timnufc22

1 minute ago, Decky said:

 

We should have kept rotating him and Wilson man. Could of had one of them in the middle now with ASM out wide instead of this. 

Completely agree, it was a great dynamic to have, disappointed Howe hasn’t stuck with it.

2 hours ago, Mikky said:

We don’t need him - have ASM - Gordon - Big Joe - Isak who can all play on the left 

 

Priorities are elsewhere unless we sign a LW that is an elite level player 

 

I’d rather sign Chukwueze for the RW role and have a Maddison type player that can cover 2/3 positions 

From what I've seen I think Barnes would fit into the no8 position really well. 

Would rather Harvey Barnes.

1 hour ago, LFEE said:

Thought I’d repost this to hopefully answer the last few posts in here ?

Who’s responsible for the volume of the music, if not the announcer/DJ? Cant be sponsors etc surely, other grounds don’t seem to have music as loud as us... we shouldn’t be playing anything at all during full time imo, aside from perhaps (at lower volume) the wild theme version of local hero, due to its melodic, low key (but damn beautiful) style. (Side note, I believe this can be heard during the lap of honour at the end of the 99/00 season)

26 minutes ago, huss9 said:

the corner isnt the problem.

I'm just wondering if the rest of the ground cant feed off the corner during a game like that, does another adjustment in the ground not need to happen? Perhaps an example of why there should be a separate corner designated as a singing section, so the two can bounce off each other.

Considering what was happening on the pitch I was hoping it was just the mics on tv, but as much as I was loving the performance, that’s a little embarrassing the atmosphere really  was as flat as it came across on tv, based on what people have said.
 

Cant fathom how you could resist rubbing it into the Spurs fans if nothing else. 
 

Will standing in the corner make any difference next season? There’s no changing of seats for it to be a singing section I understand? If not, has there been any dialogue with the club about such a premise? I can’t bare to see SJP become like the etihad.

16 minutes ago, TheGuv said:

A display doesn’t = atmosphere though. Those displays are create by 20-30 lads every week. That’s it. Imagine 20 lads singing all game, it would barely make a h’appeth’s difference. 
 

We’ve become a fan base that pats ourselves on the back for waving a flag and deciding that’s enough for the rest of the game. The same volunteers that put the flags out and do all the work are now basically a free marketing arm for the club who take a photo and post it on social media for other fans to see - again recreating a myth on ‘atmosphere’.   Matt Ritchie came out and had a go at the WF lads for not having a display against Bournemouth ffs! I’m paraphrasing here but it was something like “I never want to see this ground without flags ever again!”. Clearly the fan base thinks this too, as their Twitter DMs were full of abuse after the game. We’re now in a position where the WF lads are effectively beholden to doing some form of display every week otherwise there isn’t even a pre match atmosphere for us to pat each other on the back with.  
 

What happens if WF decided to jack it in overnight? Or they can’t be arsed to continue devoting hundreds of hours a season when other fans can’t be arsed to help them out by moving a seat to allow safe standing? Or others who sit on their hands, or others who moan and boo continue to not contribute positively in any way other than being happy to sit there every week?

 

Like it or not, we’re on a precipice here. We’re in uncharted territory. If we get this wrong now, as the club heads into unknown highs, and we become a global brand - everything we’ve moaned about in here will feel like child’s play compared to what’s about to come. 
 

I think it’s a conversation we need to have and it’s one that’s been going on since the Toon Ultras. A tiny pocket of the Strawberry Corner singing (ex Level 7ers may I add) isn’t enough, and it’s beginning to show. 
 

I’ll leave it there for now and I’m intrigued to see what Sunday brings…

 

 

 

Totally agree. I hate the idea of the ground becoming like the Etihad, it would genuinely take away from any potential achievements on the pitch for me. The flags are amazing and we should be proud, but not too self complimentary about SJP atmosphere as a whole to the levels we criticise Liverpool for. What's that SBR quote? "Its about the noise, the passion... " and I totally get that not everyone will sing and nor should they nessicarily, because people go to games for different reasons. But there's something about us as supporters doing our part and holding up our end of the bargain that makes everything else so much more satisfying. 

The reason I think Leazes L4 would be perfect because of all the boxes it ticks - 

Next to the away fans 

Visually inspiring to the rest of the ground

Better chance of noise spreading

Close enough to the pitch for the players to hear

Less ST holders in that area (apparently) so easier to implement

If they're going for the Gallowgate then that's fine for now I suppose and better than nothing but I do think we should continue pushing for the above long-term, as safe standing numbers expand - or even just as a singing section (the standing will then come naturally).

If we can put the right building blocks in place now, it will ensure any change towards a more passive, global fanbase is offset by having a strong core and structure in place of standing/singing sections(s) in the right area's and makes the SJP worthy of its of reputation.

Leazes L4 for me

7 minutes ago, Big River said:

 

don't forget the best one of the lot...

