Source: Telegraph
Newcastle fans ignore Alan Shearer's plea for unity ahead of Portsmouth contest
Newcastle United v PortsmouthKick-off: Mon Apr 27, 8.00pm, St James' Park, NewcastleRadio: Setanta Sports 1Radio: BBC Radio 5 Live [LNB]The interim Newcastle manager made a public appeal for members of the so-called Toon Army to get behind his team when they face Portsmouth at St James' Park in what is being billed as the club's biggest game in a generation. [LNB] Related ArticlesNewcastle in for a shock, says HartIt's grim up northOutlook bleak at troubled NewcastleOutlook bleak at NewcastleAlan Shearer cracks whip at unfit Newcastle playersMan Uniteds Sir Alex Ferguson blasts arrogant Rafael BenitezHowever, the club website has surprisingly revealed that tickets for the game remain available throughout the 52,000-capacity stadium despite the Geordie icon's heart-felt pleas for fans to roar his team onto victory. [LNB]According to a stadium plan on the website – nufc.co.uk – many of the sections occupied by season-ticket holders are unavailable but still plenty of seats at the stadium remain up for grabs despite the significance of this evening's contest. [LNB]Newcastle's average attendance has been slipping in recent years and it is on course to dip below the 50,000-mark for the first time since the ground was re-developed at the turn of the millennium. [LNB]Portsmouth are unlikely to be supported by a huge number of fans tonight but the empty seats elsewhere – including the expensive ones in the money-spinning corporate sections - will come as a disappointment to the club but signal disenchantment with the club's slump in fortunes as well as the economic downturn. [LNB]The reluctance of fans to part with their hard-earned cash could also be down to the fact that the game is being televised but the club have already taken steps to make sure that there will be an electrifying atmosphere despite the no-shows. [LNB]Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith put the fixture's importance into perspective with the club languishing next to bottom of the Premier League with five games left. [LNB]'There's no pulling punches, we need three points,' the former Leeds and Manchester United player said. 'We're desperate to stay in this division and we go into the game confident after the second-half at Spurs. 'It's easier because we know we need to win - it's as simple as that.'[LNB]Defender Habib Beye added: 'We are in trouble and it has not been a good season. Three of those games are at home and the next one, against Portsmouth, is all we focus on now because that is the most important. [LNB]'As a team we must all focus on Portsmouth and get the three points and that is what the manager has told us. We expect to win the home games but it will be difficult. I still think that we might need more than nine points and that is why we must win.'[LNB]
