Mister_Glass

I'd also go with this for tonight. I'm going to stick my neck out and say we'll batter them. Break the Monday night hoodoo and score at least 3. Fuck it - clean sheet as well, and everyone gets blozzers. Edit - not off'f me.

https://www.savvyaviation.com ?

The club's a PLC so I doubt it. Don't think anything will come out of this tbh but it's still absolutely mad we're even having to talk about this. Hope Ashley fucking dies. The club isn't a Plc, there aren't any shares that are publicly traded. In the FA choose to do anything off the back of this, in theory it shouldn't be the sporting fortune of the club that is held accountable, i.e. no points deduction... unless it is proven that we've gained an unfair advantage over competitors in the transfer market and hence on the pitch. Do we think we've systematically beaten other teams to desirable signings due to this? If anything I reckon a fine might have to be paid, but no doubt Ashley will pay that out of our transfer war-chest His image will be tainted but he clearly doesn't give a fuck about that.

Stelling on Gillette Soccer Special: "We've looked at the footage. There IS no foul. No foul WHATSOEVER. So the only theory we ALL have is that the referee has got it horribly, dreadfully, terribly, hopelessly, absolutely, utterly, incomprehensibly WRONG."

It really is Pinched for avatar.

It is partly a territorial thing. Spurs fans feel they are the original North London club as Arsenal began life as "Royal Arsenal" based in Woolwich (South of the river), subsequently chaning their name to "Woolwich Arsenal". They only became "The Arsenal" when they moved to Highbury and Spurs apparently feel aggrieved that they moved to their territory from South of the river Thames, so they refer to them by their origins as a South London based club. I think. There is probably more to it than that. I think Arsenal fans could argue that Tottenham as an area was part of Middlesex until way after they moved to Highbury, thus contesting the whole "original North London club" or whatever.

Sorry Scoot! Didn't think to look there - just thought of the Caulkin thread and pasted the whole lot here. [Edit: ... and Mole_Toonfan in another thread. Im stealing everyone's thunder today it seems] Also, George if you're reading... Keep up the good work - you're setting the standards other journalists from the area should aspire to, but clearly don't bother for the most part. We appreciate you, but I don't appreciate your paper's paywall. Your well-crafted words deserve to be shared with those they are intended for.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/how-newcastle-have-rejuvenated-themselves-mm9r57888 Regeneration game: how Newcastle are bouncing back From Premier League relegation to the perfect reboot: George Caulkin analyses what has changed at St James’ Park George Caulkin October 26 2016, 5:00pm, The Times Nothing has been determined and nothing has been won, important caveats at a football stadium which has often played host to a theatre of the damned, but although it is difficult to crow about a peculiar form of achievement, Newcastle United might just be living through the perfect relegation. If ever there could be a model for going down and rebooting, then it is being showcased at St James’ Park. From the final day of last season - a grey and joyless campaign - when Newcastle supporters put aside their despondency and sang about love, serenading Rafa Benítez, momentum has fuelled this restless club. A manager of calibre, a full ground, a winning team, a sense of purpose; from where they were 12 months ago (losing 3-0 to Sunderland), the transformation is total. If promotion is vital, something less tangible and of greater importance has been rediscovered. This is not Benítez’s first rodeo. The Spaniard knows what he is doing; that is the first thing. He may not have direct experience of the Sky Bet Championship, but he understands how to build and mould a team. His track record - Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli, Real Madrid, the Champions League, the Uefa Cup, the FA Cup, the Europa League, La Liga twice - is substantive and studded with success. All available metrics suggest he is seriously good. That is part of his appeal to Newcastle, but so was his desire to join the club. He is an analytical and thorough coach - he may not have the instinct of Kevin Keegan or the North East heritage of Sir Bobby Robson - but there was something appealingly old-school about his decision to join them. He saw potential. He saw history. He saw stature. Where his immediate predecessors spoke about limitations, about the difficulty of competing, he recognised possibility. The fans are doing their bit In turn, this has galvanised fans. Beyond the city, you would not find much empathy for Newcastle when they were in the Premier League, but this has been a club wrestling with its soul. Under Mike Ashley’s ownership they have been difficult to adore, cold and aloof, with limited communication, corrosive decisions (Sports Direct Arena, Wonga, Joe Kinnear, TWICE!), and a stated policy that cups were not a “priority”. That led to a disconnect between a club wanting to be the best it can be “pound for pound” and those who crave sporting endeavour. It was less about winning something, or a divine right for better, than a belief that Newcastle should at least try. It may be difficult to measure, but without aspiration, without the hope that this, finally, could be your year, then what is the point of any of it? What are players supposed to feel, do? Momentum has returned and it is powerful. Directors not meddling None of this would be relevant if Newcastle’s hierarchy did not buy into Benítez, but the difference here is total. Benítez is the manager, not the head coach. The club acquires the players he wants. Graham Carr, the chief scout, was once described as the most important figure at St James’, but his influence is minimal, while their rigid policy of signing young players of value has been parked, at least for now. Lee Charnley, the managing director, deserved criticism for his longstanding pursuit of Steve McClaren, as well as much else, but appointing Benítez was both bold and transformative. Theoretically, at least, everything has changed. And although their transfer model was partially responsible for them going down, the upside came last summer, when Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum were sold at enormous profit. Other factors There is a myth about the Premier League. It may be bigger and more glamorous and richer, but that does not equate to good. Why is losing to Sunderland and Stoke City and Watford better than beating Brighton & Hove Albion, Derby County and Preston North End? Newcastle learning how to win again has been accompanied by games against different teams and new trips. That reminder is valuable. There is more to football than money and mediocrity. Newcastle have also been cushioned. The financial worth of promotion is huge, but attendances have been remarkable, they remain an attractive destination for away supporters and there is much more of a ‘buzz’ around the city than there has been for years. And because of the way the club has been structured, there was little fat left to trim when relegation was confirmed. Job losses have been minimal. Finally, Newcastle have a team again. Players have been rotated, but Benítez has constructed his squad for the Championship and they have options everywhere. They look solid and committed and organised. They have benefitted from a sympathetic draw, but reaching the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup is a symbol of their renewal. These remain early days and nothing has been achieved, aside from the biggest thing of all. Newcastle have remembered what they stand for.

