UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that fans will be provisionally allowed back into stadiums for the final weekend of the Premier League season. According to a report in The Chronicle, the prime minister addressed parliament this today setting May 17th as the date that fans may return to sporting events
If all goes to plan, up to 10,000 supporters, or 25% capacity, depending on the capacity of the venue, will be allowed to attend sporting events. The Premier League will have its final weekend of matches on May 23rd.
The prime minister had announced a tiered system last year which allowed a few thousand supporters to return to stadiums. However, that was soon abandoned when a second national lockdown was implemented after Christmas.
This is encouraging that we could see fans return for the entirety of next season, though possibly in a limited capacity, at least to start. Newcastle travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham for this season’s final match. So no fans will have attended any matches at St. James’ Park this season.
The final match at Fulham could be a massive one for Newcastle as the Cottagers are currently just one place and three points behind in the table. Hopefully, Newcastle will not need anything from that match to ensure survival. We need to get some wins to keep Fulham at bay starting with Wolves on Saturday at an empty St. James’ Park.
If we do end up having to go to Fulham on the final day needing a result, let’s hope it mirrors that 4-0 thrashing Newcastle handed them two years ago when the future looked so much brighter.
271 comments so far
toonbrother
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:40 PM
Comment #1Thought we showed positive signs yesterday
As usual maxi and miggy were our best players
But I thought joelinton also had a good half before his injury
If we keep our heads up I think we can survive
Chelsea and manU were always going to be difficult to beat
toonbrother
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:41 PM
Comment #2Unpopular opinion but u think the time has come to drop Darlow for Dubrovnik
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:43 PM
Comment #3OP,
The big problem I have with VAR as a system is the refs that are actually using the system. They knew it was coming in for a while so they should have been training new referees that specifically worked VAR. Instead you have the same refs who make the exact same decisions they would make on the pitch for the past 10 years, they back up their long term friends and rarely want to overturn anything that makes them look bad unless it’s so blatant they have to.
For me the referees that monitor VAR should be independent from the on-field referees.
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:44 PM
Comment #4I know Shelvey will be pleased, however Bruce should be the main picture on this thread.
Him smirking with Old yesterday would’ve been more appropriate.
Hes the only one happy with no fans.
Great White Hunter
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:44 PM
Comment #5The Maguire incident with Laselles has really boiled my blood, how the ref and VAR missed this is beyond me ! It upset me more than the actual result. I remember the Italian FA and some teams and match officials were found to be corrupt round about 2006 now I think our lot could be just as bad imo, the whole lot stinks.
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:45 PM
Comment #6JR
Agreed.
DrGloom
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:51 PM
Comment #7Was the Maguire elbow mentioned by Bruce post match or commentators ?
I turned off the instant match finished as I can’t bear to see Bruce speak
geordietom
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:51 PM
Comment #8song for bruce to listen to …
https://youtu.be/ZNt5FnMK2sM
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:51 PM
Comment #9As I said before the game was not happy that a ref from wigan area was refereeing the game.
like a ref from South Shields refereeing one of our home games –
toon22
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:51 PM
Comment #10If the clown isn’t replaced, and soon
We are gettin relegated
geordietom
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:52 PM
Comment #11or i should of said a song that bruce should take heed of …
Carson80
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:54 PM
Comment #12GWH good post, it was Juventus who were involved in that scandal and were promptly demoted to Serie B, didn’t take them long to get back up mind. Would never happen in this country to many clubs involved.
Tackle from behind
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:56 PM
Comment #13OP and JR
You dorty pair of hackers.
Now I know who gave me the scars on my shins.
🙁
TheTinman
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:56 PM
Comment #14Jail, I take your point on them probably not being bothered if us or Burnley or Fulham went down. You’re right. I was getting carried away.
I do however still believe there is a bias towards certain clubs. It may be unconscious bias only, but I suspect something more sinister at play.
Carson80
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:57 PM
Comment #15Dr Gloom Bruce wouldn’t mention anything like that, Man Ure are his team, a Red Devil through and through he is.
Carson80
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:59 PM
Comment #16GeordieTom you been watching the Fast Show in your absence from the blog.
🙂
lochinvar
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:59 PM
Comment #17Like a script from East Enders. Also shows up Owen for being a little twit. I had called him something else very similar earlier which means stupid but got blocked as Word Press or the censor must think it means something else. Wrist slapped and no cookies tonight then
“Nile Ranger: “I’m treated like the Bin Laden of football” | FourFourTwo”
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/nile-rangers-long-journey-back-to-football-ive-reflected-on-everything-ive-done-wrong-and-everyone-ive-hurt
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 5:59 PM
Comment #18Tackle,
I was terrible for the ‘dark arts’ I came out of retirement for a 5 aside tournament my company had set up to raise money for charity a few years back. I s**thoused my way through the entire thing. We only conceded 3 goals so I think I was pretty justified.
