Memphis

We didn't deserve it today. But we did deserve it over the course of the season. I'm fucking annoyed about that shit performance. Awful. Nerves got to us. 3-4-3 doesn't suit us. Nothing really suited us. I'm still on edge. But it doesn't matter. We got there in the end.

WE WON EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN'T

You can see how the decades of toil and frustration have scarred so many of us. We have a scenario that we would have all jumped at months ago, a scenario that didn't seem possible a few years ago, and there are so many who are scared shitless of a loss. We control our destiny. Simple. We need to beat a team we should be beating at home. We do that, we are in the Champions League with a third-placed finish after winning a domestic cup. Incredible stuff. We just need to grab it.

You would think after winning a cup and all the success we have had that people would relax a bit and accept when we have a lackluster half without all Howe all of a sudden being shit and the team bottling it and all that. We have it in our hands. Beat Everton at home, we are in the Champions League. If we can't do that, we don't deserve it. We would have snapped someone's hand off to be in this position 5 months ago, let alone 5 years ago.

I can't help but think about Alisson and Ederson and how their distribution is vital to the intent of those sides. Take Villa even, remember their 2nd goal against us when Martinez played it over our press right into Tielemans, who had acres of space to start the move that ended up with a goal. We end up so often having only one way to play because Pope cannot reliably distribute the ball. He is a fantastic shotstopper but there is a lot more to goalkeeping within the tactical framework we want to use. I think a better ball playing keeper would improve our consistency and ability to dictate play against lesser sides.

Kind of, but even then you have Dan Burn, who played a very competent LB for ages. Krafth too. And we will need versatility in the system they can play, too. I think it's different but even by CB standards, I still think we want versatile players.

If we have learned anything from the last few seasons, it's that Howe prizes versatility more than most. I would imagine that every player we target (apart from Trafford obv) would be able to play multiple positions at a high level. Any rumour involving anyone who doesn't can be immediately dismissed.

If he actually turns down a legitimate offer to play for Real Madrid because of his loyalty to Newcastle, what an incredible statement that would be for the club and Eddie Howe.

Fuck me what players would want to play in front of some of these fans ready to slate them for one bad game after a season like this, have some perspective and calm the fuck down

Not much energy today. Our whole thing is intensity and energy and we had neither of those.

Get all this poison out in one game and let’s finish strongly.

Looking like one of those days. Been second best most of the game. It happens. Three games in the week catching up to us. And some bad luck too.

They’re doing to use what we usually do to others. Need to get a grip.

Watching his performance again from yesterday, it was genuinely elite-level stuff. I cannot believe how much better he's gotten, and how much more consistently he is putting in quality balls. It's impossible. It's like if Matt Targett all of a sudden looked like Nuno Mendes, what on Earth is happening? He is such a great character and has been selflessly supportive of others for years, loves the club, loves the people, you can't not love him - and now he's a superstar all of a sudden. What a season.

Like most everyone else, i figured he was done as a top-level player, but I couldn't be happier to be wrong. It really is fitting for him to be playing a key role in this side as it was him signing that started all of this momentum in the first place. Running more than he has in ages, he's putting in quality deliveries and linking up perfectly with Jacob Murphy on that right side. Appreciative that he handled Bruno being named captain with such class as well, that could have been ugly. Thrilled to see this version of him back and I'm happy to have him for another season in this role.

How would we respond to winning the Carabao Cup? 12 points from 12, 14 goals scored, 2 conceded Mentality monsters.

Can't believe he's our player. Thunders into tackles, first touch of a ballerina, passing range for days, never gets tired. We've said players were world class before, but this guy - this is what world class looks like. Would stroll into pretty much any midfield in the world and make it better.

Just so good to watch. Another Tonali masterclass in the middle. Tactics were spot on from Howe (Tindall?). Made the pitch really wide, wingers and fullbacks had all kinds of joy. Murphy has evolved like a Pokemon into his upgraded form. We could have had 8 or 9 easily. And we can yet improve. Have to pinch myself sometimes to believe what I'm watching.

Jacob Murphy BALLON D'OR BALLON D'OR BALLON D'OR BALLON D'OR BALLON D'OR

Excellent game to watch, Villa deserves credit for the fightback, did everything they could do. No shame in being put out like that.

Thought taking Rashford off was the wrong move, he was phenomenal second half. They lost some spark with that sub.

I had managed to forget about the legendary Antonio Mango until now

Pinching myself that we have a player of his calibre in our team. He is a proper world class midfielder. He can do it all and will do it all for the full 90+ minutes. Irreplaceable.

Wonderful second half performance. Really upped the tempo and intensity and blew them out of the water. Winning is a habit.

Murphy not doing too much going forward but has really helped tracking back. Barnes not as much, which is why we got punished on that side of the pitch. Really looking forward to Gordon returning.