HawK

Holy shit, we're legit good.

We have 3 of the best centre backs in the league at the moment, in front of a top, top keeper. It's no coincidence we've got the best defensive record in the division. I love Targett, but you just can't argue against the back 3 of Schar, Botman, Burn with Trippier becoming almost a winger when we're in possession. Maxi or someone who can retain the ball on the left will add much balance too. It's so satisfying to see the table and see we've conceded the least in the league, gives me this feeling of 'come on then, score against us if you can', but having enough up front to score as well. Bit shaky in the last 10 mins against Man Utd, but they'd thrown their whole team into our half and we were playing for a point by then. Bit of a meandering post this, just happy to have probably what is our best defence I've ever seen at Newcastle, and that includes the first Keegan era and Woodgate. We've always had a 'calamity defender', someone who would be prone to a howler, from Bramble to Lascelles types, who on their day could be imperious but would cost us games with inexplicable decision making. Now we've just got 3 rocks who should all be starting for their countries.

Burn moves to the middle, Targett on and goes to the left surely

ANDERSON ON YES

Must. Not. Gan. Radge. In. Match. Thread. But... Mur.....

Aye I thought it was Willock with how he put that run together at the start, pleasantly surprised to see it was Murphy.

He's largely irrelevant in this game, we need more on the ball ability and Willock's looked sharp off the bench

But it's a great leg

He's only got one leg, he's only got one LLEEEGG. MIGUEL ALMIRON, He's only got one leg

Historically, his pressing has always looked like 'just running around', and often a bit like a headless chicken. He's not changed in this respect - what has changed is that the rest of the team are now pressing with him since Howe's implemented his style of play. Having one player press is counter-productive, but having the whole team pressing is a system that works and he looks great in it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_newcastle You can wind it back to 7.05 when it starts if you like

Souness is usually a great pundit tbf

Couldn't we just sell him to some Saudi-based puppet club for £500m and then have them loan him back to us?

Yep, me too, but on current form I don't think that happens

Considering he really doesn't offer much apart from scoring (he's an out-and-out poacher/elite finisher), the fact he didn't score today says even more about the rest of the team. If we had Isak in there, we'd have been even more dangerous for what he brings to the team in the build-up. Love Wilson to bits, his goals have been vital for us, but I really want to see Isak start when fit. I think we'd be able to retain the ball even higher up the pitch and a lot more will 'stick' when played into him.

Yep

Pinnock making sure that Wood doesn't score.

Graeme Jones looking like Almiron's dad the way they approached each other off the field

Howe's Joelinton'd Almiron. The lad couldn't get in the team for much of back-end of last season. Now look at him, wow. I'm so happy we don't have to play against him and that he's in our squad, and now on the pitch.

Schar normally looks like he's ready to walk into a PlayGirl shoot, but today it looks like he's collided sideways into his missus' hairdryer

One of Willocks best games since August this. Credit where it's due, he's laid on a couple of top passes and had some good runs too.

Mo Farah coming on for Brentford

BRUNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I think @David Edgarthat some of us may be more inclined to weigh your opinions on merit, if you occasionally came out with some positive ones