Chicken Dancer

It's not just us, though. I'm mid thirties and have been to every ground in league now, save for Luton. Plenty in Championship too. Obviously there's occasions when a ground get's rocking but it's actually quite rare. When St James' gets going it is electric. I will die on the hill that there's nowhere in England that would generate an atmosphere like the PSG game. In all of my years going, it 100% was the best atmosphere I've experienced home or away.

My Dad & Granda tell me (or told, in the latter. Dead.) that the 80s & especially Keegan years were magic but I can't remember so can't comment, but certainly since I started going which is just prior and just after extending, it's been much of a muchness in my opinion. Last season was the best it's felt to me anyway, although the Robson years are very blurry now so will stand corrected.

Agree about the acoustics not travelling well. For those who go/went away regularly, they'll all nearly all confirm that the 'older' grounds like Elland Road/Goodison are the best in terms of noise. Low roofs etc, even our fans sound better there I reckon. Elland Road is the loudest home fans I've heard as an away fan FWIW. 

We need another singing section in the Leazes (preferably L4 corner or directly above where away fans used to be ) which will help the noise bounce about a bit. The bad news is the better we get, the worse it will get. It's different now as you can see this season - people just expect to turn up and pump a team and get restless when we aren't 2-0 up early doors.

1 minute ago, LionOfGosforth said:

 

I meant I had missed one pen off the list, said 6 but it's actually 7 in the league

Oh  

Sadly due to miss one aren’t we  can’t remember the last time we missed one. 
 

edit: not including Chelsea in cup shootout of course. Never been so sure of someone missing as Trippier. 

8 minutes ago, LionOfGosforth said:

 

6 in the league, 7 if you include Sunderland cup game, had to look 

 

Edit - it's 7, 8 if you include Sunderland, missed one of them

 

 

 

Eh when the hell did we miss a pen?

What a game

Would seem a shame to shift Gordon wide right, but can't think of any other way to get him and Barnes in the team. 

Moving one of your best performing players to another position should be a big no.

Aye I don't think INEOS will be signing older players on ridiculous wages. Recruitment and how they've spent vast sums on shite has been the main issue, although that being said I'm pretty sure they wanted De Jong before Casimeiro. Though, it wasn't long ago everyone was talking about him being an amazing signing.

They've got a decent spine in Martinez, Mainoo, Fernandes & Hojlund. Garnacho & Dalot are mint as well I think. If I was them I'd be shopping Varane/Cas to Saudi ASAP. Would probably free up £800/900k a week, though granted not much of an issue there.

I feel like every time I've watched Man United over the past 2 seasons I've actually rarely seen them be the better team - even in games they won. Obviously don't watch every game, but they seem so easy to play against. But then they finished 3rd, won a trophy (and got to another final) and are likely to finish 6th with a semi-final to come. It's mad.

However, I don't think it will be long before they're actually really challenging again. It only takes a couple of windows and the right manager, although the right manager is hard to find. Doesn't seem to be any outstanding candidates that would be available, but having a structure above ETH will naturally help.

There's always going to be a direct correlation to what you get on the pitch vs what you get from the stands. If it's backs against the wall like a lot of the Rafa games it would/can be hostile, the same way if you're taking the game to a superior team it can make it one of the best atmospheres in Europe. Obviously not mentioning the big games - ala PSG, Man Utd etc. Like most teams, we've often fell into the trap of the games we're 'expected to win' making atmosphere flat. Pointless trying to say it's only us as that just isn't the case. Also not a recent thing, it's been a thing since I started going late 90s/early 00s. Night games/late kick-offs help too (booze).

Now there is no denying the atmosphere is worse this season, home and away. On the pitch is a factor, but as many have touched on not having like-minded people in the same areas is really where the problem lies if you ask me. The ballot system (which doesn't impact me I will add) has meant groups of lads and lasses more likely to get behind the team can be stuck in Leazes L4/7. How the club combat this I don't know.

I'm potentially wrong here, but for what it's worth I think we lost a lot of the 'hardcore' when Benitez left. I'm not trying to glorify the atmosphere in them days either. But we all know people who are either shut out or stuck somewhere random in the ground.

No answers as to how to fix it really. But as I've said before, if we do decide to extend rather than move, it's important we don't fall into the trap Liverpool have done and offer 10% of additional seats to season tickets. An extension should be done with the majority of tickets going towards new season ticket holders. Obviously the club won't do this as less ££, but doing that alongside making a singing section next to the away fans would have a hugely positive impact on the atmosphere imo. 