I think this will be one of the toughest games of our season, regardless of when it is scheduled, but as it is this weekend it is coming too soon for us and we'll get beaten pretty soundly. They're just going to be better than us at everything. We're currently not anywhere near as good a team as I hope we will develop into later in the season, so this weekend we'll not be very competitive. We'll get there eventually, but I'd rather be playing this game later in the season once we've got in everyone we're going to buy, they've all bedded in and Rafa has whipped them into shape. I'd guess at something like 1-3 to them, but I'm not going to be disheartened by a defeat. Just looking forward to being able to watch the game and see how we have progressed since I last saw a game in full against Fulham, where we were utter shite.

Such a sicknote this guy. Probably more sharts than starts during his time here.

4-4-2. What heresy is this? .cock has it as follows: Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; Jamie Sterry, Chancel Mbemba , Jamaal Lascelles ©, Vurnon Anita ; Isaac Hayden, Jack Colback ; Daryl Janmaat , Ayoze Perez , Rolando Aarons , Dwight Gayle http://mobile.nufc.co.uk/default.aspx?s=news-display&aid=5750416

Sounds like the bloke in the white shirt who escorts him after Janmaat greets him, asks him "What did he say", as in, what did Jamaat say to ye mate I had to put headphones in for this, but I'm 99% certain the guy with the white shirt that ends up walking in with Hanley says to him "Do you like his shirt" (in reference to Janmaat, who he has essentially just ignored and commented on as he walks past him) Hanley grunts "Uh?" (bloody neanderthal) White shirt guy then says "What d'ya think of his shirt?" and Hanley replies "It's lovely isn't it?" Weird!

This is kicking off now :popcorn:

"gently" - lol http://i.imgur.com/YeEIC.gif

Time for a patented Pardew motivational team talk.

Hope this isn't Giggs: https://newcastlestats.com/2016/04/25/rafa-benitez-philosophy-tactics-and-methods/ We are very lucky to have him here and long may it continue. Got absolute everything crossed for Saturday to get 3 points.

What the actual fuck is going on

Aye. I don't post much, but football board lurks are just about the only consistently enjoyable part of being a fan over the last few years. I've chucked in some cash to help out. My thanks to everyone who contributes to N-O.

I hope he gets a spelk to the bellend and then dies a long drawn-out painful death from septicemia

Pardew scratching his face! The shitcunt is always scratching or touching his face in interviews. What a prick.

Now I want a Metal Mickey t-shirt.

Mid-twenties? Has appeared for Blyth Spartans but may have been dropped by them now. Think we got the good one.