OPINION
It all could have been so different at Newcastle United this summer. If the club had managed to keep hold of Rafa Benitez, and if one of the several mooted takeover bids had come to fruition, then the Magpies would be going into the new season with the kind of wilful optimism that hasn’t been seen on Tyneside for many years. Instead, with the Spaniard gone, and with Mike Ashley still very much wedged in at the top of the hierarchy, the club appears to be sleepwalking aimlessly towards the new campaign with a grey cloud the size of a continent hanging over St. James’ Park. There has been much talk of Steve Bruce taking the reins, as reported by the BBC, but even if the Sheffield Wednesday boss does take over, there will still be a residual level of uncertainty that needs addressing. In fact, it feels like the only definite right now is that the fans are up in arms. And nowhere is that more blatant than in the social media reaction to the ticket news for the Magpies’ preseason clash with St. Etienne. The Toon Army face the French side at St. James’ Park on August 3rd, and judging by the comments many fans are posting in response the club’s official tweet, it could be a very, very quiet affair.
Nothing but Newcastle have gathered some of the best tweets below:
