On July 26th, Mike Ashley gave a carefully crafted interview to the Daily Mail in which he finally spoke out about the departure of Rafa Benitez among other things. The timing of the interview was suspect as it came just hours after the Sports Direct annual results fiasco.
During that verbose and rambling monologue, Mike Ashley made the following statement:
“Some of the fans don’t even believe the accounts. ‘Where’s the money? You’ve got it somewhere.’
“But you can put any accountant on our books and it’s whiter than white. I’ve felt like challenging the fans on that sometimes.
“I’ll pay and you can have an independent auditor come in and review us. But will you please stop saying these things? I’m guilty of a lot, but not that.”
Well, the Magpie Group has taken Mike Ashley up on that offer with the following release.
— The Magpie Group (@MagpieGroupNUFC) August 13, 2019
While this will most likely be ignored by the the club, this is an example of how Mike Ashley is his own worst enemy. He needlessly has set into motion another controversy. His lack of a response to this will only feed the fires of distrust that are already beyond control.
Mike Ashley should respond to this request. He can either accept that he has set this in motion himself and comply or give a reasoned response as to why he cannot. A “no comment” is just not going to be sufficient on this.
145 comments so far
Nufc-83
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:28 PM
Comment #121Celtic would struggle in my opinion certainly no better than Crystal Palace or us for that matter.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:29 PM
Comment #122Neil
I don’t think you got all of the Almiron interview, you missed the bit where he said ‘No I didn’t dive, my leg was clipped and I was pushed from behind as well, why would I dive when I had a shooting chance. No one else heard the ref mutter to me tough shite pal, none of your lot will get any pens from us this season.’
cockneymafiaout
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:31 PM
Comment #123@Nufc-83
No I don’t actually. But I do think he is the second most proven. His CV of winning the champions league with a average Liverpool team and winning the La liga with Valencia over Real Madrid and Barca speaks volumes.
I think klopp and pochettino are great managers and they are a breath of fresh air in the modern day world of football management. But you cannot argue with the managerial record Rafa has.
cockneymafiaout
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:33 PM
Comment #124Also I think Rafa has shot himself in the foot with some of the clubs he chose to take over. Us for a starter, but also taking on the posioned chalice of Real Madrid and Inter Milan right after Mourinho had completed such an over achievement with them.
cockneymafiaout
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:35 PM
Comment #125@Nufc-83
Honestly I think they would go down. Them Sheff United, Norwich. Maybe Brighton, see how well they build on their impressive opening win.
cockneymafiaout
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Comment #126Also some strange results in the champions League tonight. Porto getting beat 2-0 and last seasons impressive semi-finalists Ajax scraping through on away goals currently. The gap between Europe’s elite will continue to stretch I think.
cockneymafiaout
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:38 PM
Comment #127Porto 3-0 down wow
Just a fan
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:41 PM
Comment #128Posada
Don’t worry I’m quite laid back
martoon
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:41 PM
Comment #129Morning lads & lasses – I’m taking Blog Predictions 😀
I’m keeping the categories the same as last year – to remind you they are:
Final League Position
Final No. of Points
League Cup Round (2:Entry, 7:Final)
FA Cup Round (3:Entry, 8:Final)
Player of the Season (Blog)
Top Goal Scorer (League & Cup)
No. of Goals for Top Goal Scorer
When doing your prediction could you please put martoon in the post – then I can find it easily.
So far I have predictions from:
martoon
Mrs martoon
c-dog
Mag:P
The mighty wyn
Nicky the ball tosser
simon376
Reilly
Australian Pie
Jail for Ashley
danishmag
DubaiMicky
Nostradamus “MA Clown”
The next Mike Williamson
GeordieTwo
dig-n-dig22
ronaldo aarons
NY Mag
Shot Bru
Sports Direct FC
ChicoUSA
SredniVashtar
Mindshaft
NezzaNUFC
Mund
one fine day
JackBall
Clasol
RobLeenio
Asi Fish
Bills Son Is Back
swemag
giimps
Paully
Essex Geordie Bill
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
toon kk
Jib
jasper
Lascelles sells sea shells
bettyswallocks
Moonraker15
Oldgit1
Belfast
MG-Man
Cyrus Varten
toonluvva
ScoopSouthAfrica
lochinvar
Rob1971
Budge123
Charlie in the Gallowgate
hibbit
Goofy
barkel
Shoulders knees
MadisonToon
G
cleveleysbob
Mag52
Munster Mag
willowdalerez
bill
JohnJ
Apologies if I’ve missed you – just repost with my name in!
Also:
Lascelles sells sea shells – you need a Final League Position
toonluvva – you need a Player of the Season
martoon
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:42 PM
Comment #130*or should I say evening!
captainmarvel
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:44 PM
Comment #131Why is Ashley the owner of NUFC and why is he still here? In a nutshell.
