ChrisJbarnes

Whilst the season was clearly a disappointment overall, I think some need to gain some perspective. We had a pretty positive campaign in the CL, matching Barcelona over 3 of the 4 halfs of the 2 leg tie and doing very well in the group stage. I didn't expect anything other than a loss over 2 legs. We lost to Man city in the semi final of the CC and again in the 5th round. No upsets, we were beaten by far stronger teams. The disappointment clearly comes from performances in a league campaign where we failed to inspire, lacked an obvious identity, conceded too many late goals, and never really looked like seriously mounting a charge for a CL spot. It was very competitive in the middle of the table and ultimately despite how poor we appeared overall, we were only 5 points off a Europa league spot. I'm giving it 5/10 overall given the CL results. This has been a tough season on and off for me. Mistakes made from start to finish from the Isak fiasco to the backroom staff. Then we've never really looked like the new players have got going. Given where we were a few years ago, and how fast our rise to the CL twice has been with Howe, this year feels like a huge set back but I think we should be accepting a few setbacks. I find it difficult to apportion blame between players, Howe and the ownership. The key now will to be to ensure we have a coherent transfer strategy, a good overhaul and we should expect a team next season to be qualifying for the Europa as a minimum and giving both the cups a good go. Seriously hoping to see Howe take us forward and is backed in the summer. But he will know he needs to get up and running fast next season and this league campaign needs to be a blip.

It's worth pointing out that there are quite a few fixtures where the teams above play each other as well. Will need to hope for quite a few draws!

Forest (A) after their semi final and fatigue etc, West Ham (H) and Fulham (A) being a competitor for Europe are all winnable games, if we turn up which is by no means a given. We could move up the table meaningfully with 7 or 9 points, but I reckon someone will pip us to it. And I feel we don't deserve the conference league spot based on this season's showings.

Sorry if I've missed something but isn't 7th a potential Europa league spot depending on FA cup winners? We've got a chance of getting Europa League by 1) winning the FA cup- unlikely but possible we could beat city at home and get some kind draws. 2) overhauling a 5 point gap (and goal difference) against Brentford and other contenders. Difficult but not impossible if we happen to be eliminated from the CL and FA cup in the next round which is a possibility. Wed then have sole focus on the league and the team might start stitching together results. After this tough run ending with Barcelona, Arsenal are the only top team we have left, although the West Ham and Forest games will not be easy

Big celebrations from the Arsenal fans, I thought the League cup was a Mickey mouse cup that no big club wanted to win?

With our fixtures, Semenyo being sold means he cant play for us. But at the same time, he might not be thrown straight in at man city who we play next in the CC

What a difference an away win plus Man U and Chelsea dropping points at home makes. We are now 4 points plus GD off 5th. I still think its too much to ask but a run of wins in these next winnable fixtures, positive momentum and Wissa back and firing them in gives us a platform to really put pressure on for the Euro spots on once eventually knocked out the CL

I'll make one last plea in vain in case anyone has a spare and is now unable to go! Please message me. Thanks 👍

I live nearby and would love a last minute spare ticket if anyone happens to drop out!

Not the worst, I mean spurs will have the same fixture congestion as us and probably rest players for this. They will play Everton away on the Sunday before this whereas we play Fulham at home on the Saturday. Then they are away to Chelsea. Get through this and quite a few PL teams will have been eliminated

You'd take a point at a tough away fixture at a CL rival. Disappointed we couldn't capitalise but not surprising given the summer negativity as no strikers on the pitch. Was prepared for a loss, so in that context if we aim/ expect to finish 5th or so it needs to be seen as a good point

Cabaye

Like us going into the CC final on some rocky form, we put in a decent grafting performance against West Ham before rather than rest players for the final. We needed to get the momentum before the final and I hope Spurs can do that against Villa and grab at least a point. I think the man united game against Villa after the final will be a dead rubber and villa win it if they need to.

or "Stab city" as it was known whilst I was at uni there...

Brentford, Palace, Ipswich, Man United and Everton are all in principle winnable home games. Likewise Leicester away. Chelsea home will be a tough game which will be key to win Brighton, Aston Villa- tough away games. A point would be a great result. Arsenal will have lost the league by the time we play them. But probably hate us As someone else said, we have come through a very tricky period of fixtures and ended up scrapping a good result tonight. Focus on the final and hopefully win this weekend. If we don't, still put ourselves in a good position to aim for 5th and CL qualification with other teams with extra competitions to distract them.

Guys, as difficult as the injury, suspension situation and disappointing lack of form is, this team and manager are capable of doing amazing things on the right day when we are on point. A team with Pope, Lascelles, Schar, Long staff and Almiron starting beat PSG 4-1 and drew 1-1 away. We will need to be at the top of our game, and have a bit of luck, but if we can do that, it's always a possibility...

We play Forest and Chelsea at home in the league. Wins in those are the best chance of overhauling one or more of the current top 5. I've never really thought we would catch City, but these are the 2 that could falter. And we need to get the points.

Good to see the rotations and hope the team can do the job without the big hitters coming on. And without any more injuries!

Would love to join an NO meetup in London if there is to be one!

There looks to be a very tight "mini-league" between Forest in 3rd and Villa in 8th. 8 points in it, and potentially if Fulham beat MU tonight you could add them into the mix. Very tough and very competitive this season. If we are going to finish in top 4/5, it looks like Forest or potentially Chelsea are the ones to drop out. Both of which we play at home which is an advantage. We'd also expect to have the GD advantage against Forest if it comes down to that. A win on Sat against Fulham is a must, and hopefully against our rivals we can start to get solid wins at home and points away from home. I reckon we can finish 5th.

Im almost glad we got battered by Bournemouth in some respects, as if we hadnt Id expect it to be happening here! The run of wins couldnt go on forever. I was at the away game where we lost 3-1 this season. Poor performance all round, however we had the chance to equalise in the second half and it could have ended differently. These are pretty solid but fairly inconsistent. Expecting a challenging game, rather than a stroll out for us. Hopefully we can edge it 2-1. In a classic NUFC way, I fancy us to get a result against Aston VIlla, Arsenal, Spurs and the like but make it difficult for ourselves against teams like Fulham, Palace etc. Hoping for a professional performance and just get the job done and win. Anything else is a bonus, and really hoping to experience a good atmosphere at SJP!

Cant wait for this one. This will be first NUFC home game since 2012 when we drew 1-1 with Aston Villa (HBA scoring a worldy). I'll be sitting on my hands in the away end with my brother who is a Fulham ST holder. Coming up for work on Friday and making it a long weekend in Newcastle (Friday- Monday), and weather forecast currently looks good. Any recommendations for matchday and otherwise appreciated!

Any update on his return?

Lots of draws tonight for the teams in and around top 5/6 looks good (Chelsea, Bournemouth, Brentford, Man City) and potentially Forest depending on the last few minutes of this game...

I went to uni in Birmingham and attended Bhm v Villa for a midweek game in the winter once. I think it was 2010. Birmingham won in the league cup. Absolutely bleak and it all kicked off in the stand with the away fans, plenty of hooligans in the run down area around the ground. Its about the only game Ive been to where it genuinely felt like what I imagine football in the 1980s was like.