It was definitely decent on Tuesday though. It's never going to be like PSG every game, and I do agree a lot of the revered Europe atmospheres are manufactured noise.

From what I gather, Arsenal are having similar issues this season. Their atmosphere was decent last year but many seem to have the same gripes as us this season regarding ballot system etc. I don't really think any owners give too much of a shit how loud the ground is, as long as the team is winning and seats are filled. The sad reality of modern football.

Felt like a lot of games during winter - played well, should have been 2 or 3 up but then got gassed, unable to bring on anyone to impact the game whereas the opposition are able to freshen it up and bring themselves back into the game.

Everton are crap and very lucky that there's dross at the bottom end of the table. Would love nowt more than to see them drop, but sadly they'll have enough. Got some good fixtures too, praying they need to go to Emirates last game and need something to stay up.

Also their fans at the end ' you've never won fuck all'. Most of the fuckers singing it were still in their dad's sack the last time they done anything meaningful in 95 ffs  Just as relevant as me singing about us winning the FA Cup in the 50s.

Aye, he definitely had my backing. He bought himself a ‘poor’ season after last year, and it’s been very hard to get anything going due to the amount of injuries we’ve had. I’m sure I read Isak and Wilson have only been in the same squad (in the league) 4 times or something.

However, he’s definitely reactive. I actually think his in game management is his weakest point. I think his subs often leave a lot to be desired and does seem to be unable to diverge from one way of playing.

That being said I still absolutely love the bloke. He made me fall back in love with Newcastle United again. If anyone’s going to deliver us success, I’d want it to be him. 
 

Sadly, I don’t think he will be. 

36 minutes ago, Pixelphish said:

I might've asked this before but has he always been a prick, or is it the LFC fanbase infection? I don't follow Bundesliga, I know there's a clip of him foaming at the mouth towards a 4th official so probably answered my own question.

18 minutes ago, aussiemag said:

Hes definitely become more insufferable the longer he’s been at Liverpool. He had quite a charm about him when he first arrived. 

Absolutely this. I actually think it’s since they won the league. 
 

He doesn’t do it (as much), but there was a period in time when he would just be the most condescending, smug wanker in post-match interviews when the reporter would ask him a simple question. 
 

Cant wait to see the back of him and hoping they have a bit of a dip for a few years. Horrible bunch of bastards. Constantly trying to get people sacked on Twitter and that. 
 

The irony of them whinging about being robbed after what happened last week at Forest too. Fuck them. 

Any manager with a bit about them wouldn’t touch that job with a shitty stick. 
 

As much as lots of us will deny it, but they’re a big enough club to attract a decent name. They’re a decent draw, no doubt about that. However, I think (could be wrong but won’t be by much) this is their 21st manager in 19 years. Why would another manager look and think ‘I’ll be the one to sort this shit’. Only Allardyce left willingly, didn’t he?

Been a few different owners in that time too. Would suggest that the problem lies at the club rather than anything else.

People are quick to rightfully hammer Watford for their turnover of managers but these fuckers won’t be too far behind. It’s absurd how many they get through. 

We should give that Edwards whatever package he wants if Ashworth leaves.

Though, given he turned down a return to Liverpool and probably Man Utd, I'd be shocked.

Glad to see the back of him. Like others have said, top manager and a decent bloke off the pitch (at times).

His touchline antics, his elitist mentality, the way he condescends and is just outright rude to reporters when things aren't going his way has shown what he is like when the mask slips.

The next 4 months will be sickening mind - the scousers will go on like he's died or something.

18 hours ago, Yorkie said:

Must admit, given the apparent desperation to unnecessarily play in away kits these days, I was astonished we weren't in the awful green garb. I love us in the white shorts but it was undeniably the wrong choice from an accessibility point of view as KI says. 

 

I'm lost with how kit choices are made tbh; it just seems totally random with no loyalty to the kits themselves. Why didn't we wear Saturday's kit at Sheffield United, for instance? Why did we wear all white at Sheff Wed and all blue at Leeds last season? Why the white shorts at Chelsea? Why weren't any of our kits suitable for Brighton (a)? Why do we mix and match away socks? Makes it (even more) difficult to develop a real affection for these kits when there's no true version. 

I might be well off here, but I'm pretty sure there's generally an obligation to the manufacturer to wear the change kits a certain number of times in a season. 

Also love us in the black and white with the white shorts. Memories of the 1-4 and Champions League nights this season. Class.

