80

Wtf?

It's why I struggle with people getting chippy about the likes of Jose Enrique having fuzzier feelings about Liverpool than us. We spent 10 years being a club of cunts, doing bad things to good people. Why on earth would we expect sentimentality?

I see what you mean, I don't like orchestrated atmospheres, but there's nothing organic about what we have now with people being seated randomly in rows alongside people they don't know and maybe don't like, as stewards gaze on at them trying to spot anyone standing up or saying naughty words. So... We are where we are I guess, until the club can assist with seat reallocations or terracing, at least.

That's the key. Beggars belief that people continued to put money into the club through episodes like that to be honest.

Might be wrong but think it's maybe an argument for having a massive stadium. Yes, it'll not always be full, and yes, we'll have a lot of the prawn sandwich brigade there, but there'd be enough room to have supportive supporters get together and do their thing too. At the moment it's a bit of a zero sum game re: who does and doesn't get tickets. So many characters have gone from St James' over the years and can't get back in even if they want to. The comatose ones who drifted along with Mike Ashley are still here, still drifting, and now with added residency rights.

It's a modern society thing, not just Newcastle. I'm not sure but I suspect modern players don't actually expect much noise after kickoff either, so in that sense the lower standards on both sides balance out.

In terms of his overall time at the club, seeing him get sent off isn't too surprising. His attempted tackle against Chelsea was worse. Something to work on, his mindset when clinging on to leads late in games.

Due diligence - always click the link to verify

So... This boy might prove very important in the next few games. A bit of new starter energy won't go amiss if Bruno is out. Fingers crossed.

Ultimately, it's a winner's mentality to be confident of seeing a situation like this through, and we're going to need that in time to come if we're gonna go where we want to go. Not arrogance, mind. Just iron resolution to do the business. I've got full faith in Eddie and the players to have that. The alternative is self-doubt and nerves that can feed through into the crowd and onto the pitch. Caginess, being fearful and ponderous in possession, catastrophising any mistakes that are made etc. We don't want that. One of the absolute best things that we've developed over the past 12 months is the resolve to trust our gameplan and talents in a game. It's definitely an education process for supporters, but 1-0 in the 80th minute means so much more now than it did the last time we were in regular cup semis and finals. We're a good, serious team.

Just learned to control it I guess. Taking all emotion out of it, I just don't see anything other than us going through, so might as well back my judgement. Last time I can remember having a proper shock was Partizan Belgrade. Feel queasy thinking about it.

There's no part of me that doubts this.

Same. Did I hear Gordon right when I think he said 'this has been years in the making' when sitting with Howe? Wonder if they have a bit of history going back.

I'm in between. Yes, being the self appointed memory and conscience of everyone can be annoying and self-defeating. On the other hand, the sentiment against him was pretty exceptional, the kind of thing people deny being involved with. It wasn't just people saying they couldn't see him making the grade.

Somehow one of the most threatening things I've read in a long time

He did indeed. The North East has famously struggled to produce decent footballers over the past century due to lack of brains among the natives.

Thought that as I was writing it But we've definitely been recruiting smarter than average players over the past year.

He seems really truly happy in his interview. Like he feels like he's stepped up to a big club. Strange feeling for me. I, too, would be pissed off if I was an Everton supporter Clearly a bright lad. Our average IQ must be getting pretty sweet, now.

Bearing in mind we seem to be successfully arguing that we aren't actively keen to sell him, we can call it 18 months as the extension is at the club's discretion.

Busy bee.

What is it?

This whole thread just needs fucking off.

Really like these kinds of deals. So satisfying when they work out in the end. Great environment for him to come into.

Generally speaking, people don't learn, they just get more sophisticated with target picking and self deception.

Plus, one thing you can say for Wood is he has an impeccable fitness record. Like it or not, he made 30+ appearances for a top 4 team. Can't say that for Fraser unfortunately, even though he played his part when available last season.