Why does Simmo get such a hard time from NUFC fans?

Hard times and hard lines for Simpson
I think it’s fair to say that the signing of Danny Simpson has been nothing short of a success since he swapped Old Trafford for St James’ Park during our Championship winning season.

Young, cheap, with relatively low wages I’d say Simpson has paid back his outlay ten fold in terms of what he has achieved at United (the REAL United, not the fake one from Manchester).

Yet seemingly this isn’t enough for some fans who see fit to castigate him at every opportunity. Now for sure there are better right-backs out there and arguably it’s a position we should have strengthened during the summer, but some of the headlines I’ve read (including this piece from Ed, which has inspired me to write this) are just pure waffle.

I mean is Vurnon Anita REALLY the best right-back at the club? Sure he seemed to play better at right-back when switched there in the absence of Simpson, but is less than one game really enough to be dishing out such lavish praise, especially when the player he has replaced through injury has been nothing short of outstanding since his arrival from Manchester United?

Danny Simpson has been a key component of our resurgence. He helped us out of the Championship, helped us stay in the Premier League and helped us qualify for Europe via a 5th placed league finish. Admittedly he hasn’t done that without mistake but being truthful you’d be hard pushed to find a player who hasn’t put a foot wrong at some point.

As I alluded to earlier, he’s not the best right-back the world has ever seen and I dare say there are better players out there, but he has rarely let us down when called upon and has been vital for us these past three seasons.

Surely that deserves a bit of respect?

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

269 thoughts on “Why does Simmo get such a hard time from NUFC fans?

  1. Troy yeah that could happen and yeah they did save 4-5 mil on Cisse but let me ask you this do you think we would have finished higher than 5th if we had of signed him in the summer and if so would that higher place have got us that money back ❓

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  2. Troy-If that came off it would be decent business I suppose, although I suspect it might be hard to see it that way of things go badly until Jan

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  3. Sorry if no one tweets but it’s proper kicking off on there like! Steve wraith who edits one of the fanzines has stirred up a hornets nest (rightly or wrongly) even the the clubs official twitter account is trying to explain themselves to him personally! 😯

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  4. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND  DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    @BD

    You know my thoughts on that. I’ve said it on numerous occasions that if we had signed Cisse in the summer then we may have qualified for the CL.

    I’ve been critical on that point. I’ve repeated the same point over a CB. I believe we should have signed a CB last summer and who knows, we may have qualified for the CL this season.

    Im pointing it out only to highlight that is now how we work. We chase a player and offer what we value them at but don’t budge. It unsettles the player and we sweep up in the next window.

    My thoughts are tho, is we have progressed so well over the last two seasons, despite my hatred for the regime in terms of believing they are unscrupulous and would drop us with no concern if they could, without losing money, credit has to be given to our progression.

    This however is a huge season and I do believe we should have capatisied on our league finish and strengthened our squad in the summer.

    However, they’ve proved me wrong how well they did this season my view is they deserve their chance.

    If they don’t do as well and don’t qualify for Europe then I feel I will be entitled to say, ” well I thought so, because I did believe you should have strengthened. Logic tells you that it was needed”

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    @nobby

    What’s Steve wraith debating and stirring up?

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  6. apparently he has inside knowledge that tha players are v unhappy with the lack of players coming in during the transfer window and there is a rift.

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  7. So Sir Alex wont be happy , Van Persie has not come out for the second half for Holland because of injury . No Rooney , no Van Persie and people say we have a striker problem 😀 👿 😉

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  8. Well if Wraith is right then Pardew needs to let them know the club pays their wages and its time they stopped being childish or they will be dropped . In the end these guys got us too 5th last season so why should the club bring in players just for the sake of it . Yes we needed defensive strengthening ,but only players that are better than we already have . If they weren’t available then play the kids . Fact is , like it or not Ashley pays the wages and transfer fees and its his call on who he buys or not and not the players . It could also be a load of bullshit from Wraith and the players have just not yet got up to their normal level yet .

