Every player in English football dreams of playing at stadiums like St James’ Park – Omar Bugiel


 
 
 
 
 
 

Another full house at St James’ Park tonight.

Not unusual for Newcastle United but when AFC Wimbledon are playing at ‘home’, having a crowd of over 50,000 is a novel experience.

We all know the reasons why this match has been moved to St James’ Park and it has been a massive blow to everybody at AFC Wimbledon, to have their pitch and stadium damaged by the flooding.

However, there has been some knock-on benefits, with AFC Wimbledon set to get a significant cash injection due to having the game moved to Tyneside.

Whilst just as importantly, the AFC Wimbledon players and around 1,500 of their fans, set to enjoy a night at St James’ Park…

AFC Wimbledon striker Omar Bugiel talking to official club media ahead of facing Newcastle United – 1 October 2024:

‘Every player in English football dreams of playing at stadiums like this (St James’ Park), so it’s an experience that we have to take in our stride as a unit and attack head on. We saw off Ipswich Town in the last round and Coventry City the year before, people know we mean business and that they need to take us seriously.

We have to stick to our game plan, stay solid and understand that we have to be patient when we’re out of possession. When we get the chance, we know we can create moments of magic. We will go there with full belief, particularly with our fans behind us. Full respect goes to our supporters for making arrangements to go at such late notice, we salute you.

We should have taken our chances against Bradford but regardless of the fact that we didn’t win, we still showed what we are about and the key now is to continue that strong form. You never know what could happen – it’s worth remembering that Cambridge United beat Newcastle in the FA Cup there not too long ago. They won’t want to lose against us but at the same time we don’t want to come away with a defeat either, so we’ll be looking to be right at it.

It will be a strange one for them as they’ll be going from facing Manchester City to AFC Wimbledon, they may see us as an easier game on paper, but we know we can cause them problems. We don’t have to overthink the task in front of us, we just have to do what we’re good at.’

ON THE FLOODING…

‘At first we saw a video of the pitch online and we were so taken aback by it that we thought it was fake! It looked like it was AI on first viewing but then it soon became clear that it was real and that the pitch was severely damaged. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it in all my time playing football.

It was a big shock because this will only add to the games that we already have in hand. But it is what it is, of course we’re disappointed to not have the advantage of taking on Newcastle at our home but we have been handed a chance to make a name for ourselves at St James’ Park.

It’s massive for us as players to see the support that we have, not just from our supporters but from across the football community. It’s brought everyone closer together and it’s another thing that will get us going when we return to the pitch.

Once again the Club is having to overcome another hurdle and I know we will do it. The GoFundMe page created by a fan is amazing and will help to get Plough Lane back to how we know it.’

Newcastle United upcoming match schedule, confirmed so far to end of November:

Tuesday 1 October 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (To be played at St James’ Park)

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

W/C Monday 28 October – AFC Wimbledon or Newcastle v Chelsea

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle