I was playing golf yesterday afternoon and then working last night so I missed the game but coming into the Smoke this morning on the train reading the papers every single one comments about the booing last night particularly at half-time.

Now I know that fans are entitled to their views because we pay our money and I have to say that on occasion that there is the odd negative murmur at the greatest ground in the world, The SOL.

But the booing last night at your landfill appears to have been of enormous proportions and only a gate of 36,000 for your great European final??

Any observations or views?

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Answers

one, two, Troyes, four, five....

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Yup....

You'll get hammered tonight.....

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Just the one:

That joke only works in French: Un, Deux, Troyes etc.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Frap Frap

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Qui la ?

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Los

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Los qui ?

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Well where did you last have it ?

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Roly,

The booing certainly wasn't "of enormous proportions", but I found it hugely disappointing nevertheless.
It was caused by us starting off very well, going ahead, and then believing that we are capable of sitting on a one goal lead - something that is manifestly absurd - losing the initiative and having a very poor 30 minutes, including going behind.

I suppose I can sort of understand the disappointment and frustration, but will never understand why fans can't realise the adverse effect such a reaction will have on the players.

The more disturbing aspect for me was the jeering directed at two players individually - albeit limited in extent - something I will always regard as inexcusable.

As to the crowd, well firstly 36,000 isn't to be sneered at; secondly, I don't think very many Toon fans actually believed this was our "great European Final", simply a possible route into the competition proper.
I suspect a major factor was the fact the opposition were not a "big name", and not much of a draw. Having seen both legs, I can tell you Troyes are a very tidy and technically excellent side who play some lovely football.

Disappointing night, but it's not the end of the world.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Roly - that's a bit unfar. You should have stopped at four (or quatre for our bi-lingual Shaggy) as they didn't get a 5th - tho God only knows why!

As for the booing - well, at the end of a period (HT or FT) I think it is not unreasonable for fans to express their views on the preceding performance. After all, it's fine to cheer and clap when you're pleased with it. But I draw the line at booing during play. Yes, Barton made a ginormous cock-up - but don't the fans thik he was well aware of that? His body language certianly indicated so.

Landfill site? LoL. I think you must be thinking of somewhere else - LoL (Landfill of Light). Disappointing crowd, but still a little ahead of your European crowds. Anyway - you know we're only glory hunters, and with no trophy to win, its hardly surprising ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Landfill?

LOL Roly. :-)

No problems with the disused mineshafts at Monkwearmouth Colliery I hope?

Booing the players is unacceptable in my view. But every crowd has it's morons and they'll "show their support" in this manner at the exact time when their support is most needed. You seem to indicate you have similar supporters at the old colliery workings there. A pity but it takes all sorts.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Actually, bearing in mind that it was on telly and there were about 4 away supporters, I thought 36500 was OK. The booing did my nut and seemed to come mainly from the Milburn Stand. The Gallowgate End was in quite a nice mood on the whole and the away keeper got the customary applause at the beginning of the second half. That makes around 100000 people watching the Toon in Europe at SJP this summer.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Do you not think so many watching could be a poison chalice? There must be thousands of non-NE NUFC fans that came over to you during the Keegan years. Seeing the club humiliated by the French Ipswich in a relatively unglamorous competition could be too humiliating for their fickle support and drive them to support another, more "fashionable" club (eg Liverpool).

If I was a mag, I'd say good riddance to them, but it's not necessarily good business sense...

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

We became people's second team, we never became anyone's first team. While Keegan was in charge and we were on the box we were worth watching, fast, attacking, ball playing footballers scoring goals and letting a few in. Great to watch as a neutral.

These people go with the flow. They'll love to see Harry Kewell in full flight, love to see Liverpool winning in Europe, love to Henry and Kanu, love to see Jodey Craddock. They may not look upon us as the trendy team at the moment but they were never people who actually came to St James Park anyway.

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001

Seeing the club humiliated by the French Ipswich

But it's a shade more exotic than being knocked out by the English Ipswich ML3?

:-)

-- Anonymous, August 22, 2001