TheBrownBottle

Just remembered we were in Europe in 12/13 - I didn't go to any of them due to my self-imposed boycott of Ashley's NUFC ...

I was in the Milburn A Paddock in 93/94 & 94/95, went into the Leazes from the following season - there were plenty of mediocre atmospheres during that period too

Similar to me mate - up until this year I missed the 1860 IT Cup tie in 2001 (on hols) and the UEFA Cup qualifiers in 2006 (potless). Sadly you're spot-on re atmosphere - there aren't many particularly memorable atmospheres during that period. I love being in European competition myself - nothing better. But it was the away days that made the experiences so memorable - home matches didn't spark great atmospheres. I do wonder if the lack of history between the clubs plays into it too - over the years, loads of English clubs (from Man Utd to Cambridge Utd under John Beck) have pissed off the SJP crowd over the years and created grudge matches. Not sure that anyone will feel similar about pretty much any European club.

We did that vs Antwerp in the round before, too - though from memory it was the Belgian supporters who started it (when you lose 10-2 on aggregate you might as well make some entertainment for yourselves) edit: you’re spot on re European Cup nights - all those CL games listed were crap atmosphere-wise n

Bring back drinking on the terraces and that Native American war cry I reckon.

The grumbling started from the moment it went all-seater and all-season ticket. The atmosphere hasn’t been what it was for three decades - for what it’s worth, even on TV it doesn’t sound markedly different to what it has at any point during the PL era (and it’s much better than it was for most of it). People want to believe it used to be better than it was - when it was actually pretty average to crap for most matches. European nights in particular were always odd - if we weren’t playing someone that the more passive elements acknowledged as a ‘big club’, the atmosphere mirrored most league cup ties. The fact that so many clearly view PSG as bigger than Dortmund is where the current mob of football supporters and me just don’t see eye to eye. Dortmund are a much bigger club as far as I’m concerned - no excuse for not being up for that game.

Honestly, he’s not even worth reacting to - the tiresome cunt thinks he’s speaking truth to power. But all he’s doing is trolling to football fans. He’s torched his reputation in the region where he covers football.

‘We love you Saudi’ isn’t aimed at individuals, but at the govt of a nation state. It isn’t the people of Saudi Arabia funding us - it’s the govt of KSA. Criticism of the govt is not blanket criticism of an entire nation. It is Saudi Arabians who are the primary victims of the oppressive Saudi state.

From memory, the poster started banging on about how gambling was the devil’s work etc. It was put in crudely religious terms, and some people then seek offence at being called out on using religion to moralise at others. I thought your response was to that. Honestly STM, I think it was one of those posts where the intent was obvious (to me), but the wording was indelicate. I’m not having a go - every single one of us does this at some point, we make a point which afterwards we think could be worded better - if we were having a conversation in person, I doubt it would have spun off in the direction that it did. The calls for a ban were utterly ridiculous.

We’ll have to agree to disagree I don’t think Miggy is an intelligent footballer (I don’t have a clue if he’s intelligent generally, of course). If we were listing Almiron’s strengths, how many adjectives would we list before we start getting to ‘visionary’, ‘alert’, or ‘subtle’?

Fucking hell

It’s not what it once was, though. I don’t think being heavyweight champion has the cultural cut-through that it once did. The heavyweight champion used to be one of the most famous people on Earth - not sure that they are now.

The problem is of course that when govts buy football clubs - particularly ones which use what is effectively a state religion to oppress the population of that country - then sport and politics can’t be separated. The KSA govt - including the man in ultimate charge of the PIF - are truly awful, one of the most oppressive dictatorships on earth. People in KSA can be killed, tortured, imprisoned for writing what I just did there. Anyone who wants to get offended on behalf of that govt needs a shake.

He’s a superb footballer, but I think it is a concern that he appears to be made out of paper and cobwebs

I think Almiron isn’t smart enough as a footballer to play as a 10 effectively. He’s all high energy and commitment, but I wouldn’t describe him as an intelligent or cute footballer.

Yep. Usually short sticky patches then back to kicking arse again. Hopefully this isn’t what’s happening - I think we just lost to a really good side in a match where we could still have gotten a result despite not playing at our best.

It’s not smart to run the ball in that position - running square on the HW line with defenders pushed up. Akin to playing a dangerous square ball. Gordon is young though - he’ll learn from it

That Leeds 4-3 was a classic. Didn’t enjoy hopping on the bus outside Elland Road back to the train station that afternoon mind. The locals weren’t happy - also, it was one of those days where somehow it being bitterly cold works for the match

My favourites that I attended: Feyenoord 2-3 NUFC (2002) NUFC 5-0 Man Utd (1996) NUFC 1-0 Portsmouth (1992) Inter 2-2 NUFC(2003) NUFC 3-2 Barca (1997)

Feels odd to write, but I thought he was both MOTM and also culpable for the goal that cost us the game. He’s been fantastic this season, and doesn’t look out of place at this level.

Just my theory, but loads of them wouldn’t have continued to go when it was mostly on the day tickets prior to ‘92/93-ish. They’d have drifted away, or would have been in the West Stand seats for the odd game. I genuinely think there are a significant portion of them who don’t actually like going.

Yep, there is usually significant changes to the attendees. I used to sit with two mates, but we recognised / would crack on with loads around us. We didn’t recognise anyone at that game - I still remember how oddly disconcerting that was

Not sure how mate - Tonali would have to agree to a renegotiation of his contract

Yep. The PSV, Dynamo Kiev and Feyenoord home games in particular stand out as being as flat as a witch’s tit. Feyenoord was the nadir for me - 10k empty seats and you could hear a pin drop.

They’ll have to sell to buy - the FFP numbers will be borderline.