LionOfGosforth

Our other signings have given us incremental improvement, particularly Trippier. This is an astounding signing, could truly be transformative. Honestly, from the admittedly little i've seen, he has every attribute you'd hope for in a modern DM. Can tackle, passes well, box to box, plays lovely through balls, covers the ground really quickly and even has the occasional goal in him. Remains to be seen how quickly he can settle but might well be our best midfielder in a couple of decades.

Didn't want to do it but since I knew nothing about him and the deal looks more likely, did a quick YT scout. Not the best format or way to judge but from that, the following is clear, he has an amazing eye for a pass, can tackle cleanly, great skill with the ball, quick to cover the ground, loves an eye of the needle through ball (to Wood lol, to Wilson )...all in all, has every attribute you could want in a modern DM and would instantly elevate our midfield by about 20 levels. I bloody hope this happens.

I like the man a lot and you can just tell that, although things haven't been great and we've often thrown points away, he's absolutely working his bollocks off to put it right. You can only admire that. He's probably put more work in since he came than Bruce bothered with the entire time. I desperately want him to succeed. Ultimately it comes down to results and so let's hope that's the first of a good few wins.

It's not great for my heart but it feels fucking brilliant to give a shit again.

Christ my heart.

Yup, all these Careless Whispers will work against us I reckon

"Need a CM desperately" is the new "worrying". But aye, we need one like

If only JWP was a potential signing. Scored another absolutely brilliant FK today and would instantly and massively improve the midfield.

Nobody is above criticism and Howe deserves some, 1 win in 10 is absolutely not enough, especially since we've played the dross of the division during that time. And if Wood was his call, looks a bad one on today's evidence. But people shoveling ALL the blame Howe's way are very much under-estimating the damage Bruce did and the loser mentality that is clearly stamped on all too many of our players.

Same. We need probably 6-8 more players but I don't think that's likely, January is a bastard of a window. I'm torn because he's an immensely likeable bloke and obviously has good ideas about how he wants us to play and they're laudable and light years ahead of Bruce. But the players just are not responding enough it seems. A losing mentality is ingrained in them.

Lerl, stick those smoke bombs where the sun don't shine ye mugs

Great little player, had a poor game, did nowt for 70 minutes then brilliant finish

black shirt nonce gang seem happy with their smoke bombs an that

Least effective game i've seen from Gallagher all season, totally anonymous Edit - works every time, Gallagher scores

It is traditionally a big rivalry game amongst the fanbases down the years (not sure why exactly), not really a derby though in the geographical sense.

The female co-commentator on this feed sounds like Kathy Burke

Would actually be perfect for us, position of need and would give excellent balance and attacking support with defensive discipline. Looks quick too and recovers well. Ideal signing.

Cucurella is really good like, puts me in the mind of Marcelo a bit but doesn't run around like Benny Hill and is actually fit for purpose as an LB but also with excellent attacking instincts as well.

Miss pen but score like 25 seconds later anyway, weak goalkeeping, surprised if it's not looked at given how keepers are protected these days

Brighton well on top here

I think if we were signing him AND Botman, the feelings might be generally a bit more positive. Time will tell, but at least we'll have a physical presence up top and a big set piece threat that we wouldn't have had otherwise. Might get us the win on Saturday in what will probably be a tense, tight and shit game.

Trying to find a grain of positivity this week as there's been plenty of negative feeling past few days, this is an ok signing in an area of desperate need and i've always thought he was horrible to play against. We simply had to sign someone, couldn't go with the dregs we have against Watford. Imagine he bullets a winning header in the last minute from a Trippier corner! Aye stretching credibility

Mixed feelings. Price is irrelevant. We're desperate. He's 30 and just a big lump really so it's kind of underwhelming but he gives us a focal point and instantly improves our attacking options, not hard I know. Every time I watch him play, he seems to win about 45 headers a game so he's a bugger to mark. If he nets 5 or 6 and we stay up, 20m is a drop in the ocean. Need at least one more striker, preferably one with pace who can run all day, can't rely on any of our other forwards at all.

I certainly hope this is the nadir of Eddie's reign, the ground zero moment. Probably in the top 3 worst results in the entire time i've been alive and we lost 4-0 to Exeter one year when I was a kid. Utterly depressing.

Dybala needs a move to a progressive, ambitious club...