Wolfcastle

Its possibly an incremental effect of Targett and Krath being injured, having to play the same players. Don't know where I'd have changed things but just not being able to hasn't helped. Always felt the small squad was our biggest problem, hearts were in mouths whenever Tripps, Jo, Bruno went down and home to roost now, at the traditional time of a season you'd expect it.

"There's not enough people left in the stadium to boo" but "booooooo" Nothing comes between a mackem and his booing.

Loads of stoppage time and everything. They'll win the league now

Kin hell This might be the most carried away, on the least evidence, only to be hit with the coldest reality (Bristol City, Coventry, Rotherham, Stoke) they've done yet Tannoy warned crowd to stop throwing things the fucking utter troggs and otherwise atmosphere sounds like a school team game, kids shouting, screaming and carrying on amidst general silence (for the atmosphere police out there)

Man U - Sheff Wed - Bruce moment or not for Arsenal, this feels like

Death by a thousand pricks sort of thing. If they keep at it every time a court somewhere says something about a PIF investment they'll be on it and hope eventually through boredom something will be done/said. Amnesty its their raison d'etre, but others have a varying anti Saudi, anti NUFC, pro other clubs, pro their own personal agenda interest in it.

Just this change alone I think would bring some verve. Know mythology has it different, but lot of Tino 96 vibes about him. Seems fresher, brighter, to have ideas and makes things happen in team generally flattening performance wise. Also probably quite difficult to read as a defence. I'd be flat as f*ck if he doesn't start from now, I'll admit.

Its not just that. Nobody would put good money on whether ASM is going to cross first time, check one, twice, thrice and/or not get a cross in at all. I'll cut Wilson and Wood before him some slack on that, because you make the wrong run you're dead and it can fuck the whole attack.

Just about his longest spell uninjured has coincided with his longest spell of being utterly useless.

Possibly a bit harsh on reflection

You are allowed, its just its being recieved by some of us the same way that criticising dips in results and criticising Keegan/Robson/the players was then. As very reactionary. People are allowed that conclusion too.

He's so the referee/gym teacher off Galaxy High

If there's been a good league game there it's not been since 95/96 and that looks better because of the dramatic scoreline than it was at the time (from memory) - was probably our worst performance of the season to that point. Shouldn't televise the c**ts you'd think, but at least it gets it over with.

There's stuff in Parsnip like 'birds on TV you'd buck' and stuff but it still managed to be NUFC related when NUFC supporting Lindsey Hipgrave had her looks critiqued and didn't come off well.

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.