TRon

His slowing down is definitely a reaction to losing the ball while trying to tear past players early in his time here. He ran the ball out of play once or twice, and now he seems scared to even try.

It looked like a foul outside the box but because they were looking for the pen on VAR we didn't even get the free kick I think.

Murphy still looks very hit and miss on the ball, but he can fire in a great cross if the defender gives him room. We really needed a quality upgrade but Eddie was set on Elanga.

I mean if you are an actual RB I'm not sure how you would feel watching that. He's a midfielder and he made it look piss easy.

Pope's been brilliant for us, but this season he's been very wobbly. That injury might have saved his England prospects IMO, he was looking decidedly dodgy for a few weeks leading up to it.

VAR could be so useful but as long as referees are making decisions, they will always protect their own.

I'd rather just judge him on what he does tbh. I don't think we should sign him permanently but he'll do as a loan back up.

We aren't managing games well. We almost never finish them as strong as we start. It's difficult to criticise performances like today because in that first half we were superb. But in the second half they came back hard and we were never in control.

That might be a reflection on the team rather than the keeper though.

He was good as far as energy and pressing goes, and tbh that's half the battle. Still not convinced he resists the press very well though, he does still give the ball away too much.

Fabulous game. Even without the assist, his pressing first half really rattled them. That's more like it.

Anyone who compares him to Obertan is just a WUM.

Or should be given a medal and a 21 gun salute for standing up for hard man British football. "In my day the soft cunt would have had both legs broken before given a pen, the diving cunt, blah, blah....urhhgh! "(heart attack).

I probably agree, but don't complain if Pope lets in any howlers. Because he's let a few in already this season.

He's miles better than Obertan. Even without any confidence, he played some nice one twos in tight areas today. That's not to say he's the right fit for us, I don't think he is. You can't be scared of the crowd if you are playing for Newcastle.

That throw he sent Elanga away with was superb. He's had a good game today but when people have a negative opinion it's hard to shift for a goalie.

Feel gutted tbh, we were amazing in the first half but felt like they got two soft goals and were robbed of a stonewall pen. Otherwise I can't complain about the result too much. We should have won, but I felt they stepped it up a lot in the second half and we lost a bit of control.

It dipped and bounced low as well. While I don't feel that secure with him as a goalie, I don't think he's done much wrong again. If anything he had a very good game.

Would have loved to see Wissa starting but unrealistic I guess.

I'd be disappointed if we got beat at home like. But Chelsea are going well so it will be tough.

So beautifully put into words that what's being said is almost inconsequential.

Considering he's been resting up for 3 months I would venture yes.

Murphy did really well when he came on, I was expecting him to be relatively shite tbh. But I suppose he hasn't really been tested.

I've felt for some time it's a mental issue. I think at a smaller club he'll show the same form that he did when he was at Forest. Problem is, he's not at a smaller club so we have to hope he's somehow going to grow into a big club player.