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Haven’t read the thread (I will do when I’m tucked up in bed), had a great weekend, chatted to geordies from all over the world and lots of other teams supporters. Thought we played very well today apart from their two goals. No shame. Things are only going to get better. This time last year we were fighting to avoid the drop and here we are in a a final and at the top end of the table. Fucking great to be a Newcastle fan again. Love you all you weirdos xx

Had a couple a nights away in Keswick, got back yesterday morning. As is often the case I usually wake up at daft o’clock when I’m not at home in my own bed. Preoccupied with thoughts of today’s match and one of my best and oldest mates, whose dad has days to live. Anyway, I decided to go for a long walk to clear my head so did the Newlands Round from Little Town. I even had a chat with a fellow Newcastle fan at the top of Catbells. Nice day for it anyway. Howay the fucking lads

For your early morning pre match amusement Skip to about 16.50

I went to post in here this morning that I knew we had the ability to win but that I didn't think we would win. I was also going on to say the fact we got to a final is amazing but it just feels wet blanket so I didn't. I feel that given where we were 12 months ago, even when we had Bruno and Trippier, the thought that we could finish top 10 and lose a league cup final would be something I would have jumped at. However, given the way we have started this year, dropping down the league a bit and today makes it is so much harder to accept. That in itself is a brilliant thing. I just feel so lucky to have my team back. I think we did ourselves proud today. We didn't drop our heads and fair play to Karius who performed at a decent level. It feels like this was one step too far at this point of our journey but it also feels like it is a step on our wonderful journey rather than a disappointing climax to a fluky season that where we won't get a better chance again.

It was the blind one 👍🏻

The filthy scum have only done that to try and make Sunderland look bad. Obsessed man.

Just got home, obviously disappointed, but … … I’m not disheartened. We were the better side by a country mile, but we lacked any final attacking threat, which we must, and will, inevitably address. Putting this game in context, a year ago we were staring virtually inevitable relegation in the face. To even be here is an unbelievable achievement on his part. Howe has worked godly levels of improvement on our club, and will continue to do so. Maybe this final came a year too early, but we can walk away from this with our heads up. Off the pitch, there was only ever going to be one winner, but we took that to another level. The shot of our end, with the Black and White stripes and the flags, was genuinely hair-raising stuff. The way our owners interacted with our players and staff as they came up to collect their medals was just superb, and that’s from a grumpy old cynic. I wish we’d won, but I’m in no way ashamed of where we are as a club, and we’ll do the job properly next time. Howay the Lads

We love you too CT. Proud of lads and lasses like you going down there and representing the club and region and having a good time and that's despite the result. Now go shit in that fountain

Karius did a pretty remarkable job for someone who hasn’t played a match for two years, especially in a crucial position such as his. His lass should be getting herself lubed up as we speak

Would have taken Isak off for who he came on for? It’s different but I like it. Thought we played well. The fans did us proud, as did the players. We are hundreds of millions of pounds behind clubs like Man Utd. But only getting started. Specifically, thought Karius did well. Bruno and especially Big Joe were great but perhaps lack the know how of Casemiro. Wilson was very, very poor. His movement was lacking all day, although with Isak coming on for someone else we don’t have another option.

Tbf I don’t think I’ve ever been to Shearer’s bar and not been disappointed

FYP

The second goal credited to Botman. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW??? @wykikitoon

Rashford starts?

Now for me to try and locate Isegrim based solely on pictorial clues (ok, and a WhatsApp conversation)

And with that, CT's redemptive transformation from mocked tory bastard to lovable toontastic clown is complete. Well played sir.

Fucking ponce

Fair play to the cleanup kids.

mag behaviour

Btw any mancs on here, like @The Fish and the @greyman wherever he is, your city is a souless shit hole full of walking spice zombies and shit tower blocks that are clad with balsa wood and polystyrene. So there.

Can I be the first to say, its only a tinpot cup. Fuck it.

I’m stressed to fuck now like .

Nervous as fuck. A chance to finally kick this stupid fucking trophy drought once and for all, and to properly achieve something as a football club. If we win this, I will never hear from anyone that the League Cup is a meaningless competition. I'll defend it to the fucking death for what it would mean to our club in this moment, even if we piled League Titles and CLs on top of it. Howay the lads!

Been having a hard time explaining to the wife why I've been a nervous wreck lately. 'You haven't ever even been there' she says. About 22 years to the day Sir Bobby's lads caught the eye and me life was ruined forever. I've already warned her I'll likely be a miserable sod starting Sunday. I just hope we keep it competitive to the end, honestly. Far too often have we fallen apart right at the cusp of hope. Liverpool last weekend a badly timed reminder that we still retain those genes. Keep it competitive, take them all the way to the end. The lads have it in them, just need to hold the nerves. Cup final, never thought I'd see the day. Come on you wonderfully mad bastids!

I guess the thousands that left it like that didn’t really care. Well done to the Mag cleaners for their efforts. Legends.

Thought he should have stayed on. Surprised Eddie took him off. If anyone was going to do something it was him.

I really like Ciggy, but lets be honest Casemiro is in a different galaxy to him Swap those two and I think we win easily today

Well I thought we turned up, played well and were a little bit unlucky. 2 soft goals really as Bruno didn’t need to concede that free kick and Karina should probably save the second. And Rashford’s shot wasn’t even on target. Remember though, this is just the beginning and we are here to stay as a force going forwards. We’re 3 transfer windows into the revolution. The fucking crack post match about ‘United’ being brilliant btw. Fucking vomit-worthy bollocks.

I don't think Karius put a foot wrong. No chance against the free kick and no chance agains the OG. He made some good saves when they were clearly told to test him from distance.

How good does that look! Howay the lads let’s have it!!!

Beautiful sight from our fans there, bought one of the surfer flags to Wembley.

We've just parked up in Ruislip.....old friend of Alex my co driver lives here so free parking on their drive and a couple of spare sofas for tonight (big thanks to Simon & Jo) short hop down on Met line then a few beers. Best of luck everyone lets make it a day to remember for all the right reasons.......HOWAY THE LADS BRING IT HOME

On the bench then

second biggest redemption story of the day after Karius and his match-winning saves later

Nice work @Christmas Tree it was a bit emotional hearing you and your daughters speak in the context of the atmosphere there and the impending game. Hope you all have a great time and more importantly that we win.

He’ll be having a Yorkshire pudding wrap

I can remember you posting about her starting a new job (in a bank?) after leaving uni (I think) and now she’s mid-30s ffs. Looks like they both take after their mam too luckily

Eddie’s Margarita Mags 😎

good luck in the cup final today fellas. i'm not overly fussed who wins but would be good for the reds progress to be slowed on another note i saw this thread on our bluemoon forum re applause at the city v newcastle game in the 6th minute for a little girl, if it happens and you hear it and wonder wtf, heres why minutes-applause-for-milly-rose-stirrup-at-newcastle-game-6th-minute

Aye same in Amsterdam. CT you should buy the ticket for the seat next to yours and take one to the match with you.

Left about 9.30 as the youngest daughter had crashed by then. She’d been on the go since 3.30 am so can’t grumble. I pre-booked the sports bar in the Empire Casino and the daughters boyfriend had also booked a pub in between Leicester Square and Piccadilly so we’ll just see which has the best seats. Nerves have kicked in already so I might just go to the park and feed the squirrels instead.

I’m not seeing a cone-headed elderly gent in that clean up team mind… … unless he had to dash off to his hotel for a piss?

sportswashed

Listen, I'm not CT, I don't photography my dinner!

Nerves kicked in now like.