Benwell Lad

Despite some poor results we really have done what was needed quite well over the season. We have same points from same games as Sheff Utd in the league below who look certainties, it's just that we have two other teams still in touch. Rafa has talked about April and I think we will now take the bull by the horns and push on in the remaining games.

They might, but I wouldn't fancy them against anyone nowadays. They're rank and don't even look like they want to win a game. Boro apart, at least the other teams at the bottom try to do something. This Sunderland are piss poor even compared to previous seasons when they wriggled their way to 17th.

Where have all those vote grovelling politicians who bleat on about fair deals for football fans disappeared to ? Oh, of course, there's only one league which merits their attention seeking efforts isn't there ?

..... and they were most of the senior players too. Last promotion season the dressing room was full of older experienced players (Nolan, Harper, Shola, Barton, Smith, Colo etc etc) and whatever their playing impact they were strong characters to have around when the pressure was on. Rafa's achievement in getting this squad together after the upheaval and putting us where we are in the table is quite brilliant.

What is the manner of Huddersfield's 4-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Bristol City? and realistic.

What an amazing player always thought he's the closest thing to Messi that I've seen.

Just a shame the club were never properly taken to task about their shortcomings during the whole sordid affair.

Sure we've been poor in a few games, but this was the first time we've beaten and totally outclassed. Hence the one-off bit. Leaving SJP on Saturday I was concerned about how easily they beat us but now I'm more inclined to think their stellar day just coincided with us being mentally and physically weary resulting in them playing us off the park. We were well beaten by Wolves as well. I know what I said opens itself to scrutiny and we were indeed very poor against Wolves, but no one has done to us what Fulham did, and I don't think it will happen again this season.

Sure we've been poor in a few games, but this was the first time we've beaten and totally outclassed. Hence the one-off bit. Leaving SJP on Saturday I was concerned about how easily they beat us but now I'm more inclined to think their stellar day just coincided with us being mentally and physically weary resulting in them playing us off the park.

Fulham's result against Blackburn on Tuesday sort of reassured me. They are a good side, but Saturday's one sided victory was just a team who had a great day against a team who had a really bad day. A one off. One of those things which happen in football from time to time.

Deluded about what exactly? I haven't read the whole thread, but from what I can see, most people are discussing tactics after a bad home defeat. Tbh I think it's pretty deluded for some to think you'd be in a better position if Rafa had left last summer. Got to say I know an awful lot of Newcastle supporters but not one who even remotely thinks that

I think that a lot of the reaction to Saturday's defeat was not so much that we got beat but how comprehensively we were beaten. Although poor in most of this season's defeats the opposition never turned us over until Saturday, and I think it was a shock to most, especially coming so soon after beating Brighton and Huddersfield who were generally assumed to be the best other teams in the league. A couple of days reflection and I'm now pretty sure that it was just one of those games. Fulham are a useful side who had a very good day even by their standards. They caught us on a bad day when the intensity of three consecutive, very difficult away games had taken it's toll and we were physically and mentally below par. Take the hit, regroup and get on with the job.

How did that happen? It's what I can't get my head around, do they have better players than we are giving them credit for? Well on yesterday's showing they looked like a very good side. Even during our bad times in the PL other teams seldom took us to the cleaners as comprehensively as Fulham did yesterday. But if that was really typical of them then they would be at the top of the table, so maybe it was just a day when we were really bad and they were excellent ? They were scintillating to watch at times and have some very good players.

Really hope that was just one of those days when every player has an off day at the same time because they didn't just beat us, they totally outclassed us in every department. Worrying. Lots of credit to Fulham, their passing and movement was superb and they never sat back on their lead as they were so confident that they could carry on playing us off the park.

I see nothing in his demeanour or attitude which would indicate he is not enjoying this project and will want to see it through. He is however a consummate professional who would give nothing away anyway.

He's not like He's no world beater sure, but he's nowhere near as bad as the myth which seems to be gaining weight on here.

Only problem with South Shields is they are currently a bit of a band wagon club and it will be crowded and not so easy to use bar facilities etc. Shildon v Consett is a good shout as it is a classic old non league ground with an old fashioned club house bar under the stand. May also be worth considering Berwick Rangers if they are at home. It's a very easy train journey, about 45 minutes, with about 3 trains an hour from Newcastle Central. Although Scottish league it feels "non league" and the standard is not much higher than the northern league. Also plenty of pubs in Berwick and as always it will seem like the beer is free for you Norwegian guys

The reason they were moved from the west corner of the L7 Leazes to the east side was to assist policing/stewarding i.e. only having one end of segregation. Would cause problems to move them anywhere else now.

They took on a fair few loans iirc. Something they've done far too much of over the years. They like using a short term sticking plaster while ignoring the cancer symptoms do the mackems.

Decent side Fulham, haven't they got the third best GD in the league ? If we take it to them it could be a very decent game and I for one would be delighted with a one goal victory.

Really ? I thought it was common knowledge that we are playing boring, cancel the opposition out football, and generally not playing well at all ?

Karl Darlow is the Njukasl golmani. Nice language

I've admired your consistent optimism throughout, especially after the occasional bad result when some go into panic mode, but that game last night proves once again that football (and life) has a habit of biting you on the arse if over confidence leads to complacency. That said I can't see complacency being allowed when Rafa's in charge

Think of it as half a point and that's just about right :-)

If that's the (approx) 10 minute version I thought it made us look excellent, good approach play and waves of attempts on goal. Do realise the other 80 minutes must have been quite bland