Yes, the players have been amazing, and some degree of hope (in a deeply depressed and deprived part of the country) has been restored to the people who support one of the teams from the region.
And yes, that team had been disgracefully run under the previous ownership. (And yes, also, I would have loved to have seen Newcastle win the League when Kevin Keegan was in charge.)
However, it is far too euphemistic to argue that the (vast, and bottomless) flow of money from a (rather repellant yet obscenely wealthy) sovereign state has "hasn't hurt" the team.
Rather, the team has sold its soul.
Although,
@Apple fanboy may rail (with considerable justification) against the "greedy six", I must admit that my greatest dislike and detestation is reserved for the clubs bought by those wealthy sovereign states, with atrocious records on human rights, in a classic a classic expression of - and projection of - "soft power".
While I disliked (detested, even) the world where oligarchs (and irresponsible or greedy businessmen) could buy - and wreck - football clubs, as an expression of ego, - the fact that states with outrageous records on human rights are permitted to purchase football clubs appals me.
No.
We may challenge, and chase - I think we have done exceptionally well so far - but we lack the strength in depth to mount the sort of brilliant challenge that Liverpool managed twice in recent years - chasing the competition to the wire, to the last day. As for winning, I very much doubt it.
In truth, I'll be happy with a CL spot, and - for the first time in years - I think we have a good chance of achieving that ambition.
