Everybody hates a bad loser | OneFootball

I like to think that I have always been somewhat of a good sport.

My family upbringing, which included me becoming a keen young footballer, then a fresh-faced member of St Edwards ABC, ensured that I always stayed gracious and was generally magnanimous during adversity.

Nobody likes to get beat but there is nothing worse than an extremely sore loser.

We saw that last season at St James’ Park, when Mikel Arteta made a complete fool of himself after Newcastle United’s deserved 1-0 over the Gunners. The fact that the Arsenal heirachy doubled down and backed this little whinger only compounded the situation.

This isn’t an anti-Arsenal piece (Man U are going to get it in a minute) but the North London giants do have form in this department going back decades, even before Arsene Wenger racked up at Highbury in the 1990s.

However, the worst culprit ever, was that far from noble Knight of the realm Sir Alex Ferguson.

This man made a mockery of the FA and EPL for many years, showing a nasty and distasteful contempt for everyone and anyone else.

Ferguson surpassed himself in his final season, he was an absolute disgrace in 2012 during and after Manchester United’s lucky 4-3 win against the real United, Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Even after any rare defeat in the Red Devils’ era of dominance, Ferguson was spiteful, sullen and ungracious.

I have read certain comments on The Mag comments section recently that have helped inspire this article.

Somebody reckoned that he would rather have a Toon team with the likes of a snarling Roy Keane in it. Really?

Keane could play alright but he was a dirty beggar and a hot-head that had no composure or self-control. Any man that admitted to going out on to a football pitch with the intention of causing an opponent serious physical and mental harm, needs his own head looking at.

A reprehensible character to this day is ‘Roy the Boy’ and I for one still cannot stand him.

Newcastle United suffered their first defeat of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. I would like to congratulate Marco Silva and his team on their deserved win.

A lacklustre performance from United, which included two goals conceded after absolute howlers by Nick Pope and Bruno Guimaraes, could understandably see some of our fans looking for scapegoats, as we lament and bemoan this abject defeat.

That wouldn’t get us any further forward though, as we look ahead to entertaining Pep’s Manchester City at Gallowgate next weekend.

There is a lot for Eddie Howe and his staff to work on this week and the players look short on confidence.

This was never more evident than when the usually reliable Fabian Shar was gifted an opportunity for Newcastle to equalise against Fulham and make it 2-2, Fab then completely fluffing his lines.

It is not a case of going back to the drawing board after this defeat. This defeat has been on the cards for weeks and we are still far from being the team that finished last season so strongly.

Our big guns like Bruno, Gordon and Joelinton look jaded. Alexander Isak isn’t getting the rub of the green, nor the necessary support from his lethargic teammates.

On a brighter note, Harvey Barnes proved yet again what a top notch finisher he is. The Barnestormer should be the first name on Eddie’s teamsheet for the visit of Man City.

We currently sit on 10 points from five games which is respectable.

We are also Geordies, who can put this defeat against Fulham behind us, but only if we can bounce back with a more positive attitude against the current champions in our next league game.

In the meantime, we visit League Two AFC Wimbledon midweek in the Carabao Cup. If the unthinkable happened, though I don’t think it will, the pressure on our manager would undoubtedly be cranked up to unbearable levels.

Eddie has shown great loyalty to his squad of players and this week they owe him and our supporters two solid performances.

Newcastle United and the Geordies have never been bad losers, although some still see that as a weakness in a society slowly suffocating in its own selfishness.

‘Today’s teardrops are tomorrow’s rainbows,

And tomorrow’s rainbows we will share’.

So said the supreme singer, artist, musician and Rock and Roll poet, the great late Roy Orbison.

I’m going to give him a blast later, after I’ve perked myself up with a couple of pints in the club.