Newcastle vs Man Utd - 20/10/96 - Live on YouTube (3pm Saturday)

[Guest Howaythetoon]

We had some crazy stats that season like the season before from memory, averaging 5 or more corners, 5 or more shots on target per game and a crazy number of crosses into the box, penalty box action and possession etc. And yet we were not some massively high scoring prolific team either season that out scored everyone. Conversely we were not some massively leaky in defence team either that shipped in goals the season we just lost out on the title.

 

We just lacked experience more than anything and yes we did bottle it. Not in the conventional sense, we just panicked and become resigned almost.

 

Ginola said it best, the minute we went into games thinking about trying to win and what not winning would mean, we just stopped winning. Well every week anyway. We’d win the game before kick-off before that and if we were 2-0 down or not winning at half-time, we were going to beat whoever we were playing still.

 

That mentality was huge and KK instilled that into the players, the fans, the club, their psyche, their play, their entire philosophy and when things didn’t go our way, doubt set in and KK frankly couldn’t find another way, couldn’t offer them something different. Because there was no other way.

 

That said, beat Man Utd at home or even draw that game in 95-96, and we win the title. Same if we had of beaten Liverpool.

 

It was pure KK, kind of all or nothing with him and those players, all out attack, all out for the win, no compromises, no other way really. That permeated through every single aspect, area and functioning of the club from the boardroom to the stands to buying players. And it was fucking glorious and in many ways more special than any piece of silverware because no trophy was enough of a reward to top that, those 5 years under KK. It would have been the icing on top of the cake to the cherry those years were.

 

Beating Man Utd won us 3 points, but a mere 3 points were never enough of a reward for that win, that performance, that match, that celebration and atmosphere on the stands and in the city.

 

It it was, we wouldn’t be talking about it today.

 

After losing 4-3 at Anfield KK said forget about losing, forget about points, titles, deciders, all those in attendance and watching on telly, this is where the reward lies, this is the reward of playing and watching, being part of a brilliant and memorable one off game of football. Silverware didn’t compare. That from a man who had won everything.

 

The halcyon days.

[Collage]

I have this on VHS somewhere, have watched it 10-20 times probably. When we were on top of our game we were amazing those days, easily the best in the country. Unfortunately when we weren’t we could be poor. If I remember correctly, after this game we went and lost to some cloggers.

[D. Yimentov]

Cantona committed 3 red card offences in the 2nd half.

 

- The kick at Albert

- The studs first into Beardsley  (1:24:25)

- And the worst of the lot, the attemted stamp on Shearer over in the corner near their fans. Would've broke his ankle if he'd connected. (1:17:28)

 

Those two tackles are f***ing atrocious.

[M4]

I have this on VHS somewhere, have watched it 10-20 times probably.

 

I think nufc have it and played it this afternoon!

[Guest Howaythetoon]

I have this on VHS somewhere, have watched it 10-20 times probably. When we were on top of our game we were amazing those days, easily the best in the country. Unfortunately when we weren’t we could be poor. If I remember correctly, after this game we went and lost to some cloggers.

 

Yet we always created chances and looked capable of scoring and under KK, we never looked like defensively we were going to crumble like we often did under Sir Bobby when not at our best. We rarely looked vulnerable under KK in any match whereas the other team always were, that’s why we could beat Man Utd 5–0 even if they were playing well themselves.

 

If you’re the opposition, it’s hard to play against a team who to a man when on the ball will get forward and attack at all times, from every area of the pitch, left to right, central, from the CB to the striker, whether 5-0 up or 2-0 down, whether you’re Coventry or Man Utd.

 

When Coventry played us at SJP in 94 I think (we won 4-0), they didn’t even work on a way to try and beat us or get something from the game. They were told simply to keep the score respectable. Ogrizovic put in a worldy that day and they actually defended well. They were just so scared of getting forward. They were beaten once the fixtures were released.

 

KK’s last game - the 7-1 win at home to Spurs - we were not at our brilliant best exactly nor they at their absolute worst, that was just punishment inflicted by waves of attacks which Gerry Francis later said his team simply happened to be the team NUFC took it out on that particular day and could do that to anyone. As we did earlier against Man Utd.

 

The way we played we were actually likened to a run away train.

 

We never played in straight lines either, lining up 4-4-2 or whatever was something that could only be shown on paper, because on the pitch, there was no 4-4-2 or 5-3-2. That’s why Albert could lob the ‘keeper or Shearer could play down the wing or Watson starting at right back would often be in CM. When players were unfixed and had not just ability on the ball but we’re instructed to get forward and attack with licence to move around and the freedom to express themselves constantly, you can’t defend that.

 

 

[Kanj]

Batty, Watson were really excellent footballers

[YNGLEGIONNAIRE]

The look on Albert's face , he so wanted to strangle Cantona ,I didn't remember him being that aggresive. Cantona in particular was so frustrated at our total domination , the dirty bassa.