Kampfers said:

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As to the ethics - I value the opinions of fans from any club who doesn't regularly finish in the top 6 far more than any that does. I see by far the most vitriol from United/Liverpool/arsenal fans, and it makes sense - they have the most to lose with a resurgent Newcastle. Their ethical concerns may be well founded, but forgive me for doubting their motives in voicing them.

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Ah yes, the "your high horse is higher than my high horse" rationale.

Totally with you on the spending caps though.

jeffk said:

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Kampfers said:

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As to the ethics - I value the opinions of fans from any club who doesn't regularly finish in the top 6 far more than any that does. I see by far the most vitriol from United/Liverpool/arsenal fans, and it makes sense - they have the most to lose with a resurgent Newcastle. Their ethical concerns may be well founded, but forgive me for doubting their motives in voicing them.

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Ah yes, the "your high horse is higher than my high horse" rationale.

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Not calling you out, haha, I know you're principled. I just think that if Bezos/Musk/Gates/etc came in and purchased Sunderland/Villa/Forest and started pouring tons of money into transfer fees you'd hear a lot of the same people whining about the "destruction of the game as we know it" and how "plastics ruin football". They don't really care about human rights. They just know that the ethical argument plays a lot better, so are running with it for the moment.

Regarding the ethics of Saudi ownership, it personally doesn't bother me. Yeah, yeah, sportswashing. The UK and the Saudis did business to the tune of 10.1 billion last year. They are attempting to negotiate a trade partnership since leaving the EU. They sell the Saudis billions worth of weapons. Some reports tie the total number of weapon sales during the Yemeni conflict to be close to 20 billion.

All of this is occurring during/after/despite the situation in Yemen and the Khashoggi murder. Despite the segregation of men and women in society. Despite the fact that people still get beheaded, flogged, or amputated as a result of their crimes. Despite the fact that protest is banned. Despite the fact that habeas corpus doesn't exist in Saudi Arabia. Many of the underlying human rights issues in Saudi Arabia have been present for decades, and the British government and people have both helped to enrich and propped up the Saudi government. Where they haven't directly aided, they have been complicit. They have not lodged complaints against Saudi behavior with international human rights governing bodies or watchdogs. They have not attempted to exert pressure on the Saudis to reform.

All of a sudden, now we care? Is the UK going to cut off the rest of their trade? Oil imports? Make it illegal for the Saudi royal family to invest in publicly-held British corporations? Stop selling weapons that are being used to oppress a religious and ethnic minority?

IMO it's entirely performative, and as such I can't be bothered to care much about it.

Haha. Good points. Somewhat explains why I personally care more about the PSG or Newcastle takeovers than I do Chelsea. Sports ownership isn't filled with a lot of "good" people. But there's a difference to me between the not "good" group and entities that I don't have to stretch much to label as "evil."

Newcastle United supporter here. Anything is better than the mismanagement under Ashley. Looking forward to at least compete in the EPL rather than fighting relegation every year.

This is firmly in rumor territory, but this would be a stunning spend, if true.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10394419/Newcastle-launch-ambitious-RB-Leipzig-star-Amadou-Haidara.html

TLDR: Man U (and others) want Haidara from Leipzig. Leipzig don't want to sell this window. Haidara loves Man U. Everyone was happy to let the deal happen this summer when the player's release clause activates… but Newcastle may pay nearly triple to get him now.

Believe...

Thank you, Jonjo

Should've kept Rafa Benitez!

Newcastle having a monster Transfer window. Love to see it.

Newcastle mows down Everton 3-1.

We are staying up.

Well crap. Trippier diagnosed with a broken metatarsal in his foot.

Looks like recovery from such an injury takes 6 weeks to several months...

KCup17 said:

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Looks like recovery from such an injury takes 6 weeks to several months...

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yep. Rooney rushed back from his to play in the World Cup and he said it extremely painful and set him back in the end.

Furlock Bones said:

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Well crap. Trippier diagnosed with a broken metatarsal in his foot.

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Dadgumit!

We should have come away with all 3 points against West Ham. We looked the better side for much of the game. Exciting times for the Toon.

Team playing much looser, and taking good risks.

Eddie Howe working wonders for this squad. Shows what a competent manager can do for a club. Numerous players look like completely different players under his leadership.

Indeed.

What a save by Dubravka!

ElCheAg said:

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What a save by Dubravka!

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saved the win. Newcastle officially out of the relegation battle. they could challenge for top half which is incredible.

I believe they could. Howe has chess pieces to use (i.e. MSM and Co.) to finally use.

Is this ref still on Romans books? Chelski should be down 2 men and a clear pen not given. Absolutely ruining a match.

Havertz who should have 100% been sent off in the first half scores the late winner. Shocker. This ref should never see another EPL match.

Yes!

What a goal.

Guimaraes for the win!

Best Bruno in the league. Up the Mags!

Almiron with an absolute stunner. 1-0 to the Toon.

Gorgeous finish. And the assist by Bruno was sweet.

Joelinton wanting that hat trick badly.

Great win today. take champions league out of arsenal's hands.

Indeed. Newcastle played sharp today.

That was the first time I have seen them play this calendar year. They were really good today. They smoked Arsenal. That could have easily been 4-0.