Title says it all really. It's an appalling record to be perfectly frank and all the worse as its against our local rivals. For some of those games, the fact was that they simply just had better players. No two ways about it. John Halls money gave them a distinct advantage for purchase power and wages and they just simply pulled miles ahead of us in the late 90's and most of the 2000's. However, over the past 4 or 5 years the 2 teams have been on a par and yet they still have the hex sign over us. With the exception of a Cisse/Richardson combination some 4 years ago, and another Cisse effort in the away game, we seem to just lose the plot and the game against them more often than not. That season they were relegated and it was at least some comfort our 4 points helped them on their way. Still, it was a small drinking hole in a vast desert as far as comfort in derby games goes for us. The 5-1 horror show was very hard to take for sure but the defeat this season was even more so. They didn't have a world beating team, in fact they were very poor but still ran out winners. Why? It's interesting that under Denis Smith, the ultimate born winner we were successful; under Roy Keane, another born winner, we took 4 points from them; and Under Peter Reid, yet another born winner, we also won our fair share and had some notable victories. We failed under big Mick due to a championship set of players but at least put on a tremendous performance over there, even if we were thumped at the sol. Was Bruce the main factor in our poor show in between. Did he lack the ability to handle the situation? He was the manager that had the most money, opportunity and squad to turn the tide but failed in 3 attempts to convince. Even his one point was a last minute scrambled affair at home. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how Mon handles the pressure game against our cousins from NE1, as he has dominated another bigger derby game up north of the border. The 2 teams are very evenly matched. We are the away team therefore imo 2nd favourites in a 2 horse race. They will fully expect to beat us again, as history shows we underachieve in this fixture all too readily. Will Mon be too wily for the cockney boy? Will he have it tactically right on the day? Can he change this pattern of failure? Martin is very much in that born winner bracket imo and he has already shown at Leicester, Celtic and Villa that he can both win derby games and handle the pressure with his players. It's a fascinating prospect and one I am thoroughly looking forward to, despite the nerves, stomach churning and fear. FTM
It would be a start if we just turned up and gave them a game, let iamadonkey score his goal, but us score two!
The best thing I have read for ages is MON saying, "I hear people saying play the game not the occasion, not sure what that means". At last we have someone who understands its a big occasion, that's a start.
We haven't had a manager who has faired well at The Sports Direct Arena since Peter Ried was here, so let's hope that MON can begin a new era of success in that ****hole...Ha'way me bonny laaads...
I just hope that the Newcastle fans there on the day are the loudest they've ever been. I think people really underestimate how much confidence and fighting spirit it really gives the players when the crowd acts as the '12th man'. Every time we've gave away a lead or took our foot off the pedal, the atmosphere has been particularly poor. I don't think it's a coincidence.
I had an isanely vivid dream last night, a 2-2 draw with the Mags equalizing with a last minute penalty. Considering i've fancied 2-2 all week, I have now spunked 50 euro on this outcome at 14/1. Can't wait for it, even though I am ****ting elephant sized chunks about it. We're due one (a win, not a massive turd...)
Expecting the lads to turn up this year, and if something isn't working, the manager having the balls to change things early. Not betting on the score this time round, going for a straight £200 at 3/1 win. (Think you can still get 11/4 on us.)
You're betting £200 on this match? Jesus christ. If I lost I don't think I could handle the defeat nevermind losing £200 in the process.
Who can be honest, and say both set of fans are pooping themselves, I can. but all the same bring it on.
I'm not really ****ting myself, because I know we step up in these sorts of games and usually play well at SJP. If it was at the SoL, then I'd be ****ting myself well and truely, but having 45,000 cheering mags on the day gives me a bit of comfort. I feel uncomfortable at the thought of the match, as you never know what might happen, but I'm not kacking it just yet.
And its just this sort of cocky attitude that embarrassed us so recently chum. I'll be sure to remind you of this on Sunday afternoon, around 2 o clock?
I'll double your winnings if that happens... I'm ****ting myself, big time. I'm almost glad that i'm in Spain, but sadly, bar a few West Ham & 1 Sheff Wed, all my mates here are Mags, so i'm taking a few hits with no backup!
