Takeover talk, a club 'in limbo', an FA Cup exit & the Newcastle United confidence drain – Our fan panel share their thoughts

The Magpies surrendered their place in the competition to holders and favourites Manchester City yesterday with little sign of fight, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling netting one in either half in what proved to be a ‘walk in the park’ victory for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Our NUFC writer Liam Kennedy has shared his SEVEN takeaways from the game here – but what did out punters panel think?

Here Steve Wraith, Graeme Bell and Dave Black have their say on all things black and white, after a Sunday to forget for Steve Bruce’s Magpies.

Dave Black – @cm9798

What did you think of the game?

“I didn’t expect to win but you look at the desire from every Man City player today when they lose the ball. We showed nothing like that and in some ways Gayle’s miss masks what was a very lacklustre display.

“People will talk about that being the turning point but it wouldn’t have been deserved. The season is effectively over now, all eyes back to the ownership.”

And how do you feel about the possibility of the takeover?

“I’m getting less confident by the day but I’m still thinking it will happen. July 1 has a nice ring to it.”

Graeme Bell – @GraemeBell_NUFC

Thoughts on the performance?

“Well at least went out fighting..... oh wait. Pathetic display from the first whistle until the last. That’s being kind. Can someone ask Steve Bruce what his game plan was? As it’s plain to see there wasn’t one, city by far the better side.”

Fair to say you are finding it difficult to take an positives from this one?

“We didn’t turn up at all, it was a stroll in the park for City they didn’t have to break sweat. Bruce got it ridiculously wrong, not just wrong... he set us up to lose and he’s lucky we didn’t get hit for six or seven.

“How Gayle missed that chance I’ll never know but that was the only bright spark for us... other than that we were poor. Felt it was wrong to take Carroll off as he was our best player.”

Your thoughts on potential new owners and the Premier League dragging their heels?

“The takeover has rumbled on far too long and the Premier League have made a circus out of it, if they don’t make a decision in the next week, I don’t think it’ll go through.

“The Premier League look like they don’t want it to go through... they’ve handled it appallingly.

“The club is in limbo and that’s down to the Premier League who are forgetting about NUFC supporters whose club has rotted to the core under the current owner. They need to pull their finger out, their reputation is further damaged by this by the day.”

Steve Wraith – @stevewraith

Wasn’t a pretty watch was it?

“The club just emailed me to say they will start processing my refund for this game on July 9. They should have been paying us to watch that. Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley’s chances of a statue outside the ground have certainly taken a blow. NUFC got what they deserved.”

Key moment in the game?

“Dwight Gayle doing a great impression of Ronnie Rosenthal in the week liverpool are crowned league winners.”

Any positives from it?

“It was good to see Matty Longstaff coming onto the pitch. We all just have to hope it’s not the last time we see him in a black and white strip with his contract coming to an end.”

Your thoughts on the future?

“Bruce wont stay on under new owners. We need some takeover news soon. It will happen.”