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  9. Axel I don’t think Steve Wraith would get owt from bullshitting ❓ what benefit would he get from that ?
    As for bringing in players for the sake of it ❓ ❓ ❓ I really can’t work that one out, do you really believe that there has been no CB’s available for the last 2 transfer windows.
    Yeah we should drop them for being “childish” where exactly would that get us ? do we just keep dropping players that don’t agree with what is happening at the club until we have no players left 😀

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  10. Dave-Bit of popularity and exposure. Everyone is talking about him now because of this. It didn’t stop him before when he claimed we’d only pay 20k to seasoned CL players and internationals.

    Well, unless he actually beleived that, in which case he’s as mad as a hatter 😆

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  11. Spot on Newkie @ 94 I take everything he says with a massive pinch of salt – no time for the bloke.

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  12. NEWKIE they haven’t said yet what for injury , just that he could not play on .
    BIG DAVE the point i am trying to make is , the defenders that were available , were they any better than what we have . Lets not forget our defence last season was part of a team that got us too 5th ,so the quality of defender that would improve us is going to cost big money simply because they will need to be international class . Perch last season surprised everyone and S taylor missed half the season . Too buy a player better than those 2 would cost the club the same sort of money as we paid for Colo . Trouble is that sort of player would want CL football which we cant offer . I personaly would rather we give the likes of Tavernier and Good a chance than pay 3 or 4 million for a player that would be of the caliber Williamson .

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    @BD

    Help me out with twitter. Who’s saying what and what’s Steve Wraiths main gist?

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  14. It seems that a lot of people don’t have much time for him, is it because he speaks out against the regime or is it something else.
    Newkie I really can’t believe he does it for popularity and exposure, as for the 20k for players he even came on here to say that that was what he believed but couldn’t vouch to the credibility of his source. but he has said this time that he believes his source. I would believe it because I voiced the same concerns towards the end of the window that some of the players wouldn’t be to happy at the clubs lack of ambition.

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  15. It will be interesting to see if any of the players come out tommorow or the coming days to refute these claims and even then they could just be towing the party line as it were. 😉 Still think theres no smoke without fire though ,Cabaye must be really hacked off over Debuchy not arriving after biggin him up and what have you. 🙄 😳 .

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  16. Troy his main gist is that he was told that there was some player unrest because of the lack of signings, and he seems to have faith in his source, the clubs official twitter started to get into a war of words with him then blocked him, but have now unblocked him

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  17. steve wraith ‏@stevewraith
    So all is not as it seems at #nufc again. Is all that hard work last season really going to be destroyed by them again!
    steve wraith ‏@stevewraith
    Sounds like there has been trouble at mill for some scribe who has incurred the wrath of those that must be obeyed to. #nufc
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    3h steve wraith ‏@stevewraith
    I’ve heard that the rumours of player unrest are Allegedly true and that reluctance to buy has upset certain players. #nufc

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  18. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that Glen Johnson is total average. The fact that he plays for Liverpool and England (well England 🙂 ) is incredible. Ukraine players have made a monkey out of him all night. I would honestly rather see Simpson get a chance on current form between the two. (ps. I know he’s injured)

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    @BD

    It’s nothing that we didn’t know really. Pardew has told us publicly.

    We were discussing this before I became aware of SW craic.

    I’m relying on the silver tongue of Pards.

    He’s more than capable of spreading honey on the mouldy bread.

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  20. I don’t think that fans want to ‘castigate’ him Toonsy. Like what G BOY said @ 2. It’s more that fans expect to see a Newcastle United fullback that can join in with attacks, is comfortable in possession and can take people on. Even Stephen Carr could do this better than Simpson IMO. People are just frustrated that there seems to be no development or progression in his game in these respects. This is what holds him back from players like Glen Johnson IMO, even he can get forward a bit. At the level Simpson finds himself there are players that can defend AND attack.

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    @MDS

    Are you suggesting Steve Wraith is just making it up?

    If so then ignore it but I would suggest that he has far more insight and connections than we have due to the people he works with.

    He doesn’t come across as a shot stirrer so instead of just dismissing it, consider it may be true.

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  22. The journo Andy Dunn was talking on radio five live a couple of weeks back and was talking about journalist being ITK and their sources. When it was put to him that players keep stuff in house and journos don’t know anymore than the reading public do he said something along the lines of, That’s not true ,where do you think we get our inside infomation from ,often it’s in the players interest for stuff to be made public,to say players don’t talk to journalist is simply not true . To an extent I would tend to agree with that.

