It all started so well…
After an electric atmosphere around the city all afternoon, a stunning flag display inside St James’ Park and 52,000 fans all in full voice to give the new owners a big Geordie welcome, Callum Wilson headed home less than two minutes in to give us an early 1-0 lead.
The crowd went wild, with a real sense of euphoria swirling around the stadium, however that would prove to be the only shot on target we’d have in the entire match.
As we’ve done all season under Steve Bruce, we were so cheap defensively as Spurs scored a quick-fire double in the space of five minutes, with goals from Ndombele and Kane putting them 2-1 midway through the first half.
A moment of major concern then arrived off the pitch, as the game was stopped and medics called over to the East Stand to assist a fan who’d collapsed in the stands. Thankfully, it’s since emerged that the supporter is awake and responsive in hospital – the best news we’ll read all day after the scary stoppage saw a defibrillator dragged across the pitch.
With seven minutes of first-half stoppage time still to play, both sets of players returned to the field as the game resumed. The incident had sobered up a visibly concerned St James’ Park and Spurs took advantage, with Son tapping in a Harry Kane cut-back to make it 3-1.
The second half summed up just about everything that’s been wrong with this team under Steve Bruce.
You have to question what he said to them (or didn’t!) in that team-talk, but the tactics were abysmal and practically non-existent at times, with us often pumping diagonal balls to Joelinton and hoping for the best.
Jonjo Shelvey – who came on for an already booked Sean Longstaff – then capped off a dire second half display with two silly yellow cards, meaning he’ll now be banned for next weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace despite only just returning from a long-term calf injury.
Inevitably, fans turned on Steve Bruce soon after, with chants of “WE WANT BRUCIE OUT” bellowing around St James’ Park.
We did pull a goal back at the death – Eric Dier put Jacob Murphy’s set piece delivery into his own net to give fans the faintest glimmer of hope – but Spurs kept the ball for most of the four minutes of added on time that followed and it ended 3-2 to the visitors.
Bruce will put the defeat down to bad defending and bemoan the red card, but we ran out of steam as we so often have this season and had absolutely no plan B once Spurs had got themselves back into the game.
Our time will come, and we have plenty reasons to be more than just hopeful as we head into an exciting new era on Tyneside, however it’s vital the new owners act fast and remove Steve Bruce from a ship in danger of sinking as long as he stays in charge.
A final word must go to Wor Flags who put on another magnificent display at the Gallowgate End, made even more special as Jimmy Nail’s ‘Big River’ played just moments before new chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was introduced to fans for the first time.
The river will rise again.
The river will rise again.
Bruce is so transparent = he’s been doing everything he can to get paid off for the past 12 months
The guy is a complete waster = simply made a fortune on being paid off and not surprised to hear his Daughter ALEXa crying to the press in the hope he/she raises her profile for a job in management where failure makes the big money
Great role model to yr family Bruce = if you loved the club you’d have walked
KK(Quote)
The build up to today’s game was spine tingling. My Gdad worked the shipyards & Big River always reminds me of him – he was a Benwell fella, a huge Newcastle fan and fiercely proud Geordie – I think even he might have managed a tear pre kick off.
We need a team befitting of such fans – and Bruce will never provide that.
I keep hearing the players aren’t good enough. I look at Brighton & Brentford and don’t see an array of talent – decent players, but the top 4 aren’t buying up any of their players. But they are well coached, well organised & all know their role on the team. Neither manager is elite, but they know how to get the best out of what they have.
Of course there will be some toon fans that expect Conte now we are the richest club in the world. But I think the vast majority of fans are sensible and know this is a process of building for a better future … Steve Bruce is NOT the future.
It was great that the newbies were there to see that today. To see the passion of the fans, the to suffer that performance with us. It’s over to them now. Time to act & give the new manager 13 games to look at this squad and plan for January.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Shelvey has to leave with Bruce, both a waste of space
KIMTOON(Quote)
That was a shocking performance today. We cannot go on like that and expect to stay in the premier league. The only thing they can change right now is the manager … time to go Bruce. Take your millions and retire!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I know Bruce hasnt been sacked yet and we dont know who the new Manager is but the 1st thing I would do is strip Lascelles of the Captaincy. He doesnt deserve his place in the team and in fact has stank the place out all season. Does it really matter who is Capt? I dont know, but every team has one so some must think it does. I am not getting ahead of myself here, I just think that Lascelles has been so bad that we cannot have him as an automatic starter.
