HawK

That toe-poke goal was glorious.

Hamann was more defensive, and less passing ability, but his obvious quality was absolutely instant. I absolutely loved him as a player. I don't think we've had a centre mid come in since who's looked a class above so quickly. Still riled about how Hamann left us so soon after joining, citing 'home sickness' and that he couldn't settle. So he went to fucking Liverpool. Give me a Jose Enrique any day, who left because it was plain as day we were never going to win anything, and he wanted to. Cunt.

Gayle is similar to Owen but obviously less ability.

Smells of Vince McMahon this; Ashley will be revealed as the "higher power"

From the opening sentence, I swear he's just replying to my post

They haven't got a clue with Burnley have they

Pretty much every single person who's said we'd go down caveated it with 'if Rafa goes' or similar Really? To be fair, we’re doing well for a side that was relegated 2 games into the season. Fair enough, hadn't realised how RTG this thread was

I'm relieved to see that the majority are finally catching up to the minority in 'supporting the club' actually means. The flags look simply glorious, our ground resembles some of the more passionate European clubs before kick off. Of course, this filters through to the team on the pitch. All these displays of solidarity towards our manager have not only had the effect of sticking two fingers up at Mike Ashley and his 'regime', but also the players know it doesn't matter how good or big they think they are, we are always, always going to back the manager regardless. We are almost a club unique in this aspect. I believe, our unwavering, passionate, ardent support of Rafa Benitez may have helped contribute to Shelvey's change of direction back on to the path to fulfilling his potential. All that extra work he put in in the summer, demanding to play in reserves matches, and then that performance against Liverpool. On the ball, his play has a definite air of nonchalance, borne of sheer ability. His vision and his knack to pick a perfect pass with the speed that he does is literally like nothing I've ever seen in a footballer. In one motion, he'll receive a ball with barely a second or two to react before he's set upon, and will locate and ping the most ridiculous, FIFA-esque pass right where it needs to be. Other great passers of the ball from by-gone eras have been more protected, and had whole teams built around their delivery. Shelvey is making do with the little space and time provided by either of the both inexperienced, yet promising Merino or Hayden. With another manager, like any other we've had in the past decade, I'm certain he'd have reverted to type, thrown his toys out of the pram and pushed for a summer move and the pressure would have been on the manager for mishandling the player. I'm encouraged by the recent articles about Rafa being reportedly interested in the 'Newcastle project' even before Steve McLaren was sacked. I'm also curious to see what Mike Ashley's next play is in trying to drive a wedge between the fans and the manager. Rafa is the master of behind-the-scenes politics and Mike Ashley is absolutely nowhere near his level. In a game of brinkmanship between the two, it's hard to see Ashley coming out in any way apart from the gluttonous, fraud of a man that he is.

Best of luck, hope you reach out to GF to get the ball rolling quickly.

Love the Robert avatar

Murphy's a massive worry at this point. He looked good in some of the England U-21 matches though. I'll admit I've never really rated Perez, he had a little honeymoon period where no-one knew what he was about when he first joined, but surely we can do worse than throw Murphy in and see how he does.

Keep proving me right, Jonjo

Pretty much every single person who's said we'd go down caveated it with 'if Rafa goes' or similar

Mitro for me like, but only if he can sort his head out. This should come with experience tbh.

I actually think his reactions are top notch, this season he's made several really good saves where he hardly has any time to adjust. But no way I'd expect any goalkeeper to stop a shot like that, I think he did well to get as close as he did. If he was athletic and good at kicking he'd be nowhere near out team, mind.

Shelvey having an absolute stormer so far.

Gonna be absolutely destroyed, whether the scoreline reflects that or not I couldn't guess.

Don't think anyone will agree with me on this, but since being a kid I always didn't like the term 'unlucky to hit the bar/post', particularly if it was some slap-dash punt and the player didn't even look at the goal first. I'd always thought the player was lucky to even get it that close, considering.

In Merson's mind, it must be possible to win "10-1" with six shots on target. Not wanting to jinx it, but we've only conceded five goals, joint fourth fewest. We are yet to concede in the first half of a game. That is some admirable "coping". We played nobody yet, marra.

Oh for fuck's sake, I spent literally 3 minutes searching

and then Bruce reinstating Colback. As club captain.

To be a shit Championship club this season, just ensure your club name starts with a B, or you're Sunderland.

Certainly seems to be much more politically angled since the Brexit referendum, and less about football. I remember it being funnier before then.

American sports 4tw.

He doesn't run as fast as he used to or put 100% into games because he's not confident in his body. Rafa would rather a lesser player who puts in 100%.