Former Manchester United and England right-back Gary Neville is quite outspoken, and we suppose to a successful pundit that’s what you have to be.
He forms a good partnership on Sky Sports with former Liverpool great Jamie Carragher.
And he has today said something that’s so true during this coronavirus pandemic.
The clubs are not communicating with their fans – they even seem scared to.
But this is also a new situation for everybody – this is the first time I’ve ever known anything like this and I’m an old geezer.
We had the Asian flu in 1957 that killed a million people worldwide, but it was nothing like this,
And I wasn’t around in 1918 for the Spanish Flu pandemic that claimed 50 million lives worldwide.
But non-communication during these desperate times also shows a lack of courage and leadership, and it’s something we’ve been used to these last 3 years under our woeful owner Mike Ashley.
Ashley may be a good businessman, but he’s no leader and still doesn’t understand football or how to communicate with fans – so he doesn’t bother.
We agree with Gary (shown above) when he says that a June restart for the Premier League, which is what he current plan, is not feasible for player safety concerns.
This is some of what the former Manchester United great has said as reported in the Chronicle today:
“It’s depressing that the Premier League and clubs seem to be in hiding, scared to death of communicating.”
“No one wants to be responsible for this one! Just in case the unthinkable happens.”
“It would be good for them to speak at least once.”
“Any of them! Clubs included. They are bottling this virus on comms.”
“They’re very happy to tell us when they are delivering food parcels though.”
Interestingly, the clubs who are objecting to playing on neutral grounds next month, which is the plan, are the bottom six clubs in the league.
It’s because we are not one of those that Amanda Staveley has been able to go ahead with her acquisition of Newcastle.
We hope to hear this week that the Premier League has approved the takeover.
That would be some great news for Newcastle fans in these tragic times for the world.
Loading ...Comments welcome.
22 comments so far
BlacknWhiteBarmy
May 4, 2020 at 11:42 AM
Comment #1Are we there yet?
Rotonda heights
May 4, 2020 at 11:45 AM
Comment #2BSIB
I wasn’t being ageist, it’s just I think you do seem to get a bit confused and muddled at times and in turn it makes you angry and forgetful. For example, you’ve just copied the email I sent to you and addessed it back to me. Oh dear, I appeciate plageurism is quite flattering but that is a little bit awkward. as it doesn’t quite work that way. I repeat I’m not being ageist, I repeat I’m not being ageist, I repeat I’m not being ageist, I repeat I’m not being ageist.
lochinvar
May 4, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Comment #3FA talking reality for once ?
With a deficit of £300million looming for the FA they must be realising that the prospect of further investment in TV rights for the Premier league ( hello Saudi Arabia) and beyond is their only route to survival. It is quite possible that until there is a vaccine in place (if one can be found ) and medical passports for the population that none of us will be walking up the steps in awe of falling in love again.
We will be watching on TV a sterile version of football played out in closed grounds with background noise dubbed over and only close up views of play from above and no crowd scenes except those repeated from equivalent previous matches. Box sets of your teams games will be available not on demand but on subscription.
Some where between watching repeats of Bullseye and flickering images of games from history.
Players earning and transfer fees will need to be adjusted accordingly.
Not a proposition any of us will realish.
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has said it is hard to see fans returning to matches “any time soon”.
If the Premier League and Football League resume then those matches will be played behind closed doors.
The Premier League is also preparing for the possibility of playing the 2020-21 season without fans.
“The reality is that we just don’t know how things are going to pan out,” Clarke wrote in a letter to the FA governing council.
“For example it’s hard to foresee crowds of fans – who are the lifeblood of the game – returning to matches any time soon.” Clarke said the FA’s executive team has been “building out different scenarios that we might potentially face as a result of the pandemic.” He also warned a budget cut of £75m will be “sensible” this year.
“In a worst-case scenario, this would be necessary for the next four years to offset a £300m deficit,” he added.
RobLeenio
May 4, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Comment #4Irish Rob “In short, Relax!”
Found that hilarious, given your mood fluctuations over the last couple of weeks.
😉
Peace!
hibbit
May 4, 2020 at 12:05 PM
Comment #5this definitely applies to a few on here !!!!!
https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/05/newcastle-united-takeover-hold-your-nerve/
Bedford Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:08 PM
Comment #6I don’t know if it’s just me, but clubs saying that playing matches behind closed doors away from home need to wind their neck in.
Surely the biggest disadvantage of playing away is not having the crowd behind you. If there’s no crowd there for either team then what’s all the fuss about?
Surely it’s fair for every team that way?
Munster Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:10 PM
Comment #7Rotonda give over and debate properly. At least you do thatvwith me most of the time. Billson has strong opinions but doesn’t get abusive unless pushed and he receives loads. Some people on here (not you) are really stupid and won’t accept his opinions on Ashley unless Billson writes them in blood. None of us want Ashley here, including billson and Jib, providing we get a better owner. Who wants to get rid of Ashley and in different ircumstances, get a Venkeys?
Munster Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:11 PM
Comment #8Just cancel the season ffs.
Munster Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:13 PM
Comment #9Ifisj Rob what’s with the new calm? Good to see!
Munster Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:14 PM
Comment #10Ah here, I’m off, feck off the lot of ye, I’m not talking to myself! 🙂
Mund
May 4, 2020 at 12:14 PM
Comment #11B&W
It’s 100% going to happen mate and I’ve held off for reasons I’ve said and plus I want my son to experience the atmosphere how it was and always should be, not how it has been these last few year.
Fingers crossed tho pal this is the start of a new era
Munster Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Comment #12This day last year I was in Grimsby. Howay the lads.
Munster Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:17 PM
Comment #13Sorry, 25 yrs ago!!!!
Munster Mag
May 4, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #14Mund we could be on a similar project with sons. I just hope that if we get new owners, some seats will be reserved for the general public.
Anglo Saxon
May 4, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Comment #15Exotic holiday munster.
IrishRob
May 4, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Comment #16Roberto would you rather I fluctuate some more?? Lol
BlacknWhiteBarmy
May 4, 2020 at 12:22 PM
Comment #17flatuate ?
IrishRob
May 4, 2020 at 12:24 PM
Comment #18Read it again Bnwb
RobLeenio
May 4, 2020 at 12:25 PM
Comment #19I’m only teasing, but I would expect more ‘fluctuation’ from you at some point anyway before this is over.
In fact, I’ll be concerned if there isn’t some. You’re like our emotional barometer.
😉
giimps
May 4, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #20Supported the club through thin and thinner, enjoyed some great games and more recently some terrible ones, highlights are the 4-4 vs Arsenal, as games go it had everything, at the end i thought we were going to win it but il never forget the feelings from that day, the total disbelief, the gradual realisation that something may be happening, then the crowd noise as we got back to 4-3 with a few minutes to go…..the ball gets pushed out of the box to an onrushing Tiote……..BANG!!!!!!!!………….the crowd go wild, i cant breath as im screaming so hard, we had a couple of chances at 4-4 but so did they……..after the match i was deliriously happy, aching all over and exhausted all at the same time……but thats football, thats what it can do …..i can imagine what the Arsenal fans must have felt and have probably felt similar in recent years……if the takeover happens (which i think it will this week) and we get some atmosphere back in the ground, the world of football will need earmuffs when they come to our cathedral
IrishRob
May 4, 2020 at 12:38 PM
Comment #21Lol ye I am, but when things add up and look good, I call it as I see them, same with when they dont look as promising.
Munster Mag
May 4, 2020 at 1:37 PM
Comment #22Anglo i go to the places with all the hot ladies :). Nah I was there for David Kelly and Co, happy days indeed.