Mattoon

At this point in time surely Riv is worth the gamble?

I liked Anita at RB and tbh he seems the safer option than Janmaat right now, but I wouldn't put Janmaat on the wing, I think we've got better options.

I don't think I could ever "like them" but I'd show them a little more respect with a bit of ambition.

Not confident of anything right now, but we need to shut fucking Stam up, the bald, gobby twat.

Watching that just made me a little less intelligent, thanks.

Tiote played well towards the end of last season, the only explanation I can find for him not playing is he's one of the players Rafa intimated about in the supporters meeting. Saivet is just a mystery, how did he ever end up here? Fwiw I'd still give Sissoko a game while he's here, even a not fully focused Sissoko can't be much worse than we're seeing at the moment. I also agree with the mentality, yes confidence will grow with a win but I think mental fortitude is at such a low ebb right now we'd soon collapse if we went a goal down again, we need a good run and soon.

Definitely not just Shelvey to blame but he is an asthmatic 80 year old who doesn't give his all, part of the problem not the solution.

Not to mention no team has gone on the run Rafa had at the end of last season and still been relegated, the guy is a top manager not a miracle worker. Everyone has concerns, when you lose your first two games after relegation you have to have concerns. The difference is most are not pissing their knickers and believing the best manager we've had since Sir Bobby isn't up to the task.

We're just getting a lot of the ball and don't know what to do with it, I think it's obvious to all that we don't have the personel to penetrate a team that sits back on us and until that changes every team in the league is going to play the same way, sit back and wait for a break. We need some teeth and we'll dominate, we're too one dimensional at the moment, Rafa will change that.

Remember last season, it took time for the confidence to come and Benitez mentioned it as an issue after almost every game. We've now got loads of new players, most of which never played regularly in front of fans like ours, and the added dynamic of us being strong favourites for the title. Benitez himself has only been in charge of the club for a dozen competitive games. It's going to take a while to find a rhythm. Benitez will get it right, but he'll need some more options in this squad. Lacking in pace and goals at the moment. Ashley needs to make sure he gets whoever he wants one way or another. It's not like we're short of cash. Agreed, statement required in the next two weeks IMO. Look at Villa's striking options. We need similar. It definitely feels like we've bulked out our squad with squad players for sure we need some real first team options to make a difference. Without the right players were always going to be short in areas and lop-sided. Trouble is this has been a pattern for far too long at NUFC and it needs to change. Just give him the money and let him get on with it!

And some Germans, they're ruthless.

Still think it's too early to be judging people, especially Rafa but I am worried about confidence.

He'll get it right, just hope it's sooner rather than later, before daylight starts appearing between us and the top. Definitely needs to get some premiership quality in the team. As much as I hate the bloke for what he's been doing I think Sissoko, if he stays, can make a huge difference in this league. Mitro can't come back quick enough either.

This is really concerning however you look at it, teething problems or not, there's enough in our squad to be beating the likes of Huddersfield at home. This needs to be put right and fast or its going to fester and we're going to struggle to get anywhere near where we need to be. Early signs are poor and worrying and that's not knee jerk.

Watching the game on my dinner, feel like I've wasted my dinner...

I wish I was 18

Surely Rafa sees that Hayden is infinitely the better choice than Colback!? This cunts undroppable ffs.

It's the same patter every season, blame injuries and players for lack of decent football "it's not my fault we had to resort to hoof ball, I had no magic on the pitch" and promise this year will be different, rinse and repeat.

Obviously not a Mackem

Paternity test

Yeah, it's the funny accent though, it's mack for make and tack for take, and wheeze for who's and so on. I'm sure we sound odd to others, but, you know, rivalry and point-scoring and whatnot. Take a seat and have fun man, we're OK. For a bunch of fat world of warcraft playing virgins...

I think it might take a few games to hit our stride with all the changes to the side, so I'll be happy with a win tomorrow however we get it. I was really disappointed so many players couldn't impose themselves at this level, but we'll learn from it, and if they don't step up tomorrow they'll be axed. Yeah I don't expect us to be full tempo for a few games yet, players need time to gel, some need time to come to terms with the league, but there's that and our flat-as-a-fart opener at Fulham. Just hope it was early teething problems and not a continued hangover. A win is a win as you say and if it bounces in off Colback's ginger bollocks I'll take it.

Somewhat excited but also nervous for this now! Should be our first win and a chance to assert some dominance, however lose again and it could be a real knock to confidence. Fulham took the wind out of my sails and I'm not too confident for any match right now. Home games are usually our strong point though...

Is this the new wildly coloured boots thing footballers are doing now?

Both teams looking good tonight, but there's a lot of unprovoked errors, wayward passes and miscontrol of the ball.