Yorkie

Yeah, Krafth in particular gives us absolutely nowt these days and we really miss Trippier.

It is quite odd how lackluster we are in the league. We were absolutely mint against Spurs in midweek; absolutely chalk and cheese so far. It must be based in trying to manage load/intensity, you'd think, but then does that really explain a sudden inability to keep the ball?

Dreadful performance so far like, and they've been really good tbf. We should still get chances in the second half but it goes without saying that we need to up our game considerably. Feels like when Bruno has a stinker, the team does, because so much goes through him.

wowzer Pretty fucking ropey this, lads

West Ham goal coming atm like. Need to pick our arses up.

Play on you fucking dope

Sensational last ditch tackle from Thiaw. Do think these incidents (specifically overturning penalties that should never have been given) are a rare justifiable use of VAR. Have said this before, incidentally, before I'm accused of recency bias!

Reviewing it ffs. He gets the ball, what's to debate?

Pen. Shite from Gordon.

Exceptional finish. So fucking clinical

No Trippier is a shame, like. Mad how high his levels continue to be for us, particularly in possession. Krafth has looked pretty rusty in his performances this season imo, but nice to have a third choice FB as good as him.

Crackers how much he gets away with, like. What a legend. That clothesline on that scrawny, noodle-headed wank in the cup final is a thing of beauty.

Anything less than a win would be pretty disappointing and reinforce the theory that we're a bit midtabley. Brighton and Fulham both put relegation fodder to the sword yesterday and we need follow suit. Any grotty old win will do.

Watching both the FA Cup and that absolute shite at Spurs. Absolutely disgraceful dive from the Notts Co player for their pen.

Boro well and truly squandering their chance to go joint top, 3-0 down at Watford.

Yeah I think it's pretty fanciful to suggest he won't go to AFCON. My take would be 'why shouldn't he?' really. It's not his fault the competition is in the middle of the season and clubs shouldn't be expected to insist that players withdraw, from any (competitive) international match. From our point of view, it just comes with the territory and, as always, I think it's important to remember that players representing their country whilst being on our books is ultimately a net positive for us. The short term frustration is outweighed by the fact that players can realise their aspirations on the international stage whilst playing for Newcastle. With that in mind, we could really do with Sven getting a call-up sooner rather than later

coming into the Women's team thread and posting that. EDGY.

I can take or leave this guy's content generally but this was a great showcase of what amazing community venues these clubs are. I fancy taking in the 'hospitality' at Benfield. Love that mural at East End FC too.

I'm not convinced it's possible for us to mount a serious title challenge outside of a scenario where all the usual suspects falter simultaneously. The spending rules are structured to prevent it from happening and are very effective at that. In the immediate aftermath of last season I had genuine hopes that it could happen as soon as right now, but the Isak thing was a tipping point for me. Regardless of his form since the move, the Isak at Newcastle was a 'keys to the castle' player, and we were going to invest around him. But no. If there's any hope at all then the obvious thing is that we need to keep Eddie Howe forever, because he might literally be the best there is, and then we've got to beat PSR. For me, the principal route to that is to turn the academy into a money printing machine. We missed the boat with Anderson so it will have to start with Miley. But for as long as the rules ordain that some teams will always have a greater capacity to spend, it can only happen via an opportunistic Leicester-style raid. Edit: for what it's worth, if it takes selling our soul to get there then I'm very happy with the current arrangement of being fucking mint, qualifying for Europe, being competitive in the league, and winning domestic cups.

He's definitely been a long way off his best for most of the season but he's an incredible option off the bench if we're winning. He made them cry yesterday. Ludicrous tackle on Kudus, a red in any language. Hilarious.

Tonali was the second best player on the pitch tonight. Outrageously good performance from this bloke. Defender, playmaker, winger, presser, headerer, tackler. One of the best individual performances of the season from anyone in the squad.

Geed up.