greydos

Wood’s goal couldn’t happen without Bruno. He receives it to feet off Dubravka, enjoys the press of the Southampton player, goes past him and plays a 20-yard ball through the lines to Murphy’s feet. Because the midfield line is beaten Fraser Shelvey and Targett and get up the left comfortably. But it all starts with Bruno progressing us. Class

Very good. An enjoyable take on Eddie and his year out. I’d love to know what’s in his football philosophy document.

Small time? No, you don’t seem to understand. From now on we define what is big time. In 3,4, 5 years’ time, other clubs and their fans will be looking at us and saying: “yeah, winners take photos in the changing room after the game. Winners do what newcastle do.”

Please do write that novel; my appetite for consuming content about Eddie and Newcastle right now is more than the vast internet can satisfy!

I rejected us last summer to stay in and watch anything other than newcastle games! We were a mess. Surely you don’t hold rejecting Ashley’s Brucified newcastle against Kamara?

Absolutely beautiful video. Just watched it on a packed train and almost disgraced myself groaning with my headphones on. Class! Him and Bruno with a proper DM behind would be impregnable!

I get the idea behind the joke. It was lame but not offensive at all (said as a black guy, Caribbean not African). The more egregious post was that recent silliness about a gut feeling Bruno will flop. And I say this as a long-standing fan of your posts (I’ve lurked on this site and it’s predecessor for 15 years + and used to love your epic essay posts - if you are the same person as the original HTT!)

Having watched Eddie’s interview earlier and the shape of the team change to 4-2-3-1 when Bruno came on against Brentford, there’s a chance we could see Longstaff and Bruno on as the “2” for say last 10 minutes, as a practice for the away games coming up. Will be interesting to see

They don’t. They have a few consistent attendees and other occasional observers

Ashley Barnes? I hope it was Ashley Barnes

Sell him in the summer. Will be disappointed if he’s still here next year. We spent £8m on him and Darlow. He plays like a £10m defender from the Championship. That’s where he should be.

This question is really: “Can Howe and the management team permanently get a tune out of Shelvey to match where we want to finish each season?” All the evidence at present points to back Howe’s judgment over our assessments of players. I’m comfortable if Howe wants Shelvey to stay the next 2 years

I agree it could be he benefits from Maxi being out. I also think it could be because on the left he’s a genuine cutback onto the right foot option but can go down the line. But he’s unlikely to cut back onto his weaker foot on the right and foot a left footed cross in. So he can effectively go 2 ways down the left, whereas he’s only really byeline down the right

It could be worth thinking about keeping Fraser on the left and making Maxi play on the right. Might get greater output down both flanks than when Fraser plays right wing as he seems a bit more subdued out there

I’ll be so disappointed if we don’t sign Targett this summer.

Biggest compliment I can pay Eddie and the new coaching team is that in their first press conferences they were asked which players impressed them. Eddie I think mentioned Joelinton and, without prompting, Shelvey being a great technician. I was so disappointed at the time, thinking he would be too hesitant to change the failing players. Little did I know he was picking out 2/3s of the best midfield in the league outside the top 6. Eddie’s earned the right for me to trust his judgments without question for a good 3 months before voice my doubts again

How about, Newcastle-Online rightly hammering Bruce for putting square pegs in round holes, whilst suggesting we play players out of position?

Pre-game, this forum tends to focus massively on our next opponent’s threats and big them up. Post-game, when we get a good result, the forum says the opposition were actually crap, the league’s rubbish, there’s only 2 or 3 good teams in it, we could’ve walked the league this year if not for Bruce (ok last bit is an exaggeration). Let’s have some perspective. Brentford are crap. They’ve a couple of little talents yes, as do all teams. But there’s no need to crap ourselves. Rapinha, Richarlison, Countinho, Bowen & Antonio, all silenced on our recent run. Let’s not cack our pants over a barely fit Erikssen! We’ve a great chance of 3 points. 1 isn’t end of the world. We could lose but unlikely. If we do, keep the faith.

Ewwww lush!!! Thanks!!!!!

We really need that Big Joe emoji! Almost anyone can look sharp against Rangers (Dortmund & Bellingham aside). But against Big Joe? Nah

I hope so! What I found interesting against West Ham was Wood wanted to run in behind off the last shoulder a few times when Murphy had the ball, but Murphy would check back, play with Big Joe and Targett, then a laboured cross would go in later. As crazy as it sounds, I think we need to treat Wood like Bellamy on the last shoulder. It’s what he wants (has to be well-timed through balls as he has no pace at all!)

Not sure if this is the right place to put this but, Jack Wilshere, just signed for a team in Denmark. What an absolute waste of a career that was. The talent on the guy compared to what’s he’s done is ridiculous.

Why, out of interest?

I would love to see Villa & Everton go down! Would finally get Gerard and Lampard playing together behind Rooney… in the Championship!!