Paulie Walnuts

De Jong needs to start

Colback's boots are Sunderland colours

we have a decent manager for the first time in years and still look crap - spend massive amounts and still look crap - the hope came back but it's been put out just as quickly - this fucking club, can't even get new manager bounce.

this is so painful to watch - need goal for confidence but not looking remotely like scoring

put taylor on

Terry Mac there.

Was always gonna happen with fish face.

When he first arrived seemed much better - got on the end of a good few headers - looked the real deal - maybe he's holding back on his aggression - he looks a shadow of his former self. Hope he turns it around as loads of potential - he's still just a kid.

there was a lack of skill, misplaced passes and poor touches, but i guess thats down to confidence as much as anything.

what did Rafa say?

never thought i'd hear that. Don't disagree though. Thank God Rafa will analyse the fuck out of this and hopefully we'll get better.

De Jong was tidy

one chance

lack of skill, lack of confidence but at least there is fight.

People had the audacity to suggest fish mouth pardew for Real Madrid a few months ago. Now we have Benitez ?

Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo is so delighted with his new portrait of himself and team-mate John Terry that he posted a picture of it on Instagram. http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/16BF5/production/_88737139_omeruo_instagram.jpg ;D

that photo of hippo head

Leicester

The guy is class

He comes across as a nice fella, but at the same time he just oozes class and commands respect - he's the real deal fellas. Now we do have SOME decent players who for whatever reason have been Pardewed/McLarened - they have no excuse now they're working with one of the best managers on the planet.

All these injured players suddenly back in those photos, and if I'm not mistaken Shelvey appears tO be growing some hair stubble - it's truly a blessed day.

Rafa, like KK, is a proper football man - he won't get bullied and take any crap from the board or get pushed around. Still buzzing - he just inspires.

Fantastic post Brilliant. Thanks for taking the time. Great read.

I'm in love with football again. Happy, buzzing and can't wait of the next match. Guess it'll take a few games to get to know the players so his early teams may be not quite the finished article. This is all Ashley had to do, pay for quality and then buy some decent players. You've need the infrastructure and have to start at the top with a top drawer manager, and that's what we now have. I so hope this is a genuine change of philosophy and Ashley will back him with transfer funds and make us at least challenge again. This being Ashley i'm just fearful that he'll mess it up go back on his word. I so hope not, this is a massive opportunity and if all parties get it right this will be some team - and Rafa seems to see that too. Great day.

it'll be a smokescreen before they announce the dream team of Roy Evans and Craig Brown.