Newcastle United 3, Peterborough United 1

Nov 9 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

THERE was rebellion in the air at St James’ Park on Saturday but by the time the last dissident headed home, the established order remained unmoved on and off the pitch.

The “Let them eat cakes” indifference of Tyneside’s public enemy number one, Mike Ashley, pretty much guaranteed that all the time spent inventing abusive chants, printing T-shirts and scribbling on bed sheets would be in vain.

And on the field the notion that the Championship’s worst team could take points off its best, even at the latter’s angst-ridden home, was put to bed in minutes.

Both sets of supporters were left to dream on.

With the result of an instantly forgettable game beyond doubt after just 18 minutes, the Magpies faithful could concentrate on what many seemed to come for – to complain about the email address of a new name given to their stadium and backslash, backslash its owner.

From half past one to half past five ripples of dissent flowed inside and outside the Gallowgate ground.

Even Ashley had probably sussed already that the majority would much prefer their cathedral of football to keep the name which has served it well for over a century, without defiling it by slapping on the website address of his down-market sports shop.

That, though, was largely a side issue, albeit an important one.

The main aim was to implore the “fat cockney b******” in the director’s box to sell up and get out as soon as possible.

It was most unfair. Ashley is not a cockney.

And he would have willingly cashed in his chips long ago had he been able to find someone willing to take the club of his hands.

The owner has proved time and again he is far too thick-skinned to let a bit of abuse cut his asking price, so the best exit stratgey is for the club to win the promotion. That at least is going to plan.