I thought it was worth having a little run through the various facets of each football club to decide who is in better shape as we head into yet another derby.
The Criteria
Squad - Clearly neither side is all that given where they are now, or finished last season. I think though you'd have to say we have the upper hand here as we at least have some consistency in we haven't wasted our time on a complete overhaul of the squad only to find you've bought a load of tosh. Looking at the respective league positions then we appear to be quite a bit better off. Both teams have a ****e defence but at least we look like we have goals in us.
Manager - Pardew is much maligned but he has done an ok job. Had a fantastic first season in finishing 5th and took us back into Europe. Though we then went on and did well in Europe, last season was a horror show in the league. This year we have been middle of the road but at least we are playing football properly and have been good to watch. Jury out overall but at least we are finally deciding to give someone a bit of time. Poyet is unproven at the level but looks a canny manager. Not the best of starts and won't be long before the locals turn on him if things don't pick up. Didn't take long with MON or PDC, no reason he should expect any better. Time will tell.
DOF - JK is clearly an unmitigated disaster zone. Still sure Mike did it just for the craic. Hasn't actually brought anyone in bar Remy - who was previously targeted by Carr/Pardew. De Fanti, soon to be known as De Rancid Fanny has been an unmitigated disaster in a different way. Not the wild card JK is, more a silent assassin of hope by overseeing a terrible transfer policy. So what is worse? Having a crazy loon who takes no part in proceedings or a ****** actually defining the direction of your football club through transfers?
Owner - Ashley is not going to put any money in. Ashley is a bit of an train wreck who makes really bad football decisions which upset the fans and bring bad press. His tenure has been a failure to this point. Positives? Well he has actually got the club on a sustainable path which its never been on before. Short - hasn't got a clue has he? Also like any self respecting american, his finger is never far from the trigger oce the locals start baying. Likes a sacking. Likes to **** up anything remotely football related. Positives? Got them in better shape commercially but that will probably sink if his football knowledge takes them down.
Stadium - SJP is a historic venue. A great cauldron in which to play football and we always get loads of positive feedback from opposing fans. The mackems bitterness never goes away and they constantly drag out the same old ****e. The age old lines return "you don't own the stadium" "its an ugly lopsided stadium" blah blah. When it is rocking it is a great place to go and watch football. European nights are a bit special and the ground has seen some great sides arrive for competitive matches. The Barcelona's, Juventus's, Benfica's, Inter Milan's have all made the trip - the same feedback everytime - a great footballing venue. The Stadium of Light. Well its hardly awe inspiring is it? One of those soulless cheaply purpose built affairs. It'll do for them.
Academy and Facilities - Well both hold category one status but neither could claim to be a raging success. Both have produced one money raking transfer in recent times but not a lot else. Newcastle probably shade it from having more young players from the academy currently involved with the first team. Plus the one Sunderland do have involved is ginger (sorry ACS). Both have invested heavily in their Academy and Training facilities. Until recently Sunderland were always a step ahead but they both have world class facilities now. So the deciding factor is quite simple really. Newcastle's is better because Sunderlands facilities are unfortunately in Sunderland.
Support - Both enjoy a strong support base, who stick with the clubs through thick but mainly thin. Both have fairly recent experience of relegation (the Mackems appearing to need a fix at present) but both maintain a loyal support. Both are accused of being over demanding. Newcastle fans love a good protest, Sunderland fans love being a negative bunch of naysayers who like to leave before the end. In recent times Newcastle have shown more patience towards their manager, whereas Sunderland have gone the other way, booing and snapping their way through managers like they are disposal cameras at a wedding. So it comes down to the numbers. Both have similar ground capacities of 52,389 (SJP) and 49,000 (SOL). The average attendances this season stand at 49,813 (SJP) and 42,450 (SOL). So we couldn't even fit into their stadium most weeks.
So with all that said and done, it is clear we are a few steps ahead of them who are in the shadow down the road. So lets stop all this "I don't think we should be lording it over them before a ball is kicked" etc etc namby pamby bollocks. We're not that good but they are a ****ing shambles. Lets stick it to them come Sunday!
