Dalek2003

I also think that limited our ambition to 'staying in the premier league'. Meaning that 17th would do, we downsized the quality of the team. We took a policy of sailing 'close to the wind' and it can work and look spectacular but it can also be risky. We have truly capsized this season.

No. But if we go down, then Bournemouth and Brighton deserve bragging rights. They have waited long enough and good luck to them. Fortunes will change again, that is football. I am sure there is a Bournemouth Dalek and a Brighton Dalek predicting 17th.

People looking back and trying to trace the cause of our demise. Interesting indeed.

The return of Rupert??? Surely not or NC?

Yes it was possible, but was there any real intent or was it just talk?

We are on target for 17th?

I think that the Champions League talk was to make the fans feel happy. There was no real intent or evidence that the Club was prepared to invest to achieve and flourish in that competition, let alone stay more than a few places above 18th.

It is interesting reading this thread and it all does seem probable

Before that it was Dalek

If I thought we were going to finish 17th, maybe, but I doubt we will be that high up the table. We have been sleepwalking to relegation and now for the nightmare.

Its far worse than I predicted. We have fallen apart, abject and dismal. For too long the Board have taken the premiership for granted. They have been complacent in the transfer market They have dithered over key decisions They have cut corners and accepted cheap options over quality They have shown outrageous arrogance. It has been coming and here it is.

Lose this and I think we will go down, even 17th will look out of reach.

A deciding game. No doubt about it.

To be fair, the Boscombe ground is very noisy and atmospheric. A small tight little ground and Boscombe still see themselves as the little underdogs fighting every match. They are hungry to stay up, like Saints in the 90's. Saints have become somewhat anaesthetised, maybe explains 'walking to relegation', to coin one of my old phrases.

As someone has said the thought of Brighton and Boscombe lording it over us. That will be the reality.

If that is common n=knowledge, it's a great motivator!

Man Utd win by 3-2. We are still 17th!

I won't deny that. But I was right and that is undeniable. I never set out to win the popularity stakes, just to tell it as it was.

Late winner for Maure !

I predicted the trend downwards way before anyone and was castigated. People are singing my tune now. I was the pied piper.

No surprise to me. Called it a couple of years ago. I was bang on accurate.

I am not denying that, but I still believe in the final run in that Newcastle home is an intimidating place for away teams to go. I maintain ultimately that the Geordies will roar on their team.

Newcastle play at St. James' Park...if you want to be pedantic. The home atmosphere does make a difference, especially in the run in. In fact this was being debated on another thread. So, I stand by what I said originally.

Another thing, I genuinely think the Board said at the start of this year."OK, a lot of changes this year, we'll settle for lower mid table". Trouble is they did not expect such a drop and now are 'sailing close to the wind' hoping to scrape home safely. 17th, money keeps coming in. 18th a disaster.

TBH, most of the fans were saying that at the start of this season.