Tooj

Wijnaldum has been anonymous. He needs to try and get on the ball and drive this team. Expecting more, especially due to his apparent leadership qualities.

I know they've paid a shit load for him but Bayern signing Vidal could be massive for them in the latter stages of Europe.

Thauvin had better be on the right.

Allardyce.

Bergkamp man, howay.

Why's he wearing that scarf?

Who did you hear that from like?

I was at that game - Philips got MOM depite doing nowt all game. Check out the BBC report at the time - the only mention of rat-boy is when he is subbed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/470628.stm I went to it in my Newcastle shirt.

Consider that Chelsea goal as the last we saw of the real Shearer.

I could be wrong but I seem to remember him scoring a few like that when he started/before he left Blackburn and then he didn't score any like that ever again. Had to change technique due to his ankle injury iirc.

Alreet Ron?

Didn't realise Joaquín has went back to Betis.

He is but similar to Jonas you just can't dislike him.

Based on what though? Apologies if you've seen him.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/02/11/article-2556956-0000C68B00000258-520_964x501.jpg

Nice to read, mate. Especially given what you've been saying about him over the last few weeks. Did you change your mind after you watch the team play? I haven't really changed my mind, we won't achieve anything of note under McClaren. But I cannot deny good things I see, things I actually want to see and we need to see in order to improve. And yeah, this is the first I've seen of us really. What I will say is that under Pardew the players and team were a total shambles and all over the place. They had no real direction, tactical awareness, no motivation and no leadership or communication. That's why we almost went down and why players like Colo regressed so badly. McClaren has came in and knows automatically the best way to build a functional team is to get them disciplined tactically, defensively strong, get them communicating, get them motivated and give them direction and tactical input. That is the base foundation to go forwards. Then its down to fitness, confidence and most of all quality. We are basically getting there, but it will take 6 months or more. Am I willing to give him time? Tbh, I'm out of it these days so I don't really give a shit really. He needs it though, but if we are down there come Christmas he will be under pressure and rightfully so. I just think in general, his kind of appointment and approach is too little too late under Ashley's ownership. What NUFC needed was a 100m investment of players and an exciting coach or manager to get it all going. McClaren will build decent foundations, but there will be a ceiling as to what we can do under him. He's a very good coach, but he's defensive or rather cautious and I don't believe he can motivate players to excel in the way SBR and KK could. Even Hughton had that kind of ability. He's Ashley's wet dream like, an acceptable face for NUFC who will have the team hard working, defensively strong, good enough for mid-table, and have the odd stand out moment. Players won't be Pardewed under him and thus lose value and fans won't kick up a stink if we are finishing top ten and are seen to be trying to improve and such. His Derby team weren't defensive or cautious. He might have been that 10 years ago but going abroad has certainly helped him evolve how he wants his teams to play.

Shearer got told off from the BBC for being too nice to us after his first season working for them, since then he's always gone with the popular opinion to prevent him from being disciplined. What?

4 league games.

It's weird as in games like today and Man Utd last week Dummett would be the logical choice over Haidara due to him being more solid than him, yet Haidara's pace and running from deep seems to offer us a lot more of an outlet when we have our backs to the wall.

If Cisse goes then I can see us being back in for him.

I like him.

Btw I thought his determination and graft today certainly helped us, he just has little quality. Playing his role (as he doesn't seem to be classed as a sitter) you need to either have that bit of class on the ball or at least be able to be on top of your opposite numbers physically. Just don't think he offers any of that. That doesn't have anything to do with where he's from. I bet when he played for the Mackems people weren't wishing he was anywhere near our team.