Marka Ragnos Posted December 31, 2023 VT Supporter Share Posted December 31, 2023 I have to remind myself that it doesn't really matter if Newcastle are top or midtable. The stain remains: It's a corrupt organisation fueled by a repressive regime that terrorises the vulnerable, and that character is showing no signs of softening. Quote Sportswashing In pursuit of this, Saudi Arabia is turning itself into a global sports superpower as part of its so-called "sportswashing" strategy. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund has invested billions in PGA golf, hosting heavyweight boxing tournaments, and bringing some of the world's most famous soccer players to compete in its domestic league. But obstacles remain for the crown prince in his quest to cement and expand his global influence — not least his continued determination to crush dissent. In recent months, he has launched a campaign to punish critics of his Neom megacity project. Business Insider in August reported that Saudi authorities had jailed a series of dissidents for up to 30 years in punishment for questioning the decision by Saudi authorities to forcibly oust people living on land where the city will be built. If the crown prince's authoritarian instincts and impulsiveness again lead him to punish a critic beyond Saudi Arabia's border, relations with the US could again go into tailspin, and the kingdom's glossy new image could be irreparably tarnished. But for now, said Cafiero, the crown prince's determination to make a success of his Vision 2030 plans is restraining his capacity for reckless aggression. "He understands that those kinds of actions undermine the prospects for a successful economic diversification of the Saudi economy," said Cafiero. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turvontour Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 Was that right they've lost 7 out of their last 8 in all competitions? I mean that trend is difficult to undo particularly with tough fixtures to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 7.20 xg against them tonight, that must be a Premier League record. 35 shots for Liverpool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 5 minutes ago, Zatman said: 7.20 xg against them tonight, that must be a Premier League record. 35 shots for Liverpool Prepare for a miraculous injury list recovery for most of their walking wounded just before the game at Villa Park... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaJ100 Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 1 hour ago, turvontour said: Was that right they've lost 7 out of their last 8 in all competitions? I mean that trend is difficult to undo particularly with tough fixtures to come. Who do you want to play when you're on a terrible run to get out of it 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StewieGriffin Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 10 minutes ago, rjw63 said: Prepare for a miraculous injury list recovery for most of their walking wounded just before the game at Villa Park... As true as this will be, some of them haven't played in a long time - they wont be match fit. If we hit them the way we did at Villa Park last season we can blow them away again 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewiek2 Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 Their starting 11 wasn't that bad tonight, but Tindell... I mean Howe made subs far too late when players were clearly dead on their feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefanAVFC Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 It’s amazing that Bruno G has 8 bookings in 20 games and it still feels about 8 too few 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duke313 Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 Think January will be make or break for Howe, they should beat Sunderland (but it's a derby, so who knows). I'd expect City to beat them in the league, which means his job could rely on a win versus us at home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanoiVillan Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 1 hour ago, duke313 said: Think January will be make or break for Howe, they should beat Sunderland (but it's a derby, so who knows). I'd expect City to beat them in the league, which means his job could rely on a win versus us at home Sunderland game feels kind of massive, doesn't it? Out of Europe, pretty much out of the Champions League race, the one chance to salvage the season really is winning the FA Cup, and he ends up with a 3rd round tie against the local rivals who will go into it with no pressure and nothing to lose (saw someone point out on Twitter that Sunderland's entire squad cost 20% of Isak). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaJ100 Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 12 minutes ago, HanoiVillan said: Sunderland game feels kind of massive, doesn't it? Out of Europe, pretty much out of the Champions League race, the one chance to salvage the season really is winning the FA Cup, and he ends up with a 3rd round tie against the local rivals who will go into it with no pressure and nothing to lose (saw someone point out on Twitter that Sunderland's entire squad cost 20% of Isak). I hope if nothing else they boot them off the pitch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWARLEY2 Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 The players are starting to lose belief in him i reckon. When you are being flogged like a dead horse and your manager doesnt change his philosophy/ stupidness then this is what happens. Howe way the lads 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BleedClaretAndBlue Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 I see their fanbase isnt so cocky anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StewieGriffin Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 7 hours ago, BleedClaretAndBlue said: I see their fanbase isnt so cocky anymore HAWAY MAN IT'S COZ OV ALL THE INJURIES WHAV HAD YA NA. WE'RE NAE COCKY, WE'RE THE BEST FANS IN THE LAND - WE'LL SHOUT AT WOR LADS FOR NAE PASHUN AT BOURNEMOUTH MIND, EH? TOON TOON BARMY ARMY. NUMBA NIIIINE 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oishiiniku_uk Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 If they lose today then confidence in Howe will definitely start to falter. I've a bit of a soft spot for SAFC since watching Sunderland Til I Die. Hope they can get a result! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zhan_Zhuang Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 T***s are going strong for this, is it the only trophy they can win? Come on Sunderland! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 2 minutes ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: T***s are going strong for this, is it the only trophy they can win? Come on Sunderland! Sky probably telling people they are still in the title race 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewiek2 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 1 hour ago, Zatman said: Sky probably telling people they are still in the title race I watched a video on YouTube of Matt Letissier from 2 weeks back, he said they'd get top four Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewiek2 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 2 hours ago, Zhan_Zhuang said: T***s are going strong for this, is it the only trophy they can win? Come on Sunderland! Can't be true. They're decimated by injuries, I tell you. DECIMATED © Sky Sports 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 This proved nothing of Newcastle, Blunderland as good as gave them the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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