Roar Rookie
Joined September 2019
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Lover of all things sport. Specialising in football, rugby league, cricket, MMA and professional wrestling. Always up for an intelligent conversation/debate.
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What a difference a year makes. Just 12 months ago Newcastle United were a club who had concluded a January transfer window with significant…
The deal is done, the ink is dry on the paperwork but the reality hasn’t sunk in for most Newcastle fans yet. They are…
It’s not often a team wins 6-0 and the result isn't the main talking point coming out of the game. Unfortunately in Sofia on…
Marvel Stadium in Melbourne will play host to the biggest fight in Australian and New Zealand history as Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya do…
Make no mistake, Newcastle United are in a relegation battle, and judging by their meek surrender to Leicester, they are as good as gone…
From a 97-kilogram rugby league prop to fighting for the UFC featherweight title (66kg), it has been an incredible journey for Sydney’s Alexander Volkanovski.…
This is the good, the bad and the ugly from an action-packed weekend of Premier League action. Highs Liverpool The only team with a…
It’s undeniable. Raheem Sterling is one of the best players in the world right now on current form. Liverpool took note of his raw…
This was supposed to be the season that the Penrith Panthers would finally establish themselves as a competition heavyweight and entrench themselves in the…
Five points from a possible 12 to start the season isn’t the start most Chelsea fans are accustomed to, but this Premier League is…
If you're a football fan, no doubt you'll have seen the excerpts from Michael Owen's autobiography detailing his move to Newcastle United back in…
Common issue that has often come up but I don’t think it’s as much of a big deal as it maybe once was. I’m from the north east so I am admittedly biased but I would much rather live up north! Plus I don’t think Manchester United, Manchester City or Liverpool have ever had trouble attracting players up north!
Plus there’s plenty of time to move to London when your career is over!
Your money also goes further up north compared to London!
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
Hey Texi! Appreciate the comment mate.
There’s always going to be negative comments, it’s par for the course unfortunately. I choose to educate rather than insult. Always happy to have an intelligent debate with the haters
I grew up in the north east of England so I know exactly how much the club means to the city but supporters of other clubs can’t seem to comprehend it
“He’s from Blythhhhh!!”
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
Spending lots of money on players doesn’t guarantee success, just look at Everton for proof of that. They have a rich middle eastern owner but they don’t have any semblance of structure in place
Ashley brought back Keegan but it quickly unravelled after that. At the time it was exciting that a billionaire was taking over but it went downhill very quickly
We have hope again in our football club and our identity back. That’s all we asked for, the success is a welcome byproduct that has happened much sooner than anyone expected
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
Newcastle is an easy target due to the owners and the current success!
There are legitimate issues that do need to be discussed but that’s a conversation for much smarter people than me!
I know football and stay firmly in that lane!
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
Not sure I quite follow that logic. Newcastle United were owned by an Englishman and it was a colossal failure. The nationality of an owner doesn’t determine the history/success/identity of a club.
Even though the clubs are owned by middle eastern backers the everyday running of the club is fine by legitimate football men (in Newcastle’s case Darren Eales and Dan Ashworth). So using the perceived lack of footballing knowledge from owners doesn’t ring true for all clubs owned by “oil money”
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
Sports washing is a major talking point and there are definitely debates to be had about it but as for what is left of our club:
1) success on the pitch
2) integration of former players who were shunned by the previous regime
3) investment into the local community
4) increased communication between owners and fans
5) investment into the playing squad
6) most importantly we’ve been given hope again
Regardless of the geopolitical issues surrounding the takeover the Newcastle fan base have never felt closer to our club so to say “what is left of our club” is quite short sighted. We had a billionaire English owner and never felt more detached from our club.
Regardless of where the money is coming from the fact of the matter is that the club is on the up and it’s reinvigorated the fanbase and local community
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
Losing Ciraldo does sting but don’t underestimate the loss of the other assistant, Andrew Webster, to the Warriors.
I expect the Panthers to have a great season and a couple of new superstars to emerge purely because success is so ingrained into their culture that they know no other way
Panthers 2023 Outlook: Premiers on the prowl for three-peat but will salary cap put bite on title chances?
