Sifu

My mate keeps telling me to relax about this whole situation and try and support the team just so we can instill some positivity. Like fuck I can relax, the very future of Newcastle United as an actual football club is at stake if Rafa goes.

Well then, I'm now an emotional wreck after reading those Rafa quotes.

Shelvey is a fucking twat. Why does he keep on doing these things man. Fucking idiot.

Have to say, despite my nerves for today and the last week of off the field issues, I'm well looking forward to today!

Just read up on his supposed comments, I'm far from impressed tbh. Hopefully he's learned from his idiocy. Football-wise, if he's being brought in as competition for Dummett or to play LB, then I'm all for it. We badly need quality out there (would still like Gibbs mind).

I can't either, what a farce.

Just to let yous know, I can do every other weekend apart from that particular one so if you do end up changing the date, I'll be free to come down whenever

Can't do that particular weekend I'm afraid.

Waiting on my train there so thought I would share my thoughts on tonight overall. All in all, despite the low quality opposition, it was an enjoyable evening. We were certainly deserving of the 4-0 scoreline. As I said previously in an earlier post, we showed good tempo and intensity in the first half with Shelvey the stand out player - he was the one making things happen. Atsu disappointed me overall but I guess he'll be glad to get some ounce of fitness/game time in there. Ritchie was a threat in the first half too and wasn't afraid to get stuck in there which was a good thing to see considering he's coming back from an operation and as ever, he linked up with Yedlin well down the right. Lejeune impressed me once again, his read of the game was great (and that one piece of skill where he brought the ball down and played it out of danger/our half and forward was a sight to behold!). Of course, the second half was when all the goals came, Murphy took both his goals very well, especially his second and while he only had one/two occasions to run at the full back, he's looking promising. Gayle's goal was a bit of a mess in terms of Bradford's "defending" of it. Mitrovic's goal came as a result of a good chase by Aarons to what looked like a loose ball and Mitro was left with a simple tap in. Aarons had a very good performance, he was very threatening in the second half and looked so much better tonight compared to the Preston game. De Jong showed some very good touches and clever play to help us keep possession and build up to an attack on goal. Saivet playing at CB was amusing but he was ok considering the opposition. You can argue that we weren't particularly tested tonight and imo that's definitely true but we have to remember this was a friendly against low quality opposition. Whilst it was by no means strenuous, it was another good run out and tonight's performance will give the players a boost - just by having that run out, I'm certain the players felt good. Quite a few positives to take from this. Onwards to the next game. Hopefully we'll continue to look in decent nick by the time the season starts.

Lots of great runs down the left, very threatening.

In fact, Murphy, Diame and Manquillo are warming up for the second half. In full kit so they'll be coming on.

You'd think Murphy would start over Atsu, aye. We should be seeing Murphy in the second half. Looking forward to it.

Good tempo and intensity from us in the first half there. Certainly looking a lot better than we did against Preston thus far -looking fluid (which I guess comes as no surprise as most of the players out there are pretty much starters) but the only thing lacking atm is a goal. Shelvey was once again up for it but Atsu, bar a few decent runs, has been quiet. Lejeune looking solid again too.

The game's tailed off a bit like.

This might be because of the opposition and occasion but we're looking fluid so far. Positive stuff.

We've bought quite a lot down today. Canny

7 and 12 respectively.

Went to the game today and all in all, it was your standard pre-season game where not a lot really happened but nevertheless a decent runout. Thought we looked ok in the first half - Shelvey looked up for it and Mitrovic held the ball up decently and took his goal well. Aarons and De Jong tried to make things happen but ultimately their impacts were minimal, unfortunately. Diame was non-existent unfortunately. In terms of the second half, thought we looked a lot more dangerous with Gayle on and our general play was a lot better. Murphy had 2 good runs at the full back on the left and right wings and looked rather decent but overall, it was just the case of him having a runout - the signs for him are promising though. Really liked the look of Lejeune at CB, despite it being his header which gave the Preston player the goal, he looked solid.

Robert Distin Gouffran

Where actually is it out of interest, I'm assuming Manchester? Yeah, specifically Spinningfields in Manchester (just to add more fuel to my already boring Milner-esque post)

I know exactly where that Greggs is

Absolutely stunned and saddened by this Rest in peace.

I'm in.

Fuck yes man!!!!!!!!

Fucking get in!!! Job fucking done. Delighted.