Wallsendmag

Which ironically is also stating that West Ham are bigger than SAFC.... which I am sure they will dispute (3 league titles in 1900s, Bank of England Club, 6IAR, 9-1 FTM etc) There is only one measurable that currently puts West Ham as a bigger club than us and that's current attendance, they've impressively sold out over the last two seasons in the stadium they hate. But honestly it's not even a debate outside of that small point. They doctor their crowds anyway. Stadium has a capacity of 57k but never looks more than 75% full. More people have watched NUFC this season than West Ham whatever they try to tell us.

Just the 4 threads about Rafa on the first page of RTG today.

Do you think he's international class? What is International class? There'll be players playing this World Cup for Panama, Iran etc who will be International class as far as their Nations are concerned. When you look at Lascelles rivals for an England place I personally think it's pretty harsh that he hasn't made that squad when you look at who has. I don't like the England National team so personally I couldn't care less but I'm disappointed for him and Shelvey as I think they've both done enough to earn a place when you look at some of the players who will be on the plane.

Means he's fresh, well rested and raring to go in August.

I've never had any love for the England National team but at least with no NUFC players called up, and a squad of players and a manager I dislike, I can take added satisfaction when they get knocked out, hopefully early on.

Who'd have thought it eh?

I think he'd be perfectly suited to the slower pace of the International game as well. More time on the ball for him to get his head up to pick out a pass and Kane/Vardy would be in their element with the balls he could feed them from midfield. Shame he'll only pick midfielders who like to pass it sideways.

I agree. I feel I was justified in having a go at fans booing the team against West Brom the other week and I also feel my opinion that you won't get many people in the Leazes End to wave a flag will prove correct as well. Time will tell I suppose.

You can when it's justified. I also had a pop at the fans for their reaction to the West Brom defeat the other week. You must have missed it.

Awful news. Seemingly he was just on his way back from dropping the bairns off at schools as well.

Call it a generalisation if you like but I'm right and a flags group will never get going in that stand. The few of them who have tried to get it going with no success would be better advised to move to the Gallowgate and join in/help with their displays because they're pissing into the wind trying to get something like that going in the Leazes.

I'm just explaining why the Leazes flags group has never taken off and never will. Miserable bastards like mickthemagpie will whinge on that they can't see the players coming out the tunnel and attitudes like that are in the majority in that stand.

Lack of volunteers. Lack of people prepared to participate. Tbf it was never going to work in the Leazes End. They're not the most enthusiastic of folk in there and that's putting it mildly. God you're a complete dickhead. You're actually one of the miserable dickheads I am referring to so I totally understand why you've taken offence.

Was it not at Bournemouth when we lost a 2 goal lead to draw 2-2?

I'm confused. They all say Rafa is shite yet they're all desperate for him to leave. Bit of a contradiction really.

Lack of volunteers. Lack of people prepared to participate. Tbf it was never going to work in the Leazes End. They're not the most enthusiastic of folk in there and that's putting it mildly.

What is going on at Newcastle right now, the flags, the colour, the noise, every available ticket sold for every game, the team, the manager we have is absolutely killing them make no mistake about that and that's before you even consider the 2 division gap between the clubs. They couldn't even manage to hold up a small banner at one of their recent games and one of the ends of it was just hanging there at one side because there wasn't enough people in the stand to hold it up properly. Then they see our display on Sunday and throughout the last couple of seasons..........

I just can't see the fun in beating the likes of Rochdale, Fleetwood and Accrington Stanley. It's like when we play a small team in the cup, Luton this season and Cheltenham the year before as examples. Aye it's nice to win but it doesn't exactly get the pulse racing in the way the victories against Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea have this season. It's more just a shrug of the shoulders and job done.

MOTM yesterday for me like. Totally bossed Kante.

Literally paid for his own transfer fee with that save. Aye, literally. He's only conceded 2 goals at home which is impressive Great stat. Not like he hasn't been tested either, kept out a point blank effort against Man Utd towards the end of the game. And his two saves yesterday from Barkley & Giroud were top drawer. There'll be more I'm forgetting off the top of my head too. The penalty save v Watford (plus he saved the rebound) was canny as well.

Rafa saying the flag displays inspire the players; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-tyne-44107449/rafa-benitez-says-giant-flags-help-inspire-his-newcastle-team?ns_campaign=bbc_news_north_east&ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=english_regions

And so he should be as well. Would have been quite emotional for him I'd imagine to see how his money had been spent as well as the time and effort put in by all the volunteers. Was a privilege to be a part of that yesterday (I was waving one of the huge flags) and very satisfying to see the photos and videos of it on the internet today as when you're amongst it you don't really appreciate how good it looks.

I've always thought he doesn't get the credit he deserves and Lascelles gets most of the limelight but he was different class again today.

Had 2 things to do today and done both of them brilliantly. He's class.

I'd rather he died. I won't pretend otherwise.