afar

Truth be told, we would be stronger if they were. Thauvin has 10 times the quality of Gouf and I'm not sure what Saivet did to piss Rafa off but I would pick him in the side 10 times out of 10 ahead of the local lad. Obviously Thauvin didn't want to be here but Saivet could have offered us something more than what we have in there right now, I'm sure of that.

What if they are aiming higher than replacing those two? Surely we shouldn't just except s**** to slightly less s****? The danger though is that we come out of the window with those two still starting for us because we aim for too high rather than better than we have. If those two remain our first choices I honestly don't think we will make the automatic positions, it's critical to me that the least we do is to ensure that Colback doesn't start another game for us this season, the bloke is costing us points at the minute.

Sad loss, like others said, crazy to hear that he was 72. His football was not something that will be missed but he as a person around the game will be for sure.

Oh my sweet summer child... Seriously, I know it's tempting to get Jack out of the team at any cost, but I would imagine Rafa will have one eye on next season as well. When we go up we'll probably be looking to make some top class signings in all key areas of the pitch so you can understand why he would be more interested in a loan move for someone like Cleverly. We are not up yet and on current form we could very well fall out of the automatic spots soon. We have to get promoted first and foremost, loans from PL clubs are our best way to fix the holes we have right now.

I was hoping we would have someone in place for the Brentford game so he doesn't have to pick Colback again, but that seems a little unlikely now. Surely there is someone out there that can do a better job than the local lad that we can bring in on a loan or a small fee.

Can't see a win here, we are struggling and I honestly don't think until Shelvey gets back that Rafa has an answer for it with the current players available to him and his rigid adherance to his favoured formation (at least in the league). Can see this being a draw though, in fact it might be the start of a bunch of draws in the second half to balance out the lack of them in the first half of the season.

He has no option, that's the problem, should be addressed pretty quickly because it's costing us big time at the moment.

Wow two strikers, four fuill backs and zero creativity in the middle, I'm not sure what the plan is but obviously Rafa has one.

I had a newborn today. Probable consequence of a 3-1 defeat to Southampton last April. Many congrats man.

He would be absolutely perfect for either the 10 role or out wide in this division, if this could happen somehow and he comes back motivated, I would immediately go to 9.9999 on the promotionometer thread.

Wonder if they will be beaten at their own game this season, would be deliciously ironic if they are.

Why wouldn't he want to leave: Going back to club he started out at (surely has some feelings for them), returning to his home, getting out of a certain relegation battle, getting another signing on fee, taking a loyalty fee from Sunderland, getting another contract for at least 2 years on a high salary. No real reason for him to be loyal here, at 34 it's the last chance for him to make another big move. I read on the beeb one Sunderland fan saying they would be better without him because outside of the goals he scores he contributes nothing else. Not sure if that's true or not since I don't watch them very much. Is he really effecting them in a negative way despite the goals ? The problem they will have if they do take the money (they won't get more that 15million because of his age) is how do you replace him ? !5 million (if they are allowed to reinvest it all) does not get you a player with Defoe's goal record (unless they are Defoe's age). However this whole thing works out they are screwed. He's going to be agitating for a move now as time is not on his side, that'll effect his form and the team's. If he gets the move then there's little guarantee that Moyes with his record so far will invest that money wisely in a replacement. If he doesn't get the move it's just going to further aggravate the situation and they will be playing the final few months with their most important player being very unhappy. This is also distracting them from other recruitment activities that may be going on as it could have a huge impact.

Was looking forward to a good cup run until the recent blimp in form, now back to don't care one way or another if we go through here as long as whatever happens doesn't adversely effect our league form which has to improve.

Isn't he in the team to provide that ? Or has his role reverted to a 2nd right back ?

I don't get the Ritchie comment, class above but final ball is Meh, isn't that kinda key. Very strange post all in all.

He's prone to the odd moment himself, but at least at some point in his Newcastle career he's played well and contributed to the team. I can't recall a time other than that defelected goal against Liverpool last season, where I could say the same about Colback. Really must have upset Rafa to not be getting a look in right now.

Should have sold him in the summer, having said that can understand the thought process of giving him a new contract, there's potential there just not sure he has a role in a Rafa lineup.

I forgot about that. You know the answer will be to leave Colback in there and bring in Perez for Diame. It's predictable.

Brighton seem to get more than their fair share, we've had about 2 all season yet probably have the most shots on goal than every other team. The lack of calls for pulling the shirt and man handling at corners is comical really, and costing us big time right now.

Just an average player. We thought we had swapped like for like with Townsend, but on this evidence Ritchie is not even close to the player we had.

He's certainly not playing the ball, it's like, better stop this guy before he scores, yet we have Anita right in front of him and Clark covering too, it's not like he's the last man defending against Diego Costa or someone !! Criminal, and it'll be obvious to a wise man like Rafa that Colback is the weak link and he's not the answer to cover for Shelvey, surely.

Maybe today could be a blessing in disguise, Rafa most surely saw that Colback cost him the game today, he can't keep picking him now, and he has to push through with a purchase of another CM or we are not going to go up.

At a 6 now, lowest since the start of the season. Reading and Brighton winning, Leeds on a run Huddersfiedl still hanging in there. We are not winning the playoffs if we have to go to them. There are some serious issues to resolve in this team, yes things will improve when we get Shelvey back, but to be so reliant on one man is not a good thing.

Anita has the player covered, it was pointless and cost us dearly, think Rafa agrees since he brought him off soon afterwards.

By no means, we are really really struggling right now, luckily it's January, we have to act now.