And breathe!! A five-goal thriller at St James’ Park and frankly ridiculous game of football.
After going in 2-0 up at the break against a 10-men West Ham side, we looked set to throw away two precious points and leave with a frustrating 2-2 draw…until Joe Willock’s late header secured a massive 3-2 win!
Saint-Maximin forced Diop into an early own goal and Joelinton made it two thanks to an awful Fabianski error, however a Diop header at the other end was followed by a late Lingard penalty – only for our Arsenal loanee to turn up with yet another crucial strike of his own in the 83rd minute.
The result sends us NINE clear of third bottom Fulham and sends us up to 15th, handing our survival hopes another monumental boost.
It was a nail-biting end and very nearly a disastrous result after some truly awful game management in the second half, but we showed our character in the end and hung on for a precious three points.
There was just ONE change made by Steve Bruce from last Sunday’s 2-1 win over Burnley, seeing Allan Saint-Maximin come in for Dwight Gayle – a decision that saw Callum Wilson start from the bench once again.
West Ham were without FOUR first-team players in Michail Antonio, Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku, however they were boosted by the return of Angelo Ogbonna – the Italian centre-back who’s been one of their standout performers this season.
The game kicked off at a sunny St James’ Park and it was a pretty cagey opening 10 minutes. Aside from a deflected Longstaff shot after some good work from Almiron and a burst into the box by Saint-Maximin, there was little to report.
Joelinton had started with a few nice layoffs and pounced on a loose ball to get Dawson booked 12 minutes in, beating his man before being cynically fouled. The resultant free kick came to nothing but was followed a few minutes later by a swift counter-attack that ended in a well hit strike from Murphy forcing Fabianski into his first save of the match.
A needless trip from Shelvey then got him in the referees book, and the stand-in skipper was then beaten in the air by the resultant free-kick – only for Dawson’s powerful header to fly straight at Dubravka.
20 minutes in and it’s fair to say we had shaded it. West Ham had 63% of the ball but looked laboured on it, while we were showing real intent on the break, getting shots away and seeing ASM get plenty of joy in that pocket between midfield and defence.
One criticism was the cheap free kicks we were handing to a big West Ham side who score a lot of goals from set pieces. We’d defended well on the whole in the opening 30 minutes, but began to sit deeper and deeper as the half wore on – handing confidence to a Hammers side who hadn’t really been at the races so far.
Five minutes later, the biggest moment of the first half arrived to hand us a HUGE double boost.
Joelinton reacted first to an awful touch on half-way from Dawson and was clattered by the big centre-back; who’d already been booked. Saint-Maximin latched onto the loose ball, burst past Noble and saw his shot across goal deflect in off Diop. 1-0 Newcastle AND a deserved second yellow for Dawson to put the Hammers down to 10 men!
If one up and a man up wasn’t enough, we then benefited from yet another West Ham error just a few minutes later – only this time it was Joelinton who benefited.
Ritchie floated a corner into the box and Fabianski somehow dropped the ball, gifting Joelinton a tap in! Two goals in three for the Brazilian – capping off an impressive first half from the big man – and 2-0 to the Toon!
We almost made it three before the break, with an inspired Joelinton shifting it wide and firing a shot across goal that was well saved, however we settled for two and went into the break with our trails well and truly up.
West Ham looked rattled and ragged, being well below their best and full of costly errors, but that can’t take away from the way we pounced on mistakes and hit them on the break. We’d also defended well up until this point, keeping danger man Jesse Lingard quiet and often winning first and second balls from free kicks.
The players came out for the second half and it really did feel like we were 45 minutes away from safety. I’m sure I joined every Newcastle fan in still being a tad anxious – we rarely do things the easy way – but this was a MASSIVE chance to make it back to back wins and move NINE points clear of third bottom Fulham.
West Ham continued to have more of the ball and looked eager to land an immediate response, showing the urgency they often lacked in the first 45. That said, we were the side managing to get shots away as we continued to find space on the counter.
Sitting deep and surrendering possession was a little frustrating – giving the away side belief they might be able to mount an unlikely comeback. It didn’t look like 11 vs 10 and they were still just a goal away from getting right back into this.
I’d have been tempted to take Shelvey off at this point. Not only is he about as mobile as my 87-year-old gran, he was on a booking and therefore one silly tackle away from making it 10 vs 10.
