BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Very interesting on Newcastle United after win v Brentford | OneFootball

Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s cruising through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, a far more convincing win over Brentford than the 3-1 scoreline suggests.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion though, the politics entirely absent, just concentrating on matters on the pitch…

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Brentford fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘(Chelsea fan) The whole country will be supporting Newcastle and hoping they go on to win the League Cup.’

‘Fair result, Disappointed Frank started a weaker line up. Shame Damsgaard & Mbuemo didn’t start.

Good luck Geordies.’

‘Why, because Chelski are not in it. Not everyone shares your sentiments.’

‘No one likes the gooners, the scousers or which ever rubbish wins tomorrow so that’s why the rest of the country will be supporting the geordies.’

‘Such a shame that Masters and the premier league protect the top 6. Yes it was a great performance from Newcastle tonight, but all day i have been disheartened and cannot get over the fact of how corrupt the premier league is.

How are Villa and Newcastle who are the pushing “the big 6” supposed to compete when we have to sell our players to them.’

‘(Forest fan) Best of luck Newcastle. I hope you go on and win it. If you do it will be done the hard way and well deserved. Its time you ended the long wait.

Howay the lads.

As for Brentford, you will be a different team on the weekend. But we will be up for it as well. We owe you one.

In the words of the toon fave Mr Keegan ‘I would love it if we beat you…. LOVE IT”

‘I think if we get drawn against Liverpool we’re doomed.

Against Arsenal probably 50-50, and against either Spurs or Man Utd we’d probably be very slight favourites over 2 legs.

It’s going to be a tough game regardless and the players will have to really raise their game to compete but usually that isn’t a problem against “big 6” teams for Newcastle.’

‘I gather for the draw tomorrow night 3 teams will have balls in the draw. Newcastle will have a cube so it’s nice and fair.’

‘I wonder if Rob Green, on 5live, is re-considering his view of Sandro Tonali as “a bad signing, he never was a good player”. Unbelievable, Rob!’

‘Bad team selection tonight, but fair play to Newcastle for pressing the life out of us.Biggest disappointment was the sky commentary, pathetic.coyb’

‘A good performance by all. Revenge for our trip down to London. Just waiting for the Arsenal clowns trying to say Isak should move on in January and the makems saying Eddie should go!’

‘I think tonali could really become something there. He shows a lot of class, stamina and obvious love of the game.’

‘Good performance by United. Is 2025 going to be the year that Newcastle United finally win a trophy?!

I don’t know if you can count the UEFA Intertoto Cup back in 2006 but the last major trophy was in 1955, which IF they manage to win it would be 70 years!

Apologies Toon fans but as they know, it’s the harsh reality.

You feel their fans deserve a trophy, it’s been a very long time.

Tonali, class!’

‘I’m getting sick of pundits unfairly linking players from clubs like Newcastle, trying to break into the top six, with other teams.

Troy Deeney, in particular, keeps banging on about Arsenal signing Isak, first on Team of the Week and then on CBS! You’re paid to be a pundit, not a fanboy, so act like one. It’s frustrating to see this bias and lazy commentary from the same tired pundits on TV!’

‘Eddie Howe is perhaps best manager in PL. Imagine if he had resources of top 6 clubs. Team continues to perform well despite having one hand tied behind their backs due to PSR rules.’

‘Converting Joelinton to a midfielder, getting best out of Murphy, re-instating Schar after Bruce ignored him, developing Livramento and Hall,,,Eddie’s doing okay!’

‘Just my opinion, Newcastle if they could just keep all their current top players would transform the Premier league immensely, we would have a more vibrant colourful and a genuine break from the supposed Top Four Clubs.

I say this as a Leeds Rhino’s fan who as always for some unknown reason wanted Newcastle to be successful as frequent visits to your beautiful city inspires.

Tonali pure Quality.’

‘I do hope Newcastle get this one finally. They’re such a big club, and it would mean so much to so many people who don’t live in Sunderland.’

‘Newcastle fans are delighted that this season their only injury problems are with Pope, Botman, Lascelles, Wilson, Krafth, Targett, and until recently Trippier, Miley and Willock.

Because last season it was pretty bad.’

‘Good Luck Newcastle! Hope you go all the way and break the mantra at the top end of English football. It would be great to see a different name on a cup. Class goals by Tonali by the way. Up the Toon!’

‘There are few fans who would begrudge Newcastle winning a trophy. Eddie Howe is an excellent coach doing a great job under the PSR constraints that, simply put…are anti competition. Tonali is a quality player who has had a setback ( of his own making) but has served his time and is now getting back to where he left off. Most clubs in Europe were looking at him before he went to Milan.’

Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Wednesday 18 December 7.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Tonali 9, 43 Schar 69

Wissa 90+1

Possession was Newcastle 54% Brentford 46%

Total shots were Newcastle 23 Brentford 10

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Brentford 3

Corners were Newcastle 8 Brentford 5

Touches in the box Newcastle 35 Brentford 23

Newcastle team v Brentford:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Trippier 77), Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 46), Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak (Osula 77), Gordon (Almiron 77)

Unused Subs:

Vlachodimos, Targett, Lewis Miley, Kelly

You can follow the author on BlueSky @bigjimwinsalot.bsky.social

(Two Newcastle United players pick up suspensions on Wednesday night – Harsh – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 3 Brentford 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)