the potential to be top five is there I would say. Maybe not with Ashleys idiosyncratic brand of chairmanship though.

A point I've made repeatedly at various points in this thread, usually when dismissing a certain group of supporters claim that "United" means that poncy lot from the midlands.

Being a top five team is not their natural character. They had a brief dalliance with success in the late 90s but I think they have gone back to their more traditional role of bouncing between leagues.

Doh! When United was founded City didn't exist! What were they supposed to do when City got started, change their name to Divided?

BTW the barcodes have virtually guaranteed their dismissal to the fizzy pop league. The only thing worse they could have done would be to bring Shearer or Keegan back as Manager.

Apparently there is a pre-agreed max payout of about 2.5 mill. So the rumours go. Nice if you can get it mind.

There you go again Mr President. When United were founded City didn't exist and it still doesn't. Please refer to that lot as either Manchester United or ManUre like the rest of us do.

I dunno - Joe Jordan stated there was only One United when he left Leeds.. er... United

The Leeds version of the franchise has had its day. Newcastle seem determined to emulate them. Your day will come. Don't get cocky.

Well our attendance went up when we dropped into the Second Division - and we came storming back.

Banter aside.

It was great to see Newcastle back where they belong. It's a pity about the rampant plonkerism that seems to inhabit the board room.

Great result for the Toon this evening.......and a nice start for Pardew..although given Liverpool's away record not in any way a shock