kager

Having a + 8 goal difference over Brighton and a + 30 over Huddersfield helps too.

Same here. Brighton are not playing nearly as good as I thought they would, and even though Huddersfield is dominating, their goals came off lucky bounces. We spent the last number of games without our top scorer and arguably our best player and we're still in 2nd, 1 point off the top spot and have a game in hand over the two teams directly below us. Lots of hard work left to do, starting this weekend, but we're not in as bad a shape as I felt we were after the own goal yesterday.

Huddersfield got like 4 or 5 lucky bounces on that goal. Can't remember the last time something like that has happened to us.

It's just nice to not have the manager constantly telling you how you can't compete with other teams for one reason or another, like Pardew, Carver and McClaren used to. I imagine that thought has never even entered Rafa's mind.

I'd be happy with that, as long as it was something like 23 million and Lucas. Gives us cash to spend and a potential leader in the middle of the park.

Congrats! My wife is 35 weeks. We already have a name picked out. I tried to suggest a last minute change, she wasn't interested.

This. I keep thinking that there has to be a moment where it clicks and he realizes that what he's been doing since he took over isn't working. But then I think back on all the other recent times I've felt this way - the summer of 2012 when we could have kicked on, but only bought Anita, January 2014 when we were in 6th and could have invested but didn't, last year when Pardew left and we got Carver, when Caver left and we got McClaren, the list goes on and on - and I realize that he's not going to change. Hopefully he proves me wrong this time, but I'm guessing that it'll just be another moment to add to the above.

Me too. Lord knows why. Immediately after the Villa game I thought we were gone, but little by little the hope or delusion whatever you want to call it, has crept back in. I know I'm setting myself up for a huge let-down, but I feel like there is still one more twist in this relegation fight. Just hoping that it's not the twist of the knife as Everton get hammered and we go down.

The fact that he has done so well, winning numerous cups, makes me feel confident that although he may not have the reputation at being a motivator, he at least knows how to prepare and plan for one-off games. That alone will be light-years ahead of where we were with Steve.

I agree with this one hundred percent. This whole "lose and you're gone, win and you still have a job" thing is crazy. If it's gotten to that point, one win won't change anything. Just get rid of him now or regardless of the result and go get someone who can do the job while there's still time.

To think Sir Bobby was fired for a slow start after finishing 5th and this guy still has a job.

So do I !!! Spooky. I think he'd struggle as well mind. I had the same dream as well. Really strange.

That makes way too much sense.

This for me is crucial. I'm still on the fence with McClaren taking over, but clearly something has to be done to stop the ridiculous amount of injuries we seem to suffer year after year. If he takes steps to address and stop those and makes more common sense decisions, like getting rid of Carver, it's a step in the right direction. Still not saying I'd be fully on board, but I'd be willing to consider it. Although none of that changes the way I feel about Ashley.

Normally, I would give anyone coming in the benefit of the doubt, but I remembering telling my wife that Carver wouldn't be that bad, so clearly my judgement is impaired. I don't have anything against McClaren, just utterly disappointed at the lack of ambition.

Josh Saunders former LA Galaxy keeper now at Real Salt Lake, Scot Thompson who used to be on Portland Timbers and Matt Taylor who I grew up with in Orange County, CA and is now on some second or third division German team. If any of those count.

Shearer is the main reason. Grew up in California, went to England right as he was transferring to newcastle. Idolized him. Have tons of friends who jumped on Man U, Chelsea, arsenal, bandwagons. Might sound strange but I feel sorry for them, yeah they've seen success, but seems hollow, unearned. I've been to St. James once and it was amazing. 2008 won 3-0. Maybe I'm a romantic or just an idiot but when I finally get to see us lift a trophy it'll be worth 100 times what it would if I would've taken the easy road and followed Man U or Chelsea.

Shearer for me.

Gil by far our best player. Nice goal although Spain took their foot off the gas along time ago.

Underwhelmed to say the least. Seems like every time, at least in the recent past, where we've had a chance to make a decision that could really help us kick on, the people in charge have failed. From the Bowyer summer, to getting rid of Sir Bobby mid-season as opposed to if you're gonna get rid then do it in the summer, to last summer's failure to now this. And those are just a few examples. I'm sure supporters who been around longer than I have could name quite a few more examples. Here's hoping that I'm wrong about this being another in a list of missed opportunities, but at this moment I just can't see it.

I'm exhausted.

Woke up early for that. Wish I would have stayed in bed.

Maybe both. Growing up in the states I haven't seen a ton of the best players live. The free kick was incredible, but the way that he controlled the game with such ease and authority on the ball was remarkable.

I was able to be a ball boy for a training match between Romania and Sweden just before World Cup 94. Hagi was awesome and scored an amazing free kick, the best I've ever seen in person. Was lucky enough to pass the ball a few times with Henrik Larsson while he was warming up as well. Awesome day.

My fault. I watched the first half at work during my lunch break. I get back to my desk and we score. I promise not to watch anymore.