stozo

Reckon lots of people will disagree with this (judging by the previous posts) but I actually think today was a fairly creditable performance. I'm not trying to say we were fantastic but we deserved something from the game. I think if that had been the first game of the season we'd all be annoyed at the result but hopeful for the coming weeks - but it's not and instead we are bottom of the league without a win in 9 so it feels awful. Starting with our defensive performance, I think we were pretty solid. The goal we conceded was from a corner that shouldn't have been given and went in via a big deflection. Apart from that (if I remember correctly) Brighton's only other big chances all came on the breakaway or through sloppy passing as we were chasing the game in the last quarter. On the attacking side Perez, Ritchie and Shelvey (x2) all forced Ryan into good saves. Kenedy shot just over the bar and Muto was unlucky to head over with the ball coming at him fast on the rebound. On another day with a bit more luck in front of goal then one of those chances could have easily gone in. Could we have done more in attack? Definitely and there is big room for improvement, but we weren't hideous. The real problem in attack was the limitations of our wider squad. Brighton played very narrow and let us have space out wide, safe in the knowledge that the targets our wingers and full backs were trying to pick out in the box were primarily Muto and Perez (with support from Ritchie, Kenedy, Shelvey depending on who was putting the ball in) and that our only option to change it was Joselu. And with the quality of the deliveries also falling short in the large part our bench had no particularly appealing options - none of Atsu, Murphy or Manquillo are likely to provide better quality into the box. The worry remains chronic under investment in the squad which is sabotaging the efforts of a world class manager and players who worked hard today. It's going to be another long season at the bottom end of the table but if we put in performances like we did today week in week out then I think we'll be alright in the long run. If the deflection on Shelvey's free kick sends it in and the Kayal deflection flies into Dubravka's hands, we'd be patting ourselves on the back tonight for another solid, Rafa-like home win.

Ryder reporting that Rondon's release clause has now expired. What a farce.

Not going anywhere by the look of this: Merino out to build on first season as a Magpie Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino has set his sights on becoming a key part of the Magpies side as he looks to build on his first season at the club. The 21-year-old arrived at St. James’ Park from Borussia Dortmund in July 2017, initially penning a loan deal before making the move permanent in October. Spanish under-21 international Merino made an immediate impact at United, but found his opportunities limited towards the end of the campaign due to the form of Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diamé. And he said he would be aiming to kick-off 2017/18 at “a high level” as he bids to make himself a fixture in the Newcastle line-up. “I’ll try to improve myself, I’ll try to play more minutes, to be an important piece in the team and an important player,” he told nufc.co.uk. “I want to increase my offensive skills, try to make more goals, try to be more confident with ball and try to make my teammates play better. “In the summer I will work on my less strong things, like using more of the right foot and things like that, and in the pre-season I’ll try to improve myself even more and start the season at a high level.” In all, Merino made 25 appearances in 2017/18, scoring once – the winner against Crystal Palace in October – and he also featured for his country in their European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign. And he feels that while his first season in black and white has been something of a learning curve, the future could be bright for Rafa Benítez’s side. “It has been a big season for me. It was my first season as a professional player in the highest division and, for me, I’ve learned a lot,” he said. “I’m happy because I’ve been in a really good group with really good players, learning in arguably the best league in the world, and I think I’ve got a lot more things to improve. But it’s been a very good first year for me. “When you play against the best players in the world, at this level, where every single thing and every single mistake counts, you learn a lot. The pace, the tempo and the intensity is amazing, and with those minutes you play you learn a lot. I think it’s going to be a really good season next season, and in the future.” Source: https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/merino-out-to-build-on-first-season-as-a-magpie

Interested in going to West Ham according to the Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/rafa-benitez-interested-in-becoming-the-next-west-ham-manager-and-is-hammers-no1-target-a3841741.html

Marca also claiming we are looking at activating Pires' release clause - http://www.marca.com/futbol/leganes/2017/05/21/5921e41c268e3e4c538b460a.html Newcastle, coached by Rafa Benítez and recently promoted to the Premiere League, is considering the possibility of paying the termination clause of Gabriel Pires. The Brazilian was already the object of desire of the magpies in the month of January and only the fact that the English set was in the Championship stopped the operation. Gabriel has been one of the key players this season in the permanence of Leganés. He has played 30 matches and scored 5 goals. Among others, somewhat from the center of the field before the Betis. He also scored against Barcelona and Real Madrid. And gave Alex Szymanowski the assistance that led to the goal of the stay in San Mamés. The operation, if closed, is estimated to be between 6 and 7 million euros.

Completely agree with this tbh sick of getting championship standard player's Aye, because Premier League players are lining up to be our third/fourth choice centre back or our second/third choice striker. We're a Championship club at the moment. Come December when Mbemba's pulled his hamstring and Lascelles is suspended we'll be pretty thankful to be able to fall back on Hanley and Clark as our backup centre backs to be honest. I'm all for being ambitious but let's not get ridiculous. The problem is that we should have spent the 10m we spent on Hanley and Clark on a first team centre back and made Lascellas third choice So in the above scenario I outlined (two of our centre backs being out at some point in the season - not an entirely unlikely prospect) who is playing alongside our other remaining fit centre back? And how many centre backs worth £10m are sitting around this summer waiting for an offer from us? We love the club so it sometimes blinds us but I doubt there are many first class centre backs who want to drop down a division.

Completely agree with this tbh sick of getting championship standard player's Aye, because Premier League players are lining up to be our third/fourth choice centre back or our second/third choice striker. We're a Championship club at the moment. Come December when Mbemba's pulled his hamstring and Lascelles is suspended we'll be pretty thankful to be able to fall back on Hanley and Clark as our backup centre backs to be honest. I'm all for being ambitious but let's not get ridiculous.

Just signed Stuart Findlay and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni - http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20160708/magpies-sign-young-duo_2281670_5705417.

"Newcastle are also likely to make fit-again Rolando Aarons available for loan if they land Townsend." Madness. Can we not have more than one player for each position (apart from multiple number 10s)? To be fair if he's not going to get regular playing time we might as well get him out on loan. He's an exciting prospect and I'd rather see him have the opportunity to develop than be used in 10-20 minute spells.

Agree with this. Also for the first time in years it seems the 'Head Coach' has a say in (a) who we sign and (b) who is not good enough and needs to be shipped out.

Anita is not a first XI player. And certainly not a first XI defensive midfielder.

It's an absolute scandal what they've been doing at Rangers.

Now now. Don't be nasty by posting facts. It's not helping. I'm being generous by not counting the FA Cup in that.

2 wins in 10 games under this clown.

Any mention on the fee agreed to make it permanent in the summer?

I'll save my anger until the summer. If he actually appoints someone quality then all is forgiven (I'd happily wait for Tuchel, Garde or De Boer).

Indeed. He needs to play at SJP before the season is out. Would just be a fantastic moment.

This thread looking more relevant than ever.

Feel sorry for Alnwick. Clearly not good enough but it's sad that he's put in this situation where we have no choice but to play him. Hope he does OK on Sunday.

Outstanding too strong but I thought Colback had a good game today.

I've been a Pardew sympathiser for a long time. But today I've finally lost all confidence in him (many of you will say this is well overdue). Depressing thing is I can't see Ashley (a) sacking him or (b) appointing someone better than him.

Looked to me like he was 'marking' Zaha for their equaliser. Pretty much sums up his day.

Gouffran nailed on to score now after the team news reaction.

Get him in.