Big Geordie

HWTL

I think he's done as much as he could. At least we have pace down the flanks now (Yedlin and Attsu)

It never takes much for him to fall off the wagon. I hope coming home manages to help sort him out for a bit.

Chron saying we've missed out on Villa's Gestede, who is off to join Boro for £6.5 million. I've never heard Gestede's name mentioned recently?!

Fair enough, Merlin - it's all about opinions. We know Rafa has a particular way of playing and the bloke still has my trust. Ashley must back him in the transfer market, not only next month but in the summer too. We are playing in a very competitive league this season and aye, the home form is a concern but I still think we will be ok bar a major disaster. At the moment, I would take finishing 2nd - winning the league would be nice, but it's not the be all and end all. Promotion is.

Any post match comments from him yet?

I think there is some mileage in what Dave (I think) said a bit earlier. Turning this club around is a huge job, given that prior to Rafa being appointed, it had given up on competing since the season we finished 5th (IMO) Many of the players that were signed to just go through the motions are still here - the likes of Colback, Gouffran, Anita, etc and whilst they have played their part to some extent this season, they are not the future, nevermind the immediate future. I trust Rafa in that he will take us up but he has to be allowed to do it his way. That may see the likes of Perez and Mitro sold on to bring in other new faces. It's worth remembering that Keegan and Robson didn't turn us around overnight, after a spell of the club being mismanaged. Bad habits can take a while to iron out. That said, I'm still very disappointed tonight and Rafa has to take a share of the blame.

Utter pish and a fully deserved win for Wednesday tonight. Rafa got it wrong tonight but wasn't helped by players who have let him and the supporters down. New additions needed next week. Our abysmal Boxing Day record continues.

Attsu apparently getting ready to come on.

Unfortunately, I can see Wednesday bagging a 2nd here. Our midfield is just woeful without Shelvey. No wonder Rafa is trying to source Delph for next week.

Wednesday score.

Darlow with another terrific save from Fletcher!

Sounds like Wednesday are doing their best to spoil this and the referee isn't doing anything to stamp it out.

Sounds like we are missing Shelvey, big time.

Darlow saves us twice inside a minute - from Steven Fletcher.

Clark heads just wide from a corner!

Just use this as the match thread.

Hayden to get forward tonight, hopefully.

I was at that game, in the West Stand Paddocks. Was my 2nd year at Teesside Uni, although I hadn't gone back done yet. Bought myself a season-ticket (my first one!) thanks to the summer job I had done, once overdraft was paid off! Waddle was brilliant for these, this day. Malcolm Allen worked his socks off for us - and Mathie's goal.

Reading 3 Norwich 1

Leicester 0 Everton 2 Lukaku Ranieri to get the shove soon?

Man United 2 Mackems 0 Zlatan

Burnley 1 Boro 0 Gray

Jermaine Beckford has been sent off again for Preston.

Pen to Reading - Norwich down to 10. Pen missed, but rebound is put in by McCleary.