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  23. Off topic but ,a stern test for England tonight I thought ,did well to pick up a point’

    Also ,bit late but congrats to Andy Murray ,grand slam at last 😀 😎

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  24. Troy, I’m not suggesting that. But I don’t trust his “sources” because 1) his sources mislead him before, and 2) I don’t know who his sources are in this case.

    Wraith has a strong hatred of the current Board, which is fair enough. But I wonder if he justs enjoys getting under their skin. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him post any positive news….

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    @MDS

    I’m not going to be Steve Wraiths PR but I have heard him on many occasions praise the club last for proving him wrong.

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  26. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND  DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    Wrong in terms of performance on the pitch and financially off it.

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  27. Where was Simmo for the Villa goal. He was out of position ball watching as he usually does. What did he do when he clocked the danger. Ambled over with his hands behind his back, and made a lame attempt to block the cross.
    Pick your best 11. Is Simmo in it? If you had to chose one player to replace first in an attempt to improve the team, who would it be?

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  28. Dave-How can you not believe its about exposure? The man has a site to run and theres money to be made. Just like the daily press, wild, inaccurate and usually bullshit stories sell better than the reasoned and informative news that permeates this very blog 😉

    Not that i’m saying there’s nowt in it, I just think wraith has his own agenda and is no stranger of talking out his ****.

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  29. B+B-You having a fucking laugh mate? There were two people Simmo had to watch because either Benny or Cabs hadn’t marked up properly, he chose the right option in covering the lad who was in the box so the ball couldn’t be put there. It went out wide and Simmo attempted to close him down, a cross went in and some three Villa players were standing around unmarked and a header was put away unchallenged.

    Get tired of people blaming goals where so many people are at fault on one player-90% of the time Simmo. It’s a joke.

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  30. Troyer – You’ve changed your tune. You were going to jump on Llambias at midnight on 31 August. Now you’re prepared to give him until January.

    Its easy to say with the benefit of hindsight that we should have signed this or that player, or we should have signed them earlier than we did. It is easy to say now that we would be better off buying in a replacement CB or striker. However, it can be one big expensive gamble that could go a big Boumsong in your face. Can those who are saying we should spend say that they were calling for the signings of Cabaye, Cisse and Tiote in the months before they were signed? I had never even heard of them.

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  31. I always find the first and most reliable news on transfers to come from the Journal and Chronicle. The journos build relationships with players and club contacts. I’m often surprised at how candid players can be.

    I couldn’t care that the players may be peed off at the lack of transfers. Players at many rival clubs are just as likely to be peed off.

    Anyone who is not committed should leave. Like Jose Enrique, however, they would, I suggest, be better served showing a little patience.

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  32. Newkie – Simmo gets caught ball watching regularly. In relation to the Villa goal, did he sprint to the winger or jog with his hands behind his back?
    I’m not saying that Tayls and Colo weren’t guilty of ball watching when the cross came in, but were not talking about them.

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  33. Newkie – I’m not having a laugh when I ask, if you had a a choice of one player in your first 11 to replace for a better player, who would it be? Cisse, Tiote, Cabaye, HBA, Colo, Krul, Santon, Jonas, Ba?

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  34. Newkie – Same thing happened when Bale hit the bar with that header. Simmo out of position and ball watching. Could have cost us dear.

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    @b&b

    You are doing it again aren’t you.

    Please read all my posts and get a full view of my opinions.

    Never veered at all.

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  36. How many players do you see sprint at full speed to a player in that position? Few, I’d guess, because if you did he could put the ball past you and run freely into the box. Imagine the outrage if Simmo “allowed” someone into the box. Heaven forbid if he had his arms out and gave away a pen on accident, there’d be people foaming at the mouth. I don’t like the arms behind the back routine, but it can save on free kicks and I imagine whatever simmo had done would be judged wrong in some manner.

    We should talk about them. Those two, particularly Colo are beyond reproach for many fans. Don’t get me wrong, Colo is a quality defender, but even he makes mistakes, personally I don’t think Simmo makes many more, and for someone who cost 1/20th of the price, that’s not bad going.

