Wolfcastle

That's true. Though I'm guilty myself too of plotting our survival or otherwise on Bruce's form over the course of the season rather than the upturn in performances since Jones arrival. If you take the pre-Jones out of it people would feel a lot better. Much like Bruce's horrible performances were going to catch up with him and did, that doesn't appear to be what we'd be bringing to the table during the upcoming winnable games. That said without a takeover, couldn't care less if we didn't survive.

Taking over from Souness when we were 5th or 6th bottom and going on that run to qualify for Europe was probably the last good times I had as a Newcastle fan. Anything since then 5th, promotion, Rafa always had the sword of damocles in Ashley hanging over it to sabotage things so never felt at ease. So many thanks for that. Thanks to reefatoon on a previous page for that Watford memory too.

Captain when I started going, don't know whether that makes it more profound or not but feels like it ought to. Technically the last manager Newcastle United as a football club ever had. Was too good a person to be associated with what it became there after. Wretched news but a very proud legacy here. Got the club and cared or had the class to take the time to try, unlike some. RIP

This is it. "Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason, for if it prosper none dare call it treason" - Bruce and Ashley are in on the same scam, making good money well above what they deserve out of NUFC, some of the players like Jonjo Engineer fit into that too. They're all in it together, giving each other as easy a life as possible for as much return as possible. To hell with what's best for the club.

The Engineer's been on the black goo again.

poor sod hasn't got the foggiest what's going on, can't remember details of their own life much less anyone elses, an absolute hopeless case, needs some serious help similar goes for this poor lass

Regime threatened the club and fans with "you don't know how nasty we can be" before setting about proving it by desecrating, sabotaging and strangling the club at every turn for 14years Regime was found guilty of delieberately and frequently lying to the fans and media in a court of law. Now on the brink of relegation, apparently this is long way down the list of priorities for the owner. Football authorities totally fine with all the above. Its an outrage that its not an outrage

Really must win. A draw will be no use as I'd expect that at the most from West Brom away and two points from these games isn't enough. Except for Bruce of course, who I cant help but feel would get sacked if we lost would be preserved by a useless draw to continue onto West Brom to do the same again as we hammer the nails into our own coffin.

Rock bottom, already relegated Sheffield United enjoyed going there, having a go and, this is the big difference here, winning the game of football. But Bruce is just happy to have had a go!!! and its hard to tell which is the more satisfied of the two. Meanwhile we've people saying fans should be happy with 17th indefinitely, this has never ever been the case in the history of football before now. Every other club that's one place above the relegation zone now should be happy or just us?. Not even for any club playing its first season in the PL and staying up, they'd expect to move on from that and build. Its not oaky to be as bad as its possible to get away with forever. These people in the media are just not football people if they think that's acceptable for any club to just make up the number, can't love the game or have ever been fans.

Just like his career in general though and his record with us, there's a narrative I've heard/read that he'd be good at that level for some reason. He could blag another crack. Though I do think if we get beat by Wolves even he'll be nervous about Monday morning phone calls. What he did at Villa, the disdain the fans had for him and how that club has moved on so much since him, is never even touched on.

Bruce's record with us as a PL team against lower league sides over 90minutes: Blackburn: undeserved 1-0 win at home, Brentford: deserved 1-0 defeat away Oxford 0-0 h, Oxford 2-2 away, Rochdale 1-1 away, Rochdale 4-1 h, Newport 1-1 away, Morecambe 7-0 away Without PL money, no 52k draw, Dubravka, Fernandez, Schar, ASM and Almiron. That's midtable in the championship form.

.... or admit that they were wrong all along and we were right so delude themselves that its only rotten luck that's conspired to make that happen - rather than Benitez being a better manager than Bruce whatever the circumstance

Frightening. He's been over-employed and given a role and salary well above what his ability and career deserve and isn't even humble enough to work really hard after being handed this on a plate. Even if the owner is happy for the manager not to care, Bruce should have some spine and work hard regardless. To not even know the results of your competitors when your in a relegation battle, something you'd know at 13 playing Championship manager, shows the effort he puts in - doesn't even watch the games, much less study them and our opponents. He should be ashamed of himself.

Just on Bruce's latest pathetic excuse. The tunnel at St Andrews is the longest in our football and a very similar distance. I wouldn't expect Bruce to realise that though, he only played and managed there for many years. The teams had to change in a portacabin and get a mini-bus to Ewood Park when it was getting done up. They nearly won the league as I recall. I wouldn't expect Bruce to remember that, he only played for their direct title rivals at the time.

Amazing how time and again buyers can be found for any old thing if there's an actual willing and active seller. Like third division football clubs that have never really made money, been rubbish all your life and were maxed out above their means clinging on to PL status for example.

Simon Jordan rambling on as ever in an attempt to sound intelligent but proving anything but again there brummie. "Unilaterally loathed" - ?! as opposed to hated in one big collective unit. Whichever solitary fan took it upon themself to loath Bruce, deserves some credit. Think he was going for universal and said a word that sounded more clever but that he didn't understand the meaning of instead, because most of what he says is padding and waffle anyway.

