Heron

I don't know if I'm missing something. Do people think the 11 best players should always play? Or the 1 best team - cause presently we dont have both...

He's shit play Kelly... They said.

First and foremost - thank you for the kind comments. However, if I may - I'd like a little rant... Why the fuck does the crowd give up when we go 1 down? Like I just don't get it. We can try to be a catalyst for the atmosphere (with the displays) and I genuinely thought it was good until they scored and then it went off a cliff edge. Like, I get the display and atmosphere should be reciprocated (on the pitch) but we were probably the better side first half and yet as soon as they scored the towel was thrown in. We have an unbelievable home record for a team that has come from what it did to now. At home we should absolutely rally behind the lads in the face of adversity. Yet it's like a switch, people go from "Howe is mint" to "Howe is shit". Each player is mint (apart from a few) to each player is shit (especially a few). It's absolutely fucking diabolical at times. Honestly think our support is arguably the best in the country when they're up for it. But my God when the "odds are in our favour" and the results don't match we're just a cesspit of negativity and misery. Very little positive in life comes from a negative attitude.

"Eddie Howe's Black and White Army!" Fucking loved that last 20mins in the corner.

There is this but how much of it is lack of maintenance owing to the desire to move stadium... (yes I am a cynic)

TBF there was one or two mistakes with the preparation on that one. The Wings is a concern but versus PSG and Dortmund etc. They all managed fine. I think they know well enough they might be required nowadays, but hopefully I'm not counting my chickens

Watched Inter play Hellas Verona on Saturday in Pozzolengo, Italy. Sadly we couldn't get to the game owing to our flights but my family took some Inter flags we had made up for our two boys and sent us some pictures. Inter absolutely dicked them 5 - 0 but in reality it could have been double figures. Hellas were absolutely dreadful. Goals 2 and 3 were hideous defending. I really like the type of football Inter play and think their formation would also work for us. The only issue we'd have is our capability to play our from defence which is where Botman and Schar might be comfortable but in the centre you'd probably need another quality CB. Bastoni is quality on the ball, Barella is everywhere and Thuram is an absolute powerhouse.

So they didn't simply have another sponsor for a season?

Now you just behave yourself.

Why do Chelsea not have a sponsor? Their shirts look much better for it.

When I watch MotD (and finally don't fall asleep before the end ) I realise the managers I do and don't like far more like. The Brighton manager seems like a real good guy and a decent manager and Gary O'Neil does too. Kinda glad his team have fought for him. Arteta though, my God. What a penis. (Said the actress to the Bishop.)

Exactly- just makes me think the FA and/or whoever else are entirely inept and/or corrupt too. Doesn't come as a surprise mind

This is absolutely it. I'm not saying it's the answer but capping salaries and transfer fees is probably closer to balancing the playing field than the existing model but even that has its issues. Sadly, it's the way of the world but how agents and footballers themselves make so much money and yet nurses etc. Get paid a pittance by comparison is just an absolute microcosm of what a bizarre species we are.

In short, yes and yes - for me. But to use the same analogy, if you were comfortable in your family home that had been passed down generations and had no mortgage left on it and someone (who previously hadn't listened to your ideas of an ideal home) said "I'll build you a better, bigger, newer home" and they didn't explain anything else - I'd be surprised if anyone would be anything other than apprehensive.

Yep - same goes for me. They'll already have full stadium plans drawn up and my suspicion based on such events is that the requirements of the traditional football fan will be bottom of the list in favour of caviar, heated seats and a Gucci store Give us (WorFlags) a pulley though and yous can all pay £2k a match...

Just one final point before I piss off to sleep and stop irritating folk by quoting everyone I think it could also be deemed a little ignorant and patronising for folk to also claim that those wanting to stay are simply looking through rose tinted glasses at the past too. So swings and roundabouts a bit. Ultimately, we are all passionate about the subject as we want what's best for Newcastle United or our chances of supporting them in person... I'm sure there's no malice intended anyways. Personally speaking- I treat SJP a little like I would my own home(s). It has memories, good and bad times, history, comfort, all of the emotional attachments and tradition of a match day attached to it. I accept I'd move home if I needed, but not without a heavy heart and full understanding of the benefits. I'd be surprised if that's not the case for everyone...

That's fair. I know what you mean. I just think there are other pieces to this puzzle I'd like to see before being so ready to jump ship. World class training facilities, a world class academy, continued investment in the first team, to name a few. But the latter is why we're pushing a new stadium first and that is largely down to the FFP and PSR for me which is currently up in the air.

Aye, apologies. I've started posting more over the last year or so on here - or certainly since the takeover but only in topics I really care about so to speak. So have been reading a lot of the debate in here. Apologies for the multiple quotes folk - just interesting to read. Very valid points on both sides to be honest. The reality is we're getting a new stadium whether we like it or not

Not sure where this 1 in 5 chance thing comes from tbh. Are you referring to 1 in 5 members versus ST holders? Cause speaking from my match going friendship group it's more like 9 in 10 get to the game.

And yet that last line is partly why folk aren't so certain to simply jump ship. Revenue means we might be able to spend more but it's not proven to be the definitive answer to all our problems. Comparing Spurs revenue to Newcastle at all over the last 2 decades is somewhat skewing the debate too given Ashley absolutely drove our revenue into the ground. Otherwise, despite me not really agreeing this is also well debated though so fair play.

Arsenal are one of the top successful clubs in this country throughout history. They play in London. That is enough for players to want to play for Arsenal and tbh I doubt players consider a nice swanky stadium in their motives for playing for a side. They will consider the atmosphere and their training facilities and the place in which they'll live. That and obviously their chances of success. Which will always be there at clubs like Arsenal unless they serious fuck up. Dare I say it, I actually don't mind Arsenal - It's Arteta I cannot stand. I also think those at the club have a vested interest for building a new stadium. It's their legacy. Why wouldn't Saudis want to build their own absolutely phenomenal stadium? I mean they're spending a fuckload on this, they'll want to do as they please...ultimately. All we're seeing now is an extended PR play to soften the blow. They have known what they were gonna do for ages... I suspect.

Well debated.

And it's been built on the success of decades of football. As much as I hate the twats.

Neigh chance...