A lot of Newcastle United fans have reacted to a tweet from Mark Douglas concerning the potential takeover of the Toon.
The Evening Chronicle reporter was asked if he thought that this was a PR stunt set up by Mike Ashley to divert attention away from the way Sports Direct responded to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s orders to enforce a lockdown amid the current public health concerns.
Douglas replied, claiming that this was not a PR stunt and that there was ‘something in it’ but that it was ‘crunch time’.
Do you think this is a PR stunt?
Yes
No
This has not gone down well with these Toon fans, who feel like history is repeating itself.
Not a PR stunt. Something in it.
But this is crunch time. https://t.co/IhLCIhH34A
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) April 2, 2020
How many times though mark, have we heard “this seems different” or “this is crunch time”?
— nufc fanatic (@nufcfanatic77) April 2, 2020
It has been leaked to the press worries me. When do successful takeovers ever get leaked to the press i dont remember any. I hope and prey it happens and soon but i have serious doubts as i think it would have happened by now. Great things never happen to us sadly ?.
— Kyle (@kyzatoonfan4) April 2, 2020
Importantly, we’re previous reported attempts PR Stunts?
— ? (@simplyMaximin) April 2, 2020
Mark – u have used the term ‘crunch time’ several times today. So what time frame are we looking at before we can say this is either a runner, or dead in the water??
— ????Fozzie???? (@Fozzie94) April 2, 2020
I’ve got a friend who lives out their and he says they aren’t reporting anything at all. Also if they wanted nufc they would of had it done before now. ?
— PAUL (@paulnortheast0) April 2, 2020
Crunch time…. Again ?
— Toon Fan (@leazeslegend) April 2, 2020
Crunch time Mark, Again.
It’s all very tiresome now. Appreciate it needs followed up and reported on and right now it’s a distraction from the other news. Personally I’ve read as much as I can take on it. I will care again when Ashley goes. Unfortunately until then it’s rumours.— Ally (@allypetrie81) April 2, 2020
Absolutely mental how people think mike Ashley, who’s love child in Fraser’s group is going down the drain, has the time to fabricate interest from a Saudi billionaire for a bit PR.
— Matthaus (@GeordieDubravka) April 2, 2020
What do we think?
Earlier in the week, reports emerged from both The Times and The Athletic that suggested that there was some positive movement in this potential takeover, and George Caulkin dismissed any notion of his story in The Athletic having anything to do with Ashley.
However, every single takeover attempt since Ashley took over Newcastle has failed – so we urge caution on this one as well.