Conjo

He didn't get it bang on because it wasn't planned. Rafa didn't really do anything wrong, but you can't say he did something good either. He didnt have anyone else to throw in so -had- to rely on a youth player. I am very certain that if we had a fringe senior player fit to play he would have gotten the nod over Longstaff at the time. It's not meant as critisism of Rafa as much as it is for player development in general these days. Too much on the line for managers (especially the calulated ones such as Rafa) to gamble on someone unproven.

Underrated goal from those outside of NUFC - you rarely see people talking about it as one of the greatest goals in the PL era. It's good but it's not that good. The turn to get away is superb but after that he's barely challenged and just runs straight up the pitch. Again IT'S A FUCKING GOOD GOAL, not disputing that but to say one of the greatest in the PL era is a bit silly. Agree it probably shouldn't be in contention for greatest in the PL era, but it's a brilliant goal. After the turn he doesn't need to dribble due to the pace he carries the ball with and the perfect weighing of the touch on the ball when he goes past both CBs. Looks so easy but so few players in the world will ever be able to score a goal like it. The goal against Blackburn, the goal on Saturday just shows that he can reproduce those goals out of technique and athleticism. There are better goals in the PL, however as opposed to the HBA goals, anyone can get a lucky strike of the ball to score a better goal and not be able to reproduce something similar ever again.

Could it be the fact that he hasn't ran himself to the ground every day in training and in every match that enables him to still produce goals such as the one he scored on Saturday, at 32 years old, after 15 years of first team, top league football? I don't know much about the body and exercise, but I've always had it in my mind that you've got a certain mileage before you start losing explosiveness in your muscles? See a lot of rapid players whose main attribute was acceleration/pace turn pretty bad after turning 29-30-31 when they don't have that youthful athleticism anymore. Probably more suited for the daft questions thread come to think of it.

Dangit, and here I was looking forward to see what Rafa could have done with a £150m war chest

Correct

343 kg ffs, stop with the silliness UK

Read a rumour today that Newcastle and WBA are discussing a 6 man swap deal. Gayle, Murphy and Hayden for Rondon, Livermore and Gibbs.

I think it's pretty clear from Rafas choices and interviews about Longstaff that if we hadn't had injuries he would still not been given more than a few minutes at the tail end of games where his introduction would have little to no effect on the outcome of the game. Maybe he would get a chance once PL status had been confirmed. It doesn't matter if he rates Longstaff or not as long as he doesn't give him an opportunity. While senior players might appreciate being selected based on seniority, it will be equally frustrating for younger players who see every day in training that they are on par or better than their peers and not get an opportunity. Key is a balance between the two, but in this age of top league football, nurturing unproven talent is a risk the vast majority of managers, Rafa included, are not prepared to take unless it is blatantly obvious that they have a special player on their hands.

Yea...I guess Kinnear is still breathing too.

What's the current list of absolute scrap heap knackers looking like these days? Sam Allardyce David Moyes Tony Pulis (soon) Mark Hughes Alan Pardew Gary Rowett Gus Poyet Darren Moore Tim Sherwood if we're quick. I forgot about the managerial heavy weight of Tim Sherwood. Updated with an addition of my own: Sam Allardyce David Moyes Tony Pulis (soon) Mark Hughes Alan Pardew Gary Rowett Gus Poyet Darren Moore Tim Sherwood Dennis Wise Paul Lambert (probably available soon too)

Because he didn't get a chance until there were no other choices left?

Out: Joselu Colback Saivet Hayden Diame Gayle Priorities for summer: 1. New contract for Benitez 2. New right wing back 3. New left wing back 4. Sign Rondon permanently (if WBA doesn't get promoted) 5. New experienced CM to partner Longstaff 6. New young CM to challenge/compete and cover together with Shelvey 7. New young striker to challenge and cover for Rondon Doubt we'll be able to get any offers for anyone other than Hayden and Gayle which means most of the players will be retained which means new signings won't get sanctioned which means Rafa doesn't sign a new contract and we're fucked next season and will be primed to lose the tyne-wear derby in the championship 2021. Still, the above is what I would realistically hope/expect under any non-suger daddy ran PL club.

If we somehow manage to get rid of Colback and Saivet in addition to Hayden and Diame leaving it would be a good opportunity to replace those 4 with 2 more eligble players and still have decent cover in central midfield. It would still probably need to be at a net cost so doubt it'll happen.

Will probably fetch a decent fee for him on the back of his performances second half of the season even if it is known he wants to leave. Will need to be replaced though.....

They should perform better than they are with the players they have. With the exception of GK and CB, I'd have any of the players they fielded yesterday in our team ahead of those we fielded.

He's outrageous.

Why are people going on about that "we didn't create enough"? Problem is to convert chances into goals, not getting the chances in the first place.

Played well. If it hadn't been for Lejeune injury and a mistake from Jedlin I'd be quite happy about now.

Seems like one of them FM games where you totally dominate every aspect of it, yet lose because the computer/game decided to before the game started. Usually get a long term injury to a key player as well to make the run in of the season more "exciting".

Unlucky

Another Palace penalty

Lascelles cleverly signalling he wants the ball on his head for this free kick.

Should get Shelvey in for Ki now that Lejeune is out.

Farewell sweet prince

Ritchie crosses instead of passing to Almiron in a better position. Almiron stretches his arms out at Ritchie. Ritchie apologises and recognises Almiron was in a better position.