João Pedro

[HayDen Traces]

London and Newcastle are not comparable lets be honest.

We're a different sell to London glamour, its about the project, its about working with a coach with a track record for player development and a fanatical fanbase.

[Stifler]

2 hours ago, The College Dropout said:

I grew up relatively poor in London. It’s a good place to be poor tbh. I started my career with a totally unpaid internship and got the bus to it in the big city. Turned that into a half decent job. Having a roof over my head in London made it possible to eventually get a pretty good career going for myself. 

Now let’s talk about the ones who grow up in areas dominated by gangs, destined to sell drugs and be involved in knife crime.

[The Prophet]

Both outcomes are possible wherever you live.

[Ghandis Flip-Flop]

12 minutes ago, Stifler said:

Now let’s talk about the ones who grow up in areas dominated by gangs, destined to sell drugs and be involved in knife crime.

You do realise that a bigger problem per capita in the council estates of the North East don’t you? And there’s no London-like city job opportunities for the ones that manage to avoid that trap either. Hence the diaspora of exiled Geordies on here

[Stifler]

10 minutes ago, Ghandis Flip-Flop said:

You do realise that a bigger problem per capita in the council estates of the North East don’t you? And there’s no London-like city job opportunities for the ones that manage to avoid that trap either. Hence the diaspora of exiled Geordies on here

The North East has many problems, poverty one of them. However gang etc are rarer.

[Ghandis Flip-Flop]

Just now, Stifler said:

The North East has many problems, poverty one of them. However gang etc are rarer.

The North East has a statistically bigger knife crime problem than London (Teeside is actually the worst per capita in the U.K.), and you’re naive if you don’t think just as many North East kids are tricked into county lines drug gangs as there are down south. A quick trip to a local YOI will quickly reappraise you of that folly I can assure you

[Stifler]

6 minutes ago, Ghandis Flip-Flop said:

The North East has a statistically bigger knife crime problem than London (Teeside is actually the worst per capita in the U.K.), and you’re naive if you don’t think just as many North East kids are tricked into county lines drug gangs as there are down south. A quick trip to a local YOI will quickly reappraise you of that folly I can assure you.

I believe that the North East is the only region where knife crime has rose.

I’d be interested in a more in depth look though. Does that include only stabbings, and threats with a knife, or does it include being stopped and carrying a knife or something that can be used likewise?

 

Both Durham constabulary, and Northumbria police feature below London Met in numbers for crime statistics. No North East City or Town requires in the UK’s top 10 for crime either.

 

I’m not dismissing that the North East doesn’t have these problems, in fact I’m well aware of it, and well aware of the causes (poverty). What I’m saying is though is that for every success story of children escaping poverty in London you have countless others dragged down under it. There are success stories of escaping poverty in the North East as well.

[Ghandis Flip-Flop]

2 minutes ago, Stifler said:

I believe that the North East is the only region where knife crime has rose.

I’d be interested in a more in depth look though. Does that include only stabbings, and threats with a knife, or does it include being stopped and carrying a knife or something that can be used likewise?

 

Both Durham constabulary, and Northumbria police feature below London Met in numbers for crime statistics. No North East City or Town requires in the UK’s top 10 for crime either.

 

I’m not dismissing that the North East doesn’t have these problems, in fact I’m well aware of it, and well aware of the causes (poverty). What I’m saying is though is that for every success story of children escaping poverty in London you have countless others dragged down under it. There are success stories of escaping poverty in the North East as well.

Lower in numbers yes, but not per capita. There is obviously a much smaller population up here.
 

The knife crime in London is becoming a racist trope at this point, it’s often significantly below the likes of Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester. Also the suggestion that knife crime has been brought to these shores by those with excess melanin syndrome, must be news to the real life Peaky Blinders, Glasgow razor gangs, Teddy Boys in the 50’s and on and on through the history of this island.

 

i think the point that TCD was making was that poor people living in London have the luxury of being in closer proximity to opportunity, than those elsewhere. It’s why the entirety of the deindustrialised North suffer brain drain, where their brightest kids leave for University and due to lack of opportunity only a small proportion ever return.

