merlin

Well guys, although I do not contribute regularly to the site now, this subject is one on which I can perhaps add to the debate.

Most of the members of the site will be far younger than me and therefore were not around in the late 60s when NUFC went into the then Fairs Cup for the first time even though we finished 10th in the then Div 1, mainly due to the 1 city - 1 club rule which excluded Everton because Liverpool had 2 clubs. Same applied to other European cities with more than 1 club.

As you all know, we won the Fairs Cup at the first time of asking, beating teams like Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, Real Zaragoza, Vitoria Setubal and Rangers before meeting Ujpest Dozsa(who had turfed out Leeds, then title contenders) and defeating the Hungarians over both legs.

During the great Cup run, we had several youngsters who played a major part in our success, Alan Foggon(19 when he scored our 3rd in Budapest, Keith Dyson and John Craggs, a young RB who deputized for David Craig in some games.

Joe Harvey was not frightened to play these lads when they were 18 and they didn't let him down...if they are good enough, they are old enough as long as you don't field too many at the same time(as Ossie Ardiles did - probably of necessity - in 91-92 and they just weren't ready to play all at once although Steve Watson played a major part after KK joined as manager).

Eddie Howe has a strong pool of players to choose from but from what I've seen od Miley he does deserve a chance in some games this season...Eddie has not made too many mistakes so far so its up to him but local lads are a big strength of a side if developed properly - I wish him luck .

As a former contributor to the site who long ago ceased to comment due to certain posters' responses, I have only once since commented on any topic and the failed takeover was that subject.

It now appears that the PL have confirmed the general view that they are not , to say the least, acting in the best interests of competition in English Football and certainly NOT in the interests of NUFC. We have all seen the visible proof that there was a breakaway attempt by 6 self-appointed 'Top' clubs to join a Euro Super League and to monopolize and consolidate their positions to the permanent disadvantage of the remaining PL clubs(and also any club further down the league which may have ambitious owners)and the real chance of their positions being threatened by a Saudi takeover of NUFC has, in the opinion of many people, played a major part in the foot-dragging by the PL to allow the takeover by PIF and  its front figures.

There is no doubt that Staveley and the Reubens were genuine about trying to get the takeover through but the PL have procrastinated at every turn, using the UK's tortoise-paced legal process to prevent it happening.

These appear to be the real facts behind the arbitration panel being delayed until 2022 - almost 2 years past the first agreement to sell then club by Ashley and the PIF to buy it.

In my view, this whole saga has killed English football and it is now in view as no better than the actions of certain other European clubs, like Juventus, who were relegated after match-fixing accusations some years ago.

I would not in all honesty buy a ST in these circumstances or even pay to watch the PL - no way would I give financial sustenance to an outfit like the PL or support a club being run on a shoestring until the fabled takeover(or another) goes ahead.....why would you ?

I struggle to imagine what action fans could take, other than witholding finance, which would have any effect apart from NUFC resigning from the PL in protest and there is NO way Ashley will do that.

I genuinely feel sorry for you younger lads - at least I have seen NUFC win a Euro trophy and an FA Cup(as a child)and I will always remember the first KK era with great fondness but barring some sort of miracle, the club is going to be also-rans and slip further behind any ambitious club in the PL for the foreseeable future.

I wish you all good luck and hope something else turns up but it is hard to imagine that - also very sorry that the Saudi promised support for the NE is now no more than a dream...the region deserves more and NO UK political party will change the way they ignore it.

Tony Green, Geoff Allen.

Have to come out of exile to agree totally with you manorpark - Green arguably turned us round in 71/72 when we were falling into relegation territory, such a dynamic and influential player...reckon we wouldn't have surrendered so badly at Wembley 74 if Green had been playing.

Allen will not be known by many younger fans but he was great - a late developer, he was, I believe, 21 when he was on the left wing for our first Fairs Cup game which all the 'experts' thought would see us out of the tournament ; instead, he took Van Der Hyde, the Feyenoord RB, to the cleaners with his twisting, darting runs with great crosses resulting in us winning 4-0 and setting the base for our eventual victory in the tournament after we hung on to lose 2-0 in Rotterdam in the return game with the Dutch.

Allen badly injured in a league match with Notts Forest after a desperate Hindley hacked him down - cruciate lig damage , could not be corrected in those days  and despite trying to come back twice, Allen couldn't - a great shame for the club and player himself who maybe would have played for England. Allen was a true Geordie too, born in Walker.

