Interesting to read through these BBC Sport ‘neutrals’ comments, following on from Newcastle United losing 7-2 over in Barcelona.
United exiting the Champions League 8-3 on aggregate.
Newcastle played well the first half and created two excellent goals, only for poor defending to let them down.
The penalty (that Ramsdale got his fingertips to…) just before half-time, probably the key moment.
Once Barcelona scored early in the second half it was game over.
Things then falling apart for 20 minutes and United punished three more times.
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, none from Barcelona fans (but predictably plenty of Mackems…), plus one or two Newcastle United supporters also contributing:
‘Arsenal fan here. I feel for Newcastle, they played really well in that first half and made it tough for Barcelona. Shame what happened after giving the penalty away just before HT.’
‘I thought Newcastle did great, played six halves of football against Barca this season and looked out their depth in one of them’
‘The intensity of the PL and volume of games for many of the Premier Leagu teams definitely has a debilitating effect.
RM, Barcelona, PSG don’t really have that, maybe a few big games, but nothing like our teams face.
Frankly I felt my team Man city then Chelsea and Newcastle lack intensity required. Arsenal buck that you could say but the opposition were probably weakest of the British teams faced’
‘Hall apparently the new Maldini after 1 good game. Don’t make me laugh’
‘Newcastle could have been down to 9 men as well! Linton and trippier lucky, great for us though on Sunday in the derby now, more confident we can win there’
‘Who’s Linton?’
‘When you come up against players with technical depth, bags of natural talent and good coaching, you’re up against a superiority and advantage that all the billions and hype and delusion in the world cannot cope with. Some of these European teams just have too much. It’s a sad reality we’re sometimes forced to admit’
‘Seemed to go downhill after the denial of a blatant Newcastle penalty in the 1st half.’
‘Usual stuff you can’t expect equal levels of decisions at the Camp Nou. Multiple yellows not given to Barca and let’s not forget Yamal should have been banned for this match.’
‘Premier League sides have conceded 26 goals between Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs and that’s before Spurs even play their second‑leg match.
It’s becoming obvious that Premier League teams aren’t as strong as we like to believe, and many players are massively overpaid for the performances they deliver.
Man City and Chelsea have poured billions, inflated the entire market beyond reason.’
‘There’s also the fact that the CL places are obtained on the previous season’s form.
Newcastle have actually looked very decent in the league lately, but this was a very tough draw for them. ‘
‘Liverpool did spend 400mil this season.’
‘No mention of Liverpool’s record breaking transfers, Man Us stupid wage structure.’
‘It’s because they aren’t playing patsies week in week out like the rest of Europe. Compare the results earlier on in the season versus this stage and it’s clear the EPL teams are more fatigued.’
‘Teams like Newcastle , Spurs , Atalanta , Bodo Glimt , prove they are out of their depth should not be in the CL’
‘The PL is by far the most competitive league and easily the hardest. PSG and Bayern can play their second team for most of the season and PSG were even given a weekend off to prepare for the Chelsea game’
‘Newcastle & Eddie Howe should hold their heads up high.
For a match and a half they were as good as Barca.’
‘(Sunderland fan) Barca aren’t very good, can’t defend for toffee for one. Newcastle made it so easy for them for most of the game.’
‘Newcastle fans got involved in beef between Citeh and Arsenal. So no pity for Newcastle from me.’
‘Shows that Newcastle does not even know what the word defend is, by letting all those goals through.’
‘Further proof Newcastle are a big club (but only in Newcastle)’
‘Depends how you’re defining a big club. They have a huge following, for example. Much more proper fans than most teams in England.’
‘If only everyone would support their local club.’
‘Biggest club in the North East’
‘Newcastle shouldn’t even be in the champions league, just doesn’t feel right them being in it, just not European quality at all.’
‘There will be plenty of comments here laughing at Newcastle, from fans of clubs who have never had a sniff of European football. But the Toon have had their most successful season in Europe for a long time. Be proud of it Geordies. And ignore the haters.’
‘Well said and well done Newcastle for getting to the knock out phase! UTV’
‘well said, sensible comment. Still never seen a mackem in milan.’