Heron

Cheers mate. Actually really appreciate you noticing. Been freezing for the lads and lasses this week to get that done but we felt it was a new year and a new opportunity to help us kick start the season

Absolute diamond geezer this one

Gordon spent most his game today on the shoulder of the full back making runs in behind that we didn't attempt to pick him out on. However, he did start going inside nearer to Wissa and that completely isolated Hall and his ability to play it up the line. Making Hall look worse on what was already a slightly bad day for him. Barnes kept out wide and stretched them more and that made more difference. This Gordon's runs from deep thing is a stat Sky came up with the other day but is a bit of a nonsense if you ask me. Yes he starts deep. He starts deep because his pace is being utilised to get him in behind the defender. It's no good if he starts high and the defender is deep as there's no room in behind and he's shite going inside and he's no good starting deep with the defender deep for obvious reasons. Gordon's runs were great today and we didn't pick him out often enough. It's not that he is starting deep because we are somehow failing Gordon as it's being made out. Gordon isn't performing in his role to the best of his ability and isn't providing the results that he is capable of.

Subbed then we won. All jokes aside. He seems to be playing fairly solid 6s all the time now which is an improvement on the 4s and 5s we'd been seeing previously. Just like the team on the whole he really lacks consistency though and actually I do think as a team our consistency is largely down to our wingers' lack of consistency as Barnes was our best winger today and the Murphy had a really off day. When our wingers play well we generally win or at least score goals. Gordon started well and kept making great runs in behind which were not attempted to be found often enough first half which was greatly frustrating. His closing down and defensive work were also good. Bit unfortunate with the offside goal. Couple of piss poor moments second half though that most folk (especially those watching from home) wouldn't have seen. One was the usual running inside and simply being inside but more frustratingly the other was losing the ball from an attacking position only to stroll back in such a slow fashion that Palace had time to get the ball all the way up our end, be tackled and Hall had to hold the ball up with 0 options and lose it again cause he had no options as Gordon was only just getting back into the Palace half of the middle third. Wissa was the same mind. That's no fucking good from either and people whinged Hall lost it but it was those players not giving the outlet by returning back from offside positions that caused it. And for all I thought it was gonna be Murphy off and Barnes on (and should have been) and the bemusement around the ground after a vocal amount slated Murphy for every single thing he did all game (shit craic btw) - Howe proven why he was the best current English and Newcastle United manager once again. Barnes made us the difference and how Howe used Barnes. Gordon is getting better but just isn't quite clicking. Needs to just cut out some of the stupid spoiled brat shit.

Just FTR my comments weren't aimed at the folk doing something - they're aimed at the ones who agree but are doing nowt - or worse - actively doing the opposite. That includes myself on this front. So aye...I'm a hypocrite too.

fair.

Yeah - I'm basing it generally. Unless we're winning trophies relentlessly we'd not fill an 80k stadium - I think that's a delusion of grandeur. 60k is more likely fillable - with increased corporate and more importantly affordable, standard tickets.

Wolves have accrued 6 points from 20 games - 3 in their first 19. With 18 games left that'd suggest they'd accrue around 12 points all season based on existing form. They'd need at least 2 more wins to catch us as 18 draws wouldn't be enough. Let's say they beat us twice - they'd then have to draw the remaining games (or pick up further wins).

I could understand the attraction even if PSR is to be worked with. He's improved almost every player he's managed here.

We could play no more games this season and Wolves wouldn't catch us. In fact, Leeds could as well (more than likely). They're as good as down, failing a miracle.

Aye - I seen Chelsea after PL manager as a notification on my phone which I immediately ignored as I knew it'd be Howe. He's going nowhere - unless we be absolute mugs. Speaks volumes that the media think Chelsea would be after him though - much to some of our fans' confusion.

Good thing is the while league is in a similar position with the exclusion of Arsenal, Man City and perhaps Burnley and Wolves. It's a matter of who finds form first to pull away now and I feel qe have a side capable of doing that - if we stay relatively injury free and also the right adjustments/solutions. We've done that before and I think we can do that again. Otherwise we just have to hope no one else finds said form. As a side note...Liverpool have gone about their business silently climbing the league - just as Villa did before them. Perhaps now is our turn...

I honestly think our league position and inconsistency will have seen a fair few dwindle away tbh. Despite the fact we're only 3 or 4 wins from the CL spots and in all competitions. I've never been a fan of this 80k stadium concept tbh - 60k is about our limit without empty swathes of seats - for all the reasons stated in above posts and my own.

Aye. Pitch was clear yesterday when I left SJP at around midday. Looked immaculate tbf. Ground staff there do a wonderful job of the pitch.

I feel like I say this about every game nowadays - a sign of how far we've come perhaps - but an important fixture today I feel. This is an opportunity to pull us into the top half, potentially above Sunderland and back-to-back league home wins would potentially see us loitering around the lower European spots which would be a massive mood changer. We're capable of gathering momentum and I feel now is a good time to do so. Home crowd needs to make use of the advantage and so does the team. Win by any means today.

ignore my previous post.

The minority will always be a pointless one unless people take action on what they believe in. Not telling you what to do - but it's a pet hate of mine that sort of reasoning. The only power we have is the power of people. People must come together to force change.

Favourite Match: Carabao Cup Final Favourite Goal: Dan Burns header Favourite Moment: Hearing the roar from the top of the Sandman signature as Wor Flags and Complete Cleaning unfurled Eddie Howe down the side of the hotel. Was a surreal moment foe both the group and the club. Favourite Player: Bruno Guimaraes Any other favourite memories: Trophy Parade

Howepy New Year! (Desperate attempt I know!) Tis your Black and White Army.

I know, but I do wonder if there has been some background coaching for this eventuality. You don't just drop into RB at this level from CM with such capability. I don't think.

I generally agree - but given that Gordon has previously performed and people have seen that and has spoken in interviews of his self belief whilst showing a lack of quality, at times effort (tracking back) and his public, open well-wishes of Isak then folk are naturally gonna be like "WTF is this dudes beef" to be all yank

Can you elaborate why? Gordon always plays LW and is getting less goals and assists than Barnes this season and got less than Murphy last season (who never plays LW). So curious as to that rationale...

I think our wingers are our biggest worry tbh, there and goalkeeper.