TRon

It was shit from both of them if we are being honest.

Always looks like more of a transition player than anything else. Great at quick one touch passes, but doesn't really sit deep enough to be a 6, and doesn't carry the ball like you would want from an 8.

Fuck me, that was unlucky.

We didn't make much of a fuss though.

Looked like a handball that.

Gordon playing through the middle has meant we've lost the left wing as well. Barnes can't get a sniff against Walker.

If we keep giving away soft goals I'm afraid it is deserved.

Tripps got done there, then through Tonali's legs.

Bruno booked for another late tackle. That lack of pace in the middle means it happens too often.

Joelinton is going to end up in the book soon unless he stops clattering into players.

Well covered Tripps.

Ally McCoist has to be my favourite co-commentator of the modern era.

It sounds mad considering we have no strikers but I can sort of understand the thinking. They are also missing KDB, Aki and Rodri, we are at home, and after Eddie's veiled warnings to his team, I can see our lads coming out flying. Still a big ask over 90 mins but I think a point is doable.

I hope Osula gets a run out on the pitch for 20mins or so assuming the result isn't in the balance. He's not a 15yr old, I'm sure he can handle coming on as a sub and having a go at them given half a chance.

Thought he looked a real prospect when we were chasing him, not surprised Howe was gutted when we couldn't seal it. But he wasn't for us so fuck him.

We just have to look at how he kept on trooping all through last season when everyone else was dropping like flies to know he gives everything when he's in the right frame of mind. That was after playing for England U-21s in the summer as well. If he's signing a new contract you would expect to see him put in the hard yards if nothing else.

He'll probably not get to see much of the game against Man City, but as long as we aren't judging players on this fixture, will be interesting to see how he dovetails with Bruno.

It looks a lot worse when we are half arsed about tracking back when we lose the ball.

Even from the post match interviews he seemed really pissed off at our defending, and I don't think that would be just the back 4. The midfielders were really lacklustre in getting back when they were out of position and we ended up with masses of space for Iwobi and Smith Rowe to run into. All three of those you mentioned played some part in that.

Can't see him being more than 150k tbh, will probably be in that bracket you outlined there. He's worth that though. What he lacks in elite-level skill or vision, he makes up for in work rate and discipline. Very good team player normally, and I would expect his stats to reflect his value again by the end of the season.

It's incredibly annoying that two of our star players in Isak and Tonali are having barnstormers for their international teams over a period of games, then as soon as they get back to Newcastle they are knackered.

Osula's not really 3rd choice though is he? Gordon is getting picked ahead of him, and probably will be for the forseeable future. Osula seems to be bracketed more of a development player if anything.

Class.

I wonder if it will include a release clause? I doubt it tbh, but either way it's great news. He's a very good player for us, and this will mean it will take a lot of money if he does get sold at some point. We don't lose either way.

I thought he was doing his job well fwiw. Would have preferred he had done a bit less of the PR stuff, but behind the scenes he was making tough decisions which might not have made him too popular, but someone had to do it.