alexf

Saw you were nailing your colours to a Southgate mast early on aswell. It's funny how much perceptions can change, I'd forgotten that Gerrard was rumoured in the media aswell at the time and was an up and coming coach doing well at Rangers. Funny how things pan out.

To be fair I don't watch enough of other teams to make an informed opinion. Perhaps you're right then if we've been the best, but that's promising as it feels to me we have levels of performance to go to above what we have seen recently. I think they are hiding that Isak is nursing an issue and just getting through games, rather than playing confidently and free like he was previously. Also as mentioned the same 11 have started the last 5/6? So naturally there is a fatigue factor and perhaps they are all cleverly managing their energy output so not to run out of energy for this run in. As we have seen, when the likes of Wilson and Longstaff etc have been coming off the bench the team naturally gets worse. So we need this 11 to keep going for the final games and see this through. Having Gordon and to a lesser extent Willock back does help with the depth however.

I think the context of that clip is slightly misleading. I think it looks like it was right when we got took over and every uninformed media person assumed we had mega money and would attract all the big name managers and players. So it looks like they were laughing at the first Newcastle fan to call up and be sensible and want to build realistically with youth and a manager like Howe they laughed him off because they probably thought we'd be wanting a big name and players like Mbappe. Howe had been out of work for a year or so post Bournemouth relegation. Not that this defends them as they are still no nothing idiots and since this clip their clubs have gone backwards and we have had champions league and won a cup now. So jokes well and truly on them.

Yeah refuse to believe it's always down to the player. The manager, coaching, formation, culture at the club etc all play a part. If somebody from the outside had judged our players based purely on the Bruce era and then you see them now. Joelinton, Murphy, Schar, Almiron, Longstaff, Krafth etc. It's why I find it surprising more players don't seriously consider which clubs they join rather than just taking the most money. I would be willing to bet 95% of the Chelsea recent flops would likely have succeeded if they had gone to us or Bournemouth or Villa or somewhere instead.

I'm not sure that's correct in terms of best football. We're on a good run in terms of results but I think most would agree that we're not at our flying best, still room for improvement, but it doesn't really matter at this point as results are paramount. But looking at this run, West Ham away we just did what we needed to but West Ham were awful on the day and the game was a drab affair. Brentford was always going to be tough after all the celebrations but we did enough to eek out the victory with a flukey cross shot from Tonali. Leicester was against a team completely on its arse and we were quite sloppy in possession alot of the time and in a better day would have stuffed 5-6 past them, but again didn't matter just needed to win. Man U was bit ropey first half but once we pressed them more aggressively in the 2nd they completely disintegrated. This is the first game since Liverpool that I suspect we need to turn up properly you feel and hopefully we will. But with the bench being abit thin recently the same 11 have been playing each game, Isak possibly nursing an injury, so the lads keep doing what is required without playing fantastic for a full 90mins and that is fine as long as we get the results. But suspect this game and Villa we will need to up our levels of want the wins.

Actively sold all the perceived "troublemakers" in that regard aswell if I recall. Honestly you could rip apart that guys beliefs but then that is all social media is now, enrage people for the engagement. It's good to know the fire still burns and how quickly I get angry whenever I hear someone try to defend the Ashley era though. I've just learnt to diffuse and not rise to it like I used to My friends & family know not to mention Pardew, Bruce or Ashley (sports direct) to me unless they want to sit through a small rant.

In the away leg we weren't on great form going in and Isak got injured early on and pretty sure we had Gordon upfront for rest of the game. I think that performance was more about us than them.

Arteta crying would trump any negative of real winning for me. Can't see them throwing a 3:0 though. Madrid look poor this year.

Would be interesting to know the sales figures then. I'd have my doubts if there was a noticeable spike over there and if there is I'd imagine it's more home shirts than the green/whites.

Aye, I was thinking about Bruce when I said that aswell. But you're right. But we have faced some teams this year that seemingly played exactly into our hands like that hadn't watched what we do before. Man U being a perfect example.

Sounds like Glasner has done his homework on us and knows our strengths which is no surprise as he seems a good coach. However hopefully it's one thing knowing our strengths but another thing being able to stop them. Just hope we can adapt and adjust in-game if we struggle at any point.

