Heron

I'm a bit of a critic of his but thought he played well vs Wolves. Funnily enough, it was whenever he released it early, and even then he didn't do it as often as he maybe should have. Still cannot help but feel it's all ifs, buts and maybes for him becoming a top drawer player like. He's got it in his locker, it's just whether he chooses to unlock it on a more regular basis, like he did vs Man City. Think he could be a big player in these next 4 or 5 though...

And I thought I had it bad...

I shall never do such a thing.

Hate this name.

Whilst I agree, we should be aiming for perfection moving forward. (Not necessarily in this, Pope, case)

As a defender I was always taught that in those situations it's safety first like. He was right to attempt to deal with it and unfortunate to slip in my opinion. Shit happens.

Was much better than I expected today

What does this mean for say BBC Final Score or whatever it's called?

Not the right thread I know, but whatever side of the fence you sit on, I don't know how anyone can defend this utter fucking embarrassment of a government currently "running" this country. They've collectively shown contempt for the people, restricted their rights to peaceful protest and are in essence trying to silence key public figures who hold a differing opinion in this latest instance. As a somewhat centrist (albeit left of centre), I can see the argument that Lineker is representing an apolitical channel and whether contractually stipulated or not this is ultimately implied, but surely he is as entitled to share his inoffensive views as are any of the other 'stars' from other BBC shows?

Point deduction?

Become a right shit show this has.

I'd honestly have the whole Gallowgate safe standing me.

I'll leave it for Chris to update in a more full way, but I'd say I was surprised by the backing for safe standing with approximately 95% backing of the room, but my suspicion is only 20/25% would actually move to help accommodate it. The demographic was probably largely reflective of the Season Ticket holding demographic, dare I say it, a lot of middle aged (and older) folk. Was quite surprised by their support of it in all honesty so it was refreshing but I think to a lot of this folk it's an option or ideology not a reality. Aside from that, was great catching up with @TheGuvfor a few pints and a good chinwag

Apologies in advance if that rule about not putting fixture lists on here still exists but to my knowledge that's no longer a thing... So I've been discussing with some friends about how good our season has been, and to compare had a brief review of our 96/97 season. That season this was what we finished on: P38 W19 D11 L8 GF 73 GA 40 GD 33 By comparison, this season, to date we have the following record: P24 W10 D11 L3 GF 35 GA 17 GD 18 Looking at our remaining fixtures from what is certainly an (overly) optimistic point of view, I think there are 9 games that should be earmarked as entirely winnable: Wolves (h) Nottingham Forest (a) West Ham (a) Brentford (a) Aston Villa (a) Everton (a) Southampton (h) Leeds United(a) Leicester City (h) Doing so would see us emulate that season, if not exceed it. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think we will (for reference I see us potentially getting 24 points maximum) but even so, this has been a very admirable season thus far and can continue to be. It shows the gulf in class from the top sides compared to the rest of the division when comparing that season to this too. For example the 73 points that we obtained that season would probably see us finish 4th or 5th this season I suspect. Anyways, just waffling, but think we should be incredibly pleased thus far and hopeful that we can see out a really progressive season. Folk on social media seem fairly downbeat from what I've seen but based on the above there is no reason to be.

Belter.

I might see if I can get something to help weigh it down and then chuck it up there tbf.

I do think the NUST is the best channel to take with regards to individual fan activism if you like. However, that's not to say we won't try and voice the same concerns that we also share. I've mentioned it today and I think we'll be following up this next week with some more informal discussion via our contacts. Will let yous know if anything comes of it.

Nope, not that I'm aware of. We're reviewing ways to make such displays more re-usable and sustainable from both an environmental and financial point of view though. If we manage to crack that then foil (or similar) flags displays can become slightly more regular. I think there may be 2 or 3 games where the flags are maybe dialled back in the coming weeks in all honesty as we reorganise and regroup a little. We've been fairly all out this season across multiple projects and we have sights set on one or two others which may take a fair bit of organisation before the season is out.

Yep. The idea started in here and began to gain traction. If memory serves me right it was the 60th minute for 60 years from our last domestic trophy and 69th minute for our last trophy (cannot remember which way around) but the as the idea gathered pace he wrote about it in True Faith and changed the time, presumably because he either wanted it to seem to be his idea or simply because he thought that minute was better. (Which neither really mattered. The uptake was what mattered the subsequent confusion led to reduced uptake.)

Great post. Thomas from the flags has an increasingly good relationship not only with the club but with the NUST of which he was a part of and also various other fan led organisations. Similar discussions have been had within our WhatsApp on numerous occasions and likewise happened after the final, and I think this is something we will be looking to discuss with the club, even just to give our opinion of what we think would work. However, it's important the club canvas opinion from the whole, match going fanbase primarily with a view to perhaps extending that afterwards. Fans such as your good selves. The flags are keen to not be seen as "the voice of the fans" as that has never been ohr intention. However, as people trying to make and improve the atmosphere it'd be nice to be part of the discussion.

