Just a quickie to let everyone know that we arrived back safely.

Dashing out to re-stock the larder.......but I`ll catch up with you all later today! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Answers

Did Dad suffer without you not there to look after him? :))

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Put it like this Gav..... he said he was pleased to see me back!?!

BTW - great seeing you again, even if it was only for half an hour! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Ditto mum :))

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

BTW.....sorry, I accidentally set my old e mail address as a cookie. `Pologies for any inconvenience Macbeth. I`ve reset it now. Oops! (:oO

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Right, it`s 6.30 am, and the first chance I`ve had to let you all know just how much I enjoyed my week in the NE.

The Football.........I hadn`t been to St. James`s since I was knee high to a grasshopper (and fighting my way into the Strawberry after the match, I didn`t feel as though I`d grown much either!), so you might be interested in my impressions as a `first timer` so to speak.

Much excitement at the thought of finally seeing a live match at the home ground. Fairly skipped into the ground clutching my (Sting`s) ticket. Highly hillarious moments going through the turnstiles, which are like giant pasta making machines. First time accompanied by a fit of the giggles when I catapulted through but got my handbag stuck. Second time I had improved my technique but had left an imprint of my handbag on my chest, which I promptly handed over (handbag, not chest) to a man who was not in fact a steward and looked totally nonplussed!

First glimpse of the turf as I got to the top of the stairs was magic. Sting`s seats are excellent, second tier of the Gallowgate I believe. Terrific view. There is something odd about the accoustics though, maybe to do with the overall shape of the stadium. When the crowd were singing at the far end, they could have been in a ground miles away.

I was a bit disappointed with the atmosphere, apart from when we scored the goal against Southampton. However, undeterred, Yelli and I can not be accused of not singing, and my vocal cords are still recovering! Horrible to see so many leaving as early as fifteen minutes before the end......but very satisfying to know that they will have heard the roar when all of us at the Gallowgate end sucked the ball into the net in the Leicester game. Serves them right.

Atmosphere was very different during the Southampton game....good until they scored, and then very ugly (but frankly understandably so). But then I only have the television and the webcast to compare it with, so I`m not the best judge....................(:o)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

The Matches.......I really can`t add anything to what has already been written. We were poor in the Leicester game and pathetic in the Southampton one. I was taken aback by just how bad we looked, particularly in the second half of the Southampton match (one which I so badly wanted us to win). It felt much worse than a draw. Watching a match on the television doesn`t give you the whole picture. You miss movement off the ball, though I have to say there was very little anyway! And even when a player did find himself in acres of space, it was invariably not spotted by the rest of the team. Playing the way we did, I feel we would be totally twonked by many of the first division teams, let alone the big lads. It seems some kind of miracle that we are floating around in the middle of the table.

I know we have injuries etc., but even so, the team just doesn`t seem to gel. They played, for the most part, like they just didn`t care. It wasn`t a case of them being outplayed.....I felt they simply underperformed. Injuries or not, they have six days usually between matches to work out a game plan and learn to communicated within the formation. To be honest, there was a bit more enthusiasm from the newer players, but some of them are very green still.

Shay was magnificent though his Bartezesque inclination to join the midfield at times had me holding my breath. You can only do that if you are supremely confident that your fellow players will retain posession. I though Acuna played reasonably well both games, but was out of position a lot of the time. Barton, despite one glorious save off the line, made some awful amateurish mistakes and looked tired and miserable. Gallagher worked pretty hard.

Though I could never bring myself to boo, not in my nature, I can fully understand the frustration felt by the crowd. IMHO, and based only on those two games, there are some players who simply don`t care enough. Had they fought like tigers and been beaten, I suspect they would have been cheered to the rafters.......on that performance....well, they got what they deserved.(:o|

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

The Training Ground.........Had lots of fun there!!! I wouldn`t presume to try and add to Steph`s wonderful reports. They are excellent. I do have some random observations though.

The first morning we went, I was quite taken aback by how accessible they players were. Everyone stopped on the way into the ground, and were most obliging and very charming. (As you can imagine, I was dead chuffed to meet them in the flesh, so to speak.)

Watching them train was in some ways more interesting than the matches. I tell you one thing for sure, the practice match they played was fast and furious, and played with much enthusiasm.....I wonder where it went? The shooting practice was very telling. For instance, it illustrated to me just how very green LuaLua is. He may well have load of potential, but it looked to me like it will be a long time before he is the finished product. Ameobi looks very good, he has a flair and style that could eventually make him a very dangerous player. He also looked to me to be a bit of a favourite of Bobby`s, who spent a lot of time with him showing him how to turn quickly either way.

One small incident which may well illustrate something we have discussed on the BBS before. Steph told you that Steve Harper really booted a ball which caught Bobby full on the back of the head. Not a glancing blow, a well struck ball travelling at speed, and it would have been painful. It was enough to make Bobby double up for quite a few seconds. Not a big deal I know, the sort of thing that happens all the time I expect. However, not so much as a hint of apology from Harper. If it had been a fellow player, I expect he would have held his hand up by way of apology. Instead he turned his back on Bobby and walked away smirking, muttering something about definately not getting picked for Tuesday now. As I say, not a particularly big deal, but it did illustrate a kind of lack of respect I didn`t like at all.

