It’s hard to believe that it’s only been just over a month (May 23rd, to be exact) since the announcement was made that Mike Ashley had bought Sir John Hall’s shares, and was launching a takeover bid. Not only was the announcement totally unexpected, but so has been the pace with which the takeover has proceeded. Shepherd’s position had seemed so secure that his previous declaration that the club was ‘impossible to buy’ had rung depressingly true. Now, Ashley is poised to take the club back into private ownership.

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As you can probably see, we have a new poll. With much of the speculation recently regarding the futures of Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen we thought we would ask you for your views on the situation.

Who do you want to stay? Who offers more to the team? Who has a brighter future, or whose heart is in it? Would you rather we flogged the both of them and brought in new players with our new found wealth? Would the possible signing of Eidur Gudjohnson push you towards keeping one over the other?

Let us know your views, and vote while you’re at it.

Having left a clear impression on the claret and blue half of Birmingham, Newcastle-Online now turns its attentions towards St. Andrews, to see which players at Birmingham City could potentially improve our first team squad.

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The aim of Buying From Our Premiership Rivals is to highlight the individual players at each Premier League club that would not only improve our senior squad, but whom are also realistically available to the club in terms of budget constraints and willingness of the player to join us. Unfortunately, such criteria lead to today’s Aston Villa edition being remarkably brief.

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This afternoon’s Evening Chronicle is leading with the story that new Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has requested that all members of the current United board resign from their positions.

The English billionaire has begun his review of the club and believes that the boardroom is the first place that is in dire need of changes. With this in mind, it is reported he intends to get rid of the current board and replace them with his own people.

Whether this club shake-up involves current Chairman Freddy Shepherd is yet to be seen but things should become much clearer in the coming days.

A ’source’ close to the Sports World owener told the local paper:

“This is all part of Mr Ashley’s strategic review of Newcastle United.

“This is the first phase that will result in boardroom changes.

“It is all about getting his own people in there, people he knows and trusts with whom he has worked for many years.

“Now that he is the majority shareholder he has the power to do that.”

“These changes will give Mr Ashley a better feel for the business and help him to make it better and shape and develop it.”

So what are your thoughts on this? Is this exactly what the club needs? Do you trust Ashley to do what is right? Should Freddy Shepherd remain as chairman?

Give us all these answers and more, we want to hear from YOU.

Newcastle tied with Reading in finishing the season 9th defensively, with the ball hitting the onion bag 47 times a piece. The Chelseas, Arsenals and Manchester Utds justifiably decimated our tally, but Manchester City, Aston Villa and Portsmouth beating us proved far less digestable.

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In the return of an old summer feature, Newcastle-Online will be checking out our rivals to assess what players in their squad are both available, and good enough to play for Newcastle United. With a busy summer coming up, we hope to provide intriguing alternatives to the names the media keep bringing up. Proceeding alphabetically as always, we first turn our attentions to London Woolwich, these days known as Arsenal.

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After securing the first two signings of his Newcastle career, Allardyce is stepping up the chase for some defensive recruits. The Newcastle defense is seriously lacking in quantity as in quality and Allardyce has made it clear that the focus from now on will be in reinforcing the much ridiculed back four. Today we’ll be looking at the players rumoured to be in Sam’s sights.

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In the final part of our dissection of Newcastle United, the article writing team in place for next season took some time out to answer some questions regarding the takeover, and their hopes and aspirations for next season and beyond.

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The last month at Newcastle United has seen the landscape of the club change almost inconceivably. While a month ago our fans were united in frustration at our clueless manager and much maligned chairman, we are now united in a sense of optimism not seen since the peak of Bobby Robson’s tenure.

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A king had three sons. One day he went on a long journey overseas. Before he left he said to his sons:

“I will be away for a long time. I am dividing my kingdom three ways and you will be in charge. The people’s days are long and their lives are hard. You must rule wisely and make them happy.”

And he left on his journey. Some years later he returned to his kingdom.

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Sam is sending out the unmistakable signal that solidity and firmness of will are his first priorities this summer and romance must take a back seat. The signings of Viduka and Barton are the heavy undercoat brushstrokes of his masterpiece. Big swathes of heavy mottled earthy colours applied first, the blue sky will have to wait.

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Also confirmed to the stock market today was the sale of Scott Parker to West Ham United. What makes the deal interesting is the fact that Newcastle will receive £6.5m for the player however the deal does include a further £500,000 contingent on future appearances bringing the total fee up to the suggested £7m.

Confirmation this morning that Freddy Shepherd has sold his shareholdings in Newcastle United football club leaving Mike Ashley with a 70% holding in the club and only needing 5% more to gain full control of the club. The following statement was released to the stock market this morning.

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Several members of next season’s Newcastle-Online writing team were kind enough to answer a number of questions on various topics. In the first of two installments,we shall look back at the highlights and lowlights of the 2006/07 season.

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