BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after AFC Wimbledon match | OneFootball

Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s win over AFC Wimbledon.

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 almost totally absent (give or take the odd Mackem…).

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, AFC Wimbledon fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing (though to be fair, ‘neutrals’ a bit thin on the ground for this one, so a lot of comments from fans of the two teams playing):

‘As a Wimbledon fan. Just want to say thank you to Newcastle.’

‘Same as that! They stepped up to help us in our time of need, and that is most appreciated.’

‘And well done to you Wimbledon fans who made the long journey to St. James’ Park tonight. I can’t help thinking the banner you displayed (see pic above) was a touch of class on your part and spoke volumes over the usual tribalism we see in football grounds.’

‘Our pleasure. Well fought today and all the best for this season and going forward – great club with some of the greatest of fans.’

‘All the best for the rest of the season to you lot, as well! Thanks for all the help from NUFC and Toon Army, during our current pitch predicament!’

‘Fair result – well played Newcastle. Got to say the Wimbledon crowd were amazing.’

‘We do really appreciate all the help from NUFC and the Toon Army, towards our pitch repair fund! Hopefully you have a successful season, and maybe win this Cup?’

‘Wimbledon made it difficult for Newcastle with a disciplined defensive display. Fair play to them as well for not taking the Tranmere approach and kicking anything that moved.

Hopefully the revenue from tonight and the fundraising puts them in a strong position.’

‘Well done to the Toon ,51000+ for a league cup game is fabulous support.’

‘Very proud Wimbledon fan here. Thought the team was immense tonight considering the gulf in class.’

‘Who were those 2 sky clown commentators?! They were desperate for Wimbledon to achieve anything…even a trip into the Newcastle half was met with great excitement. Toon were completely professional without being exciting and the result was never in doubt. Howay the lads!’

‘As a Wimbledon supporter, I am proud of how the team defended. We were never going to win this tie, so to only lose by a penalty goal was very satisfying; not so interesting for the neutral, I guess?

Thnx to Newcastle Utd and their fans, for helping us out in our [pitch] crisis moment! All the best to the Toon for the rest of the season.’

‘Great gesture from Newcastle to contribute to our pitch repair fundraiser and allow the game to be switched. On the pitch they offered very little considering the overwhelming possession and no one bar Gordon in a black and white shirt looked even remotely interested in even being out there. Wimbledon defended very well but didn’t lay a glove on Newcastle in attack alas.’

‘Looking forward to seeing Mudueke and Neto tearing the wings off the magpies in the next round.’

‘Can’t wait for Gordon and Barnes doing the same you can attack but you sure can’t defend.’

‘I’m really proud of how our lads defended so stoutly, against a strong Newcastle team, and at what can be an intimidating ground; watching the game on the box, the travelling Wombles could be heard singing away!

All the best for the season, to you Toon!’

‘Makes you wonder what the result could of been had we played them at their place, ok 1-0 is very poor against a league Two team, but credit to Wimbledon, for the way their manager set his team up. He should be proud, not great on the night from us but we are through and that’s the main thing.’

‘Miggy still class, Osula looked promising, don’t know what all the gloom is about. Liked what little I saw of Vlad the keeper. Another small step in right direction.’

‘We spoiled people with that 8-0 last season, and the 3-0 at Monkwearmouth, now every time we don’t dominate a cup game against weaker teams and win by a hatful they treat it like a disaster!’

‘(Sunderland fan) Miggy isn’t class at all.’

‘Worth more than your team put together.’

‘That was a strange game. Newcastle they’ll say should have scored more, but Wimbledon made no attempt to attack until the last minute of stoppage time. It was like a training game.’

‘A silly challenge from the Pig for the pen, but can’t really complain at the final score. At least we weren’t thumped, so the team spirit should be very good for the Salford game?’

‘Great to see the comments on here tonight – 2 sets of supporters appreciating each other. Yes Newcastle were expected to win and did so relatively easily, but Wimbledon certainly didn’t disgrace themselves and hopefully the funds they earned tonight will help restore their pitch and move them on this season.’

‘The commentators couldn’t have wanted a Wimbledon goal any more, it was genuinely embarrassing.’

‘C’mon, what do you expect? Absolutely EVERYONE wants an underdog to do well, it’s quote natural. Newcastle are three leagues above Wimbledon and their squad cost about 5000 times more than Wimbledon’s. Who are neutrals gonna back?’

‘(Sunderland fan) Good verses evil.’

‘It wasnt a spectacle, today was about Wimbledon. I travelled up with some of their fans, chatted at Kings X, I’m sure they were all made very welcome in our pubs, saw a near full house on a Tuesday night also on SKY. Lads on the train in great spirits knowing it would be one sided but still wanted to see our city and ground. Great memories. Football won today.’

‘As football fans we must all stick together and help Wimbledon.

What the MK Franchise did was wrong and could happen to any of our clubs.

Leeds fans stand with Wimbledon.

Nice work NUFC.’

‘As a neutral this is a great football article. Quite heart-warming. Well done to both clubs and their fans.’

Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 – Tuesday 1 October 7.45pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Schar 45+1 pen

AFC Wimbledon:

Possession was Newcastle 78% Wimbledon 22%

Total shots were Newcastle 18 Wimbledon 2

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 Wimbledon 0

Corners were Newcastle 10 Wimbledon 1

Touches in the box Newcastle 41 Wimbledon 8

Newcastle United team v AFC Wimbledon:

Dubravka (Vlachodimos 46), Livramento, Krafth (Hall 62), Schar (Burn 90), Kelly, Joelinton (Gordon 62), Willock, Longstaff, Barnes (Bruno 46), Osula, Almiron

SUBS:

Ruddy, Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy

Attendance: 51,739 (1,400 Wimbledon)

(Newcastle v Chelsea date, time and TV details made public for Carabao Cup last 16 game – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 – Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming match schedule, confirmed so far to end of November:

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 30 October – Newcastle v Chelsea (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports