The Protest March

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As you know there is a protest march planned for Liverpool.

How do you feel about the whole thing?

Personally I don't think it will do any good and am certainly not taking part and I think other ways may be more effective such as chanting before and after the game (not during), petitions, lobbying etc...

At the end of the day though it is MA's club and he can do with it as he pleases I suppose.

 

[2010 tops dog]

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[Warmir Pouchov]

Waste of time

 

[Keith Fit]

Mate of mine at work's a Coventry fan. Look it up - makes you realise that mid-table in the top flight with Cabaye, Ben Arfa and Remy in the team isn't that bad.

 

[G4rdToonArmy]

Pointless, just takes attention away from the game/team and will not make a blind bit of differene to Ashley, utterly ridculous.

 

[2010 tops dog]

For now, but its the way this train is travelling south which is the reason we should be worried

Mate of mine at work's a Coventry fan. Look it up - makes you realise that mid-table in the top flight with Cabaye, Ben Arfa and Remy in the team isn't that bad.

 

[Keith Fit]

For now, but its the way this train is travelling south which is the reason we should be worried

The sooner we all fully understand and accept that 16th is the requirement, the better. I'd LOVE to think we could somehow challenge the top 6, but we can't. I've been as bad as anyone, but have reluctantly accepted that this is our lot in life - the target is 40 points and, at best, a cup run.

Ambition among fans should not run any further than this. By all means we should all approach every game with optimism and hope for a win, but realistically we shouldn't all pi$$ our pants when we get beat every other game. As it stands, we're mid-table and averaging more than what we need to get to 40 points. Either we all accept it, or support a different team/follow a different sport/give up altogether. It's ok to moan about the tactics, the substitutions, the players on a forum, but the rest of football must look at the Newcastle fans marching with, at best, a sense of incredulity. At worst, we look plain fcking ridiculous. Self-sustaining club, still to hit its' commercial potential, huge crowds, mid-table in the top flight, excellent players throughout the side....and we're taking the time to march against the owner, when there's absolutely not one fcking thing we can do about it!

I'm entirely embarrassed by this, tbh.

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

The sooner we all fully understand and accept that 16th is the requirement, the better. I'd LOVE to think we could somehow challenge the top 6, but we can't. I've been as bad as anyone, but have reluctantly accepted that this is our lot in life - the target is 40 points and, at best, a cup run.

Ambition among fans should not run any further than this. By all means we should all approach every game with optimism and hope for a win, but realistically we shouldn't all pi$$ our pants when we get beat every other game. As it stands, we're mid-table and averaging more than what we need to get to 40 points. Either we all accept it, or support a different team/follow a different sport/give up altogether. It's ok to moan about the tactics, the substitutions, the players on a forum, but the rest of football must look at the Newcastle fans marching with, at best, a sense of incredulity. At worst, we look plain fcking ridiculous. Self-sustaining club, still to hit its' commercial potential, huge crowds, mid-table in the top flight, excellent players throughout the side....and we're taking the time to march against the owner, when there's absolutely not one fcking thing we can do about it!

I'm entirely embarrassed by this, tbh.

It is absolutely pointless. I'm sure some will say "if you never stand up for what you believe in nothing will ever change". The point is nothing will ever change while he is in charge. Things could be a lot worse so lets get on with it. I am not embarrassed myself I have to say though. I just look at the lads/lasses doing and think "have a word with yourself"

 

[Keith Fit]

It is absolutely pointless. I'm sure some will say "if you never stand up for what you believe in nothing will ever change". The point is nothing will ever change while he is in charge. Things could be a lot worse so lets get on with it. I am not embarrassed myself I have to say though. I just look at the lads/lasses doing and think "have a word with yourself"

I lump this in with the same reason the Sun still exists. It's just a complete lack of understanding as to the core of the issue. To think there were people out there actually spent money because this "paper" had "Wacist Woy" as its' headline.....it's feeding the problem. Same with Newcastle - Mike is partly using the club as publicity for SD. A march might attract news coverage which essentially just bring more attention to it; he's from an old school that says all news is good news. A march isn't going to empty a stadium, buy less merchandise, etc. The only thing that MIGHT work is the stay-away. But as has been rightly pointed out, the short term harm of such a move could be irreparable.

