Greg

Finish of someone low on confidence. Just whacked it.

pints and time away from the Mrs, that's the case for 3 of my friends that still attend. Idiots :/ Tell them pubs don't close while football is on at SJP.

Christ we're shite.

One bus full of away fans and you can hear them 'your ground's too big for you'.

Atmosphere and also playing like a pre season friendly.

HTT that is a load of nonsense and even more so, before even attempting to write something like that, you simply have to read the judgement (it's linked in this thread) to understand the facts.

I agree, but that goes for most stadium designs I suppose. The shape refers to the bath tub shape the original stadium takes its name from.

Comments are encouraging. This was my favourite: As a general rule of thumb, if someone refers to 'the premiership' you may as well stop reading at that point because they know f*** all. Unless they are talking about rugby union.

Others a fault as well, you don't always track your man - it's not school team football - but he's neither tracked or handed over to Hayden and/or someone else but it's a great piece of play at high speed by Liverpool.

Which is what elite managers like Rafa do in the pursuit of success and excellence. If Schar does what you wanted and the ball gets flicked to Wijnaldum, then he’d be at fault. Can't really be viewed in such isolation, Dummett and Manquilo make bigger mistakes that contribute more to this than Schar. Bit of a mess all round and it was a great touch by Firmino.

Which is what elite managers like Rafa do in the pursuit of success and excellence.

Pretty much. He's a fantastic player all around. A bit suss defensively at times, but that's okay. Still a massive plus for what he brings to the team. Pause this on 7 seconds and tell me how it’s poor positioning? We’ve got two defenders tear arsing up Firmino’s backside, he’s watching Mane...it’s just a class flick that takes them all out. Shelvey doesn’t track the runner (Salah) and that was always going to be a goal. The giant massive gap about 20 yards wide that Salah strolls into, it's not just him - it's others in the unit as well. The three centre backs become far too narrow and the gap to the full back is disgrace. Some other big mistakes in there than Schar's positioning mind. From the very start of the play the shape has gone, Schar is on a different line to his other two centre backs, and they never regain their proper shape. These things are normal, you know. We are playing one of the best teams in the land and all their players and manager are far superior to ours. There’s nowt wrong with the positioning man. No tracking from the midfielders...you could question Manquillo not tucking in a bit more but it happened at such high speed between two class players, sometimes you just have to accept it’s a great goal. He's out of position from the very start of that clip - the three centre backs should be operating on the same line - this isn't exclusively his fault but we never recover from it in this passage of play. He's ahead of his colleagues and the wrong side of Liverpool player and we never properly recover the shape. These things happen a fair few times in a game, especially against a side as good as this and in this instance we got punished for it and I'm sure it will be something they will be working on on the training ground, they certainly would be under Rafa. Mistakes are a massive part of the game, especially at this level, but seemingly proper analysis and critique isn't welcome on here or rather you are not allowed to criticise golden boy Schar because he's great on the ball and scores great goals. The 3 defenders aren't going to be in the same line at all times in a game, one of the advantages of 3 at the back is that they can take a few more risks. When Salah passes the ball to Firmino the 3 centre halves are in a good line which is when the line matters. Dummett leaves to press Firmino, Wijnaldum makes a move inside which Schar has to follow and the space is there for Salah. Manquillo should perhaps have come in a few yards but it all happens very quickly and is fantastic by Firmino In a better position by then but still not perfect, and a little too narrow. But we are nitpicking here.

To tuck in behind Wijnaldum, keep his position in line with the other two centre backs and not follow the man and be dragged too central and the unit should operate properly. Others also make mistakes here, it's a accumulation of a lot of little errors. It's not a big deal - we're talking Rafa levels of perfection here in being critical here. Like I said these things happen especially against a side as good as Liverpool. Me saying it was horrific position was probably hyperbole.