With 64 minutes on the clock, Bruce brought Wilson on – a man who has eight goals in nine career appearances against the Hammers. Worryingly, however, he replaced the outstanding Saint-Maximin who looked in a bit of pain as he limped slowly off the pitch.
At this point we were continuing to invite West Ham onto us, giving them 60% of the ball, several corners and a few half chances that fortunately didn’t find the net, with a Coufal header hit straight at Dubravka to keep it at 2-0.
We looked edgy and had gone into our shells. Our major weapon on the counter was off in Saint-Maximin and we were struggling to keep the ball. 20 minutes remaining, 2-0 up and against 10 men, yet it did feel like we were asking for trouble.
A few minutes later and we got what we were asking for. Bowen floated a ball into the box and Diop beat the offside trap to head home past Dubravka. 2-1 and a really poor goal to give away, leaving us with a needlessly nervy final 15.
Danger then turned into disaster as a careless Clark handball was checked by VAR. It looked dodgy and Kevin Friend pointed to the spot after checking the monitor. Lingard stepped up and smashed the ball in off the post. 2-2 and a complete and utter collapse from Newcastle, yet one we were asking for following such a negative and passive approach to the second half.
As if by magic, we suddenly responded like a side playing against 10 men and started to attack again, with Willock replacing Sean Longstaff.
First we had Murphy denied by an incredible goal-line clearance after Joelinton, Wilson and Almiron combined on the counter. An unbearable close shave, but we went one better just seconds later.
Ritchie swung in and inviting cross from the left and Willock arrived in the box as he so often does. He climbed highest, and powered his header in off the crossbar to make it 3-2! It shouldn’t have come to this, but it was a brilliant response and yet another decisive late goal from the Arsenal loanee.
Moments later, West Ham’s man of the moment Jesse Lingard looked in some pain and was holding his hamstring, forcing the Hammers to bring on Lanzini in his place.
To Bruce’s bemusement, the fourth official then signalled there’d be EIGHT minutes of added on time, giving West Ham time to find yet another equaliser in this frankly ridiculous game of football.
We ran down the clock expertly for the first half of stoppage time but conceded a corner that thankfully came to nothing. Two minutes remaining and you got the feeling we were 120 seconds from safety.
Andy Carroll then came on for a late cameo against his former club and we saw the game out, confirming back to back wins and a surprise double of Champions League chasing West Ham!
A crazy 98 minutes of football that involved just about every emotion, but ultimately a monumental win that moves us within touching distance of Premier League survival.
Next up, a tough-looking trip to face Liverpool at Anfield next Saturday lunchtime.
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I have no idea how but I predicted the last 3 games results DWW. Or if you are Steve Bruce WWW.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’ll take that!!
Very happy for Joelinton btw.
And a another great substitution from Steve Bruce.
Wilson’s mazy run at the end would have been the icing on the cake, but I’m just happy the lads reacted properly to the West Ham penalty!!
Massive result!! 😀
Oh, and sign Willock!!
Saber(Quote)
Fulham have Arsenal and Chelsea up next. I am not really worried about them, but a couple of losses for them would still be good.
Can I take another season of Bruce’s anti-football? We are incredibly difficult to watch. But this pushes the takeover closer. So a good day apart from the quality of the football when we had been handed the game on a plate.
I listened to a fan podcast from before the Burnley match and they had us down. In fact everything they said was wrong. I write quite a lot of stuff on here and despite Bruce I still believed. Some “fans” should not call themselves fans they are so negative all of the time. I know we have been kicked in the teeth so many times but you cannot just give up before a ball is kicked, even though the cabbage is the worst manager in PL history.
The lowest I ever got this season was 50/50 relegation after Brighton but I still predicted a draw against Spurs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Haha the commentator, on NBC I think, was really slating the team in the second half about how negative we were being…I was just laughing to myself and thinking “welcome to the life of a Newcastle fan at the moment…” 😆
Yes, some fans are just so, so negative. I don’t like it at all and I kind of avoid listening now as I prefer to be more optimistic.
And also, Bruce may not be a good manager. Granted. But some of the abuse is appalling and below the belt.
And Joelinton has always shown glimpses of talent…I’m just glad he seems to be getting more confident at long last.
