Heron

That Bristol City comparison is a little silly if you ask me like. Winning a sprint of a one off cup game, that has no bearing on your role and maintaining in your position is not the same as running the marathon of the Premier League and also on the back of like 4 points from the last 30 or whatever it was. Rafa played the safest bet and it nearly paid off. If we do stay up on goal difference I'm sure we'll all be praising us for not getting wankered in this game. Not much chance of it coming down to that I appreciate but still... We're not to know that at present. The way the tactics were executed, I.e. With 100% grit, discipline and determination was not the issue but not enough quality or ability was. We'll win today though so let's not worry too much.

Darlow not much worse than Elliot tbh. Don't see what the big deal is.

It was the gulf in class that made the difference not the tactics. Rafa is bang on with his quote there.

Don't think anyone has said it was some sort of masterful performance tbh. I just think people see why we did what we did and why it nearly worked. For what it's worth, virtually every team in the division has lost regardless how they've played against City, so there's no need for anyone to be condescending about the opinions in here. Cause ultimately none of the tactics deployed by any team are working. It simply boils down to their wealth in strength in depth and other teams inability to compete and that is purely down to money.

I cant argue, that is true. But I watched Stoke City dominate Man City a couple of seasons ago, and they just went for it. That City side apart from KDB last night was weaker than ive seen. Especially throwing fernandinho into the back four. Pep was laughing inside fully aware we had bottled it. Ye wha? Ederson Walker Kompany - Jesus Otamendi Danilo De Bruyne Fernandinho Gündogan Bernardo Silva Agüero Sterling For a little context: Ederson - £35m Walker – £50m Kompany – £6m Jesus - £27m Otamendi - £34m Danilo - £27m De Bruyne - £55m Fernandinho - £34m Gündogan - £20m Bernardo Silva - £43m Agüero - £38m Sterling - £49m It's fucking staggering man. More than we're selling our entire club for

best for atmosphere too if I do say so myself

I don't really see how you don't get the goal difference excuse. If we lose 1-0 there as well we'd have already done better than most teams in the division and that's across 2 games and not just 1. I. E. If we lose 1-0 again which is probably unlikely we will be at -2 rather than the -3/4 which some teams have suffered from one game. Goal difference is worth a point and could potentially be worth 1 or 2 places. So how can that not be identified as a good reason for how we played? I said I only saw the benefit of what we were trying to do in the second half and only after conceding. However as pointed out and having to repeat posts, what is so great about it if they stick 7 past us in a few weeks and we have a shite goal difference. Its all hypothetical but to keep the argument its ok to lose 1 nil and not 3 nil because its less then suffer heavier defeats further down makes no difference if other sides gain advantage around you. The truth is we should be looking to at least try and get points by any means not look for how we can go about not letting in a bag full. We only saw the game plan come into effect later on in the second half. The first 35 minutes were a shambles. I cant agree with anyone accepting it was ok to play in that manner. It also bothers me theres some collective brain washing that goes on in here, where you get pulled up relentlessly for going against the grain or popular opinion. Almost like everyone is on HTTs case until he concedes its a master stroke to lose 1 nil to man city. He didnt like what he witnessed in the first half. Neither did I or quite a few others. Needless to say its done with and we need to move on to the next game. It was the lack of quality that was the issue though not the tactics deployed. If we make the ball stick up top and don't give them possession back time after time then the pressure wouldn't have been so relentless. We could have snatched it almost as much as they could have battered us and if we gained a point that'd be one more than about 17 other teams in the division. Instead, we got the next best thing which was a narrow defeat, which is better than like 15 teams in the division. I see your point that we could have went for it and reverted to that once they scored. But we did that at Man United and Chelsea and look what happened. EDIT: what you on about relentless brainwashing too? There's maybe 2 of us putting across an argument for and 2 against. Settle your kettle.

But we did and we weren't losing by 4 or 5 at half time. They didn't make all that many clear cut chances all game really and we had one or two that we could have scored from. It was undoubtedly s*** to watch and our players wasted possession a lot but had the hold up play been better we'd have executed the tactics perfectly and arguably not have conceded because the pressure wouldn't have been so relentless. It wasn't the tactics at fault it was the gap in quality. I totally get that we're Newcastle United and we don't wanna be seen to be surrendering at home and all that but the tactics were intended to be victory through a strong defence and just as we could have been hammered we could have easily have snatched something too. There simply isn't a right or wrong way to go City they're simply that good. We've not gained a result from City but that result was worth more for us comparatively to the remaining 18 teams in the division. I’m gonna accept it for this game only and hope it’s a one off. If we surrender possession to Brighton I’ll be massively pissed off. Start even in a similar vain and it’s again begging the opposition to score and keep scoring. I'd probably accept it away at these too. I don't think you'll see the same tactics vs Brighton. I think we'll play a lot more expansive football. I too hope. That is what worries me though, if Brighton sit back as expected I think we'll struggle to break them down. Though they are very goal shy, so as long we don't make individual errors we will be fine. That West Ham was such a weird game for how open it was. I think we might struggle to break them down but hopefully with Merino, Richie and Shelvey's involvement we can create a decent few opportunities and maybe Atsu can get at them and make them commit. Fingers crossed!

