If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re a Newcastle United fan.
Unless you’re lost.
If you’re not a Newcastle United fan, you’re excused.
But the rest of you don’t, so please hear my plea.
If you can’t get up for this Champions League match against PSV, then maybe you’re not cut out to be a Newcastle United fan…
Last time at St James’ Park it was all a bit strange.
The game against Manchester City all felt a bit flat, both in the build-up to the game and at St James’ Park.
The anticipation, the excitement, whatever, was nothing like the level of the Arsenal Carabao Cup semi-final a year earlier.
I know the games were reversed, home game first instead of away game, so nothing would have been fully settled last week, with a second 90 minutes to play at the Etihad. While the atmosphere wasn’t terrible, it still wasn’t what it should have been.
In the previous semi-finals against Southampton and Arsenal at St James’ Park it felt like the whole pitch was ready. Last midweek it felt more like only the usual hardcore was into it, with others sometimes joining in, others not at all.
Considering Newcastle United had won their last four games and scored 12 goals. The last three at home and especially the way the wins over Leeds and Bournemouth were achieved, real late thrillers and turning threatening defeat into glorious late wins.
Is it too many games, especially at home, that match fatigue is setting in for Newcastle United fans and certain players?
Or is that now that we’ve won a trophy, the spell is broken? We have now won the Carabao Cup and that has been ticked off?
However, what about the Champions League?
For over twenty years we’ve been complaining about not being able to return to Europe’s top competition, but then Eddie Howe gets us back in and does it again!
Win tonight and who knows what doors that will open?
A win would guarantee a minimum of a two-match play-off to reach the last 16, while a win against PSV tonight and the same against a PSG side in Paris next week would almost certainly lead to automatic progression to the last 16.
I honestly think, as a Newcastle United fan, that if we get to the last 16, we are capable of beating anyone. Especially what this United team is capable of at home.
So please, if you’re a Newcastle United fan heading to St James’ Park tonight, give it your all.
You never know when these types of opportunities will arise next, there are no guarantees.
After all, I know a football club and fan base not far from Tyneside who dream of having what we have.
Enjoy tonight and give it your all, even if all you’re doing is yelling at the TV…
#stand #youre #cut #Newcastle #United #fan