HWTL
Saber(Quote)
And tell me why we started with NO BLOODY STRIKERS? I still dont understand this “split striker” concept and what it meant was Donkey played more central where we know he is useless. Even more useless than when played wider. We got very lucky again with that own goal.
And Dawson must have never watched any of our games to get 2 deserved yellow cards on Joelinton. Just let him have the 1 on 1 with the keeper.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They went on for about 5 minutes about a game in 19 bloody 86.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What abuse does Bruce get? I dont read twitter, but on blogs he gets called fat and a cabbage. Not much more than that. Ashley gets called a FCB. I see this as pretty tame in the scheme of things.
Bruce says he gets abusive letters. Get your secretary or the tea boy (Charnley) to open them then. Sorry, is secratary non-PC and it should be assistant now but if I said that it would be confusing because of the Steves and a Graeme also being assistants.
Anyway, if he thought they were real threats he should be reporting it to the Police, not having his son moan on talksport.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ryder gave Donkey a 7. I would say 5 because he scored. Maybe a 6 because Dawson stupidly got himself sent off for 2 tackles on Joe. Ball still bounced off him most of the time though. I am not sure what they expect from him though as they have said many times that his position is not a number 9 and then they play him as a – number 9.
I will try not to dwell, I promise 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Saber – of course it is pleasing that the likely result of that win means PL security – but if you are satisfied with what you saw today, you are very easily pleased mate.
It is not negative to say that our approach in the 2nd half was cowardly & nearly cost us, and it’s not negative to say that other that 5 mins of brilliance from ASM we wouldn’t have beat Burnley.
Fair play to you if you can remain optimistic with Ashley as owner & Bruce as manager. I have no desire to have a pop at you or tell you that you’re wrong – but my expectations are continual relegation battles while Bruce is manager & Ashley continues not to care about the club.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bruce said that he sent the players out to be on the front foot in the 2nd half. He is implying that the players decided to play defensive non-football and not him. He cant help himself. Even when we win he serves up excuses for himself. He should just shut his gob and accept that we are (almost) safe.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kimtoon: It is only 3 weeks before I go to Maine. Newcastle and Bristol are only 10 miles apart there. I am going to go to the Newcastle Publik House and take a picure for me Mam. I will get a carry oot and stop by your place 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
well thats us about safe i think
i see Villa have said they dont want to sign Ross Barkley after loan,strange ❓
mind he has been a bit injury prone in the past do they know something ❓
icedog(Quote)
I have noticed that Wilson is running at full pace so he must be almost over the injury. Will we need him at Anfield? They will be deflated after the Champions League exit but still have 4th to play for. Salah, Mane and Firmino have gone completely off the boil, but if Brucie sets up in a 9-0-1 we will lose for sure. Their run of 6 home losses in a row was the 1st time in their history.
Also, I watched their game against Madrid and didnt even know who their centre backs were.
This is not last year’s Liverpool.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Actually, when the Red Bindippers came back after Covid they didnt look the same team either. How long is that they have been sub-par? Almost a year. They miss Van Dijk. But they totally over-hyped Allison as well in typical Scouser fashion. They were saying he was the best goalie in the world when everybody knows that title goes to a certain T-Rex Mackem from across the park.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I reckon if the Red Bindippers beat us they will qualify for the CL. That is a huge incentive. There is no way Wham qualify and Brendan is doing his usual late season swoon. We could be critical for their chances as well. Then there is Man City. They are going for 4 trophies so even Pep might ease up against us.
Even though I think we are safe, our upcoming games might be more interesting than I anticipated a few weeks ago where I had them chalked as losses except **** who have an absolutely **** defense but a great record against us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have seen a few comments saying we looked tired. How can that be? Look at the defense. How many games have Fernandez, Dummett, Murphy and Ritchie even played? And Longstaff and Willock? Then St Max and Wilson have been out a lot.
I think Harry Kane has played like 50 games (inc England) and he scored a brace on Friday.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – he hasn’t really played that well for them during his loan. I think the lad is vastly overrated & I dare bet his wages will be up there too.
