Chris_R

Sooooo..... We're a bigger club, then? Is that finally an admission?

It's only a couple of years since we were asking "when was the last time we won an FA Cup tie?"

Very, very raw. Clearly fast, but technically not good at all in that his 'feints' to beat a man seemed to knock the ball about 3 yards away which meant he normally then lost it. Needs to learn tighter close control, and needs to also be able to get his head up and be aware of who is around him because often he'd get the ball and then be unable to release it because he couldn't shake the idea that he had to skin his opponent every time. Which would normally end with him losing it, as per the previous paragraph. At 17 though, it's not a massive concern at this stage but he needs to become a much better footballer to complement the raw speed and flair that he clearly possesses.

I want 11 changes. Let's see though.

Impressive shithousery to close the entire stand to home fans but still stick the away fans right up in the top corner just out of spite.

I did think when reading it that there'll be people reading this from other parts of the world who've never been to Sunderland or heard a mackem speak who'll be reading that thinking it's a foreign language.

I'd imagine that if they're offered enough, they'll be open to offers right up until they sell the first house on to someone else.

I don't recall the cup final loss being in any way attributable to Karius doing anything wrong, in fact I think he played fine? Anyway he's still available on a free...

A few days after the club announce the plans of what they're going to do in regards to the stadium.

What Potter did before coming to England was exceptional, reminded me of Howe in his early Bournemouth days. I can't draw parallels beyond that as it was lower league stuff in weird leagues that I've only seen the results of on Wikipedia, not up close stuff like I've seen of Howe's early career, but I've always thought of things went south with Howe, I'd like to give Potter a chance.

What a player. Absolutely sublime. In my all-time list of Newcastle strikers he's gone above Mick Quinn now, and just behind David Kelly.

Arteta too busy crying to face the cameras. Fucking delicious.

Absolutely nothing that I recall. They had possession and pumped a few balls into the box but we dealt with absolutely everything.

Also Gordon speaks so well in interviews. He's only a young man but I reckon even now you can tell he'd make a great manager when the day comes.

They couldn't have scored 4 because they didn't score 1. If they'd have scored 1, we'd have changed our shape and approach but they didn't. Having 4 chances doesn't mean you could have scored 4 because if you score the first, everything after happens differently.

Had a free header and missed the ball.

Well left by Dubravka, didn't want to turn it behind for a corner

Yeah I'd not want them coming to SJP with a low block for 90 minutes, that could be hard to watch. Hopefully we get enough of a result tonight to force them to commit men higher up the pitch in the return leg.

Is it the new stadia? Or is it because atmospheres generally have declined as the matchday experience has become more "Family" oriented? Because we're always moaning about how the atmosphere was better in the 90s at SJP and as far as I can tell we're still playing at the same ground. We've just changed as a fanbase, as has every other fanbase. If we'd have simultaneously moved stadium during that time, we'd be blaming that. But is that the full picture for those clubs who have moved stadium? That's not to say stadium design isn't a factor, of course it is, hence why I wrote quite a bit about how I'd like to see the ends of any new ground to maximise the sound volume in there. But also the game / matchday eperience has fundamentally changed. No terracing has been one factor of course, but pricing models, appealing to families/women etc has all changed how fans behave in the ground - sometimes for the better but sometimes it makes it less hostile and noisy.

Saw this leaked on Twitter earlier... Quite like it myself.

Absolute guff. It's about the people in the stadium, not the stadium itself. Plus as has been mentioned already, SJP isn't exactly condusive to a great atmosphere with the Leazes and Milburn being too high different levels and broken up seating areas. That said, it's still rocking when the right games come around so you can get a good atmosphere in any ground if the fans are up for it, which is the key point. A new stadium with a better design - steep stands, with big blocks and one level all the way back creating a wall of fans a-la Dortmund etc would be awesome. Add a roof coming in close to trap the sound and it'll be cavernous and loud, I'd love to see something like that. One of them at each end, and then let the corporate sandwich munchers have their bit at the sides. Everyone wins. Location is key though, although I'd be happy to move it really needs to stay central. I'd be a bit gutted if it ended up outside the centre of the city and I say that as someone who's never lived closer than Whitley Bay. But the metro journey in is always part of the fun and being able to go out around town before/after, walking from the stadium, is key.

To be fair, irrespective of the safety aspect those screens are fucking awful and a complete eyesore, and they benefit absolutely nobody except greedy corporations trying to flog you stuff to increase their profit margins. I'd be delighted if they were all banned.

Let's try £15.5m then.

We should be all over this transfer if he's available for anywhere near that. Seems a great prospect.

This is my worry. They'll get a good few shots on target and I don't trust Dubravka to save them. I can't see us getting anything tomorrow, sadly.