 

SHOES OFF IF YOU LOVE THE TOON

‘Everywhere we go... ‘

I remember one game, think it was a night cup game, there was literally ‘conga if you love the toon’ and there was quite a line of us going down the stairs and along the concourse with the stewards trying to intervene... think that sums up the vibe we had up there.

Back in 2004 when I was fed up with the atmosphere I helped set up Bring Back The Noise in L7 which later merged with Toon Ultras. Was amazing watching it grow in L7 and as others have said, I have so many amazing memories from up there. 3K strong all standing, belting out songs none stop and a great variation too. The banter with the away fans was so good - they were utterly put in their place each time. I remember Liverpool home, Pardew's first game, the atmosphere was very fiery with the scousers and they were very much shut down by us. 

I used to cringe around 2003/04 when the away fans used to dominate the atmosphere without much a response but after L7 was set up (unofficially and later officially) the away fans SJP never got their own way - exactly how it should be.

After Ashley broke it up, some moved to the strawberry corner and it was still good there at times but ultimately fizzled out compared to what it used to be, although there has remained a solid core who I think help start things. I moved to the upper Gallowgate for the season after promotion under Rafa and again it was really good at times but other times flat. There was a good core there also but people didn't join in too much once you went past a certain amount of rows. I stopped then going after that season as my own protest after it become unequivocally obvious Ashley was never going to change and back Benitez.

I have had one game back since, back of the Gallowgate again, Burnley last season 1-0 which tbf the support was really good that day I thought, quite consistent throughout, certainly second half. But even from tv - which I know can sometimes can be unreliable - it seems to be very flat at times. The Southampton semi final for example seemed dead apart from the last 10mins. 

Couple of points going forward:

As others have said, I think having 2 sections is important, to bounce off each other and help connect the rest of the ground. 

I also think having that banter with the away fans is massive. For me I'd love to see Leazes L4 a singing section - its closer to the pitch but the away fans are still 'to the left' of you the back & forth can get going. Heck, even better is what I think what someone else said - the whole corner, from L7 down to L4 would be spot on. Perhaps the lower level can be 'cut off' from the 'section' if its a numbers game. 

I really miss having that atmosphere with the away fans, it was like a second match going on. If the strawberry corner was a second singing section then the two corners could also bounce off each other. I completely understand what people say about the Gallowgate roof and can see the appeal of having that whole stand the focus of a signing and/or standing section. But I think having that aggro/banter/battle with the away fans is an aspect that needs to be brought back in some way.

4 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

 

I'm baffled by Jones like, he hasn't even tried to put his own spin on things. You'd think he'd at least want to show that he has something about him.

In the words of Craig Bellamy after Norwich is 2004, we were “so open” under Bruce - every time Tottenham went forward against us they looked like scoring, there was no organisation, we were all over the place. Jones clearly tried to shore things up and against Chelsea they couldn’t create anything 60mins or so in. It didn’t work in the end and he’s not a manager, but been a bit baffled at the commmets that is more of the same Bruceball. 

21 minutes ago, Decky said:

Theres definitely only a few stadiums left at the top of the English game with long standing traditional names so there's a lot to be said for preserving that. Could you see Anfield or Old Trafford ever being called something is? If not then why are we any different? Its good that they're consulting the fans though. A few days ago I was of the opinion that if it was reinvested into the playing squad it might be worth it but upon reflection I'd absolutely hate it, there's other means of getting money in. 

Exactly, no-one can tell me that having stadium signage and a training ground sponsored name wouldn't be enough to supply a good chunk of money. "well we'll miss out on a few million more without stadium name changed"... so fuck, we'll still have tradition & identity over those other clubs which is priceless thankyou very much... and guess how we'll make up that extra few million? By using ambition and intelligence to appoint a quality manager who will wring an extra 10% out of the players that a different manager wouldn't. By developing quality academy players through facility/coaching investment. Isn't that the better way? The more fun way? Because we can do these things now after 14yrs of being on pause - this gets me excited more than a lot of things after such neglect... or do we just want to play football manager? 

7 minutes ago, Optimistic Nut said:

Does anyone think less of Man City btw? I know you get the mong element with the shite ‘Emptihad’ craic but most real supporters I’d say think good on the real supporters like those who were there down in Division Two. Do most of them wish they were back at Maine Road yoyo-ing between the top 2 divisions peaking at mid-table?

Man City had only moved into that stadium only around 5 years before the takeover and it wasn't even built for them if I understand correctly, it was an athletics stadium converted for them. So their ground was already lacking identity. I look at it now and feel its an empty husk of a ground, it seems an absolute library and they even seem apathetic to the success. Nothing against those fans who were going while at Maine Road, but I bet a lot of those fans would've loved to have re-developed / extended Maine Road in hindsight and had their success there instead.

18 minutes ago, Colos Short and Curlies said:

 

I don't think its just a case of it being precious, its also the case with OT and Anfield that the names are so well known globally that sponsors also know that it would be pointless renaming them as no one would take any notice. You just get a shit load of branding all over the place.

