Beren

Look like he Cam Newton'd out of one 50-50

My favourite Newcastle player since Laurent Robert, I reckon.

Class celebration

Only caught the highlights on MOTD then read back through this thread from page 27: How bad was Bruno? People seemed to be having a right go on him on here. What a result. I was highly critical of Gordon last year, but he looked great in the highlights. Isak's finishing is incredible. Tonali looks like a young marauding Pirlo Insane he plays for us. Barnes looked class. Thought Villa had a few good chances too, but we had so many more. Incredible result. Going to be a fun year.

Salina and Ramsdale Also didn't captain Haaland because I'm proper edgy.

Low key bonus of the transfer is WWII-glorifying "Proud Brits" will be steaming that England's top goalscorer will be learning German.

RAWK: you're not factoring in inflation

Just wanted the top three strikers in the league. But I do think Villa are quite defensive. I reckon they might be a bit like Newcastle for parts of last year and the year before. Now they're respected, teams will sit back against them and they'll struggle to break them down as they're used to playing counter attack. So maybe a fair few 0-0s.

First time playing in a while:

Yeah discrepant enforcement is definitely a problem, but I'm an idealist. Reversing the culture of disrespect of the referee's authority will take time and be a painful process, but it's the right ambition.

Long overdue rule change. Soft touch refereeing has facilitated and enabled some of the ugliest aspects of the modern game. Saw some tenuous pushback from Varane earlier: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66426840 Basically wants carte blanche to behave like stroppy teenagers.

Is Hemp the one which tries to do all the first time one-touch flicks that always go to Nigeria?

Howay Nigeria tbh Better side and nee dickheads*. * - also there was that cute wee SuperEagle in the crowd

Well said.

And then sold to NUFC for £1

Farewell sweet prince

There are actual coaches likes Bruce and Kinnear out there. This isn't one of the sports where you have to be in the game to know a thing or two, and that's what a football forum is

Fair enough. I'm not sure I agree on the "Howe player" part. I think to be a team competing for silverware you need to have more than one string to your bow - and I am not seeing a lot of pace and creativity outside of ASM in the squad. Isak to an extent, but I don't personally want him out on the left wing. There will be more games where we need to be solid and counter in the CL especially. I also don't think he's useless against teams who sit back, as he occupies a lot of attention. I hope for the best, but I'd be disappointed to see him leave the club. Flair players at this club always seem to get a rough ride when they're playing, then are lionized in arrears. It's as though they are penalised for showing excellence but not being able to unflinchingly excellent (not saying you btw, just a general observation)

I've seen ASM unlock defences and produce moments of brilliance far above even the potential ceiling of Barnes. I also think he's really improved while he's been here too, is a better decision-maker and has not been in a strop when he's rotated for different situations. He's well liked internally, and he's feared by our opponents. Replacing his skillset is way more expensive than what I think Barnes would/should cost. IMO. I definitely think the "he doesn't look up" is a trope that has just been carried forward without reference to how he has improved over the past few years.

ASM for Barnes is a shit deal IMO.

There was another one which discussed Leicester and Newcastle specifically, but this'll do. Cheers.

Anyone got a link to that article describing the financial closed shop of the Champions League?

Howe wouldn't let Mbappe start ahead of Murphy until around December, I reckon.

Depending on what Howe's approach is going into next season, you'd think a rampant press and having more stamina than the other team will be less effective early doors - as everyone ought to be relatively fresh. I think we'll be alreet though. They'll be upset to be facing Newcastle, for sure.

Villa, Citeh, Liverpool, Brighton to start...