Yeah I know we have beaten them away last year but realistically this is an unlikely result if we're honest, they have only lost once this season at home, just beaten a strong psg team in previous game so more likely to be on a high than crushed and disappointed, plus we will be missing our manager in the build up and in-game and have a day less to rest. The palace match is the one to go all in on.

Did they need to dress Carragher pretty much identically? They do this alot sky, I remember they had a whole panel of guests on a Sunday and every single one was in a black tshirt.

Every chance he's playing within himself also to avoid further injury setbacks and to try and stay available for selection. We've seen it many times with players that are prone to bad muscle injuries, the likes of Dyer and Owen, used to look like they were too scared to fully sprint anymore or their hamstring would ping. Saint Maximin was like this in his final season. However with Callum, it's probably a combination of that plus his age and the accumulation of injuries impacting what he can do physically now.

Really wish we didn't have to have one green and white Saudi strip every year. They don't look terrible but it's what it symbolises. Everyone knows we're owned by the Saudi's, no need to ram it down their throats sports washing styley. Suppose should be thankful they haven't changed the home colours I guess.

Yeah shame he won't be able to match up tactically against Emery again in a big game, as he's had his number for the last 3 games.

Agree with this. We are very similarly matched at the moment. Both almost mirroring eachother in many ways. Similar high quality coaches that had similar relegation form convert into champions league qualification. We won a cup this year, they may yet win a cup etc. I do think we edge it in terms of elite players, as I believe Isak and Tonali rank better than anything they have, however I believe they have far better squad depth currently. But if the spending rules got relaxed they have plenty of cash and if not then they are willing to work around PSR pretty aggressively. I think it's pretty crucial that we finish above them and that they don't finish top 5. They are already set for a decent windfall from this year's champions league run when compared with ours I presume.

Home games feel key and then try and play with freedom and less pressure for those away games. Don't really want to be going into that Everton game needing to win on the final day. That being said this is a different Newcastle these days and I'd back them to get the results they needed. Obviously tomorrow is massive but if we somehow got the win away to Villa again aswell that would be chef's kiss and we'd be almost there. Chelsea game could be big aswell but again I back us at home against them.

His run at the end whilst mightly impressive, I'd rather he didn't at 4:1 up with minutes remaining and 2 more games in quick succession to follow. Would rather he saved his legs as much as possible

Botman was struggling with injuries last season and Burn is currently in the form of his life. But the main reason for the gap between midfield and defence being better is Tonali, simple as that. Howe has always wanted his defenders to press high. Botman was the perfect example of that in 22/23. In fact it was noticeable how much we missed that whenever Burn used to fill in for him. Thankfully Burn has begun to get better at that aspect and also it helps prevent his lack of pace being exposed by trying to win the ball high rather than dropping deep.

Oh an hopefully we learn out lessons from the Bournemouth Fulham and play with a little more caution. We have the quality to get goals without needing to be all out high line. Conserve energy and dominate the midfield and give Isak something and he'll do business. Will be desperate for a goal after the last 2.

I know the Villa game is important but the head says this is the likely more winnable game. So if we go into the villa game with a 5 point cushion it takes the pressure off, whereas they will feel they can't afford not to beat us to have any hope.

This is a whoosh right? Botman practically set the blueprint to Burn how it should be done and does it infinitely better, or at least did before all the injuries. I think this is a welcome boost if he is truly fit and ready to play. Burn to me has looked pretty worn out last few games and Schar pulled up it looked like towards the end of the man u game, so if we can give them a few minutes rest here and there in this run-in, I think that will be helpful .

Always get the impression that Barnes is slightly pissed off that he hasn't played as much as he wanted this year. Looks like he feels he's finally getting a chance to prove what he can do but only thanks to the Gordon suspension and injury. But there's a danger we piss him off further if he gets shunted to the right now Gordon's back if they are on the pitch at the same time. Gordon gives us a lot obviously with his relentless pressing and generally possession. But there's no doubting Harvey is clearly the better finisher and more potent goal threat. But Murphy has been putting up the numbers as well this year so for now on current form it should be Gordon coming on for either and probably on the right if Barnes is still on the pitch. Be interesting to see what Howe does in the next few games.

Liked the way Tindall grabbed by the back of the neck and seemed to give him a bit of a reminder he's on 9 yellows. Well done Bruno aswell for dragging him off once his head went. Hope he can avoid that yellow on Wednesday as we'll need him against Villa.