The Criteria
- Squad
- Manager
- DOF
- Owner
- Stadium
- Academy and Facilities
- Support
Squad - Clearly neither side is all that given where they are now, or finished last season. I think though you'd have to say we have the upper hand here as we at least have some consistency in we haven't wasted our time on a complete overhaul of the squad only to find you've bought a load of tosh. Looking at the respective league positions then we appear to be quite a bit better off. Both teams have a ****e defence but at least we look like we have goals in us.
Manager - Pardew is much maligned but he has done an ok job. Had a fantastic first season in finishing 5th and took us back into Europe. Though we then went on and did well in Europe, last season was a horror show in the league. This year we have been middle of the road but at least we are playing football properly and have been good to watch. Jury out overall but at least we are finally deciding to give someone a bit of time. Poyet is unproven at the level but looks a canny manager. Not the best of starts and won't be long before the locals turn on him if things don't pick up. Didn't take long with MON or PDC, no reason he should expect any better. Time will tell.
DOF - JK is clearly an unmitigated disaster zone. Still sure Mike did it just for the craic. Hasn't actually brought anyone in bar Remy - who was previously targeted by Carr/Pardew. De Fanti, soon to be known as De Rancid Fanny has been an unmitigated disaster in a different way. Not the wild card JK is, more a silent assassin of hope by overseeing a terrible transfer policy. So what is worse? Having a crazy loon who takes no part in proceedings or a ****** actually defining the direction of your football club through transfers?
Owner - Ashley is not going to put any money in. Ashley is a bit of an train wreck who makes really bad football decisions which upset the fans and bring bad press. His tenure has been a failure to this point. Positives? Well he has actually got the club on a sustainable path which its never been on before. Short - hasn't got a clue has he? Also like any self respecting american, his finger is never far from the trigger oce the locals start baying. Likes a sacking. Likes to **** up anything remotely football related. Positives? Got them in better shape commercially but that will probably sink if his football knowledge takes them down.
Stadium - SJP is a historic venue. A great cauldron in which to play football and we always get loads of positive feedback from opposing fans. The mackems bitterness never goes away and they constantly drag out the same old ****e. The age old lines return "you don't own the stadium" "its an ugly lopsided stadium" blah blah. When it is rocking it is a great place to go and watch football. European nights are a bit special and the ground has seen some great sides arrive for competitive matches. The Barcelona's, Juventus's, Benfica's, Inter Milan's have all made the trip - the same feedback everytime - a great footballing venue. The Stadium of Light. Well its hardly awe inspiring is it? One of those soulless cheaply purpose built affairs. It'll do for them.
Academy and Facilities - Well both hold category one status but neither could claim to be a raging success. Both have produced one money raking transfer in recent times but not a lot else. Newcastle probably shade it from having more young players from the academy currently involved with the first team. Plus the one Sunderland do have involved is ginger (sorry ACS). Both have invested heavily in their Academy and Training facilities. Until recently Sunderland were always a step ahead but they both have world class facilities now. So the deciding factor is quite simple really. Newcastle's is better because Sunderlands facilities are unfortunately in Sunderland.
Support - Both enjoy a strong support base, who stick with the clubs through thick but mainly thin. Both have fairly recent experience of relegation (the Mackems appearing to need a fix at present) but both maintain a loyal support. Both are accused of being over demanding. Newcastle fans love a good protest, Sunderland fans love being a negative bunch of naysayers who like to leave before the end. In recent times Newcastle have shown more patience towards their manager, whereas Sunderland have gone the other way, booing and snapping their way through managers like they are disposal cameras at a wedding. So it comes down to the numbers. Both have similar ground capacities of 52,389 (SJP) and 49,000 (SOL). The average attendances this season stand at 49,813 (SJP) and 42,450 (SOL). So we couldn't even fit into their stadium most weeks.
So with all that said and done, it is clear we are a few steps ahead of them who are in the shadow down the road. So lets stop all this "I don't think we should be lording it over them before a ball is kicked" etc etc namby pamby bollocks. We're not that good but they are a ****ing shambles. Lets stick it to them come Sunday!
will repay when can
!
So we can go into this one with a no lose attitude. i.e. after last year, this set of bastards better not lose to the mutated ones down the road.