 

[JMC80]

Agree with most. Utterly pointless. The only way to protest properly is to stop putting money into the club. Stop buying tickets, shirts, merchandise. This is the only protest that Ashley will sit up and take notice of.

 

[mag la rue]

Mike knows exactly what we think of him. A march on Saturday isn't going to make him suddenly see the light and either invest or sell up and an environment like the infamous Hull game isn't going to help the players, especially against Liverpool.
They'll already be dreading the game after last year and Liverpool are a better drilled side now.
What's disappointing is we're still sometimes portrayed as fans who expect we're in with a shout of the champions league and anything less is abject failure.
I don't expect that.
I do expect us to be beating the likes of Hull and West Ham at home. Not comfortably I might add, but still beating them.
Teams like Liverpool and Man U can come and take three points, but I hope for a little heart, I want them to have to play the game for the points, not just turn up.
I don't want to be tuning in to the Crystal Palace match thinking Palace might get a win here.
I also expect that the owner of the club buys players. I expect the club to look at problem areas and resolve them.
I'm not saying deals like Shearer or Owen, but everyone knows the money going in far outweighs the money going out, and that will only last so long.
But how is a march going to get that message across to Mike?

 

[Warmir Pouchov]

Mike knows exactly what we think of him. A march on Saturday isn't going to make him suddenly see the light and either invest or sell up and an environment like the infamous Hull game isn't going to help the players, especially against Liverpool.
They'll already be dreading the game after last year and Liverpool are a better drilled side now.
What's disappointing is we're still sometimes portrayed as fans who expect we're in with a shout of the champions league and anything less is abject failure.
I don't expect that.
I do expect us to be beating the likes of Hull and West Ham at home. Not comfortably I might add, but still beating them.
Teams like Liverpool and Man U can come and take three points, but I hope for a little heart, I want them to have to play the game for the points, not just turn up.
I don't want to be tuning in to the Crystal Palace match thinking Palace might get a win here.
I also expect that the owner of the club buys players. I expect the club to look at problem areas and resolve them.
I'm not saying deals like Shearer or Owen, but everyone knows the money going in far outweighs the money going out, and that will only last so long.
But how is a march going to get that message across to Mike?

See, and I'm not having a go at you mate because many think like this, this is neither here nor there to me. I never think "this is a team we should beat". I might think "this is a team we could do with beating" but I never expect. We're not that good that we can think like that. Our performances tell us that and to be honest its how I view our squad. I think this adds to the volatility of our support at times. We get so upset when we lose to a team in our heads we are thinking "3 points". Hull was a case in point. The support that day was pathetic, we clearly expected a win. Our performance reflected that too. Just like it did when we played Chelsea last year with renewed hope following signings, there was a "lets have a right go" atmosphere. I think sometimes as fans we forget the part we play.

These teams are in the league on merit, and in many cases have invested a lot of money. They're certain to fight their nuts off. I hope we beat them because I think below the top 8 or so its a real battle so you need to beat the teams you are liekly to be around come the end of the season. Anyone can beat anyone though.

I think of going to watch us more in terms of I want to be entertained. I wasn't last year but this we've played some nice stuff and had a few decent results. I can deal with that. If we were investing mountains of cash I'd undoubtedly expect a bit more but we don't.

 

[Agent Bruce]

A slightly neutral comment about the march from NUFC.com

#Time4Change:
Marching season

Toon fans unhappy with what they rightly see as a lack of ambition expressed through words and deeds of the current regime are taking to the streets of Newcastle on Saturday morning in a protest march.

