KaKa

Think Liverpool's success had more to with the players they managed to get in at much better value tbh. Man United have been going big in proven the most probably, and have ended up in the dirt.

I'm the lead up to January we were most linked with Khusanov, Bah and Ordonez at Brugge that all fit a similar profile. Man City muscled in on both Khusanov and Bah. I imagine Ordonez will still be on the list and others will have been added on by the summer. Ordonez at Brugge was the replacement for that Diomande at Sporting I believe, who they had previously, and who we also liked but is now very expensive. So makes sense we've been looking at this guy before he makes a bigger move.

I don't understand this sort of thinking. We might as well just get rid of all of the scouting and recruitment staff then, if this is what we're going to do. At some point you have to believe in and back the work they put in. Spending almost 3 times the amount he cost just last year, will not be a sustainable strategy going forward with signings, and would likely mean we continue to end up with some quality in the first team and a poor squad because we won't have enough money to improve other areas enough. Not to mention that if we do buy a talented player that we like for a cheaper fee and wages, like we should have done with Huijsen last year, if they don't work out, it's far easier to fix that as the outlay isn't as damaging.

Funnily enough that Sindre Walle Egeli has been linked with us going back to the end of last year and it popped up again recently.

Yeah, this is what I'm anticipating too.

He's a classy guy. Even when we were in for him at Sociedad I remember reading that he was quite calm about things and would be happy to stay if a deal couldn't be agreed/finalised.

What the heck?! One of their heroes leaving for a second division Saudi side. My word. Well that thread on their forums will be an interesting read, as they love the Saudi's so much I remember reading that he turned us down due to the financial package on offer, so this kind of makes sense, as I'm sure they will be paying him loads.

As for Newcastle. Has to be the Champions League ideally. The money from all those games would be huge. The new format also increases the chances of progressing through.

Have really enjoyed watching Fiorentina this season. They've been good. I'm going with them to win it over Chelsea.

Was really impressed with the setup yesterday. I have to say, one thing I hope we take on to other matches going forward, was the way we went more direct when under pressure at the back. I think this avoided us losing the ball as much in dangerous areas, which has gifted away so many easy opportunities to opposition teams this season. Our midfield is so competitive and high energy that they also do a great job of winning second balls in central areas from any knock downs too, so we were causing them a ton of problems that way. Really think that approach suited us, and can be utilised more against teams that do a good job of pressing us, and make it difficult for us to play out from the back. Saw far less mistakes playing out from the back from Burn and Schar yesterday. Joelinton wasn't forced the ball in tight areas under pressure, and Murphy didn't have to drop deeper and get involved in build up as much. For where we are as a team at the minute that suits us very well.

That tin man walk had me howling with laughter man The man is a comedian

Jacob Murphy ... today at various moments he made me laugh, he made my cry and he made me smile. Cannot take anything away from him this season, no matter how much he scares me with some of his play. We've ultimately won a cup with this man playing down that right side. Fair play to the man, he gets huge credit for that.

This guy's decision to join when the team was in the absolute mud, and so fully embracing the challenge and the club as a whole has been such a big catalyst to everything that has since happened. So thoroughly deserved that he ends up captaining the team to this achievement, and he'll have that forever. Well done Bruno!

Shocked the hell out of me today. Had Diaz crying to the ref all game and brought so much composure and direction to the back line. What a time to deliver that performance. Crazy.

He was brilliant today. Thought he was the one that helped bring things home after we conceded late on. Has paid the club back a hundred fold after what transpired last season. Top man.

Really enjoyed his performance. So cool, calm and professional. Worked that left side so well in tandem with Tino.

Every time he's mentioned as the one that needs to be improved upon in midfield, my soul dies a little. He is a colossus and does so much that is easy to overlook. A monstrous performance full of heart, guts and commitment. Love big Joe.

Thrilled for him today. Scoring a goal and winning a final against Liverpool has got to feel tremendous. Hopefully inspires him to stay on and help reach the next level.

Apparently winning this guarantees us at least the European Conference League next season?

Legendary performance today. The way things have ended up going since he came back to Newcastle is some fairy tale. Should be a movie

Made history today and that can never be taken away from him. Just an incredible achievement, and in such convincing fashion too. Salute!

So happy for Tino. He is such a gifted defender. Salah was completely blanketed.