Pretty much. He's a fantastic player all around. A bit suss defensively at times, but that's okay. Still a massive plus for what he brings to the team. Pause this on 7 seconds and tell me how it’s poor positioning? We’ve got two defenders tear arsing up Firmino’s backside, he’s watching Mane...it’s just a class flick that takes them all out. Shelvey doesn’t track the runner (Salah) and that was always going to be a goal. The giant massive gap about 20 yards wide that Salah strolls into, it's not just him - it's others in the unit as well. The three centre backs become far too narrow and the gap to the full back is disgrace. Some other big mistakes in there than Schar's positioning mind. From the very start of the play the shape has gone, Schar is on a different line to his other two centre backs, and they never regain their proper shape. These things are normal, you know. We are playing one of the best teams in the land and all their players and manager are far superior to ours. There’s nowt wrong with the positioning man. No tracking from the midfielders...you could question Manquillo not tucking in a bit more but it happened at such high speed between two class players, sometimes you just have to accept it’s a great goal. He's out of position from the very start of that clip - the three centre backs should be operating on the same line - this isn't exclusively his fault but we never recover from it in this passage of play. He's ahead of his colleagues and the wrong side of Liverpool player and we never properly recover the shape. These things happen a fair few times in a game, especially against a side as good as this and in this instance we got punished for it and I'm sure it will be something they will be working on on the training ground, they certainly would be under Rafa. Mistakes are a massive part of the game, especially at this level, but seemingly proper analysis and critique isn't welcome on here or rather you are not allowed to criticise golden boy Schar because he's great on the ball and scores great goals.

Pretty much. He's a fantastic player all around. A bit suss defensively at times, but that's okay. Still a massive plus for what he brings to the team. Pause this on 7 seconds and tell me how it’s poor positioning? We’ve got two defenders tear arsing up Firmino’s backside, he’s watching Mane...it’s just a class flick that takes them all out. Shelvey doesn’t track the runner (Salah) and that was always going to be a goal. The giant massive gap about 20 yards wide that Salah strolls into, it's not just him - it's others in the unit as well. The three centre backs become far too narrow and the gap to the full back is disgrace. Some other big mistakes in there than Schar's positioning mind. From the very start of the play the shape has gone, Schar is on a different line to his other two centre backs, and they never regain their proper shape. These things are normal, you know. We are playing one of the best teams in the land and all their players and manager are far superior to ours.

It was awful positioning from Schar for that goal, Neesy is right. He opened up the space for Salah. But we know that's one of his weaknesses and that's what we get. He has plenty of other massive strengths which we all love. No problem. Good player for us, playing against the very best under pressure he is going to make these kind of mistakes - if he didn't he wouldn't play for Newcastle United.