This has police and city council clearance and sets off from Northumberland Road by the City Hall at 10.30am. Routed past SJP, marchers plan to assemble at the Leazes Park bandstand to hear some speeches before dispersing ahead of kick-off.

Organised by the Time4Change fan group, the march has received backing from a wide cross-section of fanzines, websites and other supporter organisations, but needs support of rank and file fans, reinforcing the message of widespread discontent and the will for positive change.

To that end, the organisers have distanced themselves from the abuse and negativity that characterized the protests following Kevin Keegan's departure in 2008.

In their own words, the aim is for "a good humoured protest march attended by caring, sensible fans who want to express their hope in a brighter future.

"We not only want to call time on the Ashley regime but make it known to the wider football world that we want responsible ownership where the fanbase can be respected and consulted.

"We can only do that by behaving responsibly and by policing ourselves so that others can see we are worth investing in.

"If you're happy with the way the club is being run, managed and funded then stay at home and don't march; if you are not happy, show you want better and march."

We've played no part in the organisation of the march but share the frustrations of those who have - and are happy to suspend our cynicism, publicise it and encourage as many people as possible to turn out and show that Newcastle fans can be united. See you there.

 

[Keith Fit]

A slightly neutral comment about the march from NUFC.com

#Time4Change:
Marching season

Toon fans unhappy with what they rightly see as a lack of ambition expressed through words and deeds of the current regime are taking to the streets of Newcastle on Saturday morning in a protest march.

This has police and city council clearance and sets off from Northumberland Road by the City Hall at 10.30am. Routed past SJP, marchers plan to assemble at the Leazes Park bandstand to hear some speeches before dispersing ahead of kick-off.

Organised by the Time4Change fan group, the march has received backing from a wide cross-section of fanzines, websites and other supporter organisations, but needs support of rank and file fans, reinforcing the message of widespread discontent and the will for positive change.

To that end, the organisers have distanced themselves from the abuse and negativity that characterized the protests following Kevin Keegan's departure in 2008.

In their own words, the aim is for "a good humoured protest march attended by caring, sensible fans who want to express their hope in a brighter future.

"We not only want to call time on the Ashley regime but make it known to the wider football world that we want responsible ownership where the fanbase can be respected and consulted.

"We can only do that by behaving responsibly and by policing ourselves so that others can see we are worth investing in.

"If you're happy with the way the club is being run, managed and funded then stay at home and don't march; if you are not happy, show you want better and march."

We've played no part in the organisation of the march but share the frustrations of those who have - and are happy to suspend our cynicism, publicise it and encourage as many people as possible to turn out and show that Newcastle fans can be united. See you there.

Nah, still disagree. The reasons are flawed. So the fans can be "consulted"?!? What right do we have that the rest of football doesn't?!

 

[Agent Bruce]

Seems we have no rights at all.

 

[Keith Fit]

Seems we have no rights at all.

You have no more right to be consulted by a football team than you have a right to consult Coldplay on their musical direction, or consult Steven Spiellberg about the right actors for his next film. But you do have a right to not watch the Toon, buy "Viva La Vida" or watch "Warhorse". That, I'm afraid, is where your rights end!

 

[Agent Bruce]

Oh well, I guess that's better than nothing.

 

[mag la rue]

See, and I'm not having a go at you mate because many think like this, this is neither here nor there to me. I never think "this is a team we should beat". I might think "this is a team we could do with beating" but I never expect. We're not that good that we can think like that. Our performances tell us that and to be honest its how I view our squad. I think this adds to the volatility of our support at times. We get so upset when we lose to a team in our heads we are thinking "3 points". Hull was a case in point. The support that day was pathetic, we clearly expected a win. Our performance reflected that too. Just like it did when we played Chelsea last year with renewed hope following signings, there was a "lets have a right go" atmosphere. I think sometimes as fans we forget the part we play.

These teams are in the league on merit, and in many cases have invested a lot of money. They're certain to fight their nuts off. I hope we beat them because I think below the top 8 or so its a real battle so you need to beat the teams you are liekly to be around come the end of the season. Anyone can beat anyone though.

