Read on Twitter
Not to pick on @MsiDouglas (who I think genuinely tries to inform the #NUFC fanbase from within the requirements of his role), but there has been a total failure from the press to explain to who the real customer of the @premierleague O&D test is. /1 https://twitter.com/MsiDouglas/status/1288422051083096064?s=20
It is not us (the fans), the club, or Mike Ashley (although he is one of Masters' bosses). It is the other owners. We are entirely replaceable in a PL sense, and I would guess that 19/20 of Masters' bosses are delighted with the 'rigour' with which he is applying the tests. /2
The organisational body known as the Premier League is meant to be an arms length, technocratic, neutral body to administer and apply the rules while adjudicating disputes between member clubs who would otherwise be deadlocked/destructively biased with self interest. /3
Note that I quoted rigour above, because if you are naive enough to think that a set of outwardly neutral, boringly technocratic rules can't be applied in an extremely politically/commercially convenient way then I have a bridge to sell you. /4
The PL org is therefore operating in the interests of its owners and will continue to do so, because that is what it was designed to do. I mentioned 19/20 owners above, but 20/20 have shown little to no regard for #NUFC fan opinion, so fans are basically wailing into a void. /5
Fans will rage with frustration, but the big concern is that a delay changes the risk perception of the buyers such that they think the risk of relegation in the new season is too great. The other PL owners do not care about this, indeed it is a beneficial pain point to them. /6
Journalists will also rage, as this episode once again demonstrates how much power has drained away from them in the PL era. They are trapped between untouchable owners and the need to constantly attract eyeballs for their content against the flood of social media emotion. /7
The manipulation of the fans is the most disgusting aspect of this. Fake accounts astroturfing for one side / their own profile / political ends. Hidden PR campaigns. Media personalities being deliberately provocative because a bite from the naive is what pays the bills. /8
The fans hoped the PL will listen to tweets/petitions/articles/legal letters but we are (once again) totally powerless. Sadly this situation is merely an opportunity for those with something to sell or a follower count to develop. Hopefully there will be a decision soon. /end
Addendum. Life as an #NUFC fan encapsulated in a tweet - while I was writing this thread the news of the consortium pulling out was released. At least tweet 6 was correct!
