Newcastle United’s away fans against Blackburn Rovers represented ‘proper support’, according to the Times’ Chief football writer, Henry Winter.
Over 2,000 Magpies made the trip to Ewood Park on Tuesday night to see their side edge out the Championship hosts 4-2 after extra time, despite the tie being live on television.
The Toon Army now face a home draw against Watford in the fourth round of the competition at the ned of the month.
Posting on his own personal Twitter while reporting on the match, Winter was keen to praise the eagerness of the vocal travelling contingent.
He said: “More than 2,000 #nufc fans at Ewood Park on a cold, midweek night for a cup replay that’s live on the TV and is now in extra time.
“All standing, many of them in short sleeves, singing their love for Rafa Benitez and understandable loathing of Mike Ashley. Proper support.”
More than 2,000 #nufc fans at Ewood Park on a cold, midweek night for a cup replay that's live on the TV and is now in extra time. All standing, many of them in short sleeves, singing their love for Rafa Benitez and understandable loathing of Mike Ashley. Proper support.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) January 15, 2019
OPINION
Credit where credit is due, there aren’t many sides who have endured as much in recent times as Newcastle who would still be able to pack out an away end for a third round FA Cup replay against a Championship side on a Tuesday night when the fixture is live on television. The Geordies have put up with a lot under Mike Ashley, and it speaks volumes as to the passion and tenacity the Toon Army that they will still follow their side all over the place. Last night could quite easily have been an embarrassment, but they came through it, just about, and the confidence boost that might give them could be a crucial part of them going on the kind of run that could save their season. That being said, an extra match in midweek, especially one that goes to extra time and is potentially damaging from an injury perspective, isn’t always the order if the day, and it will be interesting to see how the Magpies perform on Saturday against Cardiff City.
