Steve Bruce has done an outstanding job on Tyneside considering the challenges he has come up against during his first season in charge. The Magpies are well clear of the drop and made it to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 2006, but despite this, some fans are not satisfied.
If Rafa Goes We Go reminded supporters on Twitter of the success, both domestically and on the continent, that Newcastle enjoyed in the 13 years before Mike Ashley’s ownership, relative to what has come since he became the owner at St James’ Park. The desire for the Saudi Arabian backed takeover to be announced as quickly as possible was reiterated too, which has now been trundling along for months with few indications as to when the deal may be completed.
In the 13 years before Ashley took over, #NUFC qualified for Europe 11 times (twice in the Champions’ League) and reached two FA Cup Finals and four Semi-Finals.
This is not a “fantastic” season.
This is Ashley’s Newcastle United FC.
Announce. The. Takeover. pic.twitter.com/OYf32rva2r
— If Rafa Goes We Go (@IfRafaGoesWeGo) July 8, 2020
The process has now been going on for such a long period of time that some Newcastle supporters appear to have given up hope on the deal ever being completed. The test is said to take up to four weeks to complete, usually taking a fortnight, but the Magpies have been stuck in limbo for months anxiously waiting for a decision.
Takeover isnt going to happen and despite Bruce keeping us up this season, if he is in charge next season it’s another relegation fight … and he might not get the luck he has had so far.
— JimmyJazz (@JimmyJazzSJP) July 8, 2020
There is nothing to announce. The takeover isn’t happening and Mike Ashley will still be the owner by the turn of the next decade.
— Lee Wilson (@leewilson86) July 9, 2020
Meanwhile, other fans remain resolute and insist that even if the existing agreement is not signed off by the Premier League, other suitors will be interested, as with the reported American buyer lined up to complete a move if the Saudi bid falls through.
I’m convinced that ashley wants out, if not with this takeover then another group will step in, and not that mauriss charlatan. Get it sorted one way or the other @premierleague
— vic bates (@victorbates) July 9, 2020
Some supporters directed their disdain in the direction of the Premier League as opposed to the current owner of the club, blaming the division for the extensive length of time it is taking them to come to a decision. Recept reports do suggest that the Premier League are making progress in their battle against piracy in the Kingdom though, which may be the cause of the hold-up.
@premierleague are bringing their organisation into disrepute with the length of time it’s taking to undertake their own prescribed & objective “fit & proper persons test”.
It doesn’t make economic or commercial sense for the transfer of ownership of a business to take so long.— Stephen Lounton (@lountons) July 10, 2020
But some believe that the club is stuck in a mediocre mindset where the objective is to seal Premier League survival then coast to the end of the season, using the abject Manchester City performance as evidence. Embarrassingly for the Toon, the Citizens broke the record for the highest pass accuracy in the Premier League on Wednesday, only misplacing a minuscule 6.3 per cent of their 840 passes.
Couldn’t agree more – the mentality is get 43 points and then we don’t need to play anymore. Tonight’s performance was a insult to the fans, the players should be ashamed of themselves, just rolled over, no attempt to go down fighting.
— Bob Oliver (@applebobbin) July 8, 2020
