LoveItIfWeBeatU

I didn't see it but according to the live updates Mitro headed a couple of chances wide yesterday when well placed. I hope he comes good but I'm far from certain he will. A few of his goals from last season were penalties which gives a slightly different angle on his goals return. I hope Rafa just picks someone for the number 9 shirt. Otherwise I can see the competing players taking shots when others are better placed, if they're trying to 'win' the number 9 shirt.

Strange choice of colours for the second and third kits. In what circumstances would a team wear a mainly white with a little bit of blue kit when the main kit is black and white? What colour clash does that kit prevent? Our alternate strips should be a bold colour like the bright orange, yellow, etc.

Despite coming off like a right prick, man is absolutley protective of kids who need help. got all the respect in the world for him tbh The headline says he's given KSh 31 million which sounds like a lot but is actually €275,000 which isn't much for Ronaldo. Still, he didn't have to give any money away so good on him for doing so.

http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20160713/nufctv-freeview-climbing-back-up_2281670_5725672 Mitrovic, Colback and Lascelles too scared to climb the poll.

He gets two weeks off from the end of Euro 2016 before he's due back.

He's not really a striker though is he? He's one of our many players whose best position is behind a striker.

Ayoze Perez, Emmanuel Riviere, Adam Armstrong, Ivan Toney, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dwight Gayle and young players like Callum Roberts, Alex Gilliead and Tom Heardman are the forwards in the squad. Of them Ivan Toney, Callum Roberts, Alex Gilliead and Tom Heardman will either be loaned out or play in the under 21s. There's been talk of possibly loaning out Adam Armstrong too. That leaves us with Ayoze Perez, Emmanuel Riviere, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dwight Gayle. I'm sure NUFC will be looking to offload Riviere. We could do with another experienced striker. We've got a lot of games to play and we simply must get promoted. I can't see Rafa being happy to see in Mitro sinks or swims. If he 'sinks' we'd mainly be relying on Gayle.

Dummett and Gamez may be too busy playing at left back and right back to cover centre back. We really don't want to be playing players out of their best position if we can help it. One of the reasons we got relegated is not having proper cover for injuries and suspensions. Apparently Janmaat had never even played as a centre back before we had to deploy him there. We had 4 specialist centre backs last season and at times we were down to one of them due to suspensions and injuries.

What we have now? Two centre backs and others who can play out of position. Luckily Rafa is after another CB.

Yes, I think I read they are almost certain to qualify. A draw will do for them. Let's face it, they're bound to qualify as we as Newcastle fans would prefer it if they didn't.

Are those qualifiers even finished yet? No but DR Congo have already qualified according to this: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Africa_Cup_of_Nations_qualification_Group_B

Abbey Clancy is married to Peter Crouch so technically that is a photo of Crouch (Abbey Crouch). I'm a bit surprised that we only seem to be after one more Centre Back. 46 games to play (not including any Cup games) and currently our only specialist Centre Backs are Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba (who will be away at the ACON for up to 6 weeks). We've currently got Paul Dummett, Jesus Gamez, Isaac Hayden and Daryl Janmaat (if he stays) who can play Centre Back but you'd think we'd want 4 actual Centre Backs. Maybe Rafa thinks one of the younger players will make the step up?

I'd imagine Crouch will be a dirt cheap transfer fee due to his age. A one year contract wouldn't be a problem. His height and hold up play would obviously come in handy. I'm sure he could do a job in the Championship. We don't want to sign too many players on long term contracts who may not be up to the Premiership if we get promoted. Also, we need a squad not just 11 players. He may bring Abbey Clancy with him.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36766990

I've just heard Chris Sutton on Radio 1 news describe Big Sam as "the master of winning games". So how come Sunderland finished 17th last season then Chris?

What a laugh. If he's desperate to leave he can make up any shortfall out of his own pocket.

I wonder which upset Sissoko more, losing the Euro final or NUFC getting relegated?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36743557

Apparently Rafa wants to replace Cisse.

The problem with selling Wijnaldum and Sissoko is replacing them. There's only so many players we can attract who are good enough for the Premiership but are willing to play for a season in the Championship. The same goes for Cisse's replacement.

Why waste your time reading what they say about Newcastle? They hate us and everything about us. They wish the worst for us. They are obsessed with us. Ignore them.

On the right wing too.

His family might be buzz kills.

Rafa likes to rotate his squad. Chances are anyone who starts the season on the bench will get in the starting 11 regularly.

Exactly. We need more than one player for each position. We've got 46 games to play and that's not including any cup games. Hopefully the signings made by the end of this transfer window will mean players are no longer being played out of their natural position.