But we did and we weren't losing by 4 or 5 at half time. They didn't make all that many clear cut chances all game really and we had one or two that we could have scored from. It was undoubtedly s*** to watch and our players wasted possession a lot but had the hold up play been better we'd have executed the tactics perfectly and arguably not have conceded because the pressure wouldn't have been so relentless. It wasn't the tactics at fault it was the gap in quality. I totally get that we're Newcastle United and we don't wanna be seen to be surrendering at home and all that but the tactics were intended to be victory through a strong defence and just as we could have been hammered we could have easily have snatched something too. There simply isn't a right or wrong way to go City they're simply that good. We've not gained a result from City but that result was worth more for us comparatively to the remaining 18 teams in the division. I’m gonna accept it for this game only and hope it’s a one off. If we surrender possession to Brighton I’ll be massively pissed off. Start even in a similar vain and it’s again begging the opposition to score and keep scoring. I'd probably accept it away at these too. I don't think you'll see the same tactics vs Brighton. I think we'll play a lot more expansive football. I too hope.

Agree with you mate. Honestly, we were fortunate for that post and a few other instances - however same stuff happens to us in previous matches too. At the end of the day, our team battled well in the final 20 minutes and even if we're p*ssed off about how terrible the first 30 mins were, hopefully, our players are at our training ground raring to go this weekend and will get us 3 points versus Brighton. I'm with you on football though, Heron's post previously was well thought-out - the gulf in talent due the extreme sums of money in this league is staggering, smash & grabs, draws etc are celebrated - we can't even do that because of the man who owns our club. World Class manager has to resort to extreme tactics in the hope the players he has at his disposal are capable of executing the plan and making the right decision more than the wrong. Modern football is s*** like that, but sadly is the reality in which the sport stands right now. The narrow defeat should give the players confidence so that’s a plus. What pissed me off about Sky’s reaction to our game is they have been a huge and negative contributing factor in the huge disparity between teams and the way a lot of sides now play. Big Sams style of play? Blame Sky because their money has made it all about staying in the league to such a degree it’s the likes of him that guarantee it. Ironically had a Big Sam team played like we did it would have been almost another Big Sam masterpiece. I guarantee Neville hates Rafa from his time at Liverpool. Fuck them.

But we did and we weren't losing by 4 or 5 at half time. They didn't make all that many clear cut chances all game really and we had one or two that we could have scored from. It was undoubtedly shit to watch and our players wasted possession a lot but had the hold up play been better we'd have executed the tactics perfectly and arguably not have conceded because the pressure wouldn't have been so relentless. It wasn't the tactics at fault it was the gap in quality. I totally get that we're Newcastle United and we don't wanna be seen to be surrendering at home and all that but the tactics were intended to be victory through a strong defence and just as we could have been hammered we could have easily have snatched something too. There simply isn't a right or wrong way to go City they're simply that good. We've not gained a result from City but that result was worth more for us comparatively to the remaining 18 teams in the division.

Aye. I agree.

I don't really see how you don't get the goal difference excuse. If we lose 1-0 there as well we'd have already done better than most teams in the division and that's across 2 games and not just 1. I. E. If we lose 1-0 again which is probably unlikely we will be at -2 rather than the -3/4 which some teams have suffered from one game. Goal difference is worth a point and could potentially be worth 1 or 2 places. So how can that not be identified as a good reason for how we played?

We quite clearly won't do that

I agree about Brighton but to be honest we could also have easily came away with something last night through the exact same tactics as what were deployed. We had chances that we too didn't finish. All in all it was a fair result and as good a result as we could have hoped for. Going all out to pressure some teams works and you can knick a goal, I think you might see that vs the other top teams. These are simply on a different level though so I'd happily take a repeat of last night at their place.

Was chuffed that people sang for him at the end like. The media need calling out on this bullshit about our fans too. Any football person with any sense understands why we are and we will remain with Benitez, we're loyal to those who are loyal to us. The ones who understand us, try to have a relationship with us and ultimately fight for us. The club is part of the community again and it looks like because of Rafa we might finally end the Ashley era. Honestly man, what utter cunts.

I beg your pardon

what a tit. I'm hungover. Piss off.

Did Gayle not score one the season we went down

People only come on to back Elliot because he seemingly gets more abuse than should be portioned to him. Both him and Darlow aren't good enough, but then most of our team aren't. They're playing to the best of their abilities and that's all that matters. That goes for the whole team.

Gayle?

If we beat Brighton we'll have balanced it to 0 points off one another. If we don't then Brighton have taken more from us than vice versa. I know it's not that simple like, but I'm using that theory as a basis vs all the teams around us because by and large most of them are beating one another and the teams at the very top are very rarely dropping many points against the bottom 5 or 6.

Must win game