HawK

There are many areas where he's up there as the best in class when compared with any of our previous PL managers. Not that there's many previous managers to compare him against in regards to squad management in Europe, but if he could develop this a bit better I wouldn't have any real complaints at all (lack of a 6 in our standard formation is a gripe but I can live with it). Fact remains if you wanted to twist on Howe, there's probably less managers than you could count on one hand that would be better than him when you weigh up all pros and cons. And would there be anyone you would trust to be here for the long haul, to build the culture and identity of the club rather than sacrificing everything for the short-term ? Maybe only Pep? But I don't see Pep building another dynasty anywhere now. I'm hoping he stays for the long term and is given the chance to build the dynasty.

Incredible to think that Barnes and Murphy keep out Gordon and Elanga in our best XI currently. A neutral might find that a complete headscratcher. Both there on absolute merit and I hope they keep their places in our most important games. If we can beat City with them both, and both performing well, then there's no reason why they wouldn't be good enough against anyone else on their day.

Yep, also the further back in the team you play, the more experience you generally need. Teenage central defenders let alone goalkeepers are a rare commidity indeed. Wingers/forwards generally have less responsibilities defensively and need to work less as a cohesive unit as the rest of the team so it's easier to throw talented, young players on at the top end of the pitch, particularly the wings when their game can be distilled down to beating a man and putting a ball in or taking a shot.

He had a good game, he was stopped by a very good keeper making some great saves.

https://www.flashscore.com/match/football/manchester-city-Wtn9Stg0/newcastle-utd-p6ahwuwJ/summary/stats/0/?mid=S2CgWdyo Flashscore do really good Opta-fed player stats, this is the high-level game stats :

Well played

Get Gordon's hair cut and we can hopefully restore his former power. No PL goals or assists since he's been growing it. All that keratin is raising his centre of gravity. Barnes has to keep his place.

Redknapp's not giving City a sniff on the contentious goal, says Barnes' technique to get the ball from where it was into the net was exceptional

This result is the tonic our players and our supporters needed. And the win wasn't undeserved at all. The goals were good and of quality. HWTL

All things being equal, if Barnes scores that sitter as well... wow

Aye - I said to your first response, in European seasons we don't do it. But it's not since Eddie's been here, we've had the legs to put our foot down and go for more and we nearly always did. "I don’t know why people are complaining now. It’s been Howe’s style since day one. At least now he has subs he is willing to make." I took exception to your hyperbole. Not saying that this isn't new, it's a symptom of some lack of tactical flexibility/adaptation to a season also in Europe.

Pep tapping up Bruno

Thank fuck for that. Well played lads

Sorry, you know I play up front for your Under 21s? Just saying.

Hard to argue against our current 4 centre backs being our best defensive cohort in our PL existence. Not even counting Lascelles for a 5th choice who could definitely get games for another PL team

Can't be critical of Murphy at all at LB, it's not his choice to be there.

We didn't use to for the first couple of seasons, we used to sit on half way and be camped in the opponent's half whenever we could. Our complaint was we were clueless in this position and many of us actually wanted us to sit back more and break/play through a press. I guess be careful what we wish for.

With the options Murphy had that was really good decision making. The ball going all the way to Pope though, for fuck's sake.

Naw, we used to just keep going for more and more. In European seasons we don't have the legs

Got that Arsenal 5-5-0 lodged in his brain for eternity

Can't look beyond Barnes for me if it stays like this

We can only hope