STM

In fairness to Lingard he was involved in their only piece of quality, lovely through ball in the first half. He's in a shite side. He's not great either mind but he's surrounded with champo plodders.

I feel like saying Trippier and Bruno were excellent is pointless, so I'll pick another player out.... Willock, who I thought was tireless especially in the first half.

He played as a super hero. That's the only way you can describe his position. He attacks, he defends, he creates, he hustles. What I'd give to be that guys chewing gum.

Couldn't score any of our players below a 9. Although I do think it mighty cheeky of Pope to take a nap through the first half.

It's quite comfortably the most dominant half time 0-0 I've seen from NUFC.

Not soft. Just playing against a side who are defending for their lives. We have to get used to this.

How Eddie has turned these players into this team is astonishing.

On Sky now.... wow. I'm in love with Newcastle United.

Bench starting to look more... whats the word... useful? Fraser, Anderson, Wood, Botman can all play their part. Even Ritchie if we are taking the piss.

It's more to do with building an ethos where no player thinks they are automatic and every player has to earn their right. I'm sure Botman will understand, if not, Bruno can tell him.

Telt you all last week.

And...... that's why Southgate doesn't play TTA. James wouldn't have made it so easy.

Wasn't sure where to mention this but Connor Cody was asked which ground he likes playing at (not likes because he wins there all the time) and he said SJP because of the atmosphere, he said it was like you were playing against the crowd. I think we forget what a hostile place to get a result SJP can be. I think we also forget what a big influence that can be to potential new signings. Ben Foster on his pod also mentions looking for Newcastle when the fixtures come out because they used to have a night out in the city.

It does need remembered that most NUFC fans are actually slightly reserved, even negative because they are worried about that perception. You'd think it was a crime to be optimistic, its not like we are in control of anything anyway. Let's have a right go and see where the chips land.

I said at the end of last season that we would get off to a flyer, like top 4 form and then gently tail away towards the end of the season. So I will stand by that.

This not played at the ground anymore?

I accidentally put 7th, was meant to put 9th. Quarter finals in the cups. Not both, just one decent run will do. From an aesthetic point of view, I want us to have the whole season looking like a progressive side, who want to keep the ball, who wants to attack the opposition etc. Eddie has already started this, so I'm comfortable it will be achieved.

There's a guy who used his own metric and made damn sure that Forest landed on the right side of it. Let's be clear, they have one player who might get into our side and that's Johnson. Par -10 if you like.

Reckon we should have a new poll, including 6th to 12th. Personally, i think we are in a battle with; West Ham - who could make a serious push for top 6 if things go right, I'd argue they have a stronger squad than Man Utd and are certainly in a better place. West Ham, I'm really impressed with, they have made some great signings and if we finish above them we've had an amazing season. Leicester- who I project to have a slump season. They still have quality players but the vibe around the club isn't right. As it stands, I fancy us to finish above them but if they were to sack Rodgers and get renewed impetus they could move back up the table. Villa- who have the squad to compete for top 8 but not the manager IMO. Finishing below a Gerrard managed Villa would be a real disappointment. Other outsiders; Palace, Brighton, Wolves. If any of these sides finish above us something has gone wrong. I don't see us surpassing Man Utd, not with them having a new manager. He should get them on enough decent runs that means they aren't catchable for us. IMO, we will finish in 7th, 8th or 9th. I'd plump for 8th but we are a funny club when we have momentum. 9th if we take a few injuries and Leicester find some rhythm.

Genuinely mental reading that.

From a 7th-10th battle point of view, good that Palace got beat. Let the race for 7th commence. Actually can we have a 7th-ometer?

How Jordan Ayew is still playing PL football in 2022 is beyond me. He's the new Shane Long. Does he have Viera nudes or something?

Aye, let's just keep him. He'd be one of my first subs.

I'd test Arsenal with 40m for Smith Rowe mind. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Thoughts so far? Arsenal look lively but perhaps too open at the back? I still don't like Xhaka and Partey. Palace look pretty much where they were last year. Reckon they will struggle away from home but have good home form.