1. The brand.
2. The advertising
3. The fans.
4. The Premiership
Ashley buys brands it’s one of his hobbies..
He gets virtually free advertising.
He knows the fans will turn up regardless..
He needs the club in the Premiership.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:46 PM
Comment #132MA
Well that little wheeze worked out OK 4iiiis, nobody noticed the mannequin dummy’s, how many actual fans turned up.
4iiiis
About 30K boss, but the 10K freebies you gave out helped to pad the numbers out.
MA
Right but why didn’t you fill the other 5K seats you moron.
4iiiis
Not enough Dummies boss
MA
Hang on you said there was 30K of them.
4iiiis
No that was real fans boss, I mean we ran out of mannequins and the Sunderland fans hate Brucie now so they refused to help us out.
MA
OK could have been worse if all of the real empty seats could have been seen.
4iiiis
So true boss.
MA
Anyway what’s the story on the big demo at the Worthing store on Saturday.
4iiiis
Oh that boss was some bald guy was shouting Ashlie out until his Missus gave him a clip across the lughole and hurried him along to the next charity shop.
MA
A close call there for us, could have turned nasty.
4iiiis
Yes boss might not sound a lot but every little pin prick hurts your cash flow.
MA
Yes, baldy bastid!
cockneymafiaout
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:48 PM
Comment #133@Martoon
Final League Position – 14th
Final No. of Points – 45
League Cup Round – 5
FA cup – 4
Player of the Season – Almiron
Top Goal Scorer – Joelinton
No. of Goals for Top Goal Scorer – 9
cockneymafiaout
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:50 PM
Comment #134Shame you’re judging the player of the season by what people on the blog think. Considering the majority of them thought Hayden was our best player on Sunday.
I never thought I would say this but, you not think it might be worth asking for a pundits opinion?
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:50 PM
Comment #135cleveleysbob
Sorry for late response, I’ve finished season 4 and about to start season 5.
Doesn’t Gotham run a bit like this blog at times! 🙂
cockneymafiaout
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:51 PM
Comment #136We moving on to TV show recommendations now?
Give Narcos a watch lads, very good.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:54 PM
Comment #137Martoon
What’s Mrs Martoon’s prediction?
toon kk
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:54 PM
Comment #138https://talksport-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/talksport.com/football/586509/rafael-benitez-mike-ashley-china/amp/?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From %251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Ftalksport.com%2Ffootball%2F586509%2Frafael-benitez-mike-ashley-china%2F
Genjikai
Aug 13, 2019 at 8:54 PM
Comment #139Egb
Ashley could be here a while i hope you have made a log of all the mas and 4iiii series.
This one is a classic.
They got lucky at the worthing demo, i heard it was a sage and his crow foot the spell was nearly cast.
Glad the missus pulled him away the crazy mushroom soup may have just kicked in.
toon kk
Aug 13, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Comment #140Rafa clearly didn’t trust Ash
thereallowickmag
Aug 13, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Comment #141Martoon
My predictions thanks
15th
42
LC 3rd round
FAC 4th round
Dummett
Joelinton
12
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 13, 2019 at 9:00 PM
Comment #142Cockneymafia
Aye I recommend Daredevil, he’s a bit like Toon fans, always getting badly beaten up but but arising Phoenix like to continue their support of our great club despite the continuing travails.
magscar
Aug 13, 2019 at 9:02 PM
Comment #143OP
Thanks for response on earlier thread – I wasn’t meaning or expecting you Genk or Jail to police the blog ( others do that ) I was simply suggesting that where others are dishing out all sorts of stick about those who go to match that as TMG are not for that it would be helpful if those hammering others could have this ponted out by the very posters who represent the views of TMG on here. Again I have no issue with TMG views etc being broadcast on here just looking for a balance.
Anyway point made I’m away back into shadows to may be read on from your post – probably won’t make it as the evenings are worst I find and even struggle with the night shift these days 🙁
Bruce
Aug 13, 2019 at 9:49 PM
Comment #144Martoon
Final League Position – 14th
Final No. of Points – 60
League Cup Round – 5
FA cup – 4
Player of the Season – Almiron
Top Goal Scorer – Joelinton
No. of Goals for Top Goal Scorer – 14
Manager of the season – Steve Bruce (Of course)
Big Archie
Aug 14, 2019 at 1:34 AM
Comment #145No mate, Ashleys bluff was not called.
Instead some attention seeking nobody published an open letter on the internet, wanting to look big in front of his mates.
Ashley will never see this “letter”. If he wanted a result instead of just trying to impress the fans he would have sent it by courier, to Ashley’s office and got confirmation of receipt.