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  37. I always stand to be corrected as you know your posts better than I, as well you should. However, the one that stuck out to me as best representing your position was the one that said you would judge Llambias on 31 August. What did you say you would do if there were no incomings? It wasn’t pleasant.

    Now you’re saying, “However, they’ve proved me wrong how well they did this season my view is they deserve their chance.”

    “If they don’t do as well and don’t qualify for Europe then I feel I will be entitled to say, ” well I thought so, because I did believe you should have strengthened. Logic tells you that it was needed”

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  38. B+B-Personally if we’re playing 4-4-2 I’d actually switch Jonas, he’s not effective on the wing whereas Simmo offers more for his position. Otherwise yes, he doesn’t match the quality of the others. That being said he’s played better so far than several of those “better” players soo….

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  39. Troy-I’d wager a fair amount that his fanzine site will have had more hits today than it would on a regular day, simply because Wraith’s name is doing the rounds again. Not that I can “prove” it of course, but that’s what I was getting at.

    Plus it keeps his name fresh so he can do more interviews for other media outlets and further embarrass me and plenty of other toon fans…

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    @B&B

    Yes well done amigo. You are right. I know my own posts better than anyone.

    My views have never wavered,veered or strayed.

    Please try and prove me wrong by collating the imaginary posts you crave just so you can prove me wrong.

    I need to know if I’ve been contradicting myself as I would hate to be made a fool of without someone pointing out the facts.

    Could you give me a time frame for your results?

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  41. Blackley-Yes, and Krul and Colo were at fault for the Torres goal against us, put us out the match. Shame on them ❗ ❓

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  42. Troyer – Look at what you’ve just said on this thread (just quoted by me above), and then compare it to your comment made in August that you were keeping your powder dry until midnight 31.
    Your powder still seems quite dry to me. Perhaps that’s what you meant? You would keep your powder dry until 31 August AND THEN you would keep your powder dry until January? 😯 😳

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    @newkie

    But you have to take into account that he is interested in NUFC and has lots of contacts.

    He writes everyday. When was the last time he came up with something similar.

    Every time he says anything that is controversial which really is few and far between and no more than anyone else, he gets slated for sensationalising things. Yet when you analyse what he’s actually said is no different to what Pardew said the other week about cabaye, Ba and Cisse getting their heads turned by agents and Pardew was furious cos the players weren’t mentally right.

    I have heard exactly the same thing but Steve has a forum to air his views and is only expressing what most people on Tyneside have heard.

    I would suggest if he hadn’t mentioned it then people would be asking why not?

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  44. The whole team was to blame for the Ciaran Clark goal IMO, not just Simpson. Taylor and Coloccini were zonal marking and ultimately just ended up ball watching whilst their CB got a free header 5 yards out. What should have happened is Taylor/Collo/Ba pick up their 3 players in the box and people who are left zonal mark/ pick up extra players. Nobody should ever get a free header.

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    @B&B

    Why haven’t you quoted me post 31 aug? Please do, it’s only fair.

    My views immediately post 31 are exactly the same now.

    I will let you explain though cos you seem determined to prove me wrong. Please explain where I’ve differed pre – post and now.

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  46. Newkie – I’m not one to get onto Simmo for the sake of it, but this article and comments needed some balance.
    Putting your hands behind your back when trying to close down the opposition as quickly as possible is reprehensible. I would not have criticised him if it had hit his hand and the ref had given a penalty; I would criticise the ref just as I did when Ryan Taylor had his arms out. As for Taylor and Colo, they’re not perfect by any means but they’re much better than Simmo.
    Would I be looking to keep Jonas or Simmo if I had to get rid of one of them to strengthen the team? Its a no brainer.

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  47. Troyer – What you on about @138? I am comparing your pre and post August 31 quotes, and pointing out the inconsistency?

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  48. Troy-Yes I know he’s interested in the club and has his “sources” that doesn’t mean he’s not interested in airing his views for his own gain, the two aren’t mutually exclusive.