 

Would people be OK with SJP becoming a real corporate stadium with every last inch plastered with sponsors if the name was kept? 

Yea I’d accept x company name on the stands like SD, I wouldn’t exactly like it but I could accept it because we’d get money, it’d be arranged by owners who want the club to do well and we would also keep the official name as SJP at the same time. It’s a compromise.
 

If Ashley had ran us with good intentions and did the SD signs more tactfully (ie not tearing down the original Newcastle United lettering) then I would have begrudgingly accepted that.

But the official SJP name has been that way for how long, barring the SDA fiasco?? It’s an iconic name, it’s relates in exactly the same way the SBR quote does as has been mentioned. You would still have the St. James’ Park lettering at the Milburn stand. It’s part of the NUFC fabric, just like OT and Anfield at both clubs. This is the romance of football, these names bring up feelings and images of history and the games that have come before. We cannot throw that away, we should be straight to the point about this and say we draw the line here re sponsorship. We don’t have to bow down to every proposal of the new owners and that obviously doesn’t mean you still don’t back them. We’re Newcastle United and we play at St. James’ Park. And don’t think that would live on after 5-10 after another name, because it’d be ancient history to media outlets and younger fans. 

57 minutes ago, Wullie said:

The idea that "everyone will still call it St James' Park" is completely deluded imo. Yes you will, and I will and people in Newcastle will, but the wider public won't. Kids in ten years time won't even know the name. These things stick really easily.

 

If you put into Twitter the phrase "Call it Eastlands" you will see Man City fans from 2011 who were absolutely adamant that nobody would ever actually refer to it as The Etihad. 

 

Nobody ever believes that advertising actually works. Newsflash: it works.

Exactly.

Why not replace the SD signs with another company? Said company still gets massive exposure while still maintaining the stadium name and can pay a fee for that. It might be a 5m or so less than outright stadium name change but it’s the best compromise. FFS can’t believe we’re here and some are rushing towards accepting this, we would regret it in the future.

Do we not want to keep our identity? Isn’t the idea that the NUFC we loved, with all the tradition that came with it before Ashley, comes back to challenge again?

No way. 

I think Graham Potter ticks the most boxes at the moment - has current prem experience, seems to have done a very good job at Brighton, is well thought of in the game, plays good football... it’s a big jump pressure wise from Brighton, would be the only thing 

Graham Potter?

I’d implore anyone to get involved, the time for talking is done, if your not boycotting you have to show your displeasure in any form and this is a chance to do it.

Is it not completely stupid for Pérez to do this still? I genuinely despise any booing etc, have never done it and while a lot of people in SJP would have got on his back, the fact is there’s also others who like me don’t approve of booing either. So why dosent he focus on that and celebrate the goal for fans who have supported him? Why is he focusing on the negative? It’s pissing in the face of others and says something about him. .

Says what about him? He's well within his rights to do it, imo. If it winds up the gimps who have booed him in the past, all the better. Most players have their own celebration, why can't this one be his? 

So what about fans who have supported him? There’s fans inside SJP who would have cringed atvthe booing, but obviously they’re not going to be ‘heard’. I’m sure the fans at the back of the gallowgate have sung his name and offered great support. But he’s just standing there basically saying fuck you to everyone. Once fine, but everytime is childish and disrespectful to genuine supporters.

Is it not completely stupid for Pérez to do this still? I genuinely despise any booing etc, have never done it and while a lot of people in SJP would have got on his back, the fact is there’s also others who like me don’t approve of booing either. So why dosent he focus on that and celebrate the goal for fans who have supported him? Why is he focusing on the negative? It’s pissing in the face of others and says something about him. .

I know what's gonna happen with this deal but I'll say once it's gone though. Tough times ahead I'm afraid!

Could you elaborate in anyway please?

I will never tell people off for going to watch. What I would say is that the “support your side through thick and thin” unwritten rule is - surely - based on the premise that your club is trying to win; or at least compete. Call me Vulcan or autistic or pretentious or weird, but in my mind if he treats my club as a business; then I will respond like a customer. The product is s*** and I won’t invest my time and money. That’s what I’d ask our match-going fans to think about. He’s changed the parameters of the very notion of supporting a club. Reacting the same way you always have - which is entirely admirable in some respects - no longer appears logical, intelligent, productive or even appropriate.

Spot on. Mind if I nick this?

We need to start winning games and get out the bottom 3 for a boycott to be successful imo. Ideally mid table going nowhere with nothing at stake. Easier for potential buyers to come in for the club then too.

 

Too early, need to be mid table, needs to be on tele...

 

Anyone would think some fans don't WANT to boycott.

I know what your saying, personally I’ve boycotted this season but in an ideal world - to get the maximum amount of people on board as possible - it’d be great if we were out the bottom 3, so are people are more comfortable, with ‘nothing to play for’.

But yes, I agree it needs to happen one way or the other at some point over he next few months.