Wandy

Pretty much why we were so nervous about it. We simply had to win this one.

I had the exact same experience when watching the cup final last February, but I watched it in The Clock. I was surrounded by lads who you just knew were part of the old school, singing all of our traditional songs at the top of their voices. It was pretty depressing knowing that our end should have been filled with these lads, rather than them having no choice but to watch it in a bar. Our old hardcore are now watching NUFC matches in front of a TV screen and that is a serious problem.

That's exactly how it played out for me. I only started to relax with about 5 mins to go and the penalty sealed it. If they had pulled one back at 2-0 with 15 mins to go the game might have taken a different trajectory.

I agree with this. Howey was an excellent CB for us. Likewise, Steve Watson was a fantastic full back. Maybe it's because they were local lads that came from the Ardiles team that people underrate them. Woodgate is head & shoulders the best CB seen at NUFC in the last 40 years but obviously people tend to only remember the injuries. For me, peak Collocini is currently the 2nd best CB we have had in that same 40 year period. Botman will likely take that mantle away from him very soon. Schar is superb too and I would put him in the same bracket as Phillipe Albert. Similar playing styles too IMO.

Delighted for him. That should hopefully end any talk of sackings for the the rest of this season and the whole of 2024. I expect us to kick on now and make a strong challenge for 6th place in the league.

The last 10 minutes were obviously great but I thought we sounded pitiful for the majority of that. Not surprised in the slightest tbh, in fact it was pretty much expected. Unfortunately the away contingent is now chock full of ST holders who wouldn’t have dreamed of being part of the away day experience pre-October 2021.

Big Joe best player on the pitch. Longstaff simply isn't good enough. Are our fans even there? Predictably shit, considering the numbers.

Can we have some fucking noise from our end please?

My pre-match nerves are telling me this is the biggest NUFC game for years. Wasn't anywhere near as nervous before the cup final last year, for instance.

Aye Paully has put a photo up on Twitter with him.

Scenes like these today please.

I've been critical of him lately, but you cannot deny that the guy is a model of class, dignity & humour in the way he conducts himself at all times, especially in the press conferences and today's was no different. Desperately hope he gets us back on track soon.

Brutal

Think the difference is that 1st three of those went there as a semi-retirement home and Mbappe will obviously get a bigger move soon as he is still young. Bruno moves to PSG and that's his final big move. Pretty underwhelming IMO.

Apart from the wage rise, he'd be stupid to go to PSG. Playing in a low profile, tin-pot league, and although he'd get to play in the CL every season, the chances of him winning it would be slim.

That can't be real.

Yeah, wouldn't be surprised if Saturday's effort is pitiful, considering the numbers going.

Were you there on Monday?

Yeah I went to all of the TW/WT derbies from 1989 to 1993 and never saw any trouble at Roker. In fact, in the 2-1 win in 92 I was in the Fulwell end, and it became abundantly clear that there were loads of NUFC fans in that end, as loads of them started making their way down to the front. This was because the coppers could be seen escorting NUFC fans, who identified themselves, out of the Fulwell and along the pitch up to the Roker end. Me and my mate casually walked down the Fulwell steps, clear and obvious NUFC fans, and nobody said boo to us. We didn't make it out of the Fulwell though, and I ended up getting hoyed out when Sunderland equalised. That's another story though.

Was this the 3-1 win in 1992? I was at that one and I must have been one of the few people who saw no trouble whatsoever. I do remember making sure that I wore no colours though as Boro had a reputation back then of being rough. Was a brilliant night that though. I'd been to Ayresome a season or two before when they stuffed us 3-0 so it was immensely satisfying to put them in their place. We were on our way up via promotion and they were were on their way down from the Prem via relegation.

Honestly considering not even watching this.

Already conceded that point a few pages back bud.

You could have just said that my wording (disgrace) was a bit OTT but you took it further by getting personal. Sorry, but I'm not having that. Agree to nip it in the bud now though. We move on.

Jesus, you dont know when to stop digging do you? You thought it was perfectly fine to highlight a perceived flaw in my character since I used a slightly emotive word on a football forum. Of course, it wasn't the team performance that was the issue...it's me as a fan that is the problem here. Log off mate, your having a mare here.

Aye, fair one.