The top 25 most popular football cliches among Newcastle locals

A poll of 2,000 adults - which includes those living in Newcastle - found 11 per cent love the phrase 'if it was on target, it would have been a goal.'

With 'play to the whistle;, 'that was a great cross but there was no one there, and 'at the end of the day...' also proving popular.

As are 'parking the bus' and 'you can't write a script like this'.

For the most part of the 888 online sport study found Newcastle locals enjoy these cliched statements, with 68 per cent admitting they find them amusing.

But one in 20 (five per cent) don't get any joy from them at all.

But no matter how people feel about them, 59 per cent reckon they are overused on TV and the radio.

However, respondents say an average of one footballing cliché a day - happily spouting phrases like 'a wake-up call' or 'they gave it 110 per cent'.

Other favourite phrases among Geordies include 'walk the ball into the net', 'there are no easy games at this level', and 'the table doesn't lie'.

While there's also affection for '2-0 is a dangerous lead', 'this game needs a goal', and 'like a new singing'.

Top 25 most popular football clichés among Newcastle locals

1. "A game of two halves"
2. "No one is bigger than the club"
3. "This game needs a goal"
4. "Nil-nil written all over it"
5. "Six pointer"
6. "He's going to have nightmares about that one for years"
7. "He's good, but can he do it on a cold, wet Tuesday night in Stoke?"
8. "Play a blinder"
9. "There are no easy games at this level"
10. "That was a great cross but there was no one there"
11. "Goals win games"
12. "They gave it 110 per cent"
13. "Play it to the whistle"
14. "Parking the bus"
15. "If it was on target, it would have been a goal"
16. "Walk the ball into the net"
17. "You couldn't write a script like this"
18. "The lads put in a great shift"
19. "Hospital pass"
20. "We're taking it one game at a time"
21. "At the end of the day..."
22. "He was in acres of space"
23. "A great advert for the game"
24. "Recipe for disaster"
25. "Turn the game on its head"