Who Do They Think We Are? #2 - Doncaster Rovers…
Next up, some fairly positive comments from our friends at Doncaster Rovers…
Sum up NUFC in one word…
Rigoglioso: Failures
wilts rover: Farcical
metalmicky: underachievers
mark time: lost
dadsley rover: discombobulated (!)
stuey: deluded
pacman: Sad (…that a once great club has really hit the buffers!!)
What is your take on the farce that is Newcastle United? Where did it all go wrong?
Rigoglioso: Appointing four different managers wasn’t a good thing - especially on the backdrop of having Mike Ashley feeling self pity and wanting to sell the club. The fact that the club was so unstable at the top fed through all the way down to the players, who then thought it was acceptable to play like a bunch of tarts.
wilts rover: sorry but I haven’t actually been following it all that closely, Premier League doesn’t interest me, but at a guess you had a bit of success in late 90’s and thought that all you had to do was throw more money at it to get to ‘the next level’ - its not as simple as that is it..
scriptman: Dennis Wise…and the cockney connection.
metalmicky: Too many changes of Manager /the Board forced by unrealistic expectations by the fans. Oh and Dennis Wise
pintolager: The financial management of the club has been wrong for years! My Grandad is a Geordie and he has been saying this for years!
stuey: You went for it, big time. Like Leeds did. It went wrong by sacking Big Sam, i think he could’ve done well for you but you were too impatient.
bobg: he single biggest mistake of all was to let the Sheppards anywhere near Newcastle Utd. Everything since stems from that mistake. When you get toads like them openly slagging off the supporters, taking money out right, left and centre and then, heaven forbid, selling to a twit like Ashley - well, it shows you just how much they cared about the club doesn’t it?
Are you looking forward to the NUFC bandwagon, and all that follows it, joining you in the Championship?
Rigoglioso: Hardly. Newcastle aren’t as big as they would like to have themselves believe.
wilts rover: yep, come and join us, the water’s lovely
scriptman: Yes very much so.
metalmicky: Three easy points is not to be sniffed at.
Mark Time: Yes, for all NUFC’s recent failures you still add a bit of glamour the league.
Pintolager: Yes, the club has tradition and a loyal band of supporters that love football.
Dadsley Rover: I will enjoy seeing the fans and a close game.
stuey: Of course, it’s great for a club like ours to be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Newcastle.
Jonathan: Of course, any Rovers fan that says they’re not is deluding themself a bit.
PACMAN: Yes, you’ve got an unbelievably loyal set of fans who will travel anywhere to support the team. Lets hope whoever the new manager is can build a team you can be proud of and more importantly be competitive.
How do you see NUFC doing this season?
Rigoglioso: With the shower that played for the Toon at the end of last season, then badly! If young lads such as Andy Carroll are played more, then it will put pride back into Newcastle United. Play-offs I reckon - just!
wilts rover: there are some good teams in this division - you need to put a bung in the sinking ship fast
scriptsman: Amongst six teams battling for automatic promotion.
metalmicky: Mid table at best. I think it will take you time to adjust
Dadsley Rover: This depends on your team’s attitude and determination. There are some good teams in the championship.
donny plant: Just missing playoffs
Jonathan: Without appointing a decent manager and allowing him scope to make major changes, I don’t think they’ll do that well. The media will have them down as one of the strong favourites, right now I certainly don’t.
What are your honest thoughts on NUFC fans?
Rigoglioso: Passionaite, but deluded at the same time.
wilts rover: overhyped - its a lot more difficult to support Darlo or Harlepool & I have much more admiration for their fans
scriptsman: Brilliant… passionate and loyal.
dadsley rover: I think they appear to be very supportive if sometimes over ambitious. We were down in the conference but I loved going to some of their grounds like Forest Green Rovers a great day out.
stuey: Very passionate. BUT they think they’re the only passionate fans in the world. Also, your blind faith in Keegan and Shearer. very misguided.
river don: Passionate and over-demanding.
martinm1289: hmm your passionate but need to face up to the fact your not as big as you think you are
jonathan: Honestly, a bit overrated. I’ve been to SJP a few times and the noise is great when things are going well but they’re quick to turn when they’re not. The fans hounded Allardyce out, if he had stayed they wouldn’t ever have sunk this low. To their credit, all the toon fans I’ve ever met have been really friendly people and mix well.
Where do you see your club finishing this season?
Rigoglioso: The lower stretch of the Championship. It is a very hard division this year and if we can stay up again and finish around where we did last season, it’ll be an excellent platform to build on for following seasons.
scriptsman: In the top half if we get off to a decent start.
metalmicky: It is a very hard division and I think we are realistic fans. Most fans will be content for us to consolidate in this division.
mark time: Mid table also, higher if we sign a quality striker.
pintolager: Around 15th
dadsley rover: I will be happy with fourth from bottom even being relegated but I think we could do a little better than this last season.
donny plant: top 8
Are you happy with your manager/chairman/infrastructure?
Rigoglioso: Yes - so don’t be getting any ideas about nicking our manager. He’s clever enough not to get involved with Mike Ashley though.
wilts rover: 10 years ago we were a sunday league pub team playing out of portacabins, we have come a long way since then, the support the chairman gives to the manager and the whole way the club is structured and run sensibly within a budget is a tribute to him, I dont think their is a better run or happier club in the division
metal mickey: Yes/Yes/some room for improvement but OK
Mark Time: Very.
pintolager: Yes on all 3 counts. We are a progressive club
dadsley rover: They as Tony the Tiger would say Grrreeeaaat!
Who will be your key player in 09/10?
Rigoglioso: Probably one of the golden trio - Matt Mills, Richie Wellens or Brian Stock who we’re amongst our three best players last season. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if maybe Paul Heffernan or John Spicer to have a more significant role.
wilts rover: the wonder of medical science that is Steve Brooker
scriptsman: Brian Stock, James O’Connor and Paul Heffernan
PACMAN: James Coppinger, another ex Mag, but starting to add goals to his fantastic talent.
Will you be coming to St James Park – and if so, what do you expect from your trip?
Rigoglioso: I expect a nose bleed and to be scared of heights for the next three years!
metalmicky: A warm welcome – little club coming to big old St James’ Park etc etc…… Then an enormous amount of respect when we play you off the park!
Mark Time: Yes, with my dad and young daughter so we’re hoping you’re a friendly bunch!
pintolager: Yes. I expect there to be a great atmosphere whatever the result
River Don: Yes - a seat so high up you can clearly see the curvature of the earth.
Jonathan: Absolutely, I’m expecting a booze fuelled weekend (it’s a great night out) and a good game which will be another landmark occasion for our club.
PACMAN: Yes, if I can get a ticket. I expect a lofty view, hefty prices and a genuine Geordie welcome!!
Massive thanks to all at the Viking Chat forum (www.drfc-vsc.co.uk) for their help.
