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NWOAT Bit of a boring answer but truthfully I don't think it really can be explained yet. You're getting into the realms of neuroscience and the like of you really want to get into it. It's interesting if you turn the question around - why are some games not special? Why are they flat, unmemorable, surrendered relatively easily? Same amount of points available at the end of the day, same risk of physical harm, so you'd think the same amount of pride would be at stake. But we know it isn't, somehow. Bit random, and it might just be me, but Crystal Palace in the FA Cup 3rd round in 1998 comes to mind. Given got sent off early and Warren Barton had the game of his life at left back cum left wing. Turned around a deficit to win 2-1 and celebrations where I was in the underfilled Gallowgate were wild. I think part of it comes from people - players and supporters alike - somehow gaining the sense of personal responsibility for the result. Stepping up from being opponents to combatants and spectators to supporters. The mind comes alive, and is far more resourceful and receptive to experience.

Small thing, but I thought it was notable that on the Austria videos, Elliot Anderson got off the coach at the hotel alongside Howe and Ritchie. I wouldn't be stunned if Ritchie stayed on at the club informally as an apprentice coach rather than as an active player. Assuming his wages reasonably reflect that.

Only upset about the time wasted. Hope his hamstring goes off like a shotgun for messing us around but otherwise, glad the club sussed this relatively early into the window and moved on. Gut feeling is we won't be looking back at this one with regret.

My concern with this is that we may end up having possession and not having the outlets to take advantage of it. I predict we're already going to see a lot more opponents set themselves up conservatively against us, knowing what we've turned into since this time last year. The more we bring the possession onus onto ourselves, the more we'll need top class incisiveness up top to apply the coup de grace. I back Wilson for that, but Wood? Almiron? Murphy? Fraser? Saint Maximin? I'm not so certain. Which could lead to a lot of frustrating draws and Everton away style results.

Huh. This is sad.

Is this not an act, then?

RW. It wouldn't be ideal, but if we were packing a Diaby, alongside Pacqueta, Bruno, Saint Maximin and others, we could function with Wood or Joelinton up front, same as we did in the latter half of last season, with the added lethality of our new midfield.

I don't know if he'll come here, but I don't believe he'll go to Arsenal.

Given the Joe Kinnear experience, we're probably one of the only supports in the country who can properly sympathise with them over an interview like that. Like you say, a slow motion car crash.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if Dubs left and we kept Darlow as backup, but it would be diasppointing and 'worrrying'. To be honest, I didn't see us replacing Dubs as a priority for this season, but I thought improving his backup was important. If we're unlucky and Pope misses half the season somehow, Darlow replacing him could see us finish 4-5 places lower in the league on its own.

Now I think about it, could it be used as evidence in getting us out of an unfavourable commercial deal..?

Not good, but don't necessarily blame him. Need another incoming goalie in that case...

I don't think it would necessarily be without Howe's consent, or involvement for that matter. Based on press reports and direct quotes, we know 'someone' with a relationship with NUFC tipped us that Digne was a dick, and Rafa has spoken post-Everton departure about being proud of bringing Gordon along as a player. Incidentally, instead of Digne we also ended up signing long term Rafa target Targett... So a not inconsiderable number of coincidences there.

One question in my mind is is this kid so Everton that he detests us?

As others have said, looks like he really has something. And as others have said, seems naturally very dislikeable. Well, apparently Rafa really liked him... Wouldn't be surprised if he's been consulted on him.

Sadly, I can't tell if this is satire.

Personally, I think Nun Tumblers is great.

By coincidence, I'd just been wondering about his future yesterday. A pity for him he's gonna miss out on some amazing times coming up, but it probably is a natural breaking point.

Don't get me wrong, I totally agree. It was just quite striking how we're pretty much a fresh entity to him. Slightly different because he's English, but contrast with the somewhat older Isaac Hayden who was talking about how he still remembered Newcastle from his youth when he caught the tail end of our European campaigns and still thought of us as being one of the traditional big boys when he came here. Like I say, no problem at all with Botman for that.

Meh, never had a good feeling about this one since January. I back the club in whatever it does, but decisively and emphatically moving on to a host of other prospects seems like the right move to me.

Yes. On a bittersweet note, it's pretty clear he knows more about the PL than NUFC and that's his main driver, though I appreciate him being honest about that. Shows we have some work to do with re-establishing ourselves internationally and in the minds of younger players. I guess he probably wasn't potty trained when Bellamy put Feyenoord out of the Champion's League. That's a battle the owners will have to keep fighting for the next couple of years at least when it comes to winning sought after signings like this guy.

Relieved for them. Hope this guy isn't a wanker in his own right.

That's been a high comedy statement for about 20 years now. Funny how things change.

This is the attitude to have. Target 8th, have ambition of 4th. Yes, we might have rotten luck with injuries and come 10th. On the other hand, we might not. Biggest challenge I see us having, which I don't see people talking about, is the fact we're now a known power. Teams will be happier playing for a draw against us where we could take advantage of them aiming for 3 points last season.