leffe186

They’re not going to be fussed about the football itself, it’s the experience they need. That’s why I’m put off by the Gateshead stadium. Would rather have an old-school local ground.

Just checked - it’s South Shields v Blyth Spartans on Boxing Day. Worth a trip?

Going to be in Northumberland for Christmas with friends from America. Would like to take them to a footy match, and obv the chances of getting tickets for Newcastle are slim. anyone got recommendations for a local game around that time? I’d have said Gateshead but the stadium is so anodyne. Would like a good non-league experience but with a decent crowd. Was thinking Blyth Spartans but open to any recommendations. Also didn’t know whether they were still in the same ground.

Wednesday pressing better at least. Sunderland average age now down to 21.8 . Really impressive tbh.

Average age 23. Only three players over 24. Think Pritchard is still a kid in my head and he’s comfortably the oldest at 30.

Would have been interesting to see what Ange would have made of him. Jesus this Sunderland team looks young. Anyone know their average age? (Before I go and laboriously work it out).

When there are consequences. I mean, if.

I don’t think anyone knows. The guess is that it’s a lot though as we spent a fair bit initially and supposedly Sunderland were asking a ton for him in the summer because of it. And, you know, Levy.

Wife away for the night so watching this with a beer or two. Wish it was a better match tbh but each time I’ve seen Sunderland this season they’ve looked good. Tbf, Wednesday look a mess anyway.

Spurs.

We’ll get a chunk of the fee if they do. They are absolutely pissing this. Pritchard has always been classy but Bellingham looks terrific too.

He’s not one to blow his own horn.

Forgot this complete weapon existed:

Think this is why I don’t do general football podcasts. I so rarely give a shit about the given discussion points

More capitals sacked than managers.

I mean, we had pundits saying a combined XI was all Arsenal players before the game. Merse said we’d be bottom half without Kane, then said Arsenal would destroy us. It’s all hyperbole. Build them up, knock them down.

Soz.

I thought Man U were excluded temporarily (they made the changes eventually) but only Newcastle were given a permanent exemption because the local authority said they couldn’t think of a way to ensure spectator safety?

Actually came in here to post this. Why is it that Arteta can do what he likes on the touch line - and I use that word advisedly - without sanction? Also, what is it about him that is so irritating?

Yeah - this isn’t the best article but it was the first I Googled: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-clubs-agree-changes-9231473.amp I hated the away fans’ position at St James’ Park since we got moved to the rafters.

Yeah, thought both him and Gusto should have had a yellow and a strong word.

I was thinking that him getting a red and Nketiah getting a yellow was a bit rich. Chelsea had a ton of chances today, even with ten men. Don't think this run will last.

Oh right, had no idea, wondered if it was Brie Larson because she’s said some nonsense. I couldn’t find anything about Viola Davis saying that. I did find a couple of things about people wanting to boycott Woman King because of perceived historical inaccuracies and the way it addresses slavery. Very different. I also hadn’t heard of any of this before you brought it up. So…honestly it feels like a straw man. Of course you can either watch or film or not watch a film, whatever. Why do you think people will think you’re a misogynist or racist if you don’t? But this is irrelevant. The point is that you are saying that the problem is “the whole diversity thing”, which “nobody really wants to talk about”. “The woke movement” really could mean a fucking ton of different things, which is precisely the point of people using it to foment anger and resentment. In this case it sounds like you just mean having women presenters in football shows, which I guess has only been a thing for a few years. Sure, like I said, I’m sure there are some misogynists who just turn off because it’s a woman. But as I also said - and so did the BBC - the main thing is that people just watch/follow football differently. I think it’s perfectly fine to have women presenters. This guy who tweeted pretending women are the reason for the demise of Football Focus clearly doesn’t. The Mail gets to rail against diversity and the BBC at the same time - killing two birds with one stone. That’s all.

See you on the other side. COYFS. Fuck this.

I mean, I grew up with it here, from the late 70s. Choosing my words carefully…I think you’re wrong. For a lot of reasons - but firstly, it’s very much not just about what happens in the ground, and even on the day. We all live together, intermingled, from day one. My school was 35% Spurs, 35% Arsenal, 25% glory-hunting cunts (Liverpool) and 5% other. At the time probably more Spurs but over time it probably changed. I don’t know where you grew up but if it was in or around Newcastle I’m guessing it wasn’t quite the same. That leads to two things. One, we each have a little bit more understanding of the other. We basically live the same lives, families are mixed etc. But also two - it’s every fucking day. At school, at work, at play etc etc. Familiarity truly does breed contempt. When I was a kid it was truly, truly nasty - in the ground, around the ground, everywhere. We’ve all seen a lot of people priced out of the game since Hillsborough…but we’re all still here. Just not necessarily sitting in a plastic seat singing “Guantanamera”. It’s nasty and spicy. And the closer we are in standard the nastier and spicier it will get. You just might not see it on the Sky cameras.