I would ship him and Shelvey out in January unless there is a vast improvement. Getting rid of the old leadership would be a statement. I think I would sell or loan Ritchie as well because he is not worth his place in the team either and I wouldnt want disruption from the old guard as they are relegated to the bench.
Who would be Capt until Jan? Probably Dubravka. Other than him you would have to choose an automatic starter and that narrows it down to Willock, Wilson and ASM. I think having good English is a priority so that might rule out Miggy who is close to being an automatic starter, but not quite.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I am glad the we were the Featured Sky Game and there was all the support and commotion. Everybody in the country could see how devoid of ideas Bruce is, but they also could see how the passion is still there from the Geordie fans.
His pundit pals would have watched as well and cannot defend him after that. I think a lot of them only watched highlights previously and not they full games. If they had watched full games they would have seen how bad and lucky we were. They bang on about where we finished but that was false and undeserved and Bruce had a lot of luck.
I am a broken record, but the pundit pals is a boys club of ex-players who stick up for each other – especially other Brits. They say he is Mr Nice Guy but they only see him in social settings where they do their little banter ****. A lot of these pundits act like overgrown kids, Sutton and Savage for sure. There are many more but I will leave it at that.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I dont know what is politically correct anymore so I will say this in a way that I THINK is:
There is all of this stuff about human rights in Saudi and how terrible NUFC are for dealing with these people. Nobody mentions our part in bringing Arab and Jewish people together and possibly bringing piece to the middle east.
That was obviously a bit tongue in cheek, but I will launch into a bit of Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder: Ebony and Ivory …
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I’m bored of rumours and ‘visions’.
They need to act and act now. They’ve had ample time both prior to the takeover and since to see Bruce isn’t the right manager.
Get going & show the fans you mean business man!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The problems we’ve got are far bigger than SB. We only have 4 decent players, not great but decent. The rest are rubbish and they’ll get us relegated.
Still want Bruce out of course . . .
georgio(Quote)
Sharpy: I have been checking The Chronic every hour to see if he has been sacked. Newsnow will have reports as well as soon as it happens.
Flying to North Carolina in a few hours. The sad thing is that I will be there for 4 days and you can bet I will still be checking every hour to see if the fat fck is gone 🙂
He is coming out with even more bizarre stuff than usual in his interviews. I love that he and his pundit pals think he has kept his dignity. He has attacked fans and media alike and blamed everybody but himself. Yes, a true Gent.
The funny thing is is that we know that second only to the takeover there will be a roar and cans cracked when Bruce is sacked.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Dubravka, Wilson, ASM and Willock? I think Fraser and Miggy are OK as well. Fraser had one brilliant season for B’mouth.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Georgio – I’d rate our players based on would they get into other PL sides. On that basis I think we have 4 very good players in the players Eric mentioned – but I think we have some decent ones there too – Hayden certainly is, Longstaff on his game is decent (Rafa wants him). Almiron?.
We absolutely need to strengthen, no question at all. But I look at the likes of Brentford & Brighton and I don’t see better squad – only better coaching.
We could be so much better than we are right now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/andre-villas-boas/profil/trainer/1696
The more I consider the options the more I like the idea of AVB.
Looking at his previous positions he’s experienced technical director, scouting & management – and of course has experienced the PL.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Watching MNF and Jamie Carragher rates our defence as ‘championship’ because most of the played for us when we were in the Championship.
He claims they aren’t premier league level – despite the 4 seasons they have played PL football since promotion & getting 10th, 13th, 13th and 12th place finishes.
By his argument Leicester won the league with Championship defenders – Wes Brown, Robert Huth, Danny Simpson & Christian Fuchs.
I don’t think our defenders are brilliant, and I’m certainly not suggesting they can win us a league.
But set up the right way, being well drilled & organised – our defenders can be so much better than they are right now.
It would still be the first area for strengthening for me. But it’s not a defence that should see us in a relegation battle imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The 2 defenders I would immediately go and buy are Tarkowski & Phillips from Liverpool at CB – keep Lascelles & Fernandez as but up and let Clark & Dummett go.
LB – I’d go get Ben Davies from Spurs who isn’t getting game time with them – keep young Lewis & let Ritchie go.
RB – go get Keiran Trippier I reckon & easiest one, keep Manquillo & let Krafth go.
