Re: A LEAGUE OF FRAUDS
The best way to put it in perspective is this:
Newcastle's BEST spell in the modern era was from 1993-2004. An 11 year period where they qualified for the champions league a FEW times and reached a couple of cup finals, without actually winning anything. Some deluded jawdees think they're a big club.
Arsenal's (an actual big club) WORST spell in the modern era is 2005-now. An 11 year period where they qualified for the champions league EVERY season and won a few trophies. Yet they're considered a running joke by many in the modern game.
On the subject of Bobby Robson... I know that Newcastle fans like to act as if he was their saviour, who they worshipped. Yet the truth of the matter is that they also BOOED him at times when they had slow starts in the league, failed to qualify for the champions league and when he dared to bench their then past it 'famous number 9' shirt wearing Jesus Shearer. Kevin Keegan raised their expectations in an era where the premier league was shit and had fallen behind the other big European footballing leagues. Since then a large portion (which is what Jawdess always ask for at the takeaway) of their fans have been massively deluded knackers. 'Barcelona of the North'. 'Geordie Nation'. OKAY THEN.
*****
I actually find this quite an interesting subject, as what makes a 'big club' is kind of subjective, because it can include so many variables. But for me:
1) Manchester United (Elite) -
An incredible history of winning major trophies, plus unrivalled success in domestic competition in the Sky tv money era (92 onwards) and 'oil money era' (2004 onwards).
2) Liverpool (Elite) -
'Five times' is probably the first thing you will think of, but their history in domestic competition is only second to United. They've had poor success in the league in the modern era (which is what has held them back), but have still won plenty of domestic cups and European trophies this century.
=3) Arsenal (Big club) -
An incredible record of domestic achievements, including being the record holder of biggest number of FA Cup wins. However, they've had very few trophy wins in the last decade, while their European record leaves a lot to be desired.
=3) Chelsea (Modern big Club) -
'They've got no history', which is not strictly true. Most clubs would have been happy to achieve what Chelsea had won before the sky tv money era. Many will throw accusations about oil money, but the club actually had good domestic and European success from the mid 90's onwards, before Abramovich took over. Their modern success has only been strengthened since then, with multiple domestic and European trophy wins.
5) Man City (Modern big club) -
Again, like Chelsea, they have a reasonable history in terms of winning all of the major domestic trophies. Their recent league title and domestic cup wins makes them a force to be reckoned with in modern times. Like Arsenal, their European record isn't great. This is possibly the most controversial placing, as the history of the clubs below could be argued to hold more merit. Then again, surely nobody would dream of trying to argue that Villa are a bigger club right now?
6) Aston Villa (sleeping giant) -
A club with a great domestic and European history, that has only had minor success in the modern era. Currently falling on hard times.
7) Everton (sleeping giant) -
Ever present in the top flight and have a great domestic history, but again have had minor success in the modern era.
8) Tottenham (sleeping giant) -
A good domestic and European history, with some moderate success in cup competitions in the modern era. A title winning success this season could massively boost their reputation.
9) Forest (Brian fucking Clough) -
A generally small club which had a relatively short period of incredible success with one of the GOAT managers. How you rank them compared to the four teams above largely depends on how much you value current success. I think a cut of period of no big trophy wins in 25 years is fair. After this the definition of a 'big club' really starts to lose any meaning (for example: Blackburn).
TL;DR = Obviously what makes a big club is up for debate, but the idea of Newcastle as a 'big club' is a bad joke by any definition, while some of their fans are the most deluded loonies around.