Rich

Well now the atmosphere might be canny.

Did they not do that with the early goal and strong start on Saturday? Erm, yes? I didn’t say they didn’t. Was it still bad at that point? Sadly it was still pish and I'm at the front of the Gallowgate towards The Corner. I genuinely just think we're in a state of total limbo and there's very little faith in the players, which isn't the most useful combination at the moment. The takeover will make a world of difference, but relying on the crowd before that is fanciful at best. Need to grind out some results ugly IMO.

Did they not do that with the early goal and strong start on Saturday?

Just projected onto the big screen for the duration? Could work.

If the crowd couldn't get their arses in gear for the 125th anniversary game at a more reasonable hour on a weekend then I'm not optimistic about tonight. Need something aggravating early in the game to get everyone going, I reckon.

Burnley attempting the Pardew of 2011/12. Go on lads.

Santy, are you on your iPhone using Tapatalk or what?

Must have gotten that information from the same source as me.

?

Very tough one to predict in terms of lineup, this one. I'd like to see: Woodman Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett Murphy Shelvey Merino Atsu Mitrovic Gayle Given that this is obviously not going to happen, I'll predict the following: Darlow Manquillo Lascelles Clark Dummett Murphy Shelvey Merino Atsu Joselu Gayle Biggest question mark is over Dummett's ability to start, if he can't then I think we'll just see Yedlin RB and Manquillo LB. Outside chance of Clark LB with Lejeune moving to LCB. Ritchie also under serious threat from Murphy after recent performances and his little tiff with Rafa, but might be given another chance to put it right.

The clems around us have finally started to pick up points as well:

No, he spoke none when he arrived but is learning.

He was playing on the left when he came on wasn’t he? I’ve got a shite view, so might be wrong.

I was at the match and this is still the worst thing I’ve seen today.

Agreed, have never wavered from this opinion all season. A team is greater than the sum of its parts, but I really feel we need our eleven most talented players on the pitch at once m I’ve always been a Hayden advocate, but he’s treading water at this level.

Moving towards the opinion that Merino/Shelvey is the only real way forward at present.

It feels like we’re in limbo to me, no clear direction at all and it’s reflected in the stands and on the pitch. I think it’s even affecting Benítez himself.

I love Rafa like the chubby Spanish uncle I never had, but he’s got me scratching my head a lot lately. I can’t be the only one who was bang up for this until I saw the team selection. Think he needs to get us back to basics and of course he needs some help from those above, because when you look at the players’ body language and ability and it’s a miracle we started the season so strongly. Give the man something to work with for fuck’s sake.

This lad has me gasping for Paul Dummett’s return. Think about that for a second.

Surprised we were still in it by 86’ and can’t argue with the result. We’re back in zombie club territory until the takeover happens, so much is wrong at the minute in terms of personnel, tactics, substitutes and attitudes. Atmosphere was fucking wank as well, people just happy to sit there and accept defeat for the most part as soon as it went 1-1 (sub-zero temperature probably didn’t help).

Exterminate. At least temporarily.

Oooooh you fkn tease. #skirge