Give me something for the pain

The club has been up for sale for approaching two months now. We were told to expect a quick sale due to the huge price drop from last year and also the fact that he won't enter a bidding war and that the first offer of around £100million will be accepted and that will be that. We're then told my Mr. Llambias a couple of weeks back that "We've had two offers in excess of £100million." Since that, what has happened? Nothing would be the answer you're looking for. Well, the only answer you'd feel comfortable saying in front of your granny anyway. Rumours that the Far Eastern group that were given a tour of the city and training facilities were just old gambling pals of Derek, and were used as a kick up the backside to any would-be buyers to get their bids on the table. If they used tactics like this it wouldn't surprise me if I'm completely honest. The past two years we've seen some agonising, astonishing, head-doing, frustrating, fist shaking things, so why not add to that list and kick us while we are down?

The season is less than three weeks away. We have a squad full of players chucking their toys out of the pram because they don't want to play in the Championship. I wish they would get a grip. I'm sick of reading of the discontent in the Newcastle camp. Yes, this whole palaver is unsettling and frustrating but you lot are getting paid a very handsome sum of money to do what you're doing. We, the fans, on the other hand have to fork out for the pleasure of supporting the St James' Circus. We've sat and watched some utter dross and humiliation and paid for the pleasure. Whether it is £500 for a season ticket, £40 on a replica shirt or even buying a car sticker for £2 we've all put money into this club and for what return? This. All we've got to look forward to is what seems to be the faint hope of a takeover so that we can finally move on from this mess.

Talk of season ticket sales is another depressing read. Less than 15,000 have been sold if reports are to be believed, the lowest for over 20 years. If there is anything out there that symbolises the mess that Ashley has created, then this is it. We've been rubbish before, lingering at the wrong end of Division 2. But never has our pride been dented so badly. If this isn't a sign to Ashley to pack your bags now and accept the best bid, then I don't know what is.