    I’m not slating him, I just think he’s boring to be honest, and I feel kind of sorry for him that he never seems to be happy or seems to enjoy writing or talking about anything Newcastle, maybe he should stick to the gangster stuff.

    I haven’t “heard” of the disturbances from my “sources.” I expected it though and I’m not too surprised. Surely a bit of common sense would suggest that the players, who aren’t so different from the fans, would be annoyed at the lack of progress. That being said, its no excuse to whine, and they’re being paid to play, so play they should.

    Meh

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  49. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND  DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    @B&B

    My views have never changed. I can’t say much more than that. You choose to say otherwise but if you care to look through my views you will find you are wrong. Again.

    I’ve never said anything different tonight than I have throughout.

    Have you read all my posts tonight?

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  50. Blackley- and criticisng the Ref gets you sweet F.A. Simmo was playing it safe by current ref standards. You may not have blamed him but I guarantee if it happens this season, some will. Of course Taylor and Colo are better, I’d never dispute that. But they make mistakes, just like all of our players. Some players’ mistakes go under the radar, some are highlighted and banged on about a hundred times and more by some sections of the fans, and I just hate that kind of hypocrisy.

    You’re changing the goalposts now, firstly you said improving the first 11- Now you’re saying would you keep Jonas over Simmo? 😉
    I’d agree with you, but Jonas would be out of my first 11 before Simmo was. Hell, it could even be Ba or Cisse, and they’re unbelieveable talents. Just goes to show…

    Personally I would have gone for a better CB as whilst Staylor is technically first team I do worry that he won’t last the season. As such, Willo/Perch who were first team for far beyond half a season could be improved on far more than Simmo, and we clearly have a lot of other players who could play full back, all those circumstances pointing to a need for a cb than a RB…

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  51. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND  DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    @Newkie

    I disagree . He’s running a twitter account and all he has said tonight that his source has heard the players are unhappy.

    If you watch his twitter account then he’s not a sensationalist headline grabbing person.

    It’s your choice but I disagree.

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  52. Wow man, how much have I missed since last on!! 😯

    Regarding Steve Wraith – he’s hardly breaking news is he?!, and the only story there is that he was ‘blocked’ from the official site for a short while :roll:. Hardly starting a revolution.
    It comes as no surprise that the players are disappointed – they are ambitious and want to player in the best team possible, with the best players possible. But it didn’t happened, nor dud it happen at Liverpool and arguably Arsenal (although Arsenal would be players sold rather than not bought). The point I am trying to make is what’s his point?… so he’s heard a rumour… what is he trying to achieve by sharing it?. The players are pissed off – the fans are pissed off .. But there’s sweet FA that can be done about it now!. As someone who runs a fanzine, I’d hope he would promote togetherness rather than highlight unrest.
    I’m sure what he is saying is true, I just struggle to see what he gains by saying it?!

    Troy/B&B – do you know each other off this site?
    Thoroughly enjoy the banter and sense of one upmanship that goes on between you, it’s good crack 😀

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  53. (THIS IS A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING. THIS POSTER IS LIABLE TO DISAGREE WITH YOUR POINT OF VIEW. ONLY ENGAGE IF YOU AREN’T SENSITIVE AND  DON’T TAKE HISSY FITS)

    @sharpy

    Where have you been or as i suspect you have your rod out. 🙂

    Me and B&B are brothers. That’s been known by all for months if not a year or so.

    I’m the one with common sense with a touch of madness. B&B is the mad one with a sense of common . 😛

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  54. Troy – 😳 😳 😳 – I wish I could claim to have been fishing, but instead I’ll have to hold my hands up and admit to completely missing that one mate 😕 🙄
    Anyway, it’s good crack all the same 😉

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  55. He can’t be that bad if he’s held down a place in our team for the last 3 years. He gets a lot of grief that he shouldn’t (same with Shola) and he is definitely a scapegoat when things go wrong. NUFC should definitely give him a new deal because he deserves it, why should a player like Gosling earn £25,000 a week when Simmo earns £12,000 and starts every game? I really don’t think he is valued enough by the board and fans.

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  56. Wonder if Cabs would be happier next window if we bought someone in to challenge and replace him in the first 11… 😆

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