I wrote an article about my trip to Hanwell Town for True Faith. http://www.true-faith.co.uk/following-the-geordies-in-the-fa-cup/ Following The Geordies in the FA Cup This summer I finally decided to cancel my season ticket. A wonderful seat in the East Stand, near the halfway line. Brilliant view. But I’d had enough. My Dad had given up a few years ago. 140 loyalty points down the drain. This version of Newcastle United wasn’t worth the sacrifice anymore. This decision is a lot easier when you now live over 300 miles away in London. A few weeks ago I started thinking it would be nice to get along to a non-league game, I’ve always enjoyed the odd non league game when living in the north east but hadn’t really considered it since I’ve been in London. It was one evening after work, an internet search and I discovered the closest non-league team to where I live in Ealing is Hanwell Town FC of the Isthmian League South Central Division, and they play just about a mile up the road rather than in Hanwell. It was time to look a little closer, first I see they play in black and white stripes – a coincidence surely and then I read their nickname is “The Geordies” – I was intrigued. It turns out that Hanwell Town were formed in the 1920s but a group from Newcastle that were working in Hanwell area and decided to set up a team, of course they adopted the famous black and white of Newcastle United, one of the best teams in the land in the early 1900s. As someone that was born and grew up in Newcastle but now finds themselves in London due to work it was a no brainer – I had to get a long to a Hanwell Town game and keep an eye on their results. Hanwell had made an undefeated start to the season, and checking the fixtures were at home in FA Cup First Qualifying Round action against Staines Town. A text to a friend, who also lives in Ealing now but grew up in Newcastle followed and we were all set. Meet at 2pm on Saturday and we’ll head up for the game. It turned out to be an FA Cup classic – it was 8 quid to get in, and a few more for a programme and a raffle ticket. We enjoyed a few pints in the clubhouse while watching the game from a prime view from the club house terrace, a scaffold platform with astroturf and if you get the right spot – a brilliant view of the pitch. Hanwell started brightly and were ahead within just two minutes, when the Staines ‘keeper, the highly rated (according to the match day programme) Denzel Gerrar dropped the ball into his own net trying to catch a looping header towards goal- he protested he was fouled but it didn’t look like there was anyone near him – a great start for Hanwell. There was only 10 minutes gone when Staines made their first team foray forward amd Hanwell centre back was turned and pulled back the Staines attacked as he advanced on goal, just outside the box and referee George Warren brandished a red card for Harry Tucker. It seemed a little harsh, but probably the right decision – but I’d like to see it again. As Tucker left the pitch he was heckled in typical non league style about his tan and then couldn’t get back into the changing rooms as they were locked! Hanwell reshuffled and did well with 10 men and were soon 2 up, Andy O’Brien with a header. They play in black and white, they are known as the Geordies and now O’Brien has scored! For a Newcastle United fan, you really couldn’t make it up – who put the ball in the mackems net? I am in west London aren’t I? Staines were soon back in it, Che Krabbendam with a wonder strike into the top corner from 25 yards. Unstoppable. Another couple of pints in I need the toilet, head into the clubhouse to find Alan Shearer guarding the men’s toilets! Not literally – obviously – but a framed signed shirt on the wall – it was great to see but perhaps should be moved into the bar! As expected, 10-man Hanwell tired in the second half and Staines started to get on top and made it 2-2 from the spot, it was at the other end of the pitch but it looked very soft from where I was standing, Krabbendam tucking away his second of the game. As the game went on the talk on the terrace turned to what happens if it’s a draw – would it be penalties? Extra time? A replay? Nobody was quite sure – a replay on Tuesday seemed to be agreed scenario in the event of a draw but nobody was certain. It didn’t matter in the end. With only a few minutes left of the 90, substitute Rob Laney turned in the box and was brought down, penalty to Hanwell! Laney stepped up, a chance to win it and send Hanwell into the next round, but its saved by Gerrar! It looks like Hanwell will have to settle for a draw and a replay (or extra time or penalties we’re still not sure) but in added time, Krabbendam, the best play on the pitch, waltzed through the Hanwell defence and slotted him another stunning solo goal to win it for Staines! The 20 odd travelling away fans behind that goal went wild as Krabbendam was booked for taking off his shirt as he celebrated the winner. What a game! Not the result I wanted, and I’m sure Hanwell would have won this comfortably had they not been down to 10 so early in the game but it was a great game of football – a special mention must go to the Hanwell steward – manning the entrance to the car park as we arrived, he then guarded the tunnel as the players came onto the pitch, at one point was in the Bob Fisher Stand behind the goal cheering on Hanwell and then was back by the tunnel as the teams left the pitch to remind the referee his performance will be assessed by the FA! More importantly, this was a great afternoon of football, with lots of passion, desire and entertainment and you can have a beer – I was born a Newcastle United supporter and I always will be – but I’ll certainly be back following The Geordies in west London again.

He wouldn't play for Newcastle United if he was as good defensively as many make out, bearing in mind how good he is on the ball and bringing the ball out from the back. His positioning is his main weakness, but in Rafa's system and in particular in a three that doesn't really matter that much when defensively you have a back 5 more so more often than not there is cover there. It's no coincide that pretty much all centre backs that have had a long run in the side under Rafa have looked excellent - the system. I think he's great, and a properly functioning club would be looking to offer him a new deal now as he's only got another season after this one. But some of the things you read, putting him up there with Van Dijk etc. (particularly on Twitter) is just embarrassing.

Been following Hanwell Town, they are about 30 minute walk from my flat and closest team. Play in black and white and the nickname is The Geordies. Formed in the 1920s by some men from Newcastle that had come down to London to find work. Heading along today with a few mates for their FA Cup match.

Nobody contends that isn't his standout defensive attribute.

Crap finish mind, should have smashed it.

I like the look of Pepe, think he'll come good.

Same thing he tried last week. Cheating prick.