Lenny

Just, lol.

are we forgetting how good he has been for us based on half a season? The guy has always had his flaws, but he's had consistent spells of quality throughout his time with us. There was a time when he seemed to have even sorted his crossing out... shortly before Enrique left and he became a left back. He's been shite this season overall and I'm concerned he won't get back to what he has been, but prior to this season his time with us has been a success from an individual perspective.

Nice to see the players that are considered our closer first team prospects finally going out. Just disappointing that we weren't in the position to do this come the closure of last summers transfer window.

Good performance despite the early goal. I think Cabaye has been class, his passing is superb. Love Gouffran's directness, and obviously Sissoko is just a machine.

Surely it's gotta be an instruction, every corner we take regardless of who it's by is floated.

I'm sure people were talking about him being a set piece specialist (not just direct free kicks) when he joined, and if I remember right, his corners were pretty decent to start with. They seem to have deteriorated massively.

I always thought Elliot's distribution was decent, likes to play it short. Plus (clutching at straws), he's left footed too so will take less adapting from the defenders when passing back

yeah I'm sure a guy pushing for an England call up would love to be a stand in for us right now.

Elliot. I like his distribution, and he just generally looks better from what I've seen of them both in recent times.

Keeper doesn't want to catch anything.

Maybe Giggs, but Michael Richardson has signed for Gillingham on loan. Don't really know much about him, thought he was Adam Campbell to start with

Always thought Stam was class, seemed to have everything. Surprised someone above suggested he was underrated, I don't think I ever spoke to anyone that said he was anything other than brilliant.

Decent game, we've played well. Happy for Gouffran, in addition to his goal I think he's probably been our best player. Decent movement.

That's open to opinion, but I don't think anyone can deny he looks much less mobile than he has ever done, which is my biggest worry with him. He's always put a shift in defensively, and whilst his attacking has always been hit and miss, he was very good at carrying the ball and was pretty quick. He offers bugger all going forward now. Don't you think that's because he plays deeper now as part of a defensive 4-3-3? Not particularly to be honest, he still has occasional opportunity to get forward and have a go at his man, and he looks like he has no confidence in his ability to beat his man, and it's sad to say he looks a lot slower now. He also doesn't seem to win anywhere near as many free kicks as he used to, which was always vital for us as it relieved pressure on us. I've banged this drum enough times now, but I think Enrique leaving/Ryan Taylor playing left back has contributed massively to his downfall. He protected (very well might I add) Raylor whilst he was left back, but pretty much sacrificed any attacking responsibilities he had. Since then it's like he's forgotten how to attack.

That's open to opinion, but I don't think anyone can deny he looks much less mobile than he has ever done, which is my biggest worry with him. He's always put a shift in defensively, and whilst his attacking has always been hit and miss, he was very good at carrying the ball and was pretty quick. He offers bugger all going forward now.

This is easily the longest spell of bad form he's had for us. And during those other bad spells, he's looked a lot more mobile than he does now.

He just offers absolutely fuck all in the position he actually plays nowadays unfortunately

He's never been outstanding, but he was bloody good for a while and until this season always at least above average. It saddens me to see him as he is now. I hate hating him

Got done a couple of times in the second half, and that's all it takes to be punished usually, so will need to adapt, but otherwise thought he was alright. Really liked him first half. It's nice to see a player at right back that can bring the ball down and there be some expectation that the balls next destination will be at the feet of a Newcastle player.

Still shaking

That second half was anything but good.

Tell me about it!

How fucking dare this club put me through that I actually felt faint towards the end, heart pounding. Regardless of performance, great result.

Why are we incapable of playing well for more than 45 mins.

That looked a dive to me for the pen.