et tu brute

I bow to your experience of specialists in Bournemouth compared to the North East. Anyway he didn't go so it's a mute point.

Is that right? If it is, then why does it seem whenever a player gets injured he f***s off (ASM to France) especially during a covid lockdown? Honestly this club stinks from top to bottom. The photos are him at Benton. And yeah, even if he did, why wouldn't you want to be around your wife and kids while you can't train? What a madman for wanting to be close to his family. He didn't so that's fair enough. However, your second point is a load of s*** as he is a paid professional footballer and any injury requires treatment and physio to help recover. Put it this way, I can't remember players under Keegan and Robson being allowed to be away close to their family when under treatment. that also wasn't 2021 when there doctors and physios capable of these kinds of treatments all over the world. We weren't living in the middle ages back then man Agreed. But that was also the era of sending Shearer to Steadman out here in Breckenridge to get the best guy who was doing cruciate ligament surgeries which I'm sure can be done with the same quality all over the world now. What I'm really saying is, why make ASM quarantine in his hotel room when he can rent his own jet and be quarantining around his family? Bruce is a terrible man manager but he's not that f***ing bad. It sucks enough to have to quarantine in a house with your family, let alone a big empty house or small apartment 5,000 miles from everything you know that comforts you. The ASM that comes back from that is very different than the one we need. And in the case of wor Callum. Who really gives a s*** if he gets a week or so in the sunshine and does his work there, checks in daily, etc. He's not able to do much up in Newcastle so why not let him be comfortable, happy, and ready to hit the ground running when he comes back? If he had a major career threatening injury like Shearer fair enough (which makes your point about 2021 mute); and even then he went for the operation, but, his treatment was still carried out in Newcastle. I certainly don't agree that anyone should be allowed to leave during a pandemic either when there is a lockdown (that's opinion though). I don't agree with you, so we'll just leave it there, as otherwise we will just keep running in circles.

Is that right? If it is, then why does it seem whenever a player gets injured he f***s off (ASM to France) especially during a covid lockdown? Honestly this club stinks from top to bottom. The photos are him at Benton. And yeah, even if he did, why wouldn't you want to be around your wife and kids while you can't train? What a madman for wanting to be close to his family. He didn't so that's fair enough. However, your second point is a load of s*** as he is a paid professional footballer and any injury requires treatment and physio to help recover. Put it this way, I can't remember players under Keegan and Robson being allowed to be away close to their family when under treatment. that also wasn't 2021 when there doctors and physios capable of these kinds of treatments all over the world. We weren't living in the middle ages back then man

Always thought he was the worst manager we would ever have in the time I supported the club. However, didn't realise Ashley would magic a number of even worse pricks to oust him out of that title. I think Souness is a bad as any of them. He just had the fortune of inheriting a Bobby Robson team and then being sacked before his stench started to fester. If he was put on a Mike Ashley perma-deal and told he wouldn't be sacked as long as Steve Bruce's nose avoids the centre of his face, then I'm sure we'd remember even less fondly than we already do. Maybe, but, we can only really judge on his record at the time compared to the several managers under Ashley, which have esceeded his levels of shitness.

Is that right? If it is, then why does it seem whenever a player gets injured he f***s off (ASM to France) especially during a covid lockdown? Honestly this club stinks from top to bottom. The photos are him at Benton. And yeah, even if he did, why wouldn't you want to be around your wife and kids while you can't train? What a madman for wanting to be close to his family. He didn't so that's fair enough. However, your second point is a load of s*** as he is a paid professional footballer and any injury requires treatment and physio to help recover. Put it this way, I can't remember players under Keegan and Robson being allowed to be away close to their family when under treatment.

I loved the Keegan years, but, I will never forgive John Hall for selling us to this cunt and running off with a big profit at the first opportunity. What pisses me off even more is there are times when Hall has actually stuck up for Ashley. In one fell swoop he cashed out and in the process killed anything to enjoy about supporting this club. Nearly 15 years and counting.

