N.U.F.C

[Smug in Boots]

I think everyone was appaled by that mate, I personally think it's one of the worst decisions the club has ever made.

And I don't mean purely in the terms of directly replicating their finishing position, I mean just not considered bottom of the relegation potential relegation fodder. It feels to me we are consistently one managerial change or one sale away from a relegation. We have the ability to be more than that.

Maybe top ten or at least top 12 and an occasional cup run? Sure our league positions were fine with Rafa, but he didn't even attempt a run with a cup.

I am perfectly fine with Bruce, as long as he is given some backing and gets a chance to bring some progression to the club. Thats not insane entitlement to me.

By the way, that takeover is dead in the water mate.

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

 

[Welshie]

Rafa was a bit like Moyes with us.

Knew the score when he took the job. Knew the general ability of the squad.

Came in, stated ‘players aren’t good enough’, complained about conditions, no faith in his squad (which was nowhere near as bad as his management made it appear).

One was despised one some kind of cult hero.

Bruce will do every bit as well as Rafa would have, and he will appreciate having a 1 of 20 job in the biggest league there is. Rafa thought he was bigger than the club, it’s borderline insanity the hero worship that followed him about the place.

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.

 

[Nads]

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.

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.

 

[The Norton Cat]

Yeah always the team that ‘could’ impact the top 6, but never do.

They do look strong this season though, Leicester look very close to Arsenal for me, really strong, and West Ham could be half decent as well, they were poor against the Toon but I actually thought they had a lot about them in the City game, was never a 1-4.

What’s in Ashley’s favour, is hat he knows there are then 11 teams that are very similar, and they’ve only gotta beat 3 of them 11. 2 in real terms as Norwich are nowhere near.

He will fancy them odds without spending.

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.

 

[Nads]

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.

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.

 

[The Norton Cat]

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.

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.

 

[Nads]

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.

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.

 

[The Norton Cat]

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.

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.

 

[Nads]

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.

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.

 

[The Norton Cat]

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.

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.

 

[Nads]

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.

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.

 

[Smug in Boots]

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.

 

[The Norton Cat]

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.

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!

 

[Nads]

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!

Great ****ing food options though

 

[The Norton Cat]

Great ****ing food options though

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

 

[Nads]

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

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).

 

[Sidthemackem]

Only time l enjoyed the Boleyn Ground was when we beat Charlton 4-1 there. A midweek 6-0 tonking was particularly unpleasant...

 

[Jack TheLad]

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.

 

[Nads]

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.

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.

 

[Jack TheLad]

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.

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.