Who cares what Ashley does if this takeover fails, really?

He owns a mid-table/relegation struggling football club which he continuously neglect and asset strips.

Covid-19 prevents supporters to attend matches, and I highly doubt it will change much in the nex year+, and by that time Newcastle will be relegated at worst, scrapping by at best.

All this affects the interest in Newcastle and EPL.

 

This is actually a perfect time to let go if you find yourself being done with the club over and over again, but struggle to make it a thing of the past.

 

So imho the takeover is crucial.

 

I promised myself I would never return to post on this site several years ago but I am going to break this rule for once because the fiasco that this takeover has become warrants it.

 

You make a really good point with your post and it is undoubtedly now shared by a large and growing number of disillusioned fans of NUFC. It is bad enough that such a wealthy prospective owner is being messed around in what looks like a determined attempt by the PL to deter them but what really sticks in many fans' craw is that there may be a very good chance that the obstacles being placed on the takeover are being pushed by a group of powerful clubs who have a vested interest in preventing NUFC from gatecrashing their gravy train party.

Despite what some think, NUFC is the ONLY club from a group who should be challenging the Top 6 which can grow to the extent of challenging ALL the supposed 'Top' clubs ; think back to the 20,000 on the waiting list for STs when SJH and KK were running the club when SJP was regularly packed to the rafters and think also of how things could be given the almost limitless wealth of the PFI - new, larger stadium(which would be filled if we had anything like the success of Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea or Man U in the past), competing eventually for world's top players and thereby making it difficult for Real Madrid, Bayern, Barca and the top English clubs to pile up the riches  from CL football every season. Neither Everton, Wolves or Leicester would be able to match the attendances a successful NUFC could draw if they were given similar financial backing.

This is why I do believe there are hidden reasons why the PL are agonizing over this takeover.

 

Why would any thinking NUFC fan want to follow a club over the next few seasons that would probably be run in similar fashion to the past 13 years under Ashley ? Then add to that the fact that they suspect that the PL appears to be corrupt and run for the benefit of a few top clubs.....it would be pointless because you would be aware that nothing is going to change if it puts certain clubs' noses out of joint.

 

I have followed the comments since the takeover was first mooted as I have on other sites and it is clear that many fans will not only desert NUFC next season but almost certainly football itself unless they choose to watch minor league sides - and who could blame them ?

 

We shall see whether the PL wish to develop the game further or restrict it to those they favour.

 

 

Said this before myself although some people don't like hearing it. Big PL clubs hold a certain amount of clout with the officials, just seems naive to think otherwise.

 

Anyway, nice to see you back mate, always thought you were a top poster.

Many thanks for that, Tron - the feeling is mutual !

Who cares what Ashley does if this takeover fails, really?

He owns a mid-table/relegation struggling football club which he continuously neglect and asset strips.

Covid-19 prevents supporters to attend matches, and I highly doubt it will change much in the nex year+, and by that time Newcastle will be relegated at worst, scrapping by at best.

All this affects the interest in Newcastle and EPL.

 

This is actually a perfect time to let go if you find yourself being done with the club over and over again, but struggle to make it a thing of the past.

 

So imho the takeover is crucial.

I promised myself I would never return to post on this site several years ago but I am going to break this rule for once because the fiasco that this takeover has become warrants it.

You make a really good point with your post and it is undoubtedly now shared by a large and growing number of disillusioned fans of NUFC. It is bad enough that such a wealthy prospective owner is being messed around in what looks like a determined attempt by the PL to deter them but what really sticks in many fans' craw is that there may be a very good chance that the obstacles being placed on the takeover are being pushed by a group of powerful clubs who have a vested interest in preventing NUFC from gatecrashing their gravy train party.

Despite what some think, NUFC is the ONLY club from a group who should be challenging the Top 6 which can grow to the extent of challenging ALL the supposed 'Top' clubs ; think back to the 20,000 on the waiting list for STs when SJH and KK were running the club when SJP was regularly packed to the rafters and think also of how things could be given the almost limitless wealth of the PFI - new, larger stadium(which would be filled if we had anything like the success of Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea or Man U in the past), competing eventually for world's top players and thereby making it difficult for Real Madrid, Bayern, Barca and the top English clubs to pile up the riches  from CL football every season. Neither Everton, Wolves or Leicester would be able to match the attendances a successful NUFC could draw if they were given similar financial backing.

This is why I do believe there are hidden reasons why the PL are agonizing over this takeover.

