When Barry Moat's Newcastle United takeover bid failed, a lot of supporters feared that without money to invest in players, we'd struggle to add to our already depleted squad. The current Newcastle squad is probably just good enough to get out of the Championship, but without further investment, it's looking bleak for our future Premier League survival.

The people linked with Newcastle United are either perpetually stupid or completely inept.

Barry Moat has finally broken his silence regarding the Newcastle United takeover and his failure to buy the club. In comments released yesterday Moat admitted that he too would consider selling the naming rights for St.

When Sol Campbell signed for The Magpies, there were many who thought he just got his directions wrong when he ended up at Notts County. An ex England international with a distinguished career, playing for a League Two club, but for how long? The accusations levelled against Campbell were that he walked out during a training session.

As voices of discontent gathered at the back of the Milburn stand before the game, they were equally as vociferous in their support for their team once they got inside the ground. The second largest attendance of the day (43,067) certainly made their feelings known.

The Newcastle fans had something to shout about other than the owner as Jonas Gutierrez ran from the halfway, and finished with a shot that went past 'Keeper Joe Lewis.

The Journal today published an article with quotes attributed to none other than our favorite cockney geezer, Derek Llambias.

With most sane Newcastle fans venting fury at the clubs efforts to sell naming rights to St. James's Park next season, the club appear to be trying to alleviate some of the damage.

There aren't many things worse than what's happened to our club over the past week or so, and I was hoping that it wouldn't have too much of an impact on the NUFC players. Fortunately (and rather fortuitously), they battled to a hard fought victory over Sheffield United.

The Blades made the Newcastle players work hard for this victory, which on another day, could so easily have gone against us.

Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse, news tonight emanating from St. James Park is that Mike Ashley has removed Newcastle United from the market and the club is no longer for sale.

Here is the press release in full from the club's official website:

NEWCASTLE United are delighted to announce that Chris Hughton has been named the permanent manager of the Club, his contract will run until the end of the 2010/11 season.

Dull. Uninspiring. Inept.

All words than can some up tonight's performance. It's really gone beyond who scored for / against us anymore. It's now down to attitude and application. Sadly for Newcastle United fans, both our coaching staff and players are completely incapable of showing either.

You see that great big ditch down there? The one big enough to swallow St. James's Park? That's how far my heart sank when I heard the news that Chris Hughton was offered the manager's job on a permanent basis.

Firstly, this is a huge backwards step and reeks of the lack of ambition wafting out from the Gallowgate.

Mike Ashley, Newcastle United's much maligned owner has dropped the price of the club to £80 million. Ashley has given Barry Moat one more week to come up with the funds to buy the club (even though a few weeks ago we were told he had made a formal offer and that money was in the bank).

Nottingham Forest put a dent in our title ambitions as what appeared to be a very unmotivated Newcastle side struggled early on.

Forest had the best of the first half and were unfortunate to only go in to the half-time break with a one goal lead. Newcastle were guilty of:

• Giving away possession (Are you listening Marlon Harewood?

It certainly feels like a long time since we last had something to write about. No progress on the takeover and no Championship games has meant it's been a pretty boring two weeks. Fear not though, the real football is back!

Newcastle's caretaker boss Chris Hughton has some decisions to make regarding the fitness of certain players and their inclusion in the squad for tomorrow depends on their passing a fitness test today.

Our much improved Spanish left-back Jose Enrique has spoken today of how Newcastle United have yet to hit top gear.

Enrique, speaking to the Chronicle, says that the players are determined to put last season's disappointment behind them. Despite drawing our last two home games, we are unbeaten at home.

Both the Daily Mirror and the Times are reporting that Barry Moat has launched a formal takeover bid for Newcastle United. Moat is said to have significant financial muscle from American investors and has received guarantees from Barclays that he will be given working capital to run the club.

The Mirror on Sunday are reporting that Mike Ashley is finally ready to relinquish control of Newcastle United. This comes after the club having to pay Kevin Keegan £2 million this week. Along with the report of the takeover news, the Mirror also reports that should Mike Ashley be unable to sell Newcastle before the New Year, he will award Chris Hughton a £5 million transfer war chest.