The sportswashing aspects of middle eastern ownership is definitely a legitimate concern and there are Newcastle fans uncomfortable to be associated with it. But ultimately what 100% of the fan base care about it having a successful club and all the political aspects associated with it become secondary.
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
Appreciate the kind words mate. It’s very easy for football fans to just look at the money spent on players as the primary reason for the turnaround but it goes much deeper than that. Long may it continue!
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
It certainly has! All aspects of the club have been given a touch up. It’s the small things that had been neglected for so long
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant
Exactly right, it’s a social issue not just limited to football. And people wonder why homosexual players are hesitant to out themselves while they’re still active in sport.
You are right when you say humans will always find something to hate and that’s just sad to think about
UEFA must send a message after Bulgarian racism storm
You’ve hit the nail on the head. Staying on the pitch and winning 6-0 sent a defiant message that racism won’t win. I’m proud of the way the players and the management handled the situation.
UEFA has a real opportunity here to set an example and with the platform they currently have I hope they do just that.
UEFA must send a message after Bulgarian racism storm
Empty stadiums and cutting out their revenue streams seems to be the only way that they will listen. It would be a bold move by UEFA but it’s one that needs to be done. Feel for the players but it needs to stop
UEFA must send a message after Bulgarian racism storm
Facts are facts and you’re spot on. Was he hired purely to keep Nathan?
When will Penrith realise their potential?
Well said Albo and I think that speaks to a deep rooted problem in the NRL. The Storm and Roosters are headband shoulders above all the other teams when it comes to roster management. They enter a season looking to win as opposed to the Panthers who were seemingly intent on developing.
Ultimately the Panthers are a club that will forever be a feeder club for the Storm/Roosters etc. Jennings, Sivo, DWZ, CHN, Blake, Cook (was on the books for a while!), Koroisau (he’s coming home thankfully), Graham, Austin, Moylan…the list goes on.
Salary cap constraints will always mean that the Panthers will never be able to hold on to all of their talented juniors unfortunately.
When will Penrith realise their potential?
Kikau is a great weapon to have on the edge but for much of the season of that option didn’t work there didn’t seem to be a plan b in place.
Maloney leaving is a huge void and it looks like they’re hoping that Luai will be able to fill that void although he is a long way off the quality of Maloney. Young Matt Burton impressed on debut against the Sharks and could come into contention.
When will Penrith realise their potential?
Great point regarding the transfer ban. It could definitely be a blessing in disguise as it does allow the conveyor belt of talent an opportunity to shine.
Chelsea fans are intelligent enough to know there’ll be lots of ups and downs this season but ultimately they’ll stand by Lampard and get behind their academy players. I think they may surprise a few people.
Tough start for Lampard
Arsenal could be a threat when they have their first choice defence back but if Chelsea can make the top 4 then that’s a massive win for Lampard.
The players do seem to enjoy his style of play much more than they did under Sarri but the worry is always naivety both with the manager and the players.
It’s going to be fascinating to see how Lampard tweaks throughout the season.
Tough start for Lampard
You make a good point with the substitutions. It’s not often talked about but substitutions are crucial in football and as Lampard gains more experience I’m sure this will be an aspect of his management that will improve.
Tough start for Lampard
Under the existing regime Newcastle are a circus but that wasn’t the case when Owen signed. They had finished a disappointing 14th the previous season but had made the semi finals of the FA Cup and the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup so the club wasn’t in a bad position compared to now.
Owen was going to be the signing that would reinvigorate the team and the city. On paper a strike force of Owen and Shearer was mouthwatering. Except Owen didn’t want to be there and it all spectacularly unravelled.
Michael Owen stirs up controversy
The important word there is disappointing and there’s no question Newcastle have disappointed in recent years. No major trophies for 50 years is testament to that.
Under Mike Ashley I don’t think we’ll be seeing the glory days returning anytime soon either.
Interestingly Newcastle play Liverpool next and its broadcast on BT Sport in the UK where a certain Michael Owen works as a pundit…
Michael Owen stirs up controversy
Precisely! Transfers have all been meticulously scouted and vetted rather than just throwing money around and hoping it works (I’m looking at you Chelsea and Everton!)
Newcastle United: The waking of a sleeping giant