Always thought he was the worst manager we would ever have in the time I supported the club. However, didn't realise Ashley would magic a number of even worse pricks to oust him out of that title.

Is that right? If it is, then why does it seem whenever a player gets injured he f***s off (ASM to France) especially during a covid lockdown? Honestly this club stinks from top to bottom.

I fancied Fulham anyway, but, the news that Bamford is very doubtful makes it a formality for me.

Just under 44k. Looked about right as well. The entire Level 7 was sold out every game (family enclosure, singing corner and most away teams sold out their allocation as well). Only noticeable gaps tended to be right at the back of the Gallowgate and front of the Leazes. Hughton wasn't a particularly popular manager at the time, nor was he unpopular mind. More just a "Meh" sort of manager really. His popularity improved massively throughout the season and then into the next season before he was sacked. When you think he brought us back up, had us in a decent position in the league and was sacked yet Bruce has just been a complete s*** show yet his job seems safe it just defies all logic really. I remember numerous games where there were significant gaps. Maybe my mind is getting the better of me, but I recall some games that looked less than the advertised attendances. My point was the early attendances were lower than 40k, the attendances only increased as performances were good and we were doing well. Plus, as you say, Hughton’s popularity increased. A s*** start to a Championship season, under a disliked manager is likely to see the opposite and attendances fall from the starting figure of 37k. Aye the first game was just under 37k. Live on Sky and Reading brought next to no fans. Jumped up to just under 44k for the next game. As I say I thought the crowd figure looked about right back then, around 8,000 gaps on average. Far more accurate than the past few seasons figures anyway! Agree attendance will nose dive next season. The warning signs are there now. Having to give away 10k season tickets in the Premier League is unheard of. Could see crowds hovering around the low 30,000s next season. A lot of people who went purely out of habit could well give it up as well. I know of a few of these who now aren't arsed about going back. Same here including a large number who were what I would class as absolute diehards. Be interesting to find out if the people who are saying crowds won't drop massively are actually living in the area, as I've never seen this level of discord and I'm in my 50s and been going since the 70s. Not one (and I mean not one) person that I have spoken to have said they will return under Ashley never mind relegation. They are all saying enough is enough. Keep hearing some people saying because of covid and fans not being able to watch live, that they will flock back. Think you find the exact opposite as people are unfortunately having to tighten their purses very tightly and/or found other things to do/interests. Why are people who have had financial cuts due to covid going to fork out on watching a club with no ambition whatsoever and experiencing probably the worst football in the history of this club. I've experienced the 70s and 80s when crowds dropped significantly due to financial restraints throughout this period. The only thing that is going to turn this club around is a takeover. I'm convinced that this won't happen if this club is relegated.

So true. Bruce is such a coward He’s already started getting excuses in with COVID. Any other PL club and this f***er would have been long gone, in fact he wouldn’t have been here in the first place. Incredibly Ashley has surpassed himself again on how not to run a football club, extraordinary considering he has a supposed 350 takeover in the background. This time it will come to bite him in the arse when the takeover collapses and he has a half full stadium next year in the Championship. I think you're a bit optimistic saying a half full stadium tbh Wouldn’t argue with you on that either It will be pretty full , no matter what division, I’d say 45k average would watch turnips grow . I don't think so - the crowds were going down under Bruce already. This will be a third relegation and no Rafa optimism this time, and no novelty - and I think covid may have broken the habit for some. Totally agree here, the people in my circle (with a good few being season ticket holders for years) are to a person saying enough is enough. 10,000 turned there back last year and you can at least double that this year. Maybe Ashley will give 20,000 - 25,000 tickets away, but, I can’t see it. We say this every time man, they keep rolling up, no footy for a while will have the first few games sold out the realisation will kick in and the crowds will drop , 100% , blokes will go just to get back to the match I’m telling you . Book mark this . We will sell out first few games no matter what division. No chance whatsoever unless there is a takeover. If Ashley is in charge you’re living in cloud cuckoo land with that statement, but, as you said we will see

