In a previous post (http://wp.me/p26N3N-2n) at a time before Di Canio had been appointed, a fan poll suggested a near 40% of SAFC supporters were ambivalent about his appointment. This was clearly well before yesterdays game where, if the poll was re run, a significantly different perspective would be obvious. Such is the fickle nature of success starved supporters.Reading todays press and fans response on Twitter, it appears the Newcastle supporters are devastated about the loss. Why is this?, well, it’s partly because it was ‘the Derby’ and on that day nothing else matters but the frustration is also because Newcastle are not the team they were last year.
Until yesterdays match they were 17 points worse of than the same point in the season last year. The European campaign will have had a big affect on the performances this season but it was a distraction. Premier League success is the yardstick that most supporters want to see. It guarantees significant TV rights which is the vehicle for paying high wages for players which in turn guarantees better players and hopefully consistent success. Consistency isn’t something Newcastle have had this season as against last years campaign. The 17 point difference is immense and will be worrying for many Geordie fans – has it been the Euro journey or was it simply that last year was one of these freak seasons like Ipswich had recently where they punched above their weight but were not able to sustain the level of football.
The derby yesterday was more than two North East rivals slugging it out. It was a survival battle for Sunderland and for Newcastle, it was another frustrating loss which would have been unthinkable last season. Now the Geordie faithful are looking over their shoulders at the bottom of the table. Although they are two points ahead of their rivals, Newcastle’s run in to the end of the season looks pretty tough with two tricky and away games they have a really tough game on their visit to West Brom who have had a great season. If they lose on Saturday, with a significantly inferior goal difference to their local neighbours, it will be another worrying issue for the Geordie faithful. If yesterdays disturbances in Newcastle were due to local fan frustration, its unthinkable what the fans will do to their town if they slump to a relegation spot.
footystuff6 