Beren

Genuinely don't know what's happened, but from this comment and the laughing... either Liverpool/Chelsea have conceded. I'm going with... Cech or Terry's fault? Carragher played a beautiful through ball for Hulk to score. Consarnit!

Not that unusual for players to take such precautions after a game. Pretty regular for there to be soreness even a day or so after the game.

Oh they both conceded.

Genuinely don't know what's happened, but from this comment and the laughing... either Liverpool/Chelsea have conceded. I'm going with... Cech or Terry's fault?

One in a friendly, I think?

CBA to look for the actual squad depth chart thread (or whatever it's called), and this thread seems good enough: Feel so much better about squad depth tonight in our full-back positions for the rest of this season. Haidara and Simpson coming in did great jobs, and I reckon both our first-choice and our cover players will both do better when they occasionally (or frequently, in the case of cover players) are given rests. Top stuff this January window, maybe belatedly, but still.

I did think we'd rue that rush of the blood to the head from Marv. Felt like one of those ties after the disallowed goals from the first leg, the dodgy finishing, then a chance which should have been on a plate for either Cisse/Shola...

My hilarious Shola jokes aside, and even his penalty, that was a great performance from Shola, though it'll stick too much in the craw of some posters to admit as much!

Elated with the win and the performance generally. Some massive kudos for Haidara, Yanga-M'Biwa, Shola and, yes, Simpson. The new boys did incredibly in their natural position, and it's wonderful to have such wonderful cover at left-back. Santon needs pushing for his place/occasional rotation tbh. M'Biwa looks imperious - a great athlete. I have some gripes (as usual) but overall massively pleased to keep our season trophy hopes alive - Our set pieces desperately need addressing. - Our post-lead plan is... rubbish. Just absolutely rubbish. Pardew needs several hard slaps. Inviting shots/pressure is asinine. - If you're not going to play Cisse up front, don't play him. He's no good out wide. Congratulations to the squad though. And a good decision by Pardew to start Shola Edit: Oh shit, and Krul to my 'great performers' list obviously :lol: Hasn't had a good season as last year (where he set admittedly inordinate standards) but he was magnificent. Sissoko has become so important to us very quickly too. Instant hero. Hope all travelling fans get back safe Metalist are a decent outfit. We should be proud of this, and not try to run down the achievement of getting by them IMO.

He's actually much better than Lionel Messi in this regard.

Fucking hell Yorkie, give it a rest man. Especially tonight I'm only joking man. Literally 30 seconds ago I said he was world class. Withdrawn

Fucking hell Yorkie, give it a rest man. Especially tonight

Hope the travelling fans are alright after this. Seems to be getting hostile.

Haidara

C'mon Newcastle! Copy AC Milan!

I'd take Cisse off for Obertan/Jonas. It's not his position, and that's fine.

He is.

POSSESSION PLEASE. KEEP POSSESSION. Make them work to get the ball.

SHOLLLA YOU BEAUTY!!!

YEEEES!!

Generally very happy with that half, but it's the small frustrating things which have gone unaddressed all season that I fear might cost us. Our inability to capitalise from set pieces when we're on top and turning the screw is verging on scandalous at this point, for a start.

That post was mentally typed up before he'd kicked a ball tbh. He's done well. Needs to come off as he tires though, especially as we don't want to be encouraging as many long balls as we started to play in the second half of that first half.

Tbf, it was the lino that was particularly daft first leg, but I'm splitting hairs.

Breaking news: Yohan clean shaven.