Wallsendmag

He's hardly played so you'd expect him to be rusty but he doesn't exude the same confidence that Pope does. Flapped about at crosses and he could have done better, certainly with one, and possibly two of the goals. He's a decent mid/lower table keeper but we aren't a mid/lower table team anymore. I wouldn't be against going in for De Gea next month but I think his wages would be a problem.

Our away performances are a massive worry.

I'm almost 100% certain that every one of those teams have sold out every fixture they've played this season. The only way they won't all show 100% is because some of the capacities are a bit out. Man Utd can't get over 74k in any more for example.

That's subjective. I know of one bloke who famously once told me he'd rather watch Coronation Street than a football match who bought a season ticket in the summer when Rafa left and Bruce came in because his 7 year old lad asked for one and "for that price why not?" as they were cheap as chips in Level 7. Half the time I'm not sure he was even aware of the full time score but his Facebook photos at the match got plenty of "likes" so he was happy. On the other hand there was Keith Barrett. Obviously he got banned but even when his ban was lifted he refused to go back as he couldn't stomach what was happening at the club nor could he stomach the like of fight his fellow fans were putting up against Ashley and he'd have many a Facebook rant about that! Nobody is telling me that he isn't as loyal as that fan who bought a ticket for something to do, and there was many more like that! Admittedly I only went to 2 home games during whilst Bruce was manager (Leicester and Oxford) and on both occasions there wasn't a single song came from the home end, not even the Gallowgate, for the entirety of either match. That's something I'd never experienced. No encouragement for the team or anything. Don't think we scored a goal in either game which wouldn't have helped mind!

Aye I'd say the extra 22,000 Arsenal fans and the extra 20,000 (soon to be 25k when they expand to 60k) Man City fans who can now go along to support their respective teams when there wouldn't have been room for them at their old grounds will be quite pleased about their move.

We moved down to 8th biggest ground once Everton move into their new one. Must admit I did take a lot of pride in us having the 2nd biggest ground in the country (and filling it) for those few years in the early 00s. If they did press ahead with a new stadium in a favourable location it would be interesting to see what the "real world" reaction to it would be. I've seen the social media hysteria to it but talking to people at work the last couple of days, where I'm surrounded by almost exclusively Newcastle supporters, it'd be more positive than negative.

The thing about the Triggers broom joke was that it played on how thick the character was. All those different heads and handles, yet he thought it was the same broom when it wasn't. That's how I see SJP. Since my 1st game in 1984 it's a different stadium altogether, other than the exterior of the East Stand which is an eyesore anyway. The lopsided design doesn't hold the atmosphere in particularly well and never mind 10/20 years time, it's starting to look a bit dated now. I'd be happy to remain there if the only alternative was a move out of town but if we could get something on Castle Leazes or the arena site as a 2nd choice I think they'd be foolish not to press ahead with that, and I don't think these are foolish people.

We were charging more than that 20 years ago! I do wonder if they announced there was going to be 2 options on the table; A brand new 70k stadium was going to be built either on Castle Leazes or the current arena site with room for 55k standard season ticket holders and adult prices ranging from £300 behind the goals up to £700 for the best seats on halfway, and these prices would be subsidised by 5k business seats in the main stand and a couple of hundred executive boxes, plus many different lounges, ie things they could never really do with the current SJP or; we could stay put but standard season ticket prices would have to rise to £900/£1000 to make up the shortfall from the lack of corporate options and smaller capacity what people would go for. It's a no brainer for me but I wouldn't be surprised if the wider fanbase was largely in favour of option 2.

I had a look at Man City's season ticket prices. Adults are £285 in the family section, £185 for 18-21 year olds and £65 for U18s. Behind the other goal they start from £225 for adults and £110 for U18s. Even seats along the side are reasonable, ranging from £360 up to £620 for adults and £115 to £200 for U18s. This is to watch the best team in World football. Success doesn't necessarily have to come at a price* *Although maybe that's why they've had to cheat FFP

It was great up there, if you were up there like I was, but my dad sits in the Gallowgate and he reckoned you couldn't really hear us from there. Likewise you can't hear the Gallowgate from Level 7. I was up there v Chelsea last week and although you can clearly see the lads in the SE Corner going for it the noise just doesn't travel like it does in some stadiums. Honestly think, other than West Ham we have the worst ground for acoustics.

If I'm being totally honest I've never been a fan of SJP since the extension in 2000. I've been unlucky enough to be put up in Level 7 three times so far this season and it's horrible. You just feel so detached from it all and there's more atmosphere on the moon. At the Chelsea game a dad and lad next to us trying to identify various landmarks from over the East Stand roof instead of watching the game. Says it all really.

Aye would have been around then. Remember people being pretty excited about tbe idea of a new stadium back then. Middlesbroughs new ground would have been just about built at the time and Sunderlands would have been under construction.

. Mental isn't it. Bruce got near enough zero abuse, same with McClaren. Pardew hot the most yet he was much better than either of those 2. Any anti Ashley sentiment inside the ground disappeared when he disbanded the singing corner. Aside from that, thinking back to the 90s when a new stadium on Castle Leazes was being mooted, I'd say more fans were in support of it than against it. Certainly no major grumblings about it back then. Strange how supporters views on this have changed so much over the years.

Wasn't just sent to ST holders. I'm a member these days and got the email. The questions were a bit full on asking how much are we prepared to pay and how much do we earn but there's a massive decision going to be made in the not too distant future by the looks of it and as you say, they are clearly testing the water here.

I wasn't keen on the "how much extra would you be prepared to pay......?" questions.

They email it to you and it says the link on the email has a unique ID.

Just filled it in. Took about 20 mins. Pretty interesting.

Yeah I looked them up once as I was getting very suspicious of them and I think they were said to be from West Yorkshire and supposedly Huddersfield Town fans but they've both certainly got a dislike for us and a fondness for the mackems.

Aye but I cant remember which one. One of them quit refereeing for a few years after he was allegedly caught performing a sex act on a dog but he's back now. We never get anything off either of them whereas they do seem to favour the mackems in their games. It's just something I've noticed and it does make me wonder.

Hope that neither of the Madley's are appointed as referee for this one. Both always seem to massively favour Sunderland and also seem to have a dislike for us.

Kept checking the website all day yesterday and at 4pm managed to get a ticket in the back row of the Strawberry Corner. First time I've been in there for a couple of years and it's absolutely brilliant! Just constant singing from start to finish. They never let up! A bigger standing area is a must because the difference it makes to the atmosphere is unbelievable.

No chance. NP will make sure it's 3k at the most.

My neighbour jumped in and got 2 seats for the Moncur suite a week after the takeover went through easily enough.

Next door neighbour is in the Bob Moncur suite and they are classed as corporate hospitality. He had a row with them over his cup final ticket alloctaion because, with him being classed as a corporate hospitality supporter, he was unable to choose his exact seat like many season ticket holders could and they put him in the front row.

Agree. If you've paid £700 for a season ticket you want to make sure you get there at all costs. If you've paid £60 for a season ticket, step outside and it's a but nippy or the opposition is only Huddersfield you don't feel so bad about missing, which is exactly what around 10k of them have decided to do yesterday.