Benwell Lad

The fat red faced one had big grin on his face as he left the director's box yesterday shortly after Demba notched his third. Probably heading for a few jars in a Newcastle pub,much like any other fan I suppose.

I'd have loved a stand like that with all the bright lettering for my subbuteo set.

Call ahead to confirm with them, but surely they have an obligation to do so if they haven't arrived before you leave.

Similar vein of thought in this article, though it might be edging towards a trollish bit of journalism for some. http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2011/09/23/2678888/leaner-meaner-and-proving-the-doubters-wrong-mike-ashleys Interesting to read the bit about Carroll. It's been whispered in pubs etc but that's the first time I've seen it in print. Highly unlikely imo but you never know.

Apart from our rotten recent record against Rovers at SJP, they really aren't doing too badly. They were excellent against Everton but somehow managed to very unluckily lose and looked pretty good last week against the Arsenal. Having become a bit of a target for the press recently expect a bit of "wounded animal" to go with their undoubted talent. I will be happy with any kind of win.

Pardew is a natural No.1 and has put a good backroom staff in place. Hughton, though highly admirable when thrust into the manager's job and a great fella too, is much more comfortable as a number 2. Ashley thought Hughton had been found out and made a hard decision. That like it or not is the way successful business people operate.

Noticed just before immigration at NEWCASTLE airport there is a pathetic advert begging visitors to attend the stadium of light. Guess who is on the advert ? Clue - he was their top striker until he decided playing in front of a few hundred spectators in the desert was preferable to life on Wearside.

Oh I definitely agree with that. Atmosphere is f***ing dead there. At the Fulham game, I wanted to join in with the songs but I felt embarrassed to do so in fear of being given odd looks. A bit unfair I think. A lot of the most passionate and long standing fans are in the PC and the atmosphere is not that bad - although I was once asked to sit down ! Of course you're correct in that the demographic of that part of the ground is very different to L7 or the Strawberry corner for example. It has always been the same - years ago the Leazes was for radgies and produced ear splitting noise ; the Gallowgate was for young uns often accompanied by parents; the paddocks were for sort of better off people ; the popular was for long suffering moaning bastaads and the seats were for posh people - but nevertheless staunch fans - probably a bit like today's PC. SJP always has and still can accomodate different types of fan and age group and I would passionately support any movement for a standing/singing area which would produce a real noise and atmosphere although I probably wouldn't want to be in it any more.

When was this then? As for the Internet and Essex fans comment, horse s***. When I started going - mid sixties - and for quite a few years thereafter. I seem to remember we were one of the last "big" clubs to have perimiter advertising. I stand by that comment you deem to be horseshit, the signage definitely seems to be a bigger issue on internet sites than it is in bars on Tyneside, I can barely remember perimiter advertising, shirt and everything else sponsors, or any of the other sell outs attracting much attention at all - pre internet days of course. Like I said turfing long standing fans out of their seats to accomodate corporate and ultimately temporary fans was a far more emotive issue.

As one who can remember no advertising hoardings,interviews with players/managers without multi sponored backdrops and that competition we're playing in tomorrow being called the League Cup I really can't see what the fuss is. Unsurprisingly nowadays it seems to be internet fans from Essex or somewhere who don't even attend SJP who have an issue rather than we long suffering Geordies who actually go to the match. In fact the only thing I've ever got vexed about (besides the shit we've had to put up with on the field) was when they flogged me a bond to my seat for 500 quid and a couple of years later turfed us out into inferior seats to make way for fashion fans who have since deserted. Imagine if the FCB tried to pull that stunt. No when Yohan rattles one in on Saturday I for one won't really give shit what is written on the roof, who has their name on our shirt or what the fack the league we play in is called this year.

Great stuff, thanks to author for sharing it and relaying the experience so well. Interesting about Pardew - whatever people think about him he came into football the hard way, not as some pampered young pro, and it shows.

So now it's the font of the letters we're meant to be upset about. Aye alreet then.

A good point under the circumstances against a decent QPR side who were predictably "up for it". Definitely the type of game we've lost too many of in the past. Don't know how or when they travelled to W.London but the kick off time and weather conditions probably added to the home advantage so any result was a good one. Pards made a mistake playing 2 up front and the lack of creativity is a concern. We really need a fit HBA to get things going.

Woodgate was better like. I disagree. Even if their ability is comparable colo wins hands down due to lifestyle,inspirational qualities and fitness.

Legend ! But let's not forget the man who brought him in and even extended his fabulously lucrative contract he deserves credit too.

All things considered I struggle to think of a better defender in many many years of watching nufc.

U He thought they said a big dessert. But would you want Dubai him ?

36,000 against a top club with big away following for a Saturday 3pm kick off. Itl'll be sub 30k sometime soon. Perhaps playing in the desert is a better option.J

Thank you for the insight. I had the pleasure of meeting HBA and he seems a very decent and humble person, we are really looking forward to seeing him in the team again. Cabaye also looks like a very good player and the other French players have something to prove so they should be hungry for success.

The media frenzy, particularly Sky, generated on deadline day (when almost next to fockall happened anywhere really) builds up hopes and then shatters them at the end. They enjoy playing with us. Like you said expensive mistakes can easily be made under pressure, amazing thing is there'd have been post deadline delight if we'd made an Owen or Luque type signing, but Cabaye,Marvaux,Ba and Santon just weren't "sexy" enough signings for some fans. Had the club's media department (??) levelled with us and said "we're trying but it now looks unlikely we're gonna get the players we want this window" there would have been disappointment but not the hysterical rage that followed. The club failed in both their primary transfer objectives and communication, but the media enjoyed stringing us along (the Ruiz "drama" ffs) and now they will get another pay day when the club provide standard answers to a bunch of pointless questions.

Shola, Lovenkrands and Best are among our four current best strikers. How can our B targets not be better options than them? If we signed a foreign striker who came in and provided a time on pitch/goals ratio the same as Best we'd be ecstatic He seems to find lots of positions/chances which don't end up in the net too. I do know what you mean though - particularly in Lovenkrands' case.

Even giving him the benefit of a transition period it must be quite worrying for them as I can't recall a good game he's played for the dippers whereas I can't recall him having a bad one for us. Wouldn't write him off yet but that fee is starting to look even more ridiculous than it did in January.

Like a new player (i.e. a Premiership one) since the current coaching staff started working on his body shape and mobility.

I'm sure Steve "hangover" Bruce will succeed in motivating him after sober intelligent Mr.Wenger failed so miserably.