Wallsendmag

If Benitez can not only be persuaded to stay but is also given the proper resources to manage the team and the club to an extent in his own way then I'll go back again because if not I might as well walk away and be done with NUFC for good because other than Ashley leaving it's as good as it's going to get. He isn't going to leave though because our fanbase wasn't up to the fight and 50,000 people have continued to go along and sit on their hands with no resistance. If you can't see how that wasn't part of the problem you're thick as pig sh*t.

I'm not shouting down any form of protest. I'm just doubting what not showing up is going to achieve. That's exactly what you're doing. "It won't work so don't bother" Being in the Championship massively increases the chances of a sustained boycott having an effect with the Premier League money taken out of the equation, because the matchday revenue again becomes the main source of income, especially if you don't get promoted first time back and the parachute payments decrease. I got a text from an Everton mate of mine last night: "Just read (Ashley's statement). Ashley would have been long hounded out at Liverpool or Man Utd, or Arsenal. An entirely empty stadium just once would do it." The perception within football is that we are so desperate to show our "loyalty" that we'll keep going come hell or high water, even when they're actively taking the p*ss. Nobody knows that better than Mike Ashley and that's why he sticks around. He's like Donald Trump where Newcastle are concerned: “I could stand in the middle of Northumberland St and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any supporters.” Cardiff boycotted one single game and within a week, they had their blue shirts back. Liverpool organised one walkout and within a week, the club had changed their pricing policy. At Newcastle though? Nah, definitely won't work, don't even try. I can't leave him, he loves me and he promises he'll change. Shut up and take my money Mike. Wullie, if you read my posts you see I have repeatedly said that I am all for more realistic protests... Getting rid of the Wonga sponsorship, change in transfer policy etc? However I just don't think any of the protests that people are putting forward to actually get rid of him completely are ever going to work. I think you have to go for the low hanging fruit first, personally. What it all boils down to is fans like you, and there are 1000s more just like you filling SJP every other week are happy just to sit there and take whatever sh*t is thrown your way. <b>You're out the house, away from the missus, only chance to get to see your mates etc and are grateful for it. The football is almost a secondary event in the day.</b>The ground is filled with people that that nowadays. They don't really care if Ashley stays or goes, they just like getting out the house and watching a game of football amongst other things. The demographic of our fanbase has changed beyond recognition in the past decade. What would once have been a bear pit in light of what has happened the club is now sterile as f*ck because the majority of people who attend now don't really care enough or have it in them to do anything. One of the reasons I jacked my ticket in was due to the apathy of my fellow supporters and God bless the Ashley Out campaigners because their efforts and intentions are admirable but the modern day NUFC fan base isn't one I'd like to be stood side by side in the trenches with. Firstly, don't tell me what kind of fan I am. I have been going to games since I was 12 years old, originally with my Dad, now with my wife, and one day soon hopefully with my son. The game of football is most definitely the focal point of the day. I pay my money, as I said earlier, not just because I want to watch football, but because it's a big hobby of mine, following Newcastle, and I'm fully aware what I am paying for (or at least what I'm potentially paying for). I believe I have as good a right as anyone to moan when things aren't going well because, unlike you, I DO NOT BELIEVE staying away and not giving him my money will make him sell. That is where our opinions differ. I 100% recognise that he has dragged our club through the mud, but I completely disagree that simply not showing up is doing anything to actually improve the situation. I'm sorry if you disagree. That's just the way I feel. I feel perfectly happy in my decisions to go to the games when I can, support the team, and mosn as and when I want to / feel it necessary to. I think the guys behind AshleyOut are doing an admirable thing, I just don't agree with the nature of extended boycotts. As previously said, if they were aiming for lower hanging fruit that is most realistic to achieve, I would be right on board. But, above all else, whether Ashley is at the club or not, I do not want to see is fall further than we have already. Regardless of whether you think it might be for the greater good, I'd prefer to see us competing and being well supported and getting back to where we belong, than seeing us do anything that could be detrimental to our chances of returning quickly. You are wrong. You have no right to moan when things aren't going well. You and your family line his pockets and give him an easy ride. You are a big part of the problem.

A. Love Rafa but nobody us bigger than the club and Ashley would just f*ck things up further down the line. Ultimately I just want Ashley gone/dead and that takes priority over everything else.

