Dr Venkman

Feels good to look forward to the new season again, albeit tentatively.

Opinons?: Butland, Krul Ivanovic, Williams, Lescott, Cedric, Mertesacker Aarons, Hazard, Walcott, Anya, Depay Mitrovic, Rooney, Pelle

Agree. I don't mind this too much. Colo's shortcomings now are more or less the same as always, he lacks pace and he's erratic in the air. He's a class defender though and with Mbemba next to him he might get back to something like his best. As fans we want the team to progress quickly, but you can't change everything at once, Colo staying as part of the first team isn't a major problem. That said, I'd rather he wasn't captain, but McClaren has been making noises about 11 captains, hopefully the news lads will listen to him and the likes of Krul, Anita, Tiote etc will follow suit.

In an odd way the tough early fixtures could help. I don't think many of us were expecting good football early on. If we can use the first 5/6 games to work on fundamentals and still pick up a few points, the team may start to gel when we get to easier opposition.

JS's post followed by a load of people saying they're going on Sunday I just couldn't do it anymore, I'd feel filthy, in the most negative sense

Yeah, I'm sure it does. What I mean is that it shouldn't really be held against him. It shouldn't be held against him that he went out of his way to antagonise fans of the club he supports? Not really, he was a Sunderland player then. Ideally no player would act like that, but to me it's not a major issue. Well it's not a major issue for me either, I struggle to think of anything NUFC related that I can put in that category tbh, other than Mike Ashley. It just means we know he's an arsehole, behaviour like that will rightly be held against him.

Haven't been overly impressed with him so far but we're crying out for a bit of creativity out wide, I really hope he can push on this season.

Yeah, I'm sure it does. What I mean is that it shouldn't really be held against him. It shouldn't be held against him that he went out of his way to antagonise fans of the club he supports?

One of the focal points of the AshleyOut protests was 'we don't demand a team that wins, we demand a team that tries'. Obviously there's a line but even still people need to make up their mind over what they want. Running around like Captain Fistpumps isn't a way of proving you're trying. No one says it is. Taylor can piss off for all I care, but Colback I actually think has some ability... not the greatest in the world, but brings something to the table that is a little different to our other CMs. Saylor at his peak is much more effective than Colback could ever be.

It's worth repeating that the majority of our fans are absolute fucking idiots. And yet, while you say that, 82% of the fans reading that article in the Chronicle are enthusiastic about the idea of buying an alternative shirt... Most of our fans don't vote in Internet polls you plum. You sure? Maybe you should do a quick poll to find out... I've entered a craicuum.

It's worth repeating that the majority of our fans are absolute fucking idiots. And yet, while you say that, 82% of the fans reading that article in the Chronicle are enthusiastic about the idea of buying an alternative shirt... Most of our fans don't vote in Internet polls you plum.

The joke's on him. He's just joined Tynemouth Golf Club.

It's worth repeating that the majority of our fans are absolute fucking idiots.

Been reading through the thread wondering what the stats were for the game. As I suspected it doesn't look too bad. Although our first choice defence has weaknesses it will be a lot better than it was in this game. I think everyone generally gets a bit over excited by pre-season, it's understandable given the break since we last saw the team play.

Also the players have been terribly coached for years. It took a long time for things to shape up under Keegan the 2nd time because Allardyce had fostered such deep rooted turgid football in the players. Agree in particular about the Keegan thing. I remember my Grandad (not long before he died actually) said to me "It's only a matter of time before you batter someone". A week later we won 4-1 at Tottenham Was it not 12 games before Keegan started to turn it? McLaren is no Keegan. Remeber Keegan talking openly about the players being scared to pass

Definitely getting. Kilcine or Shearer.

Such sadness

I miss him

1:07, first answer to the first question: "They had played against me at the start of the season......" :lol:

Wearing my Ben Arfa top just sitting here, thinking.

Referencing a 'concept of European football' as if he's had vast experience. As if he didn't spend every single minute fucking hating it and hoping he wouldn't have to bother because he was so frightened. Such a fucking cunt, man.

I think we need them regardless of Haidara and Cabella tbh, we have one decent winger in the squad in Aarons and even if Cabella stays and performs we still need one. Same with LB as Haidara is really the only one we have. Yeah, I'm a fan so I'd like as many as possible like everyone else. But, I'm all for Cabella, Haidara, Aarons getting a run in the team and the club will undoubtedly think that Dummet is adequate cover at LB and have just let Sammy go on loan so obviously think we're fine wide too.

I think we need another centre half, but I don't expect us to get one unless someone leaves. The common consensus seems to be that we need a wide player and a left back for the first team, but I think Haidara and Cabella deserve a chance tbh.