LiquidAK

Ah fuck off man

Thought that was in. Good effort

Back to it, let's fucking go

Crowd looks class, nice reminder of how far we've come

Your last 5 posts have been about us not having the right bench selection, us losing Wilson, Bruno being sold in January, Miggy being shit, and Howe being "cloak and dagger" about our injuries. There anything you're feeling optimistic about?

Reads like the average exchange on this forum after a loss tbf

Feels like the right decision - would be a nightmare to lose him longer term just as we're starting to get players back. Rest him for this one to protect him going forward, absolutely the right call imo.

You would know, Ronny

Was chatting about this with my Liverpool supporting mate yesterday. He was talking about the drop-off between Allison and their backup Kelleher. There will be saves that Kelleher just doesn't make that Allison would, but it's almost unfair to say Kelleher made a mistake or fucked up, it's just that Allison is that much better. Think it's the same between Pope and Dubravka really - there will be saves that Pope would make that Dubs won't, but it's not necessarily that he's making errors, he's just being compared against a top-tier keeper and it's almost a little harsh to judge him by Pope's very high standards at shot-stopping. Think Dubs will have a good game today - rust shaken off, back up to speed.

Sure, but we're starting to see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of having Wilson, Longstaff and Burn back and fit enough to start games - Botman on the bench. Barnes next month, Murphy hopefully not too much further. Isak out for a game with a minor injury after having to play so much isn't the end of the world, I'd rather he wasn't, but I'm pleased we're not having to take a gamble and forced to play him. Things are looking up, and we're putting out a team here capable of 3 points. Reasons to be cheerful!

Is it possible to put an entire forum on suicide-watch? Jesus Christ lads.

Trippier-aside, that feels like our strongest lineup in a while, and some good options off the bench. Play like we did against Milan in the first half and we'll smash these. Howay

Would be a little tempted to put big Joe on the left, bring Longstaff back and rest Gordon, but there's something to be said for just going hell for leather to get a result here and back to winning ways. With players slowly coming back we might be able to rest some of the mainstays over the next couple of weeks, fingers crossed

We'll win this and Dubravka will keep a clean sheet - rust shaken off, reaction to the disappointment of going out of Europe and the sense of light at the end of the tunnel in terms of fewer games in the New Year + players coming back will combine to see us get the 3 points here.

This and Sven is so weird, probably misremembering but I can't recall a player being out without there being any real idea when they'll be back, let alone 2.

Don't think he's in any danger whatsoever. The owners all know how early we got into the CL and we did ourselves proud despite not having the squad for it yet. Can't really overstate how much this guy has helped me fall back in love with the club. His Newcastle play exactly how I'd always wanted us to - intense, relentless and with genuine quality. Absolutely love it. When he moves on we'll lose something massive imo, there's not another manager in the world I'd swap him for.

Woken up absolutely gutted, but my overriding emotion is one of pride. 5 points out of that group, first CL experience in 2 decades - should've been 7 and EL qualification if not for a horrendous ref decision. Love this team, we'll be back.

Apologies @BullyDogs, this was uncalled for & over the line

So how about we trust the people who actually have a clue, i.e., Howe and the other senior people at the club who are backing him, and back the 23-year-old.

Thanks for clarifying that you're basing this on vibes - I think you don't have a clue given everything that's come out of the club since this broke.

So you agree if Dummett or Ritchie got embroiled in the same situation as current employees of the club, and therefore the club would have no choice but to get involved, that they'd likely back them?

Nah. Very confident the club would back any of our players going through this regardless of their monetary value.

Delighted you have no input into the club's decisions.