Yorkie

My local lads now with only Oxford City beneath them. Absolutely desperate, hate to see it. The sixth tier is as much a pig to get out of as the fifth one, too.

Hard agree. We're in danger of ruining (or at least minimising) probably the second best striker in the league if we don't take the pressure off Isak. The current situation is utterly unsustainable from the team's point of view as well, and I think we need another striker just to stand still. It's vital.

Is there just fewer right-wingers out there, or something? Most players are right-footed and most wingers are inverted so the pool for the opposite flank is a lot smaller?

Bloke will be at Newcastle longer than Derek Wright imo.

Likewise. Cannot catch a break with this fucking game this season.

Rice fits Arsenal like a glove. Pleased he didn't go to City or Chelsea.

Man City the best one?

Hadn't realised it's being applied to the Europas. I think it's interesting; the negatives of it aren't immediately obvious to me (aside from the motivation behind it).

It's allocated for mixed use development, specifically a mix of offices, leisure and residential. Therefore putting a new stadium there wouldn't have policy support at present I don't think. The Newcastle Local Plan is up for review so there could be scope for that to change, but I think there'd have to be some evidence that what it's currently allocated for isn't deliverable.

sake

Interesting graphic, @Coffee_Johnny. Would be curious to see how we fare against the rest of the mini-league we're embroiled in (Brighton, West Ham, Chelsea, Wolves)...

This doesn't necessarily apply to Newcastle but I've found myself becoming increasingly disillusioned about the growing amount of discourse re fans wanting/deserving to be entertained. Of course that notion has always been there to some extent, but usually it was more of a synonym for watching your team try really hard, and to revel in some escapism after the drudge of the working week. It's different now, it's meant more literally as 'entertainment' comparable to other events. Football matches aren't concerts or stand-up performances - I'm afraid you roll the dice when you buy a ticket. The objective of the 'performers' you're observing at a football match is not to thrill and excite an audience - their objective is to get results. If they thrill/excite along the way then that is merely a bonus. Just can't abide the sense of entitlement. You've no right to demand to be entertained and if your expectations are based on the entry fee then, frankly, you're fucking stupid. If you want a better guarantee of entertainment then go and do something else that is better refined to your tastes.

Just spotted Stade Brestois' sudden and unexpected rise to 2nd in Ligue 1. Quick read up suggests there's no caveats in the form of them receiving financial windfalls or being beneficiaries of multi-club ownership, or anything like that; they're just a solid team having an amazing season.

Don't think this got posted.

Just the 74 goals so far this season.

Feels like the writing has been on the wall for him for absolutely ages. They're not capable of stringing a meaningful sequence of results together. Not ruling out 6th for someone else, like.

For real? Laughable quotes, like. That early strike aside they were never in it.

Brilliant goal too.

Bologna having a hell of a season in Serie A. 2-1 up at Atalanta.

W17 D2 L0 (in all competitions) since Villa beat them in early December. City being City.

Gerrin

It's clearly entirely valid. Moreso for looking at trends than an individual match, though imo.

Gorgeous strike, reminds me a bit of a couple Ben Arfa goals for us. Touch and fire.

Critical for challenging the top six? I dunno like. Burn is a perfectly serviceable LB when we're able to accommodate his weaknesses. Targett is solid and Hall is an unknown quantity. It would be nice to upgrade but I definitely don't think our progress hinges on the situation. Besides, assuming we sign Hall, I'd be very surprised if we committed even more funds to that position. Think folks need to buckle up for plenty more BDB next season. CF is truly critical cos that situation is simply becoming less and less sustainable. I think we'll get absolutely nowhere next season if Wilson isn't usurped as second choice.

Dramatic (and repetitive) I know but I honestly find matches at the Etihad borderline unwatchable thanks to those hoardings. So distracting.