Theregulars

I understand the sentiment but I think this is such a basic outlook. It’s completely legitimate and reasonable to debate what’s going on now that our reality has changed. It doesn’t make us miserable, deluded, entitled or whatever meaningless trope you want to throw at us. We’re just analysing the football team we support and admitting that we haven’t looked great since the turn of the year, punctuated by our worst performance of the season yesterday and the squad coming out of the transfer window shallower and arguably weaker (TBC, depending on Gordon).

I’d imagine it was because we lost 3 players to injury, one of whom plays in his position and looks to be out for a few matches. I’d also imagine it’s because he was the only other player in that position we had aside from Bruno who is known for being able to play a decent through-ball and reliable for a 5-10 assists a year.

This news certainly helps us in the quest for the top 4, and eases my concerns about our squad depth a little bit.

I’d not say massive risk given they only play 2CMs and have Højbjerg, Bissouma, Skipp and Sarr; but given how guff Bissouma has been for them it may have been an idea to loan a CM instead of another winger/forward.

Should have signed Shelvey.

But that isn’t his point, is it?

Including Gordon, I might add.

I’d not make that move if it were my money, Ajax were awful under him. Gets some leeway as the club currently isn’t run as well as it usually is but he did nothing other than contribute to a majorly sub-par season thus far. My friend is an Ajax fan and I just asked him about this. He said “well, they must want relegated”.

Also, I take umbridge at being called “reactive”. All I’ve said is that yesterday’s performance was poor against a poor team and that I don’t think selling Shelvey was sensible with no replacement. I don’t think there’s anything unreasonable about either argument.

Casemiro will be playing, so that’s half your argument dead in the water.

A lot of “bairns” his age get regular PL minutes, because they’re good enough. Howe’s as good as admitted in the summer that the ideal scenario was to loan him out, but lack of squad depth meant he stays. I repeat that I very much hope I’m wrong, but the times I’ve seen him in person and on the telly I’ve not thought that there’s anything there.

I think if he belonged here we’d know already, but I hope I’m wrong.

I agree. This is a really difficult moment for Howe I think, because he’s having to change system on the fly. I reckon we might see Wilson up top, Isak behind as 10, Miggy right and Gordon left. However, it means sacrificing some defensive solidity which has been the bedrock of our season. It really makes you appreciate Bruno, because without him our midfield looks very league average.

That’s the kind of result we need to grind out against spirited but limited opposition.

Yes; don’t let that put you off. I’m probably just stressed from a long and very difficult week at work, but sometimes I find that people won’t acknowledge facts or reality and it gets to me, because I think it’s a huge problem in our society.

Last post on it because clearly it’s just annoying people, but as a general comment I do think people won’t accept any criticism, even where criticism is due.

I’m not concerned but it’s undeniable that he had a shitter yesterday. Hopefully a one-off as you suggest, but if Wilson is fit next week he starts for me.

I mean this level of drivel suggests that you know that you’re wrong. So, second chance - what does Anderson bring now that Shelvey wouldn’t have?

You’re.

What do you think Anderson has done / has to offer that Shelvey hasn’t / doesn’t? Anderson has done literally nothing of note in a Newcastle shirt.

I suppose we won’t know until season’s end, really. Hopefully we never get exposed and the gamble “pays off” if we finish in Europe any which way (which I still think would be an almighty achievement, albeit understandably anti-climactic if 6th/7th).

I’m really not - again, you’re putting that onto me. I’m sat here, very calm, wasting time until the football starts. It’s a good question. I don’t know about the prospective replacement and what was discussed, because nothing was reported in detail. On the Shelvey issue, Howe is on record saying he greenlit it and thinks it’s a gamble. The fact that it gave us a few days to find a replacement also makes the sale a mistake in my view. I think not replacing him is a mistake, but I don’t know who is to blame for that. I’d have said to Shelvey “yes, you can leave if we find a replacement in time. Otherwise, unfortunately we do need you to stay as the squad is shallow and we lack any creativity from central midfield without Bruno”, or words to that effect. He’d have been very well compensated for it financially, so I don’t think the moral argument of giving him his wish supersedes our needs as a club.

Good post, I agree with it. Shelvey would have been expendable in the summer once replaced. I understand why it makes some sense to dispense now when the offer is there and he indicates he’s interested, but to me it makes more sense to protect the club’s interests in the first instance.

Christ on a bicycle. Read the story: Howe said no at first and then the next day agreed. He has publicly said it’s a gamble but he agreed to allow it considering all the circumstances. Howe has clearly been a deciding factor in that move happening.

Sure, but their squad is deep. They’ve 2 class players for every position, whatever system they want to roll with. With Shelvey I think we had 14/15. Look at the bench yesterday - the only viable option to change a game for the better was Gordon. Murphy gets minutes every game and is largely derided on this forum as not good enough. I share that view.