I'm not shouting down any form of protest. I'm just doubting what not showing up is going to achieve. That's exactly what you're doing. "It won't work so don't bother" Being in the Championship massively increases the chances of a sustained boycott having an effect with the Premier League money taken out of the equation, because the matchday revenue again becomes the main source of income, especially if you don't get promoted first time back and the parachute payments decrease. I got a text from an Everton mate of mine last night: "Just read (Ashley's statement). Ashley would have been long hounded out at Liverpool or Man Utd, or Arsenal. An entirely empty stadium just once would do it." The perception within football is that we are so desperate to show our "loyalty" that we'll keep going come hell or high water, even when they're actively taking the p*ss. Nobody knows that better than Mike Ashley and that's why he sticks around. He's like Donald Trump where Newcastle are concerned: “I could stand in the middle of Northumberland St and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any supporters.” Cardiff boycotted one single game and within a week, they had their blue shirts back. Liverpool organised one walkout and within a week, the club had changed their pricing policy. At Newcastle though? Nah, definitely won't work, don't even try. I can't leave him, he loves me and he promises he'll change. Shut up and take my money Mike. Wullie, if you read my posts you see I have repeatedly said that I am all for more realistic protests... Getting rid of the Wonga sponsorship, change in transfer policy etc? However I just don't think any of the protests that people are putting forward to actually get rid of him completely are ever going to work. I think you have to go for the low hanging fruit first, personally. What it all boils down to is fans like you, and there are 1000s more just like you filling SJP every other week are happy just to sit there and take whatever sh*t is thrown your way. You're out the house, away from the missus, only chance to get to see your mates etc and are grateful for it. The football is almost a secondary event in the day. The ground is filled with people that that nowadays. They don't really care if Ashley stays or goes, they just like getting out the house and watching a game of football amongst other things. The demographic of our fanbase has changed beyond recognition in the past decade. What would once have been a bear pit in light of what has happened the club is now sterile as f*ck because the majority of people who attend now don't really care enough or have it in them to do anything. One of the reasons I jacked my ticket in was due to the apathy of my fellow supporters and God bless the Ashley Out campaigners because their efforts and intentions are admirable but the modern day NUFC fan base isn't one I'd like to be stood side by side in the trenches with.

So you have too many other priorities in life to either shout abuse at Ashley at the match or alternately boycott games altogether? Sorry like but that makes no sense at all.

My thoughts exactly. They want an easy ride on Sunday and if they can fool people into thinking they're doing all they can to keep Benitez that's what they'll do. The board and the players will then escape any real abuse as it'll all be about Rafa. Then next week it'll be announced that he's leaving.

You must only have seen him and Steven Taylor then.

I think in our heart of hearts we know he won't be around after Sunday. Rafael Benitez, one of the most decorated managers in modern day history, isn't going to be taking his seat in the dugout at Burton Albion, Brentford and Rotherham next season. He's far better than that, a completely different level altogether and he'll get a job more suitable to his standing in the game. Nowt but respect for the bloke for coming in and trying to rescue an impossible situation and I wish him well wherever he ends up.

Benitez doesn't rate him and that's good enough for me. Get rid, if we can.

Should just round that lot up and set fire to them.

I don't doubt any of that but I'm hoping he's taken this relegation kind of personally judging by some of his recent comments (even though he's one of the very few no blame can be attached to) and will want to right a few wrongs. He'll be an automatic starter next season which could hopefully sway him. There's only him and Townsend I'd be disappointed to see leaving.

I think he'll be one of those players who'll want to stay to try and get the club back up. Loads of them will have already been on to their agents trying to get summer moves but I don't think he'll have been one of them.

Well he didn't sack Pardew for starters.

Surely the title should read; Fabricio Coloccini - Coward

Didn't the same happen last season about Bournemouth coming up ? Possibly...I imagine there were plenty of lols to be had at 'haha Leeds vs Yeovil' and so forth. I get it, how the mighty have fallen etc. But I bet my life savings Burton will bring a lot more than Bolton, Wigan or Fulham ever did here. They'll bring more than the likes of Aston Villa and Man City as well.

Championship. Howay man As good as that CV reads it hasn't got English Championship winner on it. Yet.

Yes but if we protest next season he might get angry and relegate us to League 1.

Him and Townsend are the only 2 players I would be disappointed to see leave. The rest I literally couldn't give a f*ck about.

And Charnley's not sure why we were relegated

I've said I'll get a season ticket again if he stays on but even then I'll be waiting until the day before the first home game before I buy it. No trust at all in this email at the club.

If Benitez is still there, as unlikely as it is, I'll be getting mine back for next season.

Not really. Can't remember the last non Newcastle match I watched from start to finish. At one time I'd watch 3/4 live games a week. Went to the Rugby League Magic Weekend last year and I watch more of that these days than I do football.

Every single fan who attends this game should boo them onto the pitch, boo them off at half time, boo them back on for the 2nd half, then boo them off again at full time. Literally not one single bit of support or encouragement should be given to any of them. During the game a massive show of support should be given to Benitez with his name chanted throughout. He's the only one at the club worth bothering about and that should be made to be known on Sunday.

Remember being absolutely devastated as an 11 year old bairn when we were relegated in 1989. It really felt like the end of the world. 2009 was pretty bad but I consoled myself with the thought that we'd have some blinding away trips and would hopefully win a fair few games. Literally feel nothing at all this time round. In fact I'm quite happy that sunderland will just put us out our misery tonight. My main concern is who our manager is going to be. The league we'll be playing in is irrelevant compared to that. If it's Rafa there's every reason to feel optimistic. It'll be on his terms just like it was Keegans 24 years ago. And that revolution started in the 2nd division as well.