Championship / Frank Gregan / 30 July 2009 /

Mike Ashley fails to find a buyer for Newcastle United and rumours of administration abound, Frank Gregan believes that last weekend's friendly drubbing by Leyton Orient points to a club in free-fall...

Those behind the takeover bid at Notts County appear to be very private people. The Arab consortium have put their money where their mouth is and look likely to bring success to the club because they thought it was a sentimental proposition given that County are the oldest Football League club.

There is a bunch of supporters on the North side of the Tyne who wish the group had
taken over a different club that plays in black and white stripes, citing the reason that it is the most Northern club in England but that would have been a mental proposition! If stripey shirts is what they were after how could they not have been wooed by the new Newcastle away strip - a polyester and cotton vomit inspired creation that makes the players look like Tweety Pie wearing a high visibility vest!

With rumours flying around that Mike Ashley is ready to put the club into administration (venomously denied of course - what Newcastle fan would ever doubt the word of Mr Ashley?) the latest suitor to declare an interest in the club has pulled out. The Singapore based Profitable Group, which has former Liverpool midfielder and Swindon manager Steve McMahon as it's mouthpiece, have walked away after receiving no acknowledgement from the club that their bid had even been received.

The club had said that three bids were on the table but it is now highly unlikely that any takeover will take place before Newcastle get their Championship campaign underway at West Brom next Saturday. That means that a permanent manager will not be in place and that no coherent strategy for a return to the Premier Division will have been determined. It's going to be a case of "let's wing it and see what happens." What a way to run a football club!

Amazingly, this time last week Newcastle were favourites to win the Championship, probably as a result of all the delusional Geordies laying down their hard earned in the belief that their highly expensive but totally uncommitted squad are too good for the Championship - in much the same way as last season they were "too good to go down!"

The more rational Betfairians who don't hail from the land of Dire Straits and the Bigg Market
haven't been able to press the "lay" button quick enough after Leyton Orient sent a full strength Newcastle side back up the A1 with their tales between their legs after a 6-1 drubbing. Hughton's men (or Kinnear's or Shearer's - just who is in charge?) have consequently dropped to third favourites and are now available to back at [8.4] behind West Brom [6.6] and Middlesbrough at [8.0].

The Orient debacle summed up everything that is wrong at the club. Newcastle had won all three of their previous friendlies but the moment they had to dig in they capitulated. They desperately need their off the field problems sorted or they are in for another season of pain.

The supporters will honour any anonymity demands of any rich, powerful consortium. All offers gratefully received, a group consisting of Al Capone, the Kray twins and Sir Allen Stanford would be welcomed with open arms as long as they could bring the investment and direction that the club is clearly lacking.

If Newcastle get rolled next week at the Hawthorns, which is very likely given their current plight, their Championship odds will stretch to double figures and then they may be worth considering. From a personal point of view I'll be having a few bob on them at [8.4] but please bear in mind that I am a delusional Geordie who thought they were "too good to go down" and I've also asked for the new away kit for my birthday next week!

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