Great White Hunter
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Comment #19Dr Gloom, I agree with you regarding Bruce’s interviews etc….I instantly turn it off once the camera goes to him, he smirks,lies,makes excuses and shows us how unprofessional he really is, as you can see I want him replaced ASAP.
Carson80
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Comment #20Toon22 you watch Elimination Chamber last night.
lochinvar
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:01 PM
Comment #21Tackle from behind
with a name like that I guess you’ll tell us that you never went in the refs notebook either ! ?
toon22
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:03 PM
Comment #22Carson
No missed that
Can we send the clown in ?
toon22
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:04 PM
Comment #23Yeh the clowns interviews are too cringe to bear
He’s brainless
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:09 PM
Comment #24Loch,
That’s a really illuminating read. Where’s the pressure to change your ways when clubs are still willing to offer you that amount of money despite not really performing and having so many criminal issues not to mention all of the lateness? It really does seem a case of if a club thinks you’re good enough for whatever reason, they’ll overlook pretty much anything else.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:14 PM
Comment #25The Tinman,
A shining example of how to disagree without an hour of spats following.
Tackle from behind
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:18 PM
Comment #26JR
The end justifies the means.
Loch
Let’s just say, I was never a threat to Gary Lineker’s disciplinary record. 😎
The mighty wyn
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:19 PM
Comment #27Jr and op
20 years playing centre half and never sent off. Only 5 bookings in that time.
Cant work out whether I was sneaky, lucky or just plainly a saint
The mighty wyn
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:23 PM
Comment #28Having said that – it was a proper contact sport back then
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:26 PM
Comment #29Mighty Wyn,
My only time ever getting sent off, I basically went full Joey Barton (never do that) and punched Christian Nerlinger in the ribs in a reserve game because he stamped my foot at a corner for about the 10th time and I just snapped.
Mund
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:28 PM
Comment #30NUFC Gallowgate
@NUFCgallowgate
Callum Wilson is due to be back for #NUFC on 3rd April – Spurs at home
The mighty wyn
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:34 PM
Comment #31Jr
The ones I didn’t like were what you said before about the studs down the shin or the calf.
Got a few bumps on the eyes over the years with forwards throwing their heads back pretending to go for the ball in the air when they had no chance of getting it.
A knee in the back the next often sorted it
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:37 PM
Comment #32Mighty Wyn,
I quite enjoyed the give and take of it, I always felt like I upped my own game when I was playing someone who could dish it right back. I much preferred playing a striker who would come and play up against me as opposed to someone who would try and play off my shoulder. Elbow in the back and studs down the achilles were pretty much my calling cards.
lochinvar
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:39 PM
Comment #33Tackle
Closest i got was being hit by a straight arm tackle in a rugby match after I’d cleared the ball. Apparently I went beserk ( I cant’ remember ) and ran around like a loon possessed for the next half an hour. Blood everywhere, the sponge man poured a bucket of water over me and told me to get on with the game. The ref sort of did the same.
The wife to be was watching all this.
After the game being a nurse she carted me off to the RVI with what was a badly broken nose and dangerous blood clot. One operation and a month of looking like I’d picked a fight with Henry Cooper I was back to playing.
I’ve snored ever since.
A few weeks later we got engaged and I’m still snoring, still wed 40 years on.
Every cloud etc
TheTinman
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:41 PM
Comment #34Don’t want to wish away March but…. we miss you Callum!!!!
TheTinman
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:42 PM
Comment #35I broke someone’s ankle once playing at school. His foot got trapped under my leg and the ball. Very similar challenge to Lascelles on Abraham.
The feeling was awful
Tackle from behind
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:43 PM
Comment #36Great story Loch 🙂
The ones that irked me were the players that would nip you when jostling for position at set pieces – fluffin big girls! They would get their cards marked.
Don’t mind any rough and tumble, but scratching, nipping and biting – not on.
Swlabr
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:44 PM
Comment #37JR…your horse wasn’t getting back at you for a wayward tackle was it? 🙂
Moonraker15
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:45 PM
Comment #38Callum Wilson back on 3rd April!
Bloody hell that’s some injury. Surely he’s back before then!
Optimistic prime
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:45 PM
Comment #39Wyn
I got sent off in a inter squadron match after 90 secs.
Yellow for a tackle and another yellow for the comment I made.
£150 fine and properly in the bad books, 2 weeks R.O.Ps
Restriction of privileges, foot around Army style.
JohnReese
Feb 22, 2021 at 6:46 PM
Comment #40Swlabr,
Nah that a**e hole just thinks he’s Billy big bollocks, he’ll be lucky not to get a 2 footer the next time I see him!