Raconteur

Bold to include Haller in that group imo

There were times “really big” clubs were supposed to be after him, and performances like those mentioned above were why. There’s a parallel universe where he was coached by a good manager, or one who isn’t Alan Pardew.

If we're playing two centre midfielders, I really don't want Xhaka to be one of them. Plus huge wages, plus five-six centre midfielders on the books already. Can't see it.

For us, I meant, which I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else be for us in the centre of defence other than Woodgate. Not saying he was a world class CB. Woodgate wasn’t even, but was/performed as one for us. As did Colo. And aye, I didn’t like how he left/his time here ended. Given the joke that was Kinnear, Pardew then Carver with the fiasco of SA, KK, Shearer and Hughton squashed in there somewhere though, who knows what the likes of him were only prepared to put up so much with so more before the thought of being here any longer wasn’t worth thinking about. I’m sure the club’s treatment of Jonas helped make Colo give zero fucks about the club towards the end, even if he did the fans which I’m 100% certain he did. The club certainly did nothing to twist his arm to stay, they couldn’t wait for him to fuck off to save on his wages, having to consider a new deal and of course, to peddle someone who stood up for his team-mates and spoke out, if not publicly, in private. I don’t blame anyone over the last 12 years who put themselves or greed or whatever first and to hell with the club, even Owen. At least Colo give his all on the pitch, repaid fans’ support and backed up his enormous salary with performances and no shortage of class with the ball at his feet while in the black and white. I prefer to reserve any anger, resentment, bitterness and I’ll feelings for Ashley and co. If memory serves, didn't the club initially refuse to allow Colo to join San Lorenzo? Can't blame the club - he essentially wanted a free transfer out of the club - but Ashley and co forced him to stay another window or two (again, if memory serves). Given Jonas and all the rest, there's every reason to expect him to be utterly hacked off at the end

Yup, my favourite player for as long as I can remember, but I couldn't say he'd force his way into a team past HBA-Remy-Ba. Favourite so rarely means best - unless your favourite is Messi...

wat As I said, from all the talent we've had over the past decade, which team would be the most fearsome? Imagine HBA on one side, ASM on the other, with Ba finishing off those chances that those two created? Would be ridiculous! Sure, but by naming ASM, you're ruling out Remy or Cisse (among others). Little wonder some are scoffing.

Closest I've seen to the team I'd pick in a Rafa 3-4-3, with one exception. I think I'd play Lejeune on the left and Colo in the middle, but open to changing that around. Came down to Lascelles or Schar for me, but I reckon they're on a similar level defensively but Wor Fabian wins out because of his passing ability. Another question was Remy or Ba as the striker. Probably go for Remy as Ba would make a better fist of adapting to the left-sided ten that Almiron played last year. Don't know about Enrique as a wingback, but there's no one else I'd rather play there. Tiote is probably the one player most under threat.

A few giggles to be found there. Liked Sean Dyche (Bouncer at some dodgy club. Doesn't look twice at the girls' ID but likes to give the lads a hard time. Loves to flex his muscles), and Steve Bruce, for those who can't be bothered was "Butcher. Finest lamb chops in all the north east. Good honest labour. Always gives extra to the older ladies. Been known to eat all his stock." Seems legit.

Toon are 11th and two points off fifth - is current league position indicative of where a club is likely to finish? If you think you are competing with Tottenham and Arsenal this season...

That's all perfectly valid, but also under possibly the greatest manager of all time. I don't know that they need an elite coach. They had two, and it didn't work. They need to take stock - there's no catching Liverpool or City, and Chelsea are looking good despite the transfer ban. They've fallen too far to compete with Tottenham or Leicester or Arsenal, but there's no reason they can't get things right to give it a good go next season. Their problems are pretty obvious, and if they can get the wrong players out and the right ones in - never forgetting that even if they finish tenth, they'll still have the pull of Manchester United - there's no reason they can't challenge even with a non-elite coach. Their problem, it seems to me from my passing interest, is that they need Woodward to be on the same page as his manager, which hasn't happened... ever? He makes almost as many stupid missteps as Ashley, just of the cash-burning variety instead. Seems their only chance is if Woodward sticks with OGS and buys the players he wants, not the ones Woodward decides to buy.

She's really embracing her role as the ultimate conservitard boogeyman

If Lejeune is back then Clark is a good option in the middle in the interim. Ideally working towards a Lejeune-Fernandez-Schar back three - and with Willems and Yedlin in form, that looks decent (objectively)

I think that's the point half the time - the extra solidity Wor Andy provides defending set pieces. He's certainly not adding anything to the attack.

Be honest is he any better than Mitrovic a guy that is now a championship player and one who couldnt get a game under Rafa in the championship on a regular basis Yes. He is. By miles. Will he score more than Mitro did in the prem? Probably not. "is he any better than Mitrovic" was what I responded to. It's not his fault he's being shoehorned into a role he's patently never played before and doesn't look suited to. I wouldn't know Mitro's record for us or Fulham, but I'm flat out saying Joelinton is "any better" than Mitrovic.

If you’re comparing him with 33-34 year old Coloccini aye but Coloccini from late 2009 to 2012 was immense. Original quote has to rank as one of the most outlandish comparisons ever made on this forum. Peak Colo, even peak Toon Colo, was in a different league to Lejeune - who I am very fond of and is probably our best all-round centre-half. It's not far from saying Schar is better than Woodgate.

Curious to see how it averages out over a season. But better player? No way.

Be honest is he any better than Mitrovic a guy that is now a championship player and one who couldnt get a game under Rafa in the championship on a regular basis Yes. He is. By miles.

Nah, there’s too much shite down the bottom of the league this season. We’d have to sink like a stone

Some of the best form he’s ever shown for us Cracking goal, too. Love a good Superman header

Don’t know that those three have ever played together, but I’d like to see it

I don't have a favourite player any more, the enthusiasm has been completely drained from me. But if I did, it would certainly be a player Rafa signed, not one Ashley/who knows signed. Would that rule HBA out - signed only because he was cheap with no consideration as to fitting him in?

If the U23s are used as a reserves/development league, you could be coming up against a superstar coming back from injury or a 16yo making up numbers (or both). How can you focus on results in that environment?

There's merit to this, but it overlooks the fact that keeping is a very different role than in Given's time. Most goalkeepers stayed close to their six-yard box (Seaman's chips aside) whereas now every keeper needs to have some level of comfort on the ball and occupy more of his area. It's like comparing Batistuta to Aguero - no one plays like Batistuta anymore and while its ostensibly the same position, time has changed what it means to play in that role

Seems like everyone is waiting for Real to write Bale a big cheque and tell him to fuck off. Or a Chinese club gets him.

Quite like this