January transfer window.

[ghostrider]

That's all very nice.

We have great support, supporters spending their hard earned to follow the players far and wide. I do, however, see empty seats in parts of the ground that were previously occupied. But you can't question the support.

I have no need to question the overall support.
People have their own minds on what they think they deserve as a fan and what the club should be doing to provide it.
Not all will agree with each but regardless of that the ground is always close to full when it appears that most people are ready for boycott's and such like.
It shows there's much more to it and is why Newcastle United fans are called very loyal and passionate.

But here's something that may shock you.
It doesn't always take potential disasters of relegation fights and lack of ready cash net spending to dismiss a large proportion of a crowd. Success and a few years blip from the power of success can dissipate many a crowd to scarce levels in many cases.

Remember: Newcastle crowds dwindled to half in the earlier times of the 32,000 capacity, but the die-hards were always the backbone that kept the clock ticking. Like many clubs like ours, including Sunderland.
Look at their crowds and they're in league one.
We would be the same if we were in league one, because the fans are passionate about the club, not the board or owners.
These days it's easier to go with season tickets on a payment plan which ensures near full grounds, in much more crowd friendly environments, even though the old school would prefer the rough and tumble of the stand up crowds of those days...as you will appreciate being old school yourself.

Neither can you question the effort of the players, they give it their all, and I believe it is because they 'get' what it means to play for us.

They do give their all in the main but giving your all in one set up may or may not reap rewards. Changing the set up to give players more balance as a team, throughout with emphasis on taking advantage of putting any team on the back foot as and when capable and as mindset of going into a game to win rather than not to lose, is a massive gee up for players and fans, in my honest opinion.

Look at the change in Ritchie and Kenedy in getting forward and creating. Look at the benefit for Rondon and so on and so on.

I also believe Rafa is a good man, a good manager, and someone who instills in the players what our Club is about.

I know he's a good manager but I happen to believe he's been playing it far too cautious with a near set team rather than using potential in a squad to change it up.
I keep hearing the old goal difference argument. That's all well and good but we are after being entertained and being a nice man who ensures we only lose by one goal in a dire game is worth nothing other than weekly frustration and misery for the fan.

He might be a very good man in all aspects.
I'm interested in what he can do for Newcastle United with players he buys, loans and has at his disposal, plus his ability to enhance their talents.
I believe he falls short in this department in terms of a stubborn refusal to take the bull by the horns with players, yet managed to do a bit of it against Bournemouth which produced a gulf in feel good factor for fans and incoming players...not to mention the gee up for those that were already part of the regular team and basically grafting but festering a little bit.

All of the above are pulling together for our Club.

Most are, I agree. They're putting in some effort and commitment for the manager and us fans. A little bit of guile on the back of that graft can amass points from the front foot as has been shown.

Sadly that's where it ends.

Nope. That's where it can begin.
If Rafa can carry on the way he's going he can change this season around for us and change the fortunes of many players within the club.
The potential is there to harness to easily get us out of the doldrums.
This is where Rafa can really earn his corn, for me.

The one person who is not 'in this together' is one Mike Ashley, our owner, who tells lies, promises money generated by the Club, and sticks the V's up at fans.

He owns the club and runs it as a premier league club whilst using a manager that's deemed world class who he pays extremely handsomely along with Rafa's staff.
Arguing a case for it not being a premier league club only holds water when we are literally not a premier league club.
Clearly as it stands, it is not the case.
I'd say Ashley is onboard with the club.
His fan love for the club might have waned. His adherence to the fans might have took a critical turn for the bad...but then again he's entitled to go that way considering many fans have tried to crucify him for close to 11 years (whether or not he was/is to blame) but yet most have always played the petal pulling of, he loves us he, loves us not...we like him, we like him not....we accept him, we accept him not, scenarios over the years...depending on the footballing climate of the time at hand.

And he, ultimately will be why supporters say they've had enough.

No he won't.
He may be the reason why SOME supporters refuse to go or give up...but regardless of who owns the club, it's still Newcastle United football club and a club I will be a fan and supporter of like 99.9% until it ceases to be a club or I/them cease to be alive...regardless.