If we were offered Barkley or Willock to buy in the summer I know which I’d prefer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I am going to say it again but Bruce never misses a chance to push the balme onto someone else. He said he encouraged the players to get forward at half time. Did we see that on the sideline when they were not playing to his instructions – no we didnt. Maybe they thought he was making a joke in the dressing room since our default is 9-0-1. It was probably like, nah Steve, we know you really want us to play like we are coached every week. Even against 10 men with their 3 best players out and Mark Noble being the least mobile midfielder in the PL. Apart from Jonjo of course 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
1 down 2 to go
Sharpy17(Quote)
Foregone conclusion now mate. West Brom and Fulham. Fat Boy Fat Bruce will be all smug and ever so cuddly now even though we got very lucky against Burnley and if he had mismanaged this game just slightly worse than he did we were in for a nervous run in.
But, it was what it was and is what it is and we are safe. Just hope the takeover now goes through and we can say goodbye to all 3 fat fcks forever – Ashley, Bruce, Charnley.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I dont care what Bruce says about his remit being to stay up, which he changed his tune about only in the last couple of months after we were done so badly.
I dont care what Bruce says about important players missing.
I dont care about his BS and blaming.
I dont care about him and Graeme Jones and their pettiness. Or even that he is a coward.
What I care about is that we have been awful to watch since he walked in the door. Even today, when we should have been cuising. THAT is the Steves and now a Graeme instilling fear into players who could be a lot better. Jones is a nobody and whoever hired him needs his head examined. Split strikers FFS.
But we are safe now by hook or by crook, by luck mostly.
#BruceOut
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I think when Bruce was taken on he was told ‘keep us in the PL while the takeover happens’.
Billy big b0ll0cks replied ‘keep us up, I’ll get us European football’ and start telling everyone that’s what he’ll do … then the reality that it was way beyond his capabilities set in and he reverted back to what the club told him.
He probably thought that’s what the fans wanted to hear – ambition and all that. But actually, I think most fans would have favoured ‘I’ve got to keep us up while Ashley buggers off’.
Sharpy17(Quote)
spot on me to mate
icedog(Quote)
Not sure why everyone still thinks this takeover will happen. According to Caulkin arbitration hasn’t even started yet and then Jabba has to win,and even if he does the PL could still find reasons to stall or turn down. Also we need to remember PIF walked away, made a statement to that effect on SSN.
We need a takeover but we shouldn’t put all our eggs in one basket, we should be pressuring Jabba to talk to ANY interested buyers imo, Saudi’s shouldn’t be the only option, especially when they left the party before the fun started.
Eric, have fun in Newcastle and Bristol.
kimtoon(Quote)
And yep, we need to buy Willock.
kimtoon(Quote)
I didnt realise that there is a 606 podcast. Just listened to Savage and Sutton bickering like a couple of old men on a park bench. It is one of the only call in shows where the audience seems smarter than the hosts. Anyway, Savage was on about Bruce AGAIN. He has written another column saying he should go because of the abuse he will get when fans are back. So, again it is not the apalling football it is the fans. I reckon his pundit pals who jumpred ship will get on board again when we are safe and start on about Mr Nice Guy when he has proved to be anything but with his pettiness and lies.
Savage also said Bruce gets horrible abuse on twitter. I would like to see it but I am not getting on twitter because there is enough to pollute my mind in the regular media without seeking out morons in twitter. I still think I might get a laugh though as long it is not death threats and such things.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We need to PLAY Willock. Time for Shelvey to take a seat.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
This could be a good day for NUFC with Fulham at **** and Burnley at Man U. I think a Fulham loss makes it certain they go down even though it will not be matematically certain. I am going to have a quick look at the relegation odds after yesterday.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Big turnaround. Remember a couple of weeks ago that we were at shorter odds to go down than Fulham even though we had more points. Now it is:
Fulham 1/10
Burnley 7/1
NUFC 14/1
I would say that is being generous to Fulham. They still have a **** defense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh, And that’s the last time I listen to 606 podcast. I knew Savage was an irritating little ****, as he was when he played, but Sutton is just as bad. How the BBC pass this off as entertainment I dont know. When I was a kid they used to have Grandstand but now they stoop to this.
Not trying to be a “back in my day” type but I will make an exception for 606.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
My prediction at the begining of the season for relegation was 2 of the promoted sides, Fulham and West Brom, plus Burnley. Not far off and I dont think many expected Sheffield to be so bad.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And what the hell was going on with the goal kicks? All a 10 men West Ham had to do was put 3 men around our box and we didnt know what to do. It usually meant Dubravka resorting to a hoof. I repeat for the umteenth time, what do our coaches actually coach. Including Graeme Jones.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It may seem that I am upset about yesterday when really I am not. The result is what counts but there were so many perplexing things about the game, including:
The goalkick thing
Joelinton starting and split strikers again.