Sharpy17(Quote)
How is Bruce still here? I seen Neville and Carragher knight on MNF and they were spot on. The owners really aren’t helping the situation. We need a new manager as we’re absolutely dog ****.
If Bruce is in charge on Saturday I think Palace will put 5 past us.
Stuart79(Quote)
https://mobile.twitter.com/NewcUtdFCFans/status/1450174122881847298/photo/2
KIMTOON(Quote)
https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/18/premier-league-clubs-vote-to-block-newcastle-sponsorship-deals-at-emergency-meeting?__twitter_imp
Wow, how scared are they
KIMTOON(Quote)
PL clubs looking to oust Hoffman from his job now after the shambolic handling of NUFC take over. According to the Guardian.
Translated, they are angry as hell he didn’t do their bidding and stop it happening .
KIMTOON(Quote)
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wayne-rooney-keen-newcastle-united-21897538?utm_source=chronicle_live_newsletter&utm_
😆 😆 please god NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stu – I watched them too mate & it’s exactly what I was saying the other day. I thought both were spot on.
Palace looked really good tonight. I think it was only down to Viera going defensive & Arteta going offensive that they drew.
But Viera has got a good team together at Palace there.
We were looking at Conor Gallagher in the summer – he picked Viera over Bruce – wonder why?!?!!! ?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I watched on after the game last night too & what G Nev had to say about the Saudis being involved in the PL was excellent too imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Has anyone seen how the PL clubs have apparently voted to block NUFC securing sponsorship from companies associated with PIF? Seems pretty significant to me. Even City only abstained.
Shamrock(Quote)
How can that even be legal? Essentially what they’re saying is Disney can sponsor Burnley or Spurs but are barred from sponsoring Newcastle. Doesn’t that Put Newcastle at a competitive disadvantage?
Alternatively the PL have already established that PIF and Saudi State are separate entities so there would be no link between Saudi state owned companies like Aramco or Saudi Airlines could sponsor us as they’re not “linked” or owned by PIF.
Stuart79(Quote)
it applys to all clubs,how are the smaller clubs going to manaage?they need cash from sponsers,something not right there,think toon will take this to court
icedog(Quote)
Sham, yeah I put the link up about it, I was expecting that to happen as they will try anything to keep us down. Not sure it’s entirely legal for them to vote that rule in really and it’s anti competitive at best and smacks of bullying.
It’s like a street of neighbors telling a new house owner they can’t spend over a certain amount on their new house above a certain limit they consider a fair market price.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Restraint of trade is what it is.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bruce complains about the defence yet he sold our best central defender for a mere 5 million and picked our two worst central defenders on Sunday. People go on about our poor midfield and I wouldn’t argue with them but they are usually bypassed with aimless punts upfield. We must learn to pass the ball out and not give up possession so easily to the opposition.
Groucho(Quote)
I’m just wondering if the PL have passed a new rule making impossible to sack Bruce.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, give it time I’m sure they will.
KIMTOON(Quote)
This delay in replacing Bruce is getting embarrassing now like. It’s starting to make them look incompetent imo – and if the replacement ends up being an out of work Eddie Howe, then what the hell has the hold up been for??? (Also not the most inspiring appointment either by the way)
Sharpy17(Quote)
This new rule the PL are bringing in effectively turns the PL to the Super League anyway really doesn’t it.
To say that it has nothing to do with our take over – it’s just not even something that needs addressing really does it.
When you consider that both City & Chelsea has been in both because of their finances in the last few years – but it wasn’t necessary when they done it, it’s just a joke.
So it won’t be retrospective, but what about when the current deals run out – will they then say they can’t be renewed and any future sponsors must have nothing to be with the club? – if not, what’s to say King Power don’t then double their sponsorship of Leicester for example?!.
It truly blows my mind – and apparently City didn’t vote because their lawyers questioned the legality of it all.
They have made such a pigs ar$e of all of this. Part of me thinks f@ck them off and set up our own super league coz these lot are absolute clowns.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m not even annoyed that it blocks us being able to spend £1bn on players or something as ridiculous as City, Utd or Chelsea have – I despise the way those fat clubs are ran anyway. It’s more the hypocrisy of it all. They clearly didn’t want the takeover to happen and the Saudis in – but once they sorted the piracy issues, there was little they could do to block it. I think they didn’t expect them to resolve the piracy to be honest.