So true. Bruce is such a coward He’s already started getting excuses in with COVID. Any other PL club and this f***er would have been long gone, in fact he wouldn’t have been here in the first place. Incredibly Ashley has surpassed himself again on how not to run a football club, extraordinary considering he has a supposed 350 takeover in the background. This time it will come to bite him in the arse when the takeover collapses and he has a half full stadium next year in the Championship. I think you're a bit optimistic saying a half full stadium tbh Wouldn’t argue with you on that either It will be pretty full , no matter what division, I’d say 45k average would watch turnips grow . I don't think so - the crowds were going down under Bruce already. This will be a third relegation and no Rafa optimism this time, and no novelty - and I think covid may have broken the habit for some. Totally agree here, the people in my circle (with a good few being season ticket holders for years) are to a person saying enough is enough. 10,000 turned there back last year and you can at least double that this year. Maybe Ashley will give 20,000 - 25,000 tickets away, but, I can’t see it.

We win (doubtful) we have a good chance of staying up, draw I think it’s 50/50 and defeat I think we’ll be going down.

He’s the ultimate Ashley appointment, just rinse and repeat time after time. Gamble every year on 17th, which results in relegation every few years. We’re then faced with getting rid of our better players to be replaced by championship level players. The cycle goes on again once promoted with a squad way below the standard required to improve. It’s absolutely amazing how someone can not learn from basic mistakes.

So true. Bruce is such a coward He’s already started getting excuses in with COVID. Any other PL club and this f***er would have been long gone, in fact he wouldn’t have been here in the first place. Incredibly Ashley has surpassed himself again on how not to run a football club, extraordinary considering he has a supposed 350 takeover in the background. This time it will come to bite him in the arse when the takeover collapses and he has a half full stadium next year in the Championship. I think you're a bit optimistic saying a half full stadium tbh Wouldn’t argue with you on that either It will be pretty full , no matter what division, I’d say 45k average would watch turnips grow . No chance

His record is pretty average. Think it’s a combination of playing mostly teams who are in the bottom half, teams in poor form and the other top teams dropping point regularly. Think Hull will get auto and between them and Peterborough for the other spot.

Yeah, I know. But say IF they we're(or somebody else for that matter) is there any tests for a new owner to go through? Yes there are EFL tests. and then they'd still have to pass the PL test if we came back up. It's supposed to be carried out yearly, amazed how Chelsea still have their owner. Yep whole thing stinks

Yeah, I know. But say IF they we're(or somebody else for that matter) is there any tests for a new owner to go through? Yes there are EFL tests.

So true. Bruce is such a coward He’s already started getting excuses in with COVID. Any other PL club and this f***er would have been long gone, in fact he wouldn’t have been here in the first place. Incredibly Ashley has surpassed himself again on how not to run a football club, extraordinary considering he has a supposed 350 takeover in the background. This time it will come to bite him in the arse when the takeover collapses and he has a half full stadium next year in the Championship. I think you're a bit optimistic saying a half full stadium tbh Wouldn’t argue with you on that either

Don’t think there is a hope any hell any takeover never mind PIF happens if we go down.

If we’re not sold wouldn’t give a f*** anymore tbh

So true. Bruce is such a coward He’s already started getting excuses in with COVID. Any other PL club and this f***er would have been long gone, in fact he wouldn’t have been here in the first place. Incredibly Ashley has surpassed himself again on how not to run a football club, extraordinary considering he has a supposed 350 takeover in the background. This time it will come to bite him in the arse when the takeover collapses and he has a half full stadium next year in the Championship.

Depends which Leeds show up, as they either look great or total s***. I honestly fancy Fulham to win and us being in the bottom 3 by the time we play

Dear me celebrating a trophy which is an embarrassment even to be competing in

Thing is though they will be at is from the off and it will be us playing for the draw. That’s what happens when you have a useless fraud in charge