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John Carver ‘It was like playing against Barcelona in the Champions League’

9 years ago
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John Carver claimed that the atomosphere at the Newcastle v West Ham match was the equivalent of when United beat Barcelona 3-2 in the Champions League with that Tino hat-trick.

Whilst yesterday’s match experience was some way better than most of the tortuous games we’ve experienced at St. James’ Park this season, maybe we need to go one step at a time.

It was actually interesting to hear what John Carver had to say when he expanded on yesterday’s atmosphere…:

“I thought the crowd were magnificent, it was like playing against Barcelona in the Champions League.

“It just shows you what happens when everybody becomes United.”

Mike:

“I know Mike (Ashley) did say something before the game, saying he wanted to stay and he wants to get behind the football club and wants to win things with this football club. Well that is music to my ears because we all want to win things for this football club.

“If we are going to be United and we are going to win things, it is by being together.”

For once I think John Carver absolutely hits the nail on the head, the only chance any club have of lasting success, even if only relatively speaking, is when everybody is pushing in the same direction.

Both Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson managed this, with each allowed to speculate on players of their choosing as the Hall/Shepherd administration permitted a realistic transfer spend to back the managers, before it all going pear-shaped with the signings they made when Graeme Souness came along.

Maybe inadvertently, John Carver has spelt out exactly where Mike Ashley has gone so badly wrong.

The club owner has attempted to divide and rule in his running of Newcastle United and allowed no chance of everybody pushing in the same direction.

Even when the breakthrough fifth place season happened of 2011/12 he refused to build on it and only Vurnon Anita came in that summer, with a relegation fight following due to the understrength squad and some key injuries.

The only possible chance whilst Mike Ashley is still here of everybody ‘being together’, is if he appoints a credible manager, then allows him to appoint his own coaching staff and gives him a credible amount of money to spend on players of his own choosing.

Mike Ashley’s words might have been music to John Carver’s ears but as Alan Shearer said last night, actions speak louder than words.

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