Wolfcastle

I think that's selective again though. The atmospheres weren't good at either of those places before this spike. Leeds ground was half shut down, but still had something though, for most of the last 20years and Forest's totally unheralded as far back as you like until the last two seasons because of the unexpected rise and Old Trafford has been notoriously bad since the early 90s. That's common with newly promoted teams after such a long exile. It tapered down to natural levels with Blackburn, Bolton, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and others after they got promoted with momentum or after a while away had good atmosphere's. It happened with us 93/94 then when we knew we were good and would likely win in 94/95 and not needed as much it wound down. If we had gone down last year and come back up it would be a lot better. Radio Nottingham said 'were used to a good atmosphere at the City Ground, but blimey THAT was an atmosphere' about SJP this season.

Part of the reason atmosphere's aren't as good is the hostility and aggression of it has been taken out for a more family facing experience in the match going public and in the actual sport. Crowds are much bigger now and the hooligan-facing/nutter/ultra element is much diminished as the family element has much increased. People cant have it both ways. That sterilisation has partly contributed to fans not being as good generally now and are prone to turning on their own teams, managers etc ahead of the opponents, opposition fans, referees. And not in exceptional circumstances but just on a run of bad form. In my experience terraces versus seating isn't a big factor. The atmosphere 93-96 in an all-seater/virtually all-seated (Milburn Paddock and Gallowgate were the least contributiing areas to it) was night and day compared to 88-91 and mostly terracing.

Kin hell, an idiot and his money are quickly parted

The conference looks sloppy to me with all the play-offs (though I despiee play-offs and the concept generally admittedly) compared to one up, or even two. However time was when teams in that division weren't ready for pro football, some (Kidderminster was it?) were blocked from promotion because their grounds weren't up to it and getting the players to switch to pro contracts - that's not the case now, so why not I guess.

I don't think its as bad as people think. Compared to anything in contemporary times it isn't. If you watch other matches with the same critical eye as you put on our own you'd see that. Liverpool v Real Madrid in the CL last week wasn't even average SJP standards and Wales v England in the rugby, a massive game, even the commentators talked about how it wasn't very loud. Check Man City out this weekend, Compared to the 90s and earlier everywhere is worse now. Its sad but we shouldn't beat ourselves up over such a concept. The times have changed, for the worse, most things in football have but that was the case 20years ago too. I've just moved on personally and accepting various elements for what it is. Its like not enjoying ASM because he cant lace Ginola's boots. Not to say I'm not all for improving it. But its never coming back to that level. Nor is Anfield whatever you do or anywhere else.

Not sure about this we didn't create chances thing at least juxtaposed with them. Their first goal, from which the subsequent counter attack chances ensued, was just a set play. The other goal a deflection. We had numerous set-plays, Jo had a header the equal chance of the first and one of our other shots takes a deflection and goes in its parity. Our setplays being naff and not getting a deflection go in our favour would be more apt imho.

Yes, I absolutely don't know what its like to lose a final and have to play a third of the season afterwards with the FA Cup being the last game. Not concerned with the mentality in the squad so much as the lack of squad and increasing lack of form in individual players making it all the more evident.

I think that's more about their lack of genuine fandom than the magnitude of the trophy. The effort to get there, wherever they are from, but not stay to see the bit that's the whole point?! If anything I'd rather miss the match and turn up to see the trophy being raised than the opposite.

Just what's needed to get the bitter taste of disapassionate spoiled fans barely arsed to celebrate things you'd give your balls for out your system.

We definitely need to change things. Whether its Targett/ASM or two up. Next weeks a write off though and not the time to do it.

Bloke next door wore a hitherto never seen all red jumper today when doing something with the car. Benefit of the doubt. Until excited whoop whoops when Man United scored. The only other time there's been a reaction to a goal next door was the Defoe game in about 2015. There's a common denominator and its not their team.

Just wish he could have had that story. Seems never allowed to happen to us.

Can't get a break in cup finals. Just get the most in form team in the country every fucking time is all

Unless we win, I'd rather not bother. Means fuck all otherwise.

Played as well as we usually, probably the better team (set play and a deflection aside we were) but cant score and even the same players that have played poorly for months continued to do so here. Good for people who can make a day out of it (I never could) especially juxtaposed with the Ashley era but its just 98 and 99 when all said and done except its probably hindered a promising league campaign. Feel exactly the same as I did then. Just didn't think we'd win. Was kind of over before half-time and yet still feel like shit and cursed in the end.

That's what pissed me off the most. A set of truly deserving fans and bunch of spoiled cunts - see the last two finals too. Its wasted on them where we'd create something special. Shit work by the football gods.

Wilson's having a bad season truth be told. Been unfit or poor two thirds of the time. Gets involved less than Wood did.

You'd struggle not to with their bench.

Thats why i wasn't optimisitic. Knew we'd turn up more than we did that last times, but these have been lucky for as long as i remember in a performances to results ratio

After next week is out the way, we do need to reorientate that. Its been a good while now.

Seen Eamon Holmes and his sons walking around a couple of hours before. Outnumbered them in the ground that day too though. Obvs a bigger game for us. Our fans went beyond halfway on the hard camera side iirc and was definitely Newcastle fans in their ends - the other way was no advisable.

Penalties would break me

Its like the powers that be think they've had enough and learned their lesson so give them a little something, only for them to get massively carried away by it to the point of arrogance, so the object lesson starts over.

That they guy from Great Expectations? Didn't know they could read.

Rekall Rekall Rekall him?