Despite the fact that I actually thought Bobby got the whole `subs` thing wrong on Tuesday, I do admire the man and feel that the players should respect him too. If they don`t respect him, I don`t think it is a reflection on Bobby`s inspirational capabilites, it refects more the arrogance of the players.

Our second day at the training ground was a different kettle of fish. We were there bright and early, hoping to catch Bobby, and we weren`t disappointed. I was so pleased to meet him. He took the time to chat, and got out of his car for a photograph with us, and was as charming and natural as I had imagined. (You realise, of course, that I won`t have a word said against him now, don`t you! (;o)

However, the players were in an entirely different mood. Some didn`t take the trouble to stop, the ones who did were very dour indeed. Judging from Steph`s report, perhaps they had an inkling about what was in store for the morning`s training session. If Bobby bawled them out, it was no more than they deserved. Unfortunately we couldn`t stay for training, we had to hit the road. I wish we had stayed though, it sounded very interesting!........

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

The People.............What can I say.......wonderful?!

I do have to confess that, despite really looking forward to meeting some fellow BBSers, it was the oddest sensation - meeting people for the first time, when you think you know them already. However, I have to say, the initial slight akwardness evaporated immediately. What a lovely bunch of people! Everyone was so kind and welcoming. Special mention to Clarky for kindly dropping us back to Whitley Bay after both matches (lovely to meet Mrs. Clarky too). To Steph for all her kind efforts on our behalf - what a gem! To Pit Bill for leaving his zimmer frame and shawl at home and remembering to put his teeth in (;o)! To Dr. Bill, Jonno, True, Screacher, Dougal, Jay, Mungo Mag et al.....it was a real pleasure meeting you. Softie too - it was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you for making the effort to be there extra early so that there was a friendly face to greet us. To Gav......bonus!!!......wasn`t expecting you to be there, but you were and it was great (nice to meet your happy smiley cousin too!). All in all I wasn`t disappointed!!! Meeting all you good folk made it a very special week indeed....I only wish I had had more time up there. Next time I hope we will all manage to also get out for a meal or something.....it would be great to be able to chat in less hectic surroundings! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

The Place...........After all this time, it still feels like home. I just loved being there! I have nothing but happy memories of the NE, and this visit simply added to them. From tiny little George St. in what`s left of Willington Quay, to the wonderful regenerated Quayside with the beautifully restored old buildings, magnificent new buildings, and the stunning Millenium bridge.......I love it all!

Bought a beautiful painting of Newcastle Quayside by I. Lindsay. I was chatting to him in his shop in Tynemouth.....blow me if he wasn`t also born in Willington Quay, Norman Street, just behind George Street. Small world eh?! (:o)

PS. I have deliberately not included Yelli`s thoughts and impressions about the NE. I`m sure she will post them herself!(:o)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

The Tickets.........BIG, BIG, Thank You to Sting for letting us use his tickets, and to his Dad for organising them for us. We had loads of fun.....only thing missing was you! Hugs and XXXX`s and everything! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Gal,

I know I speak for all the other bbs regulars at the Strawberry in saying how much we enjoyed meeting you and Yelli. As you say, it's a truly weird experience 'meeting' for the 1st time people you've 'known' for ages!!
I'm really pleased the weather co-operated even if our footy heroes didn't - although let's not forget they did take 4 points out of 6.

As you say, it would be nice next time to have the chance to go for a meal, and have a good natter in more tranquil surroundings - preferably on the back of beating manure 5-0, or something!

I'm so glad - and jealous - that you were able to meet Bobby Robson, and I'm suitably warned as to what I now say about him. Hasta la vista, Cyberplank.

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Right on both counts Clarky. We did get four points out of six...it just didn`t feel like it!

The weather was kind indeed! Cullercoats Bay and Tynemouth in the sunshine is a wonderful sight. Thursday morning was wet and freezing though....I expect I will look like a frozen, slightly derranged midget on the photo with wor Bobby (he`s very tall you know)......thank God for Photoshop is what I say! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Love your reports, Galaxy! Sounds like a wonderful week, despite the football. You did a great job of conveying the feelings and excitement of it all. Bobby really does have such a special aura about him, doesn't he? Great man. :-)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Bizarre. I made that post before Steph posted the photo, but appeared after. cue Twilight zone music.

Nice to 'see' you Galaxy and Yelli! Great photo!

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Where does Bobby have his hands? He looks so freakin happy =))

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Sudden! What are you suggesting!......it was a proper Grandad type cuddle....not a pervy one! (;o)

Have to admit, I love the photo because of Bobby, but Yelli and I aren`t looking at our all time best! Up at the crack of birdsong and into cold, wet and blustery weather....not a good combination. Usually we scrub up marginally better than that.....at least I hope I do! If not, I may well throw myself of Barton Cliffs! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Gal,

This is not intended to be a dig at the photographer (honest Steph!), but the mug-shot doesn't do either of you justice - although whatever you were doing appears to have knocked years off Young Bobby Robson!

;-{)

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Sorry Gal and Yelli, not the greatest shot of you two - however Bobby looks wonderful!

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Aint suggesting nothing, just asking :P

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

As I said Steph....I shall treasure the photo! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2001