TRon

They are pretty similar to us, they have a really effective and attractive style of football, but I would think if there is a weakness it would be squad depth. An injury in key areas like up front might potentially derail them.

In theory that sounds absolutely correct. Reality for me is that I get really happy when other teams around us stumble, and get very pissed off when they keep pulling out last minute winners.

Wish Barton would just fuck off tbh. He's right about one thing though, football has given him a platform odious cunt that he is.

I was surprised there was so much opposition back then as well, and even more surprised when the resistance won. I just think there will be a huge stink kicked up again, there's a very determined preservation of green space movement in Newcastle - as there should be - but as a football fan I'd love to see a compromise.

Agree, even though I'm a big fan, Willock isn't a purple* either. *soz.

Yeah, was very encouraged he didn't try to play it down, he recognised it would be an explosive atmosphere and seemed to relish the prospect. He gets it.

I've just written those fixtures off for now. I'll watch them expecting to find some way to lose, don't think it's worth setting expectations too high when the marginal decisions are likely to go in their favour.

Agree, I doubt very much we'll be in for a replacement keeper when we still have Dubravka to call on. He's been a very good keeper for us down the years, and Karius is there as back up. I do like Ramsdale, just not sure he's enough of an upgrade for us to spend precious resources on him when he might not even improve us. I think a striker or midfielder will be more of a priority.

Wilson's been fantastic for us, but the latest injury is probably one too many for us. He's still a valuable player, but we do need a CF version of Livramento, someone who we can bring in as a long term replacement for Wilson, but who is ready to play right now if needed. Maybe someone in the Jao Pedro mode. I wouldn't even be that shocked if we went back in for Ekiteke considering Howe really fancied him the first time round.

His style of play is ultra conservative, that does mean it allows other teams to control the game for long periods. Maybe it will work with different personnel but I'm not sure. Shades of Mourinho about it for me. How many teams are winning trophies consistently by sitting back these days?

Feels like the first half of the season has been affected quite dramatically by last minute goals. Liverpool in particular probably could have been about 10 points worse off without them, Arsenal also snatched a few precious points in the dying moments. Still, I guess that's what makes champions or CL contenders at least. Let's see how it plays out in the second half of the season, maybe we'll be grabbing the last minute winners and pissing off the rivals.

Agree, Miley seems to have the same calmness under pressure, a different player to Bruno, not quite as inventive, but he does have the same knack for finding space and avoiding the press before finding a team mate. If you want to play possession football that's crucial.

Tbf, Bruno was getting caught on the ball early in the season and he was committing a few fouls, his partnership with Tonali never looked like it had clicked either. Since he's signed the new contract he's been outstanding though and we've heard very little from fans about him not being able to play the no 6 role effectively. When he's on his game he can pretty much orchestrate the midfield from the deeper lying areas.

Yep. Dan Burn has never let us down, but it's eye-opening seeing the difference a quality footballer can make in that position.

Got to say though, I have been really heartened to see the quality of the football we are playing even with so many players out. We were really slick against Man U for the majority of the game, we just lack a bit of killer instinct with the likes of Almiron and Joelinton when they get forward. Joelinton was brilliant otherwise.

We have scores to settle with these going back a long way, given how shit they are now, the only way it was going to happen was a cup draw. It might not mean much from a cerebral POV, but given the history between the two clubs, it matters a lot to locals.

They were obviously shitting it at the thought of Mowbray trying to pass his way to a win against our relentless press. They'll look for a long ball merchant now to try and kick their way to a respectable loss in the cup game.

He's made the loss of Tonali seem less damaging for our season, we really needed a midfielder to step up. A lot to ask from a 17 yr old but his laid back style makes it look easier than it should.

Chelsea fans were gutted to see him go, and looking at the state of them now, I think we took advantage of them being a mess in the recruitment dept. Pretty sure Howe absolutely rates Hall and won't be letting him go back to Chelsea if he can help it.

Really happy with this draw, we've waited a long time to put them in their place following the Pardew era of shame. Obviously would have preferred it to be at our place, the atmosphere will be seething down there. Especially when they get hammered in front of their own fans.

Add Disasi to that list. Poor man's Lascelles.

He was, but he still can't shoot for shit. I was absoulutely raging when he took his time to line up that shot then it barely dribbled it's way to the keeper about 60 seconds before we actually scored. Other than that he absolutely bossed that midfield along with Bruno and Miley.

Feels immensely satisfying that it's us who keep ending their jammy runs since the cup final last year.

Feel for him mind, his reputation went down the pan this over the last year, but he has been great for us last few weeks and could probably have been back in contention for his England spot before today.

He's not even a LB.