'I just don't know': Latest Newcastle United takeover verdict plus assessment of Steve Bruce

Underwhelming, yes, but remarkable all the same, given just a few months back we did not even know if we’d make it through the final stretch of the campaign.

You might not be frothing at the mouth at the prospect of another tedious 90 minutes this afternoon, as champions Liverpool come to Toon, but there’s still plenty to talk about, with the #NUFCTakeover again, predictably, taking centre stage over the last seven days.

Here our writers Liam Kennedy and Jordan Cronin pick through the bones of another week on the black and white beat in regular feature – Toon Trending Topic.

Takeover talk again this week. Discuss…

LK: “Another week, yet more interesting, tiring, positive and negative stories about the PCP, PIF and Reuben Brothers bid to buy the club. It’s never ending, isn’t it? Will the deal get done? I just don’t know, nor does anyone outside a very tight band of people close to the deal and the Premier League. Do I have an opinion on it? Yes, of course I do and I’ve made that clear over the weeks, months (feels like years). Is my opinion important though? No it is not. All that matters is the opinion of the Premier League decision-makers.”

JC: “It is indeed never ending to the point where any excitement I had has now completely evaporated. In fact, I just find the whole thing very, very draining. Because there has been so much shoved down fans’ throats for over THREE months, I just want to stick to the facts. And that is – the takeover is not done and nobody knows if or when it will be approved. Until the Premier League make a decision, I’m back sitting on the fence hoping for the same decision as you guys.”

Can this season be regarded as a success, stagnation or deterioration?

LK: “Very, very few people will be able to make a case for progress. Some will go for the reverse gear but I tend to think it has been another year, like the one before and the one before that, where NUFC have stood still… just about. There have been high points, some quality individual performances and more but there’s also been a lot of dross. And you only have to assess United dropping off a cliff recently and the January performances to see things in the garden are not all rosey.”

JC: “It certainly can’t be described as progress, no chance. Contrary to Steve Bruce’s view, I think stagnation is the best way to describe it. The only case for it being slightly better than last season is Newcastle being officially safe with five games to go. However, if you compare points total and position in the table, it will end pretty much identical. The argument for playing better football too is nonsense. Minus possibly the FA Cup, where’s the progress?”

Rank Steve Bruce’s managerial performance this season out of 10…

LK: “When it comes to player ratings six out of 10 is an average so that’s what I’m going with. The FA Cup run, then surrender, had potential to drive this number up, so too a top 10 charges – but neither materialised after early promise.”

JC: “Bruce has done what was asked of him by Mike Ashley, so I’ve got no problem in saying he has done a good job and that he deserves credit. But when I reflect back on the season, no standout moments come to mind really. I’ll join Liam in the 6/10 club.”

What do you make of Newcastle’s recent activity – sponsors, contracts and signings, etc? And what do you think that means for the takeover?

LK: “I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – this deal is as far along as any in Newcastle’s recent history. It is purely waiting on regulatory approval, or rejection. Then a transfer of funds would take place, if the green light is given. This is not territory we have been in before under Ashley, remember that. But the delays have caused no end of doubts – and those doubts have been felt at the top of the United tree, too. The show must go on, as they say. And that’s what’s happening at United re scouting players, new deals and so on. I actually see this as positive, not a negative. It would have been no shock to me to see Ashley’s United shut up shop and do nothing. They are at least doing the bare minimum, though. And that’s fine.”

JC: "We’re seven weeks away from the season starting again – let that sink in, because it is only around the corner. This is the Premier League’s fault, they are allowing one of its member clubs to remain in limbo. At the end of the day, Bruce and co can’t wait around forever, United need their best 11 men on the field. Whatever happens though, this football club will head into the new season at a disadvantage, and a lot of that lies with the PL.”