Rio Ferdinand insists Newcastle United players will relish turning out in front of a packed St James' Park as the club plan for a big future. The atmosphere inside the ground before the game with Liverpool was electric as the noise almost drowned out the team covering the match for BT Sport.
Ferdinand, and fellow pundit Peter Crouch, are used to playing at St James' as an opposition player, while former Magpies goalkeeper Shay Given, who joined the panel for the TV coverage, is hugely familiar with the feeling of having the loyal home support behind him after years in the United goal.
As the players emerged to a deafening roar, Ferdinand hailed the impact the United fans could have on their team. And he pointed to the fact the 'community' feel was back as a key factor.