35% possession against 10 men
Bruce saying he asked the team to attack and them doing the opposite
Shelvey playing as a sweeper again against 10 men
If Bruce asked the players to attack, why wasnt he in his technical area yelling at them to do so?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
All good questions Eric but the truth is simple. Rubbish owner, rubbish MD, rubbish coaches and a lot of rubbish players.
georgio(Quote)
Looking at our remaining fixtures Bruce could get super lucky with the teams we have left.
I expect nowt from Lpool – they are fighting to get a top 4 spot now so will be on for 3 points.
But beyond them – our Arsenal game is sandwiched between their Europa games against Villarreal & I think that competition will be their main focus now.
Depending on how Leicester get on today, they could find themselves in a cup final – but equally, they will want one of those top 4 spots so still focused on 3 points.
The City game – I think they will have wrapped the league up by then & they will be going all out for CL to shift that monkey off his back.
Sheff Utd are down & with 2 games left to go could be at center parks (still no flights to the beach yet)
Fulham could be gone by then too.
Bruce might find himself finishing even higher than 15th yet.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hansi Flick has resigned as Bayern manager.
Rumour has it he has been approached by the Saudis to take over NUFC once Relegation is mathematically impossible
PremAndUp(Quote)
You know the pundits are going to ignore the actual performances and say what a great job Bruce has done. We were dogsh!t at Burnley and in the 2nd half yesterday. Bruce made a “joke” about the NUFC job needing to come with health warning. Wrong!!! Bruce needs to come with a health warning. On top of Covid, his lies and blaming have totally depressed me this year. Not to mention the football. I dont know how I am still sane or have continued to watch our tripe brand of anti-football.
Of course he will blame missing players for bad results but that insults the intelligence of every NUFC fan because he has gone on the same death spirals at every club he has managed.
But, by sheer luck and golkeeping brilliance we will stay up. Then it looks like the Fatman will give him a new contract. WHY? Who else would have him. Let him run down the contract.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The rumour also is he might get the Germany job. I would take Flick in a heartbeat. I would have him over Rafa. I am just sick of defensive football.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Flick is on for the Germany job. Low has confirmed he is leaving & Flick has asked Bayern to allow him to leave – why would he ask Bayern to go when our takeover is nowhere near happening?!.
I’m with Kim, still very doubtful that the Saudi takeover will ever come off.
If it ever did though I think a sensible approach. We are miles behind as a club – training facilities, academy, and reputation for attracting players & managers. We’d need someone who can build our club as much off the pitch as on it – so many someone like Rafa to lay those foundations wouldn’t be a bad thing for the first few years.
Sharpy17(Quote)
You must be joking VAR. Offside by a toenail. Still hoping for an Arsenal win but this must be the worst Arsenal team I have seen in 20 years. They are relying on 2 kids and have a **** defense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: Rafa as Director of Football and all the admin stuff to get an Academy going?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That ARSENAL offside goal was proper tight, not even by a big toe, a baby toe ! lucky Fulham, level at half time.
kimtoon(Quote)
Arsenal need to up a gear here
kimtoon(Quote)
This is Fulhams 30th game away to Arsenal. They have never won.
Lacazette off with a hamstring so I think he wint play against us.
If we cannot beat this Arsenal team we will never beat them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fulham have never won at Arsenal, looks like today they will, typical.
Who thought the game would go Fulhams way, not me that’s for sure. Just as well we won yesterday, fights not over yet .
kimtoon(Quote)
7 mins added time
kimtoon(Quote)
Arsenal are absolutely bang average mind. The players are poor & Arteta has given them no identity or style at all – they are awful!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The rap on Arsenal was always they tried to pass the ball into the net. Those were the good old days compared to this. They can hardly string 3 passes together. Has Arteta become Bruce and the Steves?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
When was the PL founded? 1992? That’s 29 years. This is the worse Arsenal side in the PL era.