Man City's league (and cups) to lose. I don't just mean this season, I mean indefnitely and has been for a while. Totally agree. Only contention I've ever had with McCoist is he's on the Bruce is doing a good job mantra band-wagon. And Jon Champion come to think of it has always been fine by me. Must be very under-rated in the commentary business - doesn't seem to spring to people's minds but maybe its like referees, you notice the bad ones more Don't listen to much, watch even less, but cannot abide that monotone c**t Fletcher

Scoreboard for me that day and I fully agree with those sentiments ? https://www.newcastle-online.org/forum/index.php Andy Hunt did ok for us, in what was a poor side. I also remember the likes of Tommy Gaynor, Andy Walker ahd Dave Mitchell coming in on loan prior to KK landing. Was there celebrations in the gallowgate after that game or people staying behind because it was the last day or something because have this vague memory of being dragged out at the Leazes End of the East Stand and something going on in the Gallowgate or at least people weren't leaving. Was their a lap of appreciation that day ? Looked like people were sitting down for something. On 91/92 statistically the worst in the clubs history but its strangely fascinating to me too where 90/91 was absolutely not. Maybe playing so many kids, playing such good football and being comically bad took the edge off. Also the boycott ended and the crowds were up after Hall got control. Add ourselves and Barnet being mental for goals for and against that season, Derby and Blackburn being the Man City's of the day in the second tier, Sheffield Wed nearly taking the title race down to the last week and Cambridge nearly getting into the Premier League and Liverpool becoming s**t courtesy of Souness. Was a bizarre time.

Remember hearing talk of Srnicek's goal kicks going nearly to the other end of the pitch from reserve games as an initial impression. That Man City game, always remember the "There's only one Kevin Keegan" chant (from us) early on, if not at kick-off, blending into "There's only one Bobby Robson" which was perfect and profound. Like 'thanks we love you, but were with Sir Bobby now'

Went to Ascoli (East Stand) but not Cesena, think it became too evident we weren't taking it seriously (and not advancing). The European management penchant for trench coats is what always stands out. Was Kelly redeemed the very next Saturday with that hat-trick against Cambridge? Was the sort or romantic story that happened regularly under Keegan. Remember the away games being on during the day midweek, had one taped off the radio. How quickly things change indeed re Bierhoff - less than 2 years later I was taping the Antwerp away game in the UEFA Cup off the radio. (Think was something like a 6pm kick-off). Benito Carbone played in one of those games too. Few years later scored the great over-head quick here in a pulsating atmosphere against Sheffield Wed. Can't have thought it was the same club.

Was the Anglo-Italian mind. Got a lift to it by a mates dad and he was bit keen that we got out early to avoid the rush, pulled a pretend toilet trip and snook back in to catch Mickey Quinn's goal. Later honed the technique to skive whole lessons at school and kill time at work. Few weeks later my art-teacher tutor mocked up a laminated black and white birthday card with Keegan's face superimposed on a figure. Probably the material possession I've had and lost that I most miss now. Gonna watch the Bristol City home-coming match this week. It really was a genuinely messianic feeling that week and that game to a kid just felt like something massive was happening the afternoon after I heard the news and all week.

Absolute worst possible scenario is that. Being the absolute worst its possible to be without being in the relegation zone means no changes forced and more of this loop. If it hadn't been for the two wins that have transpired since Jones arrival, I'd say no way we finish ahead of Fulham. Great job though Bruce.

It begins. Had to turn totalsport off listening to Ando's refusal to accept that a new coach/manager/change can have an effect in a couple of days, despite the fact a new manager bounce is a regular occurance. Jones did nothing at Luton etc. Went from losing 5-2 at Oxford to beating Bristol City 3-0 in 4 days under Keegan. In a few days we went from playing awful under Souness to distinctly better under Roeder. The loss of Keegan and the playing of Xisco was evident in the space of a few days. And Flabbiadini sitting there has seen the new manager effect (albeit temporarily) nearly once a year at his club over the last ten years just sits there and agrees, both laughing at the very concept of something that happens so often its got a name and is why in fact changes are made in the first place especially in relegation terms. Never known any manager have people leap to his defence like Bruce and can only think its a form of pity.

9 1/2 months later, a little Rob Green

Yorkie: My view is based on the theory being correct about him being the acting manager/manager in waiting; and on that basis, his only managerial experience has come briefly at the foot of the Championship. So he isn't in the position on any sort of merit. Just another typical Ashley appointment; cheap, grateful and entering the job with eyes wide open. Just cos he's not a liar or totally incompetent (both of which remains to be seen of course) doesn't mean I'm gonna offer him any leeway. Any manager at Mike Ashley's NUFC, who's career is being progressed at the expense of the continued Ashleyfication of the club, won't get any applause from me. Which I'm sure he'll be devastated about of course. What I've been trying to phrase verbally and mentally for a long time. Stealing that now.