It’s only 10 days since the famous Newcastle takeover, and slowly, we are getting some statements from the players. Like the fans, they were also in shock when the deal actually went through, and some of them (if not the most) will certainly be in fear for their places. The squad is average at best and not so balanced as it should, mostly due to lack of investment, rather than coach Bruce’s wishes. So, exciting times for some, but not so exciting for others. And we can safely say that captain Jamal Lascelles and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey are among a small number of players who shouldn’t worry about their place in the team in the short term period (Willson, Saint-Maximin and Dubravka are the others).Zidane rejects Newcastle, just like they rejected him in 1996From the beginning of the takeover process, Amanda Staveley, who owns 10% of the club became the face of the organization, and she was fair enough to phone the club’s captain Lascelles and inform him ahead of the takeover. Needless to say, she caught him off guard. “I was sat at home with my kids and my partner and my phone rang. It was Amanda. I was like ‘Amanda who? I didn’t have her number saved. Then she was like ‘Amanda Staveley’. So I ran into the other room and she just introduced herself and said ‘as captain, I just wanted to let you know the takeover is going to happen in 30 minutes’ time, and we are looking forward to getting started’. It was fantastic. I really appreciated it. It made me feel involved. I got goosebumps. Then they came in on Monday and showed their appreciation, which was great. They just seemed like real genuine people and want to build a relationship and communication with us, which I think is so important” he told Sky Sports News.Bruce set to take charge of Newcastle for Spurs match after takeoverWhen the news broke out and the Premier League made an official statement, fans gathered around St. James Park and started to celebrate the long awaited takeover. Thousands of fans set off flares, downed cans of lager in celebration and sprayed what they had left in the air, to the much enjoyment of Jonjo Shelvey. “Those scenes outside the stadium were incredible. I was going to have a drive down, I wanted to get out there with a beer myself! That reaction at the stadium is unique. The fans have suffered a lot in the past, so I think what we saw was a release of frustration and relief that the deal had finally happened. I went to watch Newcastle Blue Star on Friday night, my mate plays in goal. There were about 1,000 fans there, fully-grown men wearing Arab clothes, I couldn’t believe it. This is unbelievable for the club. The fans have been asking for this for a very long time. It’s great news for them. I understand what the fans want – they want Mbappe and Messi. All I can say is, that won’t come overnight, we have to be realistic. I understand you can’t go spending so much straight away, and it will be a long process, but it’s one that this club and the fans deserve. This club can achieve anything it wants now, the sky is the limit” said the midfielder to Daily Mail. PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 8Saturday14:30: (9.00) Watford (4.90) Liverpool (1.40)17:00: (2.50) Aston Villa (3.20) Wolverhampton (3.15)17:00: (3.60) Norwich (3.25) Brighton (2.25)17:00: (1.15) Man.City (9.00) Burnley (22.0)17:00: (2.40) Southampton (3.40) Leeds (3.15)17:00: (3.45) Leicester (3.50) Man.Utd. (2.20)19:30: (6.25) Brentford (3.80) Chelsea (1.65)Sunday16:00: (2.65) Everton (3.30) West Ham (2.90)18:30: (3.60) Newcastle (3.50) Tottenham (2.15)Monday22:00: (1.70) Arsenal (3.80) Crystal Palace (5.70)