I just want our club to have a fair chance, not the fairest chance, just a fair one.
But it seems like every club with the backing of the PL want to make it as hard as possible for us.
When has such a rule change been brought in part way through a season?!.
I used to watch English clubs in Europe and back them over clubs from other Countries – f@ck the lot of them. I will celebrate every goal scored against them now & cheer at every one knocked out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Our fitness coach has left to join Everton.
So not only have we made changes/improvements, we have actually lost members of our coaching staff to a rival club.
Sharpy17(Quote)
spot on mate, me too.
KIMTOON(Quote)
https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/1150840369766109184
possible future boss at work
KIMTOON(Quote)
Pif can make a loan to nufc and fight this in court. It is about ffp rules which have been relaxed anyway.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
And, I have 3 words to say about this – King Power Stadium.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
This rule would be pretty easy to get around anyway. They are saying sponsors need to pay “fair market value”. Who is to say what that is? City already won their case on this issue.
Let’s say Aramco decide to do a 10 year sponsorship deal for 200 mil. The premise is that it is based on future CL involvement and millions more nufc fans around the world. 35 million in Saudi Arabia alone. Also the enhancement of the brand throigh future success.
You could argue that was cheap 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Getting Emery would be a massive statement. He actually did a decent job at arsenal. Better than Arteta.
The problem was he was following a legend and arsenal fans think they have a devine right to finish top 2.
Just watch Arsenal Fan TV.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Eric – the trouble is you’re talking about the rules as they were – these sh!thouse are looking to change them altogether to suit their own agenda
Sharpy17(Quote)
So the main sponsor the PL is blocking is ‘vision 2030’ the Saudis vision to improve their Country in every way – including diversifying their society and promoting less dependence on oil – basically all the things people say they need to address, but these f@ckers want to stomp them back down
Sharpy17(Quote)
Also while I’m on, Kick it out have filed a complaint about the NUFC fans wearing towels on their heads as a racist act.
You couldn’t get a less offensive show of appreciation!!. EVERY toon fan around the world wanted to throw their arms around that bloke and thank him for saving our club – their was more respect and love for that fella – and yet kick it out want to put wearing a towel up with monkey chants and racist slurs … honestly the world has gone bl00dy mad!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Is Bruce still here? Just sack him now and bring KK back to advise/help Jones. Can’t be worse!
georgio(Quote)
Bruce gone .
About time too.
Sidekick(Quote)
he’s gone!
georgio(Quote)
So Bruce’s last acts as Manager were having a pop at the media and that sh1tshow against Spurs.
About sums him up.
Of course his friends will say his legacy will be keeping nufc on the pl paving the way for the takeover.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
So Bruce is gone by mutual consent, and as I thought, he’s planning to retire. Jones as interim for palace! So now we wait to see just who we get in his place.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
thank god for that 😆 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
Paulo Fonseca will be the guy we get
icedog(Quote)
Not a bad shout, personally I think Favre has the better CV but happy bunny.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Both Fonseca and Favre play 3-4-2-1
Hmm
Dummett-Schar-Fernandez
Romagnoli and Tarkowski in January please
Ritchie – Willock – Hayden – Murphy
Need a couple
ASM and Almiron
Wilson
Hmm
Houston we have a problem
PremAndUp(Quote)
Bruce quotes
“To never really be wanted, to feel that people wanted me to fail, to read people constantly saying I would fail, that I was useless, a fat waste of space, a stupid, tactically inept cabbage head or whatever. And it was from day one.”
As suspected all along he’s been lurking on this blog
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
It’s nuts, apparently people in Saudi think it’s really funny so maybe kick it out need to speak to the people they claim to represent.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bruce says he suffered terrible abuse yet claimed he wanted to stay on and show the new owners what he could do a week ago. 😕
If that was me and the abuse was that bad and it was affecting my family i would of walked long ago.
Anyway, NEXT..
KIMTOON(Quote)
Twitter, and to some extent YouTube channels abuse everybody.
Pep gets called a checkbook manager and taunted saying what would he to at Tranmere.
Bruce is a failure. The stats prove it. He blames everybody but himself and does so until the very end with his interview with Edwards.
I can think of a lot worse things to be called than cabbage or Doubtfire.
