United front?
Posted on March 30th, 2010 | 274 Comments |
Level 7 was undoubtedly in fine voice last night as the natives played their own part in Newcastle’s crucial victory over promotion hopefuls, Nottingham Forest. By the time Jose Enrique scored to make it 2-0, the appropriate volume which would have been fitting for such an occasion deserted me. I was so hoarse it came out as a whisper.
Each new ditty seemed to spread further and further round the ground, and when the last goal went in, the roof lifted off to ‘Jose’ ringing around the ground. And yet one song which has become less and less popular in recent weeks is the ‘Get out of our club’ song aimed squarely at our much-maligned owner, one Mike Ashley. This isn’t yet another excuse to dredge up the past because my feeling is that for now, supporters have almost, more or less, accepted an agreement to disagree on the current incumbent. Because not once did I hear the song being aired from my lofty perch, not even a whisper of it. The closest we got was the more neutral ‘All we care about is NUFC’ song.
Perhaps it really is a case of an unspoken agreement to keep feelings in check and worry about the off-field nonsense once the last dribbles of champagne have gone flat. Maybe, it’s just a subconscious and psychological illusion we’re projecting to the opposition at a critical point in the season? Or otherwise, those that still have an axe to grind with Ashley, and there are plenty, were just too busy enjoying the moment.
Either way, it was conspicuous by it’s absence in Level 7 and the atmosphere was fitting with the knowledge there we’re almost over the finishing line. It was a celebratory mood that pervaded every corner of St James’ Park. Attentions turned to gaffer Chris Hughton on the touchline, who responded appropriately when asked for recognition from the baying thousands chanting his name.
But that ‘United’ front could be crucial in the final few games as ‘Champions’ has a much better ring to it than ‘Runners-Up’. Now is surely the time to bask in the satisfaction that we’re on course to prove the doubters wrong and perhaps enjoying the moment for what it is, isn’t such a bad thing?
Fickle? I hear faintly…
I have to say, because we have been top for so much of the season I will be disappointed if we don’t go up as champions.
Anyone else feel the same?