Why would any thinking NUFC fan want to follow a club over the next few seasons that would probably be run in similar fashion to the past 13 years under Ashley ? Then add to that the fact that they suspect that the PL appears to be corrupt and run for the benefit of a few top clubs.....it would be pointless because you would be aware that nothing is going to change if it puts certain clubs' noses out of joint.

I have followed the comments since the takeover was first mooted as I have on other sites and it is clear that many fans will not only desert NUFC next season but almost certainly football itself unless they choose to watch minor league sides - and who could blame them ?

We shall see whether the PL wish to develop the game further or restrict it to those they favour.

based on assumptions...i reckon there will be realistically be around 20m net to spend on transfer fees and around 20m generated by a number of players leaving. So a total of 40m to spend on fees on incomings. the majority of the premier league TV money won't be in our account until once we've completed our first season back.

 

the club in its recent history has not (unless in extreme circumstance such as relegation) used credit or taken on extra debt when investing in the club so the idea of 50m, 100m spent this summer would be unexpected unless we get extra investment from another source. in 2010 the message was 'no capital outlay', i expect it to be similar until after we bank the money of the first season if we stay up in the first season. the conservatism of jan 2017 will continue until june next year.

 

i think rafa's will look at the next 3 years to get guarantees, rather than just next immediate season. by season 3 we should be competitive ££ to compete for top 8. at the moment our season in the championship has meant we are financially crippled to challenge the top 10 teams ££.

 

luckily rafa has proved he can get more out of some of the players we have and has experience in building a solid squad which hopefully should be able to stay up next year, despite there being a tight budget initially.

This is dreamland stuff - if Rafa ends up with this sort of kitty, he won't be here to spend it...some a---licking Pardalike will be doing it.

Rafa needs a MINIMUM outlay of 70m to keep the club in the PL - anything less is a relegation battle.

Delighted for the players and manager, who has done a brilliant job in a short time and especially for the fans who should be given PL football - and of a decent standard - all the time.

The really hard work begins now and its up to one Michael Ashley to ensure Rafa has enough funds to build a side capable of holding its own - and progressing - in the Premier League. There should be NO flirtations with relegation for at least 10 years.

We shall see.

Jesus, merlin, don't cry because the nasty man was mean to you.

Cry..? I'm still laughing at him..you must be from the same stable of idiots ; you should remember the famous old saying - ' It is better for a man to keep his mouth shut and be thought a fool, than for him to open it and prove the matter beyond all doubt'..

Thanks for doing so..!

I don't agree with Brexit (its f***ing dumb like Trump dumb), but you cannot just deride someone especially with a pompous reaction like Greg's towards Merlin for their views. Fair enough if they are truly dumb like Trump, but in all my time on here Merlin has never came across as dumb and didn't deserve such a response.

Thanks for that comment HTT...we may disagree on politics but at least we have never resorted to  Primary School insults on that or about our football opinions.

Here comes Peter Beardsley.

Sorry - you are about 25 years too late...yep, moron alert described your comments only too well.

You sound like you don't want that investment into the U.K. economy?

Well it's useful but compared to being in the EU it's small fry.

Don't get me started on the EU...have you seen how much we pay INTO the thing every year and how much the red tape these bureaucrats produce costs UK business..? 120 BILLION is the latest estimate.

Anyway, this site is about FOOTBALL - not politics.

Did you get that from the daily mail?

Where did you get your view from...Brussels or the Grauniad...? The UK is leaving and will eventually do well out of it so people should suck it up and get on with it...incidentally, I think the Mail is a comic...

 

don't you live in australia?

Britain being dictated to by unaccountable bureaucrats in Brussels(and eventually having to join the Euro) was ONE of the reasons we now live in Australia...the others are more obvious.

 

Thanks for warning us about it..have you had it seen to..?

Ironically Brexit is one of the reasons I want to get the f*** out

No need to worry, the likes of Merlin and every expat sitting in an English pub in Benidorm will come back.

The people sitting in 'English' pubs in Benidorm have got to sell their houses into the disaster that is the Spanish housing market before they can think about going back to the UK...AND to try and make a profit on it...

The only way we would be back there is if the Health costs get too high here...and the NHS is having its own problems too....

Ironically Brexit is one of the reasons I want to get the f*** out

Nobody is stopping you - and where would you like to go..? Those employment paradises of Greece, Spain and Portugal perhaps...or maybe France IF you can speak the language AND manage to get in front of all their own people who get first preference(quite rightly)for jobs....??