 

its the odd dichotomy of London, a dirt poor place like Tower Hamlets shares a postcode with Canary Wharf, sometimes the proximity and visibility can be the inspiration that bright poor kids need. "You can’t be, what you can’t see" and all that. 
 

Not disputing the overall point you’re making either btw, just hopefully adding extra colour and context 👍

[Nine]

This forum really needs a signing 

[tarie4]

So many people are echoing Gabby Agbonlahor's take on it – that he would take less to play for Brentford than Newcastle. A player would only choose Chelsea over Newcastle for football reasons, nothing else. Chelsea’s got a great project, a young team, and long contracts. That whole "London's fancy nightlife etc" thing is just nonsense. Tonali left Milan for Newcastle with his Lass!

If it was us and Crystal Palace/Fulham etc competing for JP, he'd pick us. Football reasons. We just need to offer him a good package and project, and he'll come here instead of Chelsea. Honestly, that whole London thing is overrated.

Chelsea, Arsenal, and maybe Spurs are the hot teams in London right now, especially against Newcastle. Forget the nightlife etc. 

[Sean]

This debate is hilarious. Some need to be less defensive about Newcastle and not start slagging off other cities just because some would rather live or work there 

[Theregulars]

Perhaps different players just have different priorities, circumstances and opportunities that align at different times.

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, Stifler said:

Now let’s talk about the ones who grow up in areas dominated by gangs, destined to sell drugs and be involved in knife crime.

Yes I am from one of those areas. Lots of gangs in my neighbourhood. Lad in my school one year above murdered at 14. Another couple of lads spent 15 years in prison for a separate murder ahead 15-17.  Numerous incidents and stories of the usual drugs, violence l, cycles of destruction and a lot of wasted potential.  
 

By the same token lots of my peers have become extremely successful too. Our proximity to one of the most affluent cities in the world is a massive privilege that can’t be undervalued. Business, property, media, sports, entertainment - none would be possible without living in and being from London.  I did a £25k MSc from LSE and worked at a VC funded startup in London at the same time. None of that would have been possible if I was from Bradford. 

[JLC]

3 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I did a £25k MSc from LSE and worked at a VC funded startup in London at the same time. None of that would have been possible if I was from Bradford. 

I'd slightly disagree here on regional opportunities. I did an equally expensive MBA (Durham) and raised VC funding for my own startup(s). In Newcastle. 

 

Agree that London is the centre of attention for most things in UK life. But it's absolutely possible, though admittedly more difficult, in the regions.

[SteV]

9 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I did a £25k MSc from LSE and worked at a VC funded startup in London at the same time.

Why did you drop out?

[McCormick]

He’ll go where he’s paid more.

[The College Dropout]

24 minutes ago, SteV said:

Why did you drop out?

I didn’t.
 

The College Dropout is the name of the 2003 debut seminal album by the now disgraced artist - Kanye West.

28 minutes ago, JLC said:

I'd slightly disagree here on regional opportunities. I did an equally expensive MBA (Durham) and raised VC funding for my own startup(s). In Newcastle. 

 

Agree that London is the centre of attention for most things in UK life. But it's absolutely possible, though admittedly more difficult, in the regions.

 And that is my point. You went to the one top university (could be wrong) in the north east, I had my pick of 3. You got your own funding (well done mate), I rode someone else’s train - and again - had my pick of opportunities. And this is coming from a rough neighbourhood and a literal blue collar family.  
 

It’s definitely possible in other areas.  You are living proof. But it is easier in London because there are more opportunities and money floating around. 
 

If I was from a deprived part of Bradford, I don’t think I would have had the same life outcomes. There’s no bus to take em to central London for £1 to get a start in a career.  

[tarie4]

3 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I didn’t.
 

The College Dropout is the name of the 2003 debut seminal album by the now disgraced artist - Kanye West.

 And that is my point. You went to the one top university (could be wrong) in the north east, I had my pick of 3. You got your own funding (well done mate), I rode someone else’s train - and again - had my pick of opportunities. And this is coming from a rough neighbourhood and a literal blue collar family.  
 