Cheers mate. I'm a fan the same as the rest of yous though. I have to accept that I put my head above the parapet so sometimes I'll get shot at and sometimes people might hit (home). I also accept that everyone is entitled to their views on those who protested, but I think it spoke more volume that I was more interested in singing for my team.

My (personal) take on the atmosphere was that it was flat as a fart for the most part. It seemed absolutely deafening when their team was read out and when the national anthem was sung I was like ? Then it only lasted for 5 or 10 minutes and it was like our bubble just burst. Felt like our fans lost faith and when they scored the tie was as good as over for most. Part of it may have been the night before, but I think thats just an excuse personally. I think our recent lack of goal scoring prowess and Man Uniteds increasingly good form had us like rabbits in the headlights when the big moment of the match finally came to take place. Our attitude (which I love and which is why we are loved) is to be there, take part, have a belter time, and leave popular, plucky underdogs. Man United turned up to win, on and off the pitch. If we scored on the 30th minute we'd have won that tie undoubtedly, but that first goal was crucial. I was lower tier, behind the goal, and myself and this guy got proper emotional at the start, just oozing with pride. We hugged and then that was it. Both his mates and mine stuck it out together for the duration. Stamping on the metal and when the knees and feet became too sore reverted to banging it with a clenched fist. It's what I love about football. That sense of shared pride, overwhelming passion and a love of where one's from. In how many scenarios in life does this happen? For me, I'm maybe a tad old school and that has its pro's and cons. I'm not old enough to have experienced the days of hooliganism and the genuine danger of any given away day. That has to be a pro. Likewise, I grew up in an era where those older than me educated and policed me into understanding how to behave at the pub and the match, generally speaking. Of course there are moments when you lose your head or you say or do something stupid but hey ho, that's life. Now, for the betterment of society, women and kids are in abundance at the match. As they should be. However, I do feel that there's a sanitisation of the game whereby the tribalism is almost entirely removed and it's becoming a very generic thing to attend any match, anywhere in the country. You hear the same drab songs coming from away ends and the home fans sit in silence unless they take the lead. Home advantage no longer exists. This whole thing about putting away fans pitch side is absolute nonsense to me. There should be home standing/singing sections and the away fans should be in the worst seats on the stadium. Of course, that's not great as an away fan, but it's all about giving your team an advantage. That way the away 'hardcore' have to be on their game to balance the playing field. The answer, as others have mentioned is to reshuffle. Nowt wrong with family enclosures, nowt wrong with sitting, but there's also nowt wrong with standing, singing and actually, swearing. I feel like many probably do at the match: It's where my troubles leave me, for 90minutes. Same when I play. Nothing matters but football for that time. Sure, people swear, lose their heads,etc. Sure people sometimes need to dial it in and be respectful of others, but for how many is football a form of therapy? I feel like many think it's embarrassing to sing alone or to get passionate, maybe it's a British trait, I don't know, the whole stiff upper lip kinda crack, but for me I enjoy people showing raw passion and hence I tend to show mine. At the match on Sunday I had a lass during the match turn to me from 2 rows down and shout up "You used to sit in the corner and cancelled your season ticket" in front of everyone. I said "...and, what's your point?" She said "I didn't I stuck by the team." I then replied "Yeah l, well I stood up for my club, my beliefs and tried to protect it." Then numerous folk intervened and said for me to ignore her. I've never known nowt like it. I finally said "Glad you're more bothered about my beliefs than the cup final I'm trying to support my team in." I couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed but also angry that this would matter at such a time. Which brings me to my final point. In another thread someone has mentioned when I protested vs Arsenal and wrote something passionate on here (will also pick that up in that thread) but for me, that day, something as a football fan died inside me. I love the match and getting behind my team, but the way I felt that day made me feel entirely alienated from the club and city I love. Random people calling you a cunt for standing up for the same thing they also love, whilst they themselves do fuck all about it except complain in a pub. I'll be honest, I don't give that much of a shit that people wouldn't protest, but don't also spend hours complaining of a situation you're unwilling to do anything about if that's the case. Most of my best mates carried on with their tickets and I'd see them every match day still as I made my stand and sat in the pub whilst they went. For the most part it was fine, I accepted my choice but some days it upset me, I no longer had my 'therapy' and I felt an outcast (despite it being of my own doing). I remember these planned protests, several of them, when well renowned toon fans pushed them and then dropped them last minute and lead with a 'voice' but no actual presence. Doing public U Turns at the last gasp as those that followed them ultimately sacked protesting off, but I didn't. I said my piece and followed it through. It's that feeling of relief I feel at almost every game now, self vindication and pride in staying true to myself that tip me over the edge. Whereas some others have probably become spectators, there in body but not as much spirit and hence the silence until the team give them something to shout about. Mike Ashley fucking ruined this club and its gonna take more than 15months to repair those 15(?) Years. The bastard. (Apologies for the war and peace...)

What was the craic with you like? Someone having a go?

Man United singing against the Glazers but all happy to wear and use the free scarves they provided them...