You sound like you don't want that investment into the U.K. economy?

Well it's useful but compared to being in the EU it's small fry.

Don't get me started on the EU...have you seen how much we pay INTO the thing every year and how much the red tape these bureaucrats produce costs UK business..? 120 BILLION is the latest estimate.

Anyway, this site is about FOOTBALL - not politics.

Did you get that from the daily mail?

Where did you get your view from...Brussels or the Grauniad...? The UK is leaving and will eventually do well out of it so people should suck it up and get on with it...incidentally, I think the Mail is a comic...

 

don't you live in australia?

Britain being dictated to by unaccountable bureaucrats in Brussels(and eventually having to join the Euro) was ONE of the reasons we now live in Australia...the others are more obvious.

That was a factor in you moving to the other side of the world?

I did say there were more obvious ones....it has been a great move for us and now being retired the climate is better - certainly where we live. Nevertheless, lots of people moved 'to the other side of the world' from the 16th Cent onwards...the Mayflower settlers left for America because they didn't like the way they were treated in England and being run by people who had got Spain, Portugal and Greece into such a mess didn't appeal to us either..

You sound like you don't want that investment into the U.K. economy?

Well it's useful but compared to being in the EU it's small fry.

Don't get me started on the EU...have you seen how much we pay INTO the thing every year and how much the red tape these bureaucrats produce costs UK business..? 120 BILLION is the latest estimate.

Anyway, this site is about FOOTBALL - not politics.

Did you get that from the daily mail?

Where did you get your view from...Brussels or the Grauniad...? The UK is leaving and will eventually do well out of it so people should suck it up and get on with it...incidentally, I think the Mail is a comic...

 

don't you live in australia?

Britain being dictated to by unaccountable bureaucrats in Brussels(and eventually having to join the Euro) was ONE of the reasons we now live in Australia...the others are more obvious.

You sound like you don't want that investment into the U.K. economy?

Well it's useful but compared to being in the EU it's small fry.

Don't get me started on the EU...have you seen how much we pay INTO the thing every year and how much the red tape these bureaucrats produce costs UK business..? 120 BILLION is the latest estimate.

Anyway, this site is about FOOTBALL - not politics.

Did you get that from the daily mail?

Where did you get your view from...Brussels or the Grauniad...? The UK is leaving and will eventually do well out of it so people should suck it up and get on with it...incidentally, I think the Mail is a comic...

Interesting tactical summary of the 4-3 match - http://www.zonalmarking.net/2017/03/28/liverpool-4-3-newcastle-1996/

 

 

Bloody hell, how attacking was our lineup....

 

Found this interesting, especially the defensive stats compared to offensive stats:

 

“We’ll still go and play the way we play, despite what people think,” Keegan defiantly said afterwards. “And if we don’t win anything, so be it.” He later admitted that he’d told assistant Terry McDermott, “I know I should be disappointed, but I’m elated,” such was his delight at contributing to an entertaining, attack-minded spectacle.

 

Evans was more pragmatic. “No team can win the title playing like that,” he said. That, of course, is the feeling that sticks in the mind when considering Keegan’s Newcastle, ‘The Entertainers’ – thrilling going forward but woeful defensively, and the latter meant they could never win the title. But that’s not entirely true. Newcastle’s goals-against record in 1995/96 was 37 from 38 matches, a perfectly respectable tally – only two more than eventual title winners Manchester United. The next four title winners conceded 44, 33, 37 and 45 goals, so there’s little to suggest Newcastle’s leaky defence cost them the title.

 

In fact, Newcastle’s real crime was scoring only 66 goals – less than every title winner in Premier League history. Their goal statistics disprove the consensus about Keegan’s Newcastle – a consensus that has developed, more than anything else, because of this legendary game.

I obviously didn't have the pleasure of seeing Super Mac play for us live so comparing him and Cole in terms of their iconic/hero/legend status is probably daft of me.

 

However, people I know who idolised Super Mac growing up said when Cole joined and started scoring even in the second division, they sensed he was more than just a new player bought to bolster promotion. That he was going to be a big big terrace hero.

 

That first season in the Premier League, he was something else and only 21.

 

For a black player and for someone so young, the hero worship from the stands and in and around the City from everyone was something magical. I don't think a player has been hero worshiped as much since him, not from all quarters anyway.

 

I think going up, playing such wonderful football and KK being the manager elevated that kind of worship and everything about that era really. It was very special, especially as a young kid with pure football innocence between my ears.

