Isn’t that just typical of Newcastle United? Less than 48 hours after the team were booed off after another dreadful display against Manchester City and the stadium emptied faster than a bag full of condoms at a swingers party, the Magpies announce plans to expand the capacity of St James's Park to 60,000.
Erm, great idea, very ambitious and all that, but has it ever occurred to the powers that be that, at this rate, they are going to struggle to fill a 52,000 stadium? It’s all very well having a massive stadium to rival the big four, but ultimately, what’s the point when you can’t compete with them on the pitch?
The loyalty of Newcastle’s supporters can’t be called into question - I did it once and got into all kinds of trouble - but they are tired of unfulfilled ambition and failed aspirations, they are disillusioned with a manager who cannot seem to inspire the players now that his injury problems have disappeared, they are irritated by the way the club is run and they are angry at the efforts of players who shrink into their shells as soon as any criticism comes their way.
I’ve always said that loyalty can only blind people for so long and this season has been a real eye opener for a lot of supporters, including my girlfriend who has threatened to do something very nasty with a pair of scissors to someone at St James’s Park whose identity will remain anonymous.
She’s only joking of course - at least I hope she is because otherwise that would reveal a worryingly violent side to her personality which doesn’t bode well - but her patience, as with those around her, has simply snapped after 20 years of underachievement.
I suspect, given the volatile mood on Tyneside on Monday morning, the decision to unveil the plans for expansion were made before Glenn Roeder’s side delivered the sort of abject performance which will have infuriated even the most patient and understanding supporter.
Roeder would refer to these rank and file supporters as the silent majority - rather than the vocal minority who dare to complain about how things have been managed this season (see Glenn Roeder - The Response Is Here) - but there weren’t many people silent on Saturday afternoon.
Roeder has carried a lot of good will this season and he certainly talks a good game in terms of what needs to change at the club, but there are serious doubts about his ability to communicate that to his players given the performances and results of the last two months.
As for the players, well there are too many who aren’t good enough and some who simply don’t try hard enough. Big, sweeping changes are needed, but the big worry is - and one which has conveniently been ignored - the players Newcastle want to keep, might have had enough as well and look for moves in the summer.
I must be honest, I wasn’t at the game, I was in Cardiff watching Sunderland chisel out another win which keeps them among the promotion pack, but every single person I’ve spoken to who was has described Newcastle’s performance as “awful�. And some of those were players....
Watching Sunderland, though, made one thing abundantly clear. The Black Cats under Roy Keane and Niall Quinn are on an upward curve and the club’s supporters are reveling in the experience. There is a feel good factor around the place which has not been seen since Peter Reid’s glory days and the mood could not be more different to the one up the road at Newcastle.
It is a worrying time to be a Newcastle supporter and plans for a new, expanded stadium isn’t going to do anything to change that.
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »