STM

Timing.

Well at least we know Howe will forget the subs bench exists.

Comms: 2-0 is a mountain to climb. Newcastle go 2-0 up: Comms: Its only 55 minutes of the first leg

Could be more here. Our defending has been superb. Such lush shape.

Willock is man marking Partey, which is a problem because we can't have Longstaff playing almost AM.

Good half. We are genuinely class. I mean, not just good you hear me, but proper class. Some better decision making in the final third and wed have taken the lead earlier. We also defend for our lives. Willock and Tino haven't even been very good. Would have murdered them with Bruno. Dig in lads, give everything and we can have one foot in the final. Also... Howe out.

I love that Howe is absolutely desperate for a trophy. He could have easily played this slightly conservative but he's gone all in. Willock is an indication of a willingness to take an attacking risk.

Joelinton will stay on the left. He's key in covering the Gordon/Hall dynamic. Willock will be fine on the right.

Really interesting that he isn't starting this game. That RCM position had always been his. Is the writing on the wall? Could he be sold?

They way we play? Fuck me, the lack of self awareness is astonishing. They went to Brighton, took the lead, started time wasting and then whinged about the ref when they came away with a draw. Also we are thugs? This all started because Havertz should have been sent off and wasn't. I desperately hope to see Arteta tears. Will take a -1 loss because the atmosphere in the return leg will be something else.

https://x.com/NewcastleFansTV/status/1876544532205977664?t=3z4tHMJswOTMPoLD5QF8rg&s=19 Beautiful man

Anyone have a guess at the likely Arsenal line up for this? From our perspective, it will either be Longstaff for Bruno or it will be an entire change of system... 541 with Trippier coming in at RCB IMO.

They might need to deal with 12 months of pain, because Potter won't be able to change them over night.

It's always the same problem though, they keep hiring managers who play a certain way and struggle to get out of the shit cycle. You only have to look at Bournemouth, Fulham, Brentford, Brighton, Ipswich to see you can be moderately successful whilst playing a decent style. The biggest problem West Ham face is their players adapting from one style to another and their recruitment strategy changing. West Ham now need to sign younger, more technical players, they can't rely on Antonio, Soucek, Coufal and so on.

That's a great move from West Ham. They will need to recruit the right type of player going forward but the likes of Bowen, Paqueta and Kudus will be breathing a sigh of relief. Bet ya they sign at least one of Chelseas rejects this January. Someone like Badiashile (spelling).

If we can get 9 points from 12, that not only puts us in a great spot points wise but it also sees another calendar month disappearing to the chasing pack. The more we win, the more the sides below will start to lose belief. Needless to say, Chelsea and Forest at home should be treated like cup finals.

It's not for everyone to be fair.

An update on this. We are now on 1.75 PPG against a target of 1.73 PPG (for 5th and likely champions league). Personally I think that's now the minimum we should aim for.

Give him next season. He's clearly not in a great place right now. Bournemouth loved him.

Aye he's made 1 save.

Just keep talking.

Live from anfield.

This is 100% a likely avenue of thinking. I always refer to them as "vulnerable" clubs. West Ham is another one, Kudus? Obviously this is not taking into account finance etc.

You can see why players are desperate to leave.

I wish there was an even playing field ange, that way two of your players would have got booked for leaving one on ours. Both of which could have been interpreted as dangerous play. Thankfully, we aren't whiny little bitches.