Interesting to read through these BBC Sport ‘neutrals’ comments, following on from Newcastle United losing 2-1 at Crystal Palace.
Sunday afternoon’s defeat leaving United in no man’s land in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe and his players now needing to regroup ahead of final half dozen matches.
Very frustrating when the reality is that still only six points separate Newcastle United in fourteenth and Chelsea in sixth.
Even more frustrating that after Will Osula gave Newcastle the lead, Palace rarely threatened until those final ten minutes.
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, some from Crystal Palace fans, plus one or two Newcastle supporters also contributing, though predictably the majority appearing to be Sunderland fans trying to pretend they are United fans…
‘Hard to put into words just how bad Newcastle have been this season.
So I won’t even bother.’
‘We (Palace) were terrible as well until the subs came on. Can’t believe we won that match.’
‘As a palace fan I was surprised too tbh onwards and upwards.’
‘Missing Isak but won’t ever admit it.’
‘Liverpool are also missing Isak.’
‘Seemed to reserve their best performances for CL opposition, but I’d agree. Gone backwards.’
‘The effect without no Isak.’
‘Not a bad week for Palace then, so nice to have some quality players on the bench to bring on and change the game, not used to that.’
‘Glasner is building something. And they invested, admittedly late in Jan. He could be managing them in the CL in 2 seasons, and there is no guarantee he can manage it at a big club where pressure is higher and fans far less tolerant.’
‘Sadly, even if Palace were run and managed perfectly over the next couple of seasons then wouldn’t qualify for the CL. The gap to the wealthier teams is too great and the cup competitions are too random to rely upon.’
‘If we had managed to keep Olise, Eze and Guehi, we would definitely be in the mix for top 5 or 6. But that’s the problem for clubs that are trying to break the top 6 – NUFC included – convincing players to stay and fight together for that rather than take the easy option and just join the big teams on your own.’
‘Wonder who the first journalist with some courage will be & suggest that Eddie Howe doesn’t have a clue and he needs to be sacked. As it’s fact.
He gets away with a lot of awful results simply because he is English.
I mean after 11 years managing in the Prem by now its pretty obvious he’ll never be a top manager. Saudi will be looking to make a change no doubt – journalists should accept that.’
‘Why do you think anyone should be sacked on a few bad results? You’re not even a Newcastle fan so it has 0 to do with you. Why not concentrate on whatever plastic glory hunting side you support?’
‘No European football next season Howe has been well and truly found out.
Howe can’t stay. Sack him now and bring in someone before the summer bun fight starts post World Cup’
‘No surprise with EH at the helm. What are happy clapping rose tinted mob going to say about this, ” in Eddie trust”, fools absolute fools if they cannot or will not see the issues here, they have not played a competative game for three weeks and serve that dross up again.
He has to go.’
‘Refs should give the penalty every time.
It was a strange ref performance. Blew up for every single contact, has the Palace fans not so politely tell him what they think (twice), but then gives a decision that 99% of refs don’t.’
‘When Newcastle sold their soul to the Saudis, they thought we were going to be competing with Europes elite.
They can’t even compete with teams in their region.’
‘To be honest, no idea how we won that game. Newcastle were in total control and looked set for an enjoyable journey back up north!
Our subs changed the rhythm and the atmosphere was totally different. Delighted we won, but could totally understand the frustration that Newcastle fans will be feeling.’
‘Newcastle are rubbish.’
‘They genuinely live in a little Geordie fantasy land don’t they.’