alexf

Feels like he's playing the best football of his career at the moment. Just everything seems to have come together for him and now with an older wiser head aswell he's in his prime. He should really be first choice for England on current form but Walker's pace will always grab attention and I can see why someone like Southgate would prefer to have that recovery pace. But if he was a more confident manager I think Trippier gives you more offensively than Walker.

Yeah it's not really a shock when he plays well anymore but it still astounds me the turnaround in his performances. Like other said, always felt he had great attributes with his speed and decent cross/shot. But he never seemed to have any confidence or game awareness. Is there any players left from the Bruce era that Howe hasn't completely turned their performances around? Maybe just Ritchie? With his old man legs I doubt it, if he ever got a game again but nothing would shock me anymore ?

Reflecting on this some more. I'm starting to think that it is a bit messed up these lads are getting hit with long bans. The Toney one sort of felt the same. They obviously have a problem and need help to overcome it, but taking away the one distraction they have just doesn't feel like the right solution. Obviously if he was betting on anything that would call into question the integrity of the game like betting on his team to lose then yes a ban of some form would probably be needed but I just wonder the logic behind banning these guys for full seasons etc. I think the more this happens, there will be a change in perception of gambling and the punishments will change. Unfortunately for us and Tonali these sort of cases are still fairly new and he is likely going to be made an example of like Toney.

Yep, definitely seemed to be something new for us, him picking it up infield. He absolutely ran the show first half and was imperious.

Bit late to the post-game chat but just wanted to add my thoughts if similar hasn't already been said. Thought that game really showed our growth. Some of the patterns of play, Trippier drifting into the deep lying midfield role at times, the clear threat down the right with his overlaps aswell, Longstaff always finding that pocket of space in the box, even Joelinton and Gordon had some promising exchanges of passes at time. Just a really accomplished performance and just looked massively the superior team, which considering they held us to three 0:0s last year, shows great improvement as a side.

I mean there has to be some form of addiction as he has broken rules knowingly due to his inability to resist the temptation. Where the grey area is, is if he has willingly broken the rules because he thought he could get away with it easily and could have stopped gambling at any moment. But i imagine the truth is somewhere inbetween.

Just an exquisite volleyed cross. Exceptional as always Tripps.

Pedro Neto has been exceptional so far this season. Only 23 aswell. Wonder how much he'd cost to get him out of Wolves.

Likewise getting points on the board early helps massively. Allowed us to still finish top 4 despite our mid season blip we had. I feel like if everyone comes back fit soon we could easily go on one of those big winning runs that we had last year. Then it will be down to whether we can maintain while we have other competitions going on and hope other teams hit a rough bit of form.

I didn't realise a few of their main money signings this summer haven't kicked a ball for them yet. Scott & Adams for example. Still going off the highlights last night they looked god awful against Everton. Was licking my lips looking forward to our game against them.

We're gonna be purring once we have fresh legs and those key players back from injury.

I think this season the bottom half is significantly weaker than the top. So I think any games against the expected bottom 10 is must win really. Because it's looking like all our competitors will likely win those games. Spurs won comfortably with 10 against Luton for example. However I think the top 7-9 teams on their day could easily beat each other. It's gonna be really close this year who finishes in European places and will depend which teams can put a run together. Being spread across so many competitions hurts us, especially compared to teams like Spurs who literally only have this and potentially the fa cup to think about now. Which was where we benefitted last year. With the start they have made, but for an massive injury crisis, I wouldn't bet against spurs to potential snatch one of those top 4 places. Likewise Chelsea are only two points behind us I think and look like they might be turning the corner a little.

If we can get most the squad back to full health then we could be looking at our best performances soon post break. Botman worries me as feels like they are being coy about it and knee injuries in general are abit of a problem. But fingers crossed we get the bulk of them back fit then I feel like we could finally smash Palace rather than the 0-0 tepid affairs we have had recently.

Deserved a hattrick. Was the one bright spark first half but wasn't getting any support. Sharp in the box and some lovely finishes for the first two. Gutted he could bury the 3rd. The difference between 3 points and one in the end but considering the Bruno lucky moment and the way things were looking first half. I think a draw is alright ok reflection. Hopefully his knock isn't too bad. Looked like he pulled something before coming off.

You have to have young homegrown players to flush out the squad. Behind the scenes they are doing alot of work to improve this but it takes time for young players to come through. Anderson is essentially 6th choice midfielder? Or 3rd/4th choice left of the three if we consider Willock, Joelinton and probably Tonali ahead of him if everyone is fit. I don't quite get the reason for piling on to a young lad who has done well to fill in for us during these injuries. Every team, if they get down to the 6th choice midfielder would be playing one of their young home grown players. If he was "elite" level he would not be happy being in that sort of squad role. Due to FFP we can't just flush out the squad with quality internationals immediately, when we get injuries we have to play players like Anderson who has, all being considered, done well so far.

If we had more first teamers fit I think we win that comfortably. Unfortunately we didn't have enough to see it out. Fine margins, if Isak gets his hattrick then we also win. Nevermind. Keeps this little unbeaten streak going and chance to recharge over the break.

Yeah we look slow and ponderous against a low block as usual and they are really getting 10 behind the ball every time and then just countering well. There goal was a sickener though, literally first attack of the game and ever touch just came off perfect for them. Sort of game it's gonna be really hard to get anything out of unless we fluke a goal ourselves.

I have never liked Mike Dean but what he said was 100% correct. That whole panel couldn't get their head around that because the law is you can't stop the game then Spurs would have been well within their rights to insist the game would be replayed. Whereas if it's just a ref/var error, yes Liverpool are pissed off but it's no different to wrong decisions that have happened to other teams for many years. You just have to suck it up.

Paul Merson just proving once again that he's a complete prick on Soccer Saturday. Wouldn't watch it normally was just in the background.

Mind goes straight to that blatant Trent handball that led immediately to a goal for them last season when they were chasing us down for 4th.

The noise during and after the anthem was spine tingling. Made the hairs on the arm stand up and brought a tear to the eye. That's what it's all about, that's why last season meant so much to reach top 4, for this night. I know I am biased, but it's really good for football that we are up there competing again. Look at last night and the league cup final last year, you replace us with another team and it's a rather drab mild affair.

Just watching the highlights of the CBS coverage. Were Micah and Carragher pissed last night? Seemed to be having a great time and the presenter just looked like she had lost all control of them ?

I know this will get said every time he has a good game.. but the top teams wouldn't blink at £100m for this guy if he continues as he has since he stepped foot in the door. He is such a huge presence at this club. I really hope he stays for many many years.

Pretty flawless. Took the opportunity to burst forward for Longstaff's goal, knowing Mbappe wasn't gonna track back.

Man that was a really impressive performance. Best I think I have seen from him in a Newcastle shirt. The recovery when Dembele got goal side of Burn was huge and such a crucial moment in the game. Obviously ideally want Botman fit but part of me is really pleased he got to have his moment in the limelight. He was playing for us in the championship for fuck sake. What a journey?