I've seen him once and that was in the flesh on Saturday. Hard judge, given their team wasn't up to much on the day. Our right side of Trippier, Longstaff & Almiron has nullified much better players than Clarke so hard to be too harsh on him based on that game.

Clearly a talented boy, but for every Bowen there's a Lewis-Potter. It would be ludicrous for somebody to spend anything north of probably £15m on him, with the potential of a few performance clauses or something.

That's not to say he won't go on to have a good career at a higher level than he's playing at now, just talk of £30m seems madness.

Aye I was in the top and it was sound. Though I do admit I’ve been part of much better atmospheres over there, by some distance. 

Naturally was a lot more confident when the draw was made.

We definitely should have enough for them, but given they'll be frothing at the mouths, barking at our players from minute one, we need to be very careful.

I'll go with (and would take) a score draw, then do the fuckers at home.

He's been great. Like really good.

He doesn't give it away, but he doesn't try to make killer passes - yet. That will come in time, I'm pretty sure he's just trying to keep it as neat and tidy as possible now.

There's absolutely nowt better than seeing a local lad doing well either. Having Longstaff, Burn, Anderson & Miley in the squad can only be good for the club long term (especially on the first weekend in January too...).

Nah. It'll be more or less the strongest team, pending injuries. I think Howe will want this one. He will know he can't be having a loss to this lot, especially given the relative gap between the two sides.

Full strength and hopefully put it to bed early in the game. Then we can rotate.

Still wish it wasn't happening mind  

Actually really fancy Villa tonight. City having that inevitable pre-Christmas wobble (if you can call it that) where everyone questions them, before they rattle off 12 consecutive wins from Feb onwards to win the league.

There's no way we should be rotating/resting anyone for this game. We owe these bastards one. Go full strength and fuck them.

That being said, if we do beat Chelsea, I'm not sure Howe will think the same way. It's obviously hugely important to 90% of us, but to him - derby or not - he will likely see it as a early cup game against a side in the lower leagues, and pick his team accordingly.

I'm nervous though. A combination of not knowing who will be back for us, what sort of team we will play, the fact they've beaten us a lot in recent years and our FA Cup record being tragic recently. It definitely has the makings of a banana skin, although if we play anywhere close to our 'peak' (Spurs/Man U from April) we should really be absolutely fucking these into 2025. I do absolutely wish it was at home though.

I can see arguments both sides for the new away system to be fair. I know a few lads who've been able to go to away games and actually increase their points tally (obviously slightly) this season already, rather than someone with 1/200 getting pointless points.

Also know lads who missed out because those getting them a ticket are scared of losing points. 

Dodgy game this. Draw wouldn't be the end of the world given how stretched we are.

I've said on here before, but the singing section from 08-11 right next to the away fans meant that there was a few thousand of us essentially generating an 'away-day' atmosphere every week. Standing, loads of different songs and essentially a party most weeks. We were pretty shite for the most part too, and it rarely had a detrimental effect on the atmosphere up there. Maybe time has clouded my memory of it, but for the most part it seemed good-to-brilliant most weeks. Even against the likes of Doncaster at home - whereas now it seems St James' needs it to be a 'big game' for there to be consistent noise. No idea why it wasn't like that on Wednesday - maybe folk expected a cake walk after PSG? It definitely had a different feel from the minute I entered the turnstile.

In my opinion, the only way that the atmosphere can be rectified is to have a singing/standing section next to the away fans to couple with the Strawberry Corner. That way you can let the atmosphere bounce round a bit.

The new ballot system hasn't helped - as @TheGuv has said before, he and a few others were getting tickets in the Leazes East corner last season which started to generate a bit of noise from there. Now those applying in the ballot (if successful....) are just stuck anywhere. So some of my mates were dotted about Level 7 on Wed. The type of lads who are willing to stand and make noise but stuck up there. It's all well and good saying try get it going - you know yourself that when it's you and a couple of others in an area where nobody is arsed is pretty difficult and can be awkward too.

The struggle for consistent atmosphere isn't just a St James' thing mind, but that's not to say we shouldn't actively look to improve it. The Trust won't give a fuck as long as they're in the ground, so maybe our best hope is the Supporters Club.

The club (NUFC) need to be very careful moving forwards. I completely get the idea of making it 'fair' and giving as many people as possible from the UK and beyond a fair crack at the whip for tickets (especially bairns) but it cannot become like Anfield/Old Trafford. I hope this is taken into consideration if/when an extension is announced - they should be making 75% + of any new seats that become available due to expansion available to those who wish to purchase a Season Ticket.