 

I used to get as gutted if Cole didn't score as when we got beat because for me as a kid he was probably bigger than NUFC to me, he was my hero.

 

It showed you how much he was loved that thousands took to SJP to kick off and to question KK himself, a man who at the time, well he was God and Jesus rolled into one.

 

KK used that setting of course, but never for disingenuous reasons.

 

What a time that must have been for the then older generation fans who had seen the likes of Gazza, Beardsley and Waddle sold, SJP become a bit of a wreck and a club that had basically stood still for years. Happy days!

Don't forget that Supermac was himself only 21 when he signed for us...he was so brash and full of confidence that he rolled up to sign at SJP in a white Rolls Royce..! 'I'm here to score goals' he said, '30 this season'....and he did ! Nobody who saw it will forget his home debut v Liverpool, KK and all, and his breathtaking strike for his second goal that put us in front. He put us 3-1 up in the second half after we had been a goal down and then got carried off after a sickening collision with Ray Clemence that knocked out his front teeth...he didn't even remember what happened..a simply fantastic debut and unforgettable.

When he joined us, he was basically all left foot, but he went on to become a far more complete striker and very good in the air too. If he had been a young man in KKs promotion side he would have got just as many goals as Cole, and he was a really exciting player to watch because of his pace. Alongside a player like Peter Beardsley he would have been frightening....and worth a fortune in today's market.

 

Thanks for sharing that, bloody hell I didn't know he was only 21 when he signed for us. Watching clips of him he was obviously a great striker and a few of the older lads I know said he was electric and exciting to watch. We've always had good strikers, but never quite a good side. Not for any long period anyway.

Yes, we did have some good strikers...Supermac with John Tudor(not a great player but a real grafter), Mickey Burns(played behind the front two) ; before that, Bryan Pop Robson & Wyn Davies. During Macdonald's time we had decent forwards and m/f but a poor central defence. The FBs were  very good, Nattrass and Kennedy both class players but the centre of the defence was poor. During Robson/Davies time(Fairs Cup), we had a good defence and two great strikers with different strengths but a m/f which was not very creative....always fell short in crucial areas. If Joe Harvey or Gordon Lee had signed Alan Hansen from Partick it might have been different..

I obviously didn't have the pleasure of seeing Super Mac play for us live so comparing him and Cole in terms of their iconic/hero/legend status is probably daft of me.

 

However, people I know who idolised Super Mac growing up said when Cole joined and started scoring even in the second division, they sensed he was more than just a new player bought to bolster promotion. That he was going to be a big big terrace hero.

 

That first season in the Premier League, he was something else and only 21.

 

For a black player and for someone so young, the hero worship from the stands and in and around the City from everyone was something magical. I don't think a player has been hero worshiped as much since him, not from all quarters anyway.

 

I think going up, playing such wonderful football and KK being the manager elevated that kind of worship and everything about that era really. It was very special, especially as a young kid with pure football innocence between my ears.

 

I used to get as gutted if Cole didn't score as when we got beat because for me as a kid he was probably bigger than NUFC to me, he was my hero.

 

It showed you how much he was loved that thousands took to SJP to kick off and to question KK himself, a man who at the time, well he was God and Jesus rolled into one.

 

KK used that setting of course, but never for disingenuous reasons.

 

What a time that must have been for the then older generation fans who had seen the likes of Gazza, Beardsley and Waddle sold, SJP become a bit of a wreck and a club that had basically stood still for years. Happy days!

Don't forget that Supermac was himself only 21 when he signed for us...he was so brash and full of confidence that he rolled up to sign at SJP in a white Rolls Royce..! 'I'm here to score goals' he said, '30 this season'....and he did ! Nobody who saw it will forget his home debut v Liverpool, KK and all, and his breathtaking strike for his second goal that put us in front. He put us 3-1 up in the second half after we had been a goal down and then got carried off after a sickening collision with Ray Clemence that knocked out his front teeth...he didn't even remember what happened..a simply fantastic debut and unforgettable.

When he joined us, he was basically all left foot, but he went on to become a far more complete striker and very good in the air too. If he had been a young man in KKs promotion side he would have got just as many goals as Cole, and he was a really exciting player to watch because of his pace. Alongside a player like Peter Beardsley he would have been frightening....and worth a fortune in today's market.

He was, even in the second tier, a bigger icon that Super Mac and Quinn, our later modern day super heroes and number 9s. Being black made him even more of an icon as he was the first and only (at the time) true black football superstar for NUFC.

