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N.U.F.C

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by fredor, Jul 14, 2019.

  1. Smug in Boots

    Smug in Boots Well-Known Member

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    It's easy to say that now but I remember, at the time, that the general attitude was that the club would do better as Robson had 'taken the club as far as he could' and that a better man would finish the job.

    People obviously weren't appalled as there were no protests such as there were with Keegan and now Benitez.

    The Newcastle supporters I know were quite happy and believed a 'title winning side' had stopped playing for the old man, he'd lost the dressing room and was out of touch.

    I remember seeing the supporters on Sky and Look North saying they deserved better.

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ex...me-on-the-critics-who-now-mourn-Sir-Bobby/amp

    https://www.nufcblog.org/2011/08/be...y-and-why-he-would-never-return/#.XTR-8tnTUW4
     
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    Last edited: Jul 21, 2019
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  2. Welshie

    Welshie Chavcunt fanboy dickhead

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    Don't really disagree with any of this. I think if Rafa would have had a worse squad of players, as in about as bad as he seemed to believe they were, he would have relegated us.

    Was never really impressed by him, I thought his attitude was rotten.
     
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  3. Nads

    Nads Well-Known Member

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    It was mate. You know as a Sunderland fan, we may mock each other but we both know what our clubs ‘could’ and indeed ‘should’ be.

    He, like Moyes, thought he was above it all, absolute joke of an attitude, he’s done **** all for a long, long time.

    There were plenty of clubs changing gaffers this year, where was the interest from here, Spain or Italy? It didn’t exist.

    As I say, at least with Bruce you’ve a man who will take immense pride in having the job, and you’ll play a bit of football.

    Just be afraid of the 9 men back for corners every time you go in front though. That’s what ultimately ruined him here. Lost faith in a bad run and tried to defend 1-0 leads in games we could have pressed on comfortably.
     
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  4. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

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    I see a lot of West Ham. That game against the Mags wasn't a true reflection of how they'll do this season. I think they could be a real force.
     
    #224
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  5. Nads

    Nads Well-Known Member

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    I agree mate. Seems the fans have some patience, correctly in my eyes, for Pellegrini and he’s a very good gaffer.

    They are strong all over, if Haller settles well, and physically he looks made for England, they could be very good.

    Noble is one of the most underrated players in the league, and the quality of Lanzini, Diop, Rice and chiefly Felipe Anderson is close to top end, any of those (Rice in the future), could easily play CL football.

    They are doing a good job if they can just get that balance they can be very, very strong.
     
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  6. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

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    Rice is a top player. I can't recall ever seeing him give the ball away. When he leaves, he'll go to one of the biggest clubs. Fornals looks like an excellent signing and he'll add to what is becoming a good side. It's a pity Arnautovic left though because he was another very good player.

    I never used to like West Ham particularly but since I've had free access to a season ticket there, I've come to really respect the fans and really like the club.
     
    #226
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  7. Nads

    Nads Well-Known Member

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    I personally think the ground move has totally changed the club, but there’s no arguing that it’s progress.

    They’ve often threatened to be half decent and it looks like they are getting there. Say what you like about the owners and the setup, they haven’t half done their bit, stuck with it and tried to start something.

    They could get there.
     
    #227
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  8. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

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    A lot of the fans weren't happy about leaving Upton Park and, as was well documented, there were some teething problems. It is quite soulless in comparison and having to walk round the edge of that bloody shopping centre doesn't help. Its definitely elevated how they are seen as a club though I think. Once you're inside its magnificent and I think to players, especially foreign ones, it will feel like a big club now.

    The owners aren't very nice but they do a lot of things right and seem to genuinely care about the club. They have a clear vision and a clear identity for the club.
     
    #228
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  9. Nads

    Nads Well-Known Member

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    I remember the Boleyn and **** me it was always charged going there.

    Narrow streets, steep stands, noisy as ****. I suppose they had to move to grow but that ground was a massive part of the clubs heart, no doubt.
     
    #229
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  10. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

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    Definitely. I've been there a few times and it was a special place. A proper old fashioned football ground and there were always some notable characters to spotted around the place.
    My Mrs and my in laws were genuinely upset to leave that place. It was a big deal for them.
     
    #230
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  11. Nads

    Nads Well-Known Member

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    I can imagine mate. Same token though the place was past its best and they couldn’t possibly expand. Similar to us at Roker you have to lose the emotion I guess.

    I stay not far from the ground when I go London, we always stay at Limehouse Docks literally 15 mins away on the DLR. I have to say I think the way they’ve ‘branded’ it looks really good. It was faceless as an Olympic Stadium as is often the case, you certainly can’t miss it’s West Ham now, even without the lettering the colours etc all scream West Ham.

    Credit for that.
     
    #231
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  12. Smug in Boots

    Smug in Boots Well-Known Member

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    Had some really bad times at Upton Park.

    We had a period when numbers dropped season by season until we only had about 500 in that end that was segregated by 4 polis and some red&white tape ... absolute carnage in there. It was summat like a 3-3 draw and they attacked after every goal.

    At the end we were let out of the ground after about 30 minutes and somehow made it back to the car without more trouble. I just drove down the first street I saw and found we were approaching the Boleyn Pub.

    Their lads were all across the road and would've obviously stopped us. I just crossed my fingers, floored it and drove straight at them.

    They realised who we were and didn't budge, just started screaming at us ...
    ... I got to within a few yards before they dived out of the way.

    Thanks heavens, the road behind them was clear and we absolutely flew out of London.

    Anyone who claims you never find trouble unless you go looking for it never went to London games in the 70/80's.
     
    #232
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  13. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, they've done a really good job with all of that. They've kept a bit of character but modernised it. It's just a pity it's not the easiest place to get to and, like I say, that sodding shopping centre doesn't give off a football vibe!
     
    #233
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  14. Nads

    Nads Well-Known Member

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    Great ****ing food options though <laugh>
     
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  15. The Norton Cat

    The Norton Cat Well-Known Member

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    Aye, many is the time I've been for a pornstar martini after the game...
     
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  16. Nads

    Nads Well-Known Member

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    You manly bastard (although I will pretend I don’t really want one when the bird is buying 2 for 1 cocktails and richly enjoy it).
     
    #236
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  17. Sidthemackem

    Sidthemackem Newcastle United 0-1 Cambridge United
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    Only time l enjoyed the Boleyn Ground was when we beat Charlton 4-1 there. A midweek 6-0 tonking was particularly unpleasant...
     
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  18. Jack TheLad

    Jack TheLad Well-Known Member

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    So Benitez left even though Mike was going to pay £40m for a player for him?

    He didn't leave because he wasn't going to be backed, he left for the money in China.
     
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  19. Nads

    Nads Well-Known Member

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    And they’re in for a load more, including Max who’s going to be a world top 10 left back.

    He’s pissing himself. He had zero allegiance to that club.
     
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  20. Jack TheLad

    Jack TheLad Well-Known Member

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    Their blind loyalty to him is starting to look hilarious now.

    Rafa was not and isn't the messiah.

    I would bet money on Bruce doing a similar job in terms of success.
     
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