It’s definitely possible in other areas.  You are living proof. But it is easier in London because there are more opportunities and money floating around. 
 

If I was from a deprived part of Bradford, I don’t think I would have had the same life outcomes. There’s no bus to take em to central London for £1 to get a start in a career.  

Great album that but it was 04. 03 was 50, Get rich or die trying. 

Both are some of my favourite albums.

[JLC]

3 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

I didn’t.
 

The College Dropout is the name of the 2003 debut seminal album by the now disgraced artist - Kanye West.

 And that is my point. You went to the one top university (could be wrong) in the north east, I had my pick of 3. You got your own funding (well done mate), I rode someone else’s train - and again - had my pick of opportunities. And this is coming from a rough neighbourhood and a literal blue collar family.  
 

It’s definitely possible in other areas.  You are living proof. But it is easier in London because there are more opportunities and money floating around. 
 

If I was from a deprived part of Bradford, I don’t think I would have had the same life outcomes. There’s no bus to take em to central London for £1 to get a start in a career.  

I did MBA at Durham, yep a top Uni. But didn't go to traditional Uni for undergrad. 

 

The irony here is, I am the classic dropout. Zero O levels(long story) But I'm not stupid, I hope anyway ... retired in my 40s. 

 

Anyway, I think we'll sign Pedro. In an attempt to get thread back on track. 

[The College Dropout]

4 minutes ago, JLC said:

I did MBA at Durham, yep a top Uni. But didn't go to traditional Uni for undergrad. 

 

The irony here is, I am the classic dropout. Zero O levels(long story) But I'm not stupid, I hope anyway ... retired in my 40s. 

 

Anyway, I think we'll sign Pedro. In an attempt to get thread back on track. 

I want to be like you mate - that might sound sarcastic but it isn’t. 
 

But yeh I think it’s harder for young people in deprived areas outside of a few major cities. 
 

And yeh. I do like him. Hope it gets done. 

 

 

Edited 15 hours ago by The College Dropout

[Menace]

I spent my early teens in London and went Durham uni - I'd swap Newcastle for London every day of the week, but everyone is different. London is mentally draining.

 

I don't buy this "you can enjoy a hidden life" in London either. 

[elbee909]

53 minutes ago, Menace said:

I spent my early teens in London and went Durham uni - I'd swap Newcastle for London every day of the week, but everyone is different. London is mentally draining.

 

I don't buy this "you can enjoy a hidden life" in London either. 

 

Worked for Dennis Nilsen.

[The College Dropout]

9 hours ago, tarie4 said:

Great album that but it was 04. 03 was 50, Get rich or die trying. 

Both are some of my favourite albums.

You are right. 

 

4 hours ago, Menace said:

I spent my early teens in London and went Durham uni - I'd swap Newcastle for London every day of the week, but everyone is different. London is mentally draining.

 

I don't buy this "you can enjoy a hidden life" in London either. 

Watched the Anelka doc and he said a reason he could do so well at rsenal and Chelsea was partly London.  He was able to crack on.   

[TRon]

14 hours ago, KaKa said:

I think you guys really over think this London thing.

 

You'll only ever here from the players that care about this sort of thing and not those that don't, so it skews your perception.

 

Think you'd be surprised by how many of them aren't really trying to be out and about like that all the time.

 

 

The London factor counts more for foreign players. It's a cosmopolitan city with far more options for a foreign player. Newcastle is pretty good as well tbf, but they don't necessarily know that as we aren't as well known. 

 

Plus Chelsea will pay more so there's not really much we can do about that. 

[The College Dropout]

1 minute ago, TRon said:

 

 

The London factor counts more for foreign players. It's a cosmopolitan city with far more options for a foreign player. Newcastle is pretty good as well tbf, but they don't necessarily know that as we aren't as well known. 

 

Plus Chelsea will pay more so there's not really much we can do about that. 

Counts for most players.

 

Counts less than money though. Which is the bigger issue.