Sorry - NO he wasn't a bigger icon than Supermac. Quinn yes, by far, but Supermac was fantastic. As good as Cole was, he was basically a two season success at SJP...Macdonald was there for 5 years and only injuries stopped him scoring 30 goals every year. As quick as Cole was, he couldn't touch Macdonald over 20-30 yards as Macdonald could do the 100 metres on 10.9 secs. He was better in the air than Cole too.

No way was Cole a bigger icon than Supermac....ask anyone who saw both of them regularly.....

Cole was my hero back in the day, heard a few things I'd rather not about him and why he was sold, but I have to believe KK himself who personally told me we could do better. That was KK, 41 goals in a season and he believed NUFC could do better. Sir Les was a better all-rounder like. He didn't score as many goals as Cole, but he was a better all-round centre-forward. Ironically Sir Les was less of a KK player than Cole was so I still think something personal was a major factor behind Cole's sale, again I've heard he literally told KK to go and f*** off and said the fans would back him over KK. Only ever one winner. Speak to Berseford about how ruthless KK could be and how authoritarian he was. He ruled with an iron fist make no mistake about that, which makes that era all that more special given how open the club was, how transparent our football was and just how free flowing we were. The opposite of a dictator but that is what KK was apparently, but in a good way. Love the man either way.

Also, remember the Lee Clark incident at Southampton where Clark kicked the water bucket after being subbed...KK put him on the transfer list until Clark begged him to forgive him...yes, he could be tough with the players and all credit to him.

Many of the b-----s deserve it, they are so far up themselves..

More of an iconic club thanks to Maradona. Probably bigger than NUFC like...

 

See this is where it's so subjective about what a big/successful club means etc.

 

For example, Leicester city have won 2 league cups and 1 league title in the last 20 years.  We may have better support, but Leicester have been a million times more successful than us in that time despite being below us in the table for 80/95% (don't know the exact stats) of that period.

You can look at clubs like Luton and Watford and they too have won trophies in the past 30 years...we have been the UK's biggest underperformers EVER when you consider crowd sizes and financial turnover.

You sound like you don't want that investment into the U.K. economy?

Well it's useful but compared to being in the EU it's small fry.

Don't get me started on the EU...have you seen how much we pay INTO the thing every year and how much the red tape these bureaucrats produce costs UK business..? 120 BILLION is the latest estimate.

Anyway, this site is about FOOTBALL - not politics.

Apparently we want Sigurdsson from Swansea for £15m according to The Sun.

 

Really like this guy - would be an excellent buy for us and bring more goal-threat from m/f.

£300m is it's initial cost apparently. 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-39356244

 

Done properly up here, we could boost the local workforce as well as create hundreds, if not thousands of short to long term jobs.

 

Zero ambition to do so. Barely willing to keep SJP looking decent.

 

not sure if that is serious, but Goodison is a shithole, (sorry Everton fans I know it will have emotional attachment) way past it's sell by date and not fit for their purpose any longer.

St.James' is a wonderful stadium with arguably the best location in England. Why would any sane person want to move from there ?

Because our beloved owner has now taken action to ensure that we can never expand it if and when a more ambitious owner takes over...and sentiment cannot rule over modern football priorities. We may not like it, but a move away from SJP is now the ONLY way the club can ever fulfil its support potential and remain one of the Top 5 supported clubs in England.

We were second only to Man U before Arsenal moved to the Emirates in support capacity...now we are falling further and further behind other clubs.

Chronicle question: Have you enjoyed managing in the Championship? Are you glad you stayed last summer?

 

Rafa: To be the manager of Newcastle United is a great privilege. I’m really enjoying being at this fantastic club so, of course, I’m happy with my decision, yes.

 

I'm biased of course, but imagine being in the home dugout at St. James' Park as the manager and looking around the full stadium, imagine being the away manager at any ground looking at your Newcastle fans in their thousands supporting their team like crazy. Imagine all of that and being so negative and so f***ing miserable like Pardew, like Allardyce...

 

Makes no sense to me!

 

Times a million for Ashley.

 

NUFC is a great f***ing institution, a great football club in a great city with a great public as Sir Bobby would say.

 

How many people have wasted such a once in a lifetime situation at this dear club of ours, managers, players and owners etc.? Its criminal really.

All you say about NUFC is true...then you look in the Boardroom and above and you see a fair percentage of those who have wasted once-in-a-lifetime situations...