I think of going to watch us more in terms of I want to be entertained. I wasn't last year but this we've played some nice stuff and had a few decent results. I can deal with that. If we were investing mountains of cash I'd undoubtedly expect a bit more but we don't.

I don't expect us to beat those teams because we're better than them. I see them as on par teams and that is where the disappointment comes from. That because the board stand still, those on par teams have the chance to step up.
Once we were a step behind Man U, then Arsenal and Spurs and Everton drew level, Now we've let West Ham and West Brom draw level and there becomes a point where 17 teams have stepped away from us.
When we were relegated, the teams actions, the boardroom and the fans were to blame, but we were still in my opinion, too big a team to go down, hence we got straight back up and survived comfortably.
I know times change and appreciate the days of the Man utd's and Arsenal's genuinely fearing St James' are gone.
The gap is too big, and that view would be the same if we had any other management/ownership team outside the Manchester's/Chelsea's etc. (So Ashley cannot take the blame for that).
But the competition between the 8-18th teams is as fierce as the title teams, and to lose that battle is more damaging at this time.
My concerns relate to finishing 17th as the aim because, as every fan knows, an open goal can be missed.
If relegated the club doesn't have the players with the fight to return now. That's Ashley's fault because the CLUB easily has the money to run with West Ham and Hull, he just chooses not to.

 

[Keith Fit]

I don't expect us to beat those teams because we're better than them. I see them as on par teams and that is where the disappointment comes from. That because the board stand still, those on par teams have the chance to step up.
Once we were a step behind Man U, then Arsenal and Spurs and Everton drew level, Now we've let West Ham and West Brom draw level and there becomes a point where 17 teams have stepped away from us.
When we were relegated, the teams actions, the boardroom and the fans were to blame, but we were still in my opinion, too big a team to go down, hence we got straight back up and survived comfortably.
I know times change and appreciate the days of the Man utd's and Arsenal's genuinely fearing St James' are gone.
The gap is too big, and that view would be the same if we had any other management/ownership team outside the Manchester's/Chelsea's etc. (So Ashley cannot take the blame for that).
But the competition between the 8-18th teams is as fierce as the title teams, and to lose that battle is more damaging at this time.
My concerns relate to finishing 17th as the aim because, as every fan knows, an open goal can be missed.
If relegated the club doesn't have the players with the fight to return now. That's Ashley's fault because the CLUB easily has the money to run with West Ham and Hull, he just chooses not to.

I don't agree with the severity of your assessment. I'm not defending Ashley, by the way, but we're solvent with quality players throughout the side. Player for player we're on a par with Everton, near enough, and I think ahead of West Ham and West Brom. We didn't get £86m for one player this Summer, so couldn't come close to Spurs' spending. Arsenal are the most consistent CL qualifiers outside of ManU. The top 3 aren't worth discussing. Liverpool are backed by significant dollar sums. Everton only spent what they did because they received £27m for Fellaini. No-ones net spend is that significant anymore. The likes of Cardiff, Villa had to outspend us because they are already behind us and have to spend to have a chance of staying up. We spent on what we felt were top class players in January not to consolidate but to push on. We all know we're a couple of players short, but we're not sacking the head of recruitment and replacing them with Kazakh window cleaners.

I just don't think we're in protest territory, there's much, much worse out there. If the club had managed to bring in literally one more player, even a lump like Gomis, there'd be no protest. When the line is that fine, then protesting isn't really the right action.

 

[G4rdToonArmy]

Agree with most. Utterly pointless. The only way to protest properly is to stop putting money into the club. Stop buying tickets, shirts, merchandise. This is the only protest that Ashley will sit up and take notice of.

This is it for me, maybe not tickets as that would be detremental to the team but I Have always got myself a shirt or some silly little trinket like DVDs etc but I can't bring myself to buy anything from the club until I see some ambition to push for a cup or to break the top 7/8.