Might have a bit of fun listening to ArsenalfanTV 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
FFS Fulham 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
1.1
Gotta feel for Fulham
kimtoon(Quote)
hang on VAR
kimtoon(Quote)
Not getting away with it again , goal stands
game over 1.1
kimtoon(Quote)
Now there is super-league talk. PL have to pass NUFC takeover now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I feel for Fulham – no I correct that, I feel for Scott Parker here like.
He doesn’t deserve the luck he’s had with all these late goals – though his team should do better I suppose.
He just lacks any real quality in his squad & the talented players just haven’t done enough for him. The likes of Lookman, Loftus Cheek just haven’t produced. They just don’t create the chances.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Parker is going into meltdown with the Refs. Probably about 7 minutes injury time.
Welcome to our world Scotty. We had 8 mins yesterday 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Always believed Arsenal would get one final chance. Tough on Fulham but hey ho 8 points clear!
georgio(Quote)
I’d probably take Scott Parker for manager with Rafa as DOF helping him out like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I reckon we need a point now. There is no way Fulham get 3 wins from 5 games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’d like to see us raid Arsenal for Willock and Nketia (spelling) in the summer. I’ll call him Eddie, apparently he’s not happy with the lack of game time hes getting at Arsenal & being behind Martinelli.
Both would improve our squad for sure. Eddie would be ahead of Gayle, Carroll & Joe in our squad and good cover for Wilson.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just saw the Parker interview and he is mad because he thought Holding was offside. So that’s yet another VAR controversy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: Martinelli is pretty ****. Another one who cant defend. This is the worst Arsenal team I have ever seen live regularly. When I grew up you just had Match of the Day and a few Cup ties.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – wishful thinking there mate. Holding was ahead of the Fulham defenders but didn’t interfere with play at all – the keeper could see the ball at all times. Never an offside that one.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – Martinelli is the young forward that barely kicked the ball today. On paper they look to have one of the strongest set of forwards in the league – with PEA, Laca, Pepe, Willian. But all season have had to rely on Saka & Rowe.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Parker saw it differently. He was steaming in the interview but in the tunnel talking to the Refs he was going apesh!t.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, Sharpy. I think I was thinking about Bellerin when I said Martinelli.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
He’s sh!te as well mate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I have no idea how this super league would work and how it would affect domestic leagues. It is 15 teams so how could they play all those games and still have a 38 PL season? Would they shrink the PL? It is all about greed by the looks of it. It is a new TV partner and I think they want to take the money from UEFA. It will definately affect Sky and the TV contracts if this goes anywhere. Should be interesting.
UEFA meet tomorrow to present their plans for an expanded CL.
I think a lot have people have said that the greedy NW and London clubs should just fck off and the PL will be a better place without them. If we get this Saudi takeover we will be PL winners every year without the super league teams. And then we’ll probably join them.
Getting ahead of myself, but why do this in the middle of the season? It will diesrupt the leagues and the CL.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
European super league looks like it’s trying to get pushed through … we might get a top 10 finish yet ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Unless they back off this will get very Messi. The Germans and French are not involved and UEFA and FIFA are saying they would ban players from the Euros and WC. That would get some sort of restraint of trade lawsuit like Bosman.
This has to be a power play for more money from the existing coffers much like the “big 6” made towards the PL earleir this year. I think it is a bluff.
I will tell you one thing though. I bet Spurs and Liverpool did try to twist arms to block our takeover. All this just smells so bad and you know they didnt want NUFC joining their little cartlel/party.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Do today’s results make us safe? I think they do.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The expanded CL will look like a domestic table rather than groups. There will be a place for a club who historically have played regularly in Europe even if they don’t finish in top 4 or something !
So if an Liverpool or Manure have a poor season and finish 7th they could get a bye.
Sounds like a load of bollix to me and all about 1. not upsetting big clubs and 2. keeping the cash cow for same said clubs.
kimtoon(Quote)
Don’t think so
kimtoon(Quote)
We have a possible 18 more points up for grabs in our up coming games , how many do you think we’ll get ? I reckon 3 or 4 giving us 38/39 points hopefully enough.
Still Fulham have to get 4 wins from 6 to reach 39, unlikely but football is odd.
kimtoon(Quote)
If these clubs form a super league they should have to officially leave the PL & if they do, they should not be allowed back in without having to climb back through the lower leagues.
Both the PL & the EFL should say they won’t allow them to re-enter without climbing back from non league football.
Sharpy17(Quote)