Again. Twitter is abuse central. At least he is not black.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I will make Brucie’s interview with Edwards even simpler:
STEVE BRUCR THE VICTIM UNTIL THE VERY END
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
And hang on Brucie. We didn’t start the cabbage stuff. That was Villa. They threw a cabbage on the pitch.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I’ve never called Bruce and am not about to start now. Ultimately he got the job done in keeping us in the PL – but it was never pretty & there was certainly some good fortune along the way as it was touch and go at times last season. But in the end the record books will show he achieved a 13th and 12th place finish with NUFC.
I don’t hate the bloke, I just never thought he was the right manager – and certainly not when we got bought out.
I know it’s not a popular opinion (and I don’t care) but I think his treatment by the press and Sky in particular last week was disgrace.
For me, the new owners should have acted a lot quicker than this and when you consider the 3 in the frame to take over are all out of work at the moment – I really don’t understand what the hold up has been??!!.
Personally I now look forward to seeing who we get & what they can do with this group of players between now & January – then look forward to seeing who we sign.
If we’d went down who knows what would have happened with the takeover. So all the best Steve, enjoy your retirement.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – the club statement has said that no-one from the new owners group was offended but ask the headwear not be worn incase it offends someone else ??♂️.
So everyone is fine with it but don’t just in case …. How mental does it get??!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
There ought to be a rule that you can only be offended on your own behalf. If you are offended make it known. But not because you think somebody else might be
PremAndUp(Quote)
Of the 3 named as potential replacements, I have to say I’m torn.
I agree with Prem that Favre has the better CV – but is getting on a bit now for a project.
Fonseca has a decent CV and is only late 40s so could be good for a project and may well still carry enough clout to bring players in.
But Howe – could he be the right man having managed in the PL before and through relegation battles with B’mth. I thought he did quite well there – and we have 3 of his former players already.
He’s still in his 40s as well so would be a longer term option if he works out.
If we were a round hole, I feel like all 3 are oval pegs – but I’m struggling to come up with how I think is that round peg if I’m being honest.
I think Fonseca or Howe of the 3, and I’d be fine with that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we were in the Championship I would pick Howe. Either of the other 2 for NOW.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Even though Bruce was annoying with his blaming which counties past the bitter end, his pundit pals annoyed even more.
I really hope the new man gets off to a good start otherwise we will hear the I told you so’s.
Remember it happened with pards at Palace until he reverted to type.
Danny Murphy would be even more unbearable than he already is.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Prem – couldn’t agree more mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – I know I said Howe or Fonseca but I’m favouring Fonzy the more I think about it. He favours a 3-4-2-1 formation – which suits the squad we have right now – and I think if we added players like Tarkowski and Lingard in January, they would fit that formation nicely.
I think he could do a good job to steady the ship now, but bring the players in to move us towards those top 6 positions over the next few seasons.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It made me laugh when Talksport were saying there is no better manager than Bruce for a relegation battle – totally missing the fact we are only IN a relegation thanks to Bruce ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: there is a bronze statue of Fonzy on a bridge in Milwaukee. Looks nothing like him. The only way you know it is him is that he has the leather jacket and the 2 thumbs up.
May have the same sculptor as for that Ronaldo bust 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
We are guaranteed a better manager than Bruce no matter who it is.
I wish someone would ask the pundits if any of the clubs fans he has left would take him back?
I think there might be violence from mackems and villains if that was ever even considered.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Hull city would
PremAndUp(Quote)
Finally. It had to happen sooner rather than later.
Why are the press going on as though Bruce had death threats and was treated abominably by the fans? The worst he got was “We want Brucie out”. At Villa he had a cabbage thrown at him ffs!
If he was so good why was he sacked from 3 of his last 4 jobs and isn’t thought of well by 3 of the last 4 clubs? I’m not being funny but he is obviously a nice guy but he hasn’t cut it as a manager for us. He’s not modern enough in his thinking and while he will probably do another good job somewhere else by getting a team up he isn’t good enough. That’s not personal so I wish the media would stop going on like he’s done a great job and he’s been treated terribly. He hasn’t and he hasn’t.
We will see once his replacement is in.
Stuart79(Quote)
https://mobile.twitter.com/MansionBet/status/1450854326562275332
KIMTOON(Quote)
Marc overmars for DOF latest rumor
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – sick n tired of bloody rumours, I wish they would just get on and employ some ****** now like
Sharpy17(Quote)
Why are the other Steves still here?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)