trooper

Me too also as well. With 6 players unavailable for Norwich tomorrow, Caroll, St Maxim, Gayle, Lejune, Yedlin & Atsu. Also reports of Colback refusing to go out on loan. That head coach seat might be starting to get a bit warm for Brucey.

Charnley trying to justify the state of the training facilities Newcastle spent over £65million this summer on transfer fees and were the ninth biggest spenders in the Premier League in terms of recruitment. "You go and spend it on the training ground it means there is less to spend on the team," Charnley added. "Spend it on the Academy, there is less to spend on the team. "Spend too much on wages, there's less to spend on the team. "That doesn’t mean we don’t spend in all those areas, because we do, but our view has been at this point in time the priority is what goes on to the field." Charnley went on: "It doesn’t mean we don't want to update the training ground. Our pitches are very good, our gym is perfectly adequate and functional. Do we have a swimming pool or water facilities? No. "Would we like to have it at some stage? Absolutely."

4 days ago... Steve Bruce has revealed that the cup competitions will be his main priority in his first season in charge of Newcastle United. They've just been handed a 2nd round league cup home tie to Lesta ha ha ha

People in Newcastle have been talking about my decision to move to China without knowing what happened behind the scenes during my three years at St James’ Park. I haven’t wanted to say too much about that — I’ve encouraged supporters to get behind Steve Bruce and his new team — but I’ve been made aware of what Lee Charnley, Newcastle’s managing director, claimed in the club’s match programme last weekend and I think it’s important I address that. I tried to do my best every day, even staying when we went down to the Championship and saying no to other offers — bigger offers than the one I recently accepted with Dalian Yifang, by the way. If I was only interested in moving “for money”, as Charnley stated, I could have done it much earlier. Over my long career, and especially in my time at Newcastle, I’ve always shown commitment to my club, its city and its community and I’ve done it with professionalism and honesty. Newcastle’s board had a year to sort out my contract but, when we met after the end of last season, they didn’t make me an offer I could accept. They told me they didn’t want to invest in the academy or the training ground — if they like, I can explain the reason why Mike Ashley refused to do that. Their idea of a project was a policy of signing players under 24 and, in my opinion, the budget available was not enough to compete for the top 10. After that meeting, I knew they would not come back with a serious offer and, when it arrived, 19 days later, it was for the same salary as three years earlier and with less control over signings. Charnley’s comments in the programme about having a deal agreed for Joelinton in February explains a lot that I couldn’t understand at that time. After three years of unfulfilled promises, I didn’t trust them. When we finished 10th in the Premier League in our first season back, all players and staff were paid a bonus — aside from my coaching team. That felt like a punishment for me not signing an extension. So, by the end, I knew there would not be a proper offer and they knew I was not signing. couldn’t explain that in public because I was not allowed to talk to the press without their permission, so I was waiting until late June, like every fan, hoping there would be good news about Newcastle’s prospective takeover. On Sunday morning, I switched on my television in Dalian and there was a documentary about Alan Shearer being shown. Can you believe that? It’s true. I saw joy in the faces of Newcastle fans after every goal. I didn’t need the reminder, because I was there so recently, there with all my heart, but it made me think again about that history and potential. And it made me consider something else: what would an 18-year-old Newcastle supporter think about his club now?’

Yeah I dont get it Alex, if people are boycotting why give Ashley your money ? It makes no sense. It seemed like the vocal section boycotted yesterday as there were no FCB chants.

Empty For Ashley... We have now been told by two separate club sources (both stewards) that today’s attendance was actually around 42,000. Club figure bumped up to over 47,000 as it includes season ticket holders regardless of whether they attended or not. Over 5,000 ST holders may have boycotted!

It's going to be a long season , I'll watch in amusement as Bruce tries to get something out of Rafa's team. He'll probably try Ki in goal against Norwich to give the lad a bit of game time.

Tided for you

NUFC currently are in 14th position, it'll probably be the highest position they'll achieve all season.

SJP sounded like a library no FCB song, all you could hear were the Arse Nul fans

Ground looks canny empty at the minute

Ameobi excited for Carolls return in September

This from the supporters collective Our collective will be meeting at Sports Direct, Northumberland Street at 12:45pm, where we welcome other fans to join us. We will then march to St James Park at 1pm before a peaceful protest outside of the club store at 1:30pm. At 2pm we will head into local venues showing the match.

What a strange laddie

The kid on N.O. who's been keeping an eye on ticket sales reckons around 43k there tomorrow

This is for the boycotters tomorrow Venues participating in Support Our Toon include: Spot White, 14-18 Stowell Street, NE1 4QX – Free pool subject to availability, bottles from £2.50 and shots from £1. Children are welcome. Idols/Vaults, 15 Bigg Market, NE1 1UN – Bottles from £2, pints from £3, £3.50 double vodka and mixer. Adult entertainment. The Hancock, 2A Hancock Street, NE2 4PU – £10 pitchers, 10% discount of food valid using this, or last year’s, season ticket. Entered into a raffle to win a signed NUFC football. Sinners, 63 Newgate Street, NE1 5RF – 3 bottles of Carlsberg/VK for £6 and £3.95 house trebles. The North terrace, 23-26 North Terrace, Claremont Street, NE2 4AN – Normal menu instead of Sunday menu. Pizza and a pint for £8. 2 for £6 on select pints. ‘Half time madness’ deal – 50p off pints. Selected pints £2.50. Filthys, 22-28 Bigg Market, NE1 1UW – Selected bottles at £1.50. Players, The Gate, Newgate Street, NE1 5TG – 2 pints for £5.95. Don Vito’s, 86 Pilgrim Street, NE1 6SG – Pizza and a pint for £10 upon quoting “Support Our Toon” when ordering. Dougies Tavern, Hebburn, NE31 1ST – £2 pints during 90 minutes. Free shots of Sambuca when Newcastle score and free bar snacks throughout. Antler, Pilgrim Street, NE1 6BJ – Amstel £3.50, Strongbow Dark fruit £3.50, Bottle of Heineken or Sol £3.00, Single house spirit and mixer £3.00, glass of wine £3.00. 2 pint steins / 4 pint pitchers/ bottle bucket deals will also be available. Union Rooms, Westgate Road, NE1 1TT – Coors 2 for £6 , 2 pizzas for £10, 2 Premium bottles £5 (Corona, Bud, Becks), Bucket of 6 beers + a pizza for £20

Colback with fake beard raring to go

Apparently he's a month away from fitness. So he pobably wont be fit until the Liverpool game

His injury record at West Ham has been fairly appalling; ankle, foot, groin, pelvis, neck, knee, hamstring and thigh issues all severely restricting his pitch time. Of the 264 PL games the Hammers played since Carroll joined them after the start of the 2012/13 season, he started just 84 and managed another 42 from the bench. Scoring 33 times, his most recent competitive appearance came against Manchester City in February 2019.

Aye the blokes a walking sick note

He's going to be on a pay as you play contract. Apparently he's a few weeks away from being fit, so Ashley's saving money straight away