Heron

Lucky man that Erling.

Since 2000, he's got to be up there for influence like given his longevity.

The stuff of dreams. TBF I love the above Lascelles crack. He is a different type of captain to Trippier and Bruno. Trippier is perhaps most complete and can lead by example, experience and explanation through his good comms. Bruno has the example piece through his ability but not the rest yet. Lascelles is all out attitude though and I love that. He knows he isn't mint, but he is a fighter. He helped change the spirit of this club and is so often forgotten.

Aye?

To clear any curiosity... My suspicion was that if Howe wanted to drop him or that he was underperforming for the wrong reasons then backing him now maybe backed Howe into a corner or validated his under-performance for whatever reasons (seemingly contractual?). For me I wanted us to back Howe and the full team as I felt they were all under scrutiny after the loss at Fulham and Hope's shit-stirring. I suggested we did AG10 for BHAFC instead. They obviously didn't. It worked. I do believe that perhaps a display such as this, or the Maxi one or whatever are more important sometimes than the big and fancy ones. The ones that directly impact an individual or the team with the right encouragement at the right time. I think because of the team spirit that exists they all feel proud for one another. Howe created that.

Haha as you typed this...I typed the above

There was some debate about the display today tbh. Not so much in the group but just between me and one or two others from the group. Admittedly, they got it right re. Timing of the message and it worked out very well.

Wasn't me this time but I'll pass your message to the rest of the group

I really like Sean Longstaff but thought he should have done better with the chance and not losing the ball when he did. Having said that I'm gonna now take my myself to the Fabian Schar thread to see if he is getting the same grief for his ridiculous Cruyff pass at 1-1. Longstaff isn't great but I absolutely get it if he is shiteing his pants every time he gets the ball at SJP. That may not be good enough for us, which is fair comment, but nonetheless- it's a very sad state of affairs that, that's how he feels.

The Jam would have Haaland down in a tube station at midnight like.

Was good versus Fulham too, and I am usually a bit critical of him.

Citeh? I'm not watching :(

I'll have a Longstaff if we win

He's good but he's nee Longstaff.

A win away at Newcastle is a jewel in the champions crown nowadays. Not many get owt here.

It'll all be fine. Howay The Lads.

That became evident yesterday for me, unless Bruno and Tonali are the deep lyers but generally think that's a waste of their respective abilities. Even despite that error, 3 (4?) Big moments came through player error, Schar once defensively- for the first goal, once for the potential equaliser and then Bruno's ridiculous pass for the third and Pope's clanger for the second.

We payed 4 2 3 1 it seemed yesterday to me, first half anyways and it didn't work...

I get why the question is being asked and I get that ultimately it is upto those at the club to decide what they feel is the best direction is what will be taken. I'd imagine that the hope is that they'd co-exist and 'click' as realistically I don't believe anyone is now at the club to simply 'sponge' or see their days out. There appears to be a desire for all to be the best. However, as there are different personalities there are different methods being used to perhaps shake things up and keep people on their toes and pushing forward. As we are always reminded on here, it's a football forum and it's for discussion, debate and and understanding of collective perception. So there's nothing really wrong with the thread, it's what many folk will be asking in pubs next week, dare I say it. However, it's a little concerning that this is the effect two or three journalists have over not just our fans but society as a whole. Ironically, sensationalist as it may seem, journalists are seemingly there to create a story that sells rather than to journal the facts and truths of what is happening. The more sensationalist language that is used, the better as it adds to the juiciness of a story. I could be wrong, but Hope is a Toon fan, if I remember correctly - and his use of it being a 'civil war' and constantly asking Howe is nothing but sensationalist wank designed to sell his version of a story over others. People can say he's doing is his job, he may be, but is there a need to exacerbate or simply generate something like this from nothing to his team, that he follows? What's he really gaining from it? The drum has been banged for 3 or 4 weeks now and it's clear Eddie isn't going to let up. So Hope needs to fuck off, as does that SMB. However, fans are starting to give credence to it's validity and it's clearly seeping in. I genuinely think we're one of the worst fan bases for it too. Probably because we're passionate and all have a desire to end this baron spell. However, I like to think that for the wonderful job that Eddie Howe has done, particularly in those first 18months but also carrying a decimated, injury-struck side through the 'group of death' and almost out the other side and then onto the brink of European qualification again, after our greatest start to a season in decades (despite performances) and just one loss in 5 games, we'd collectively (as a fanbase) be rallying behind him and fencing him off to tell everyone out there - back off, he's our man. He has called for unity, he has claimed there is unity, we (the fans) need give him unity and I can guarantee the players will follow, and to some degree are demonstrating they're still with the manager by beating a team with 10men and coming back from a losing position versus Bournemouth, Wolves and almost Fulham. We have issues which Howe can iron out, of that I am certain, but we need to block out this sensationalist wank and unite on all fronts. Newcastle UNITED will never be defeated.

This is an important point I think. Ultimately, we had a chance to go top today and be unbeaten heading into City (h) which would have been a free hit and if we got both today right and something versus City it would have us with a real sense of belief that we could rode throughout the season. Instead, we're in this moment of self doubt again a bit like after Liverpool (h) last season or after the CL exit. I'd have taken two points from these last two and actually, we're a point ahead of where I'd expect after these 5 games. Next week is a big game for the performance not the result, but if we get both, it's time to bury the negativity and start really hunting the top 4 slots down and/or a cup.

Aye was better for us today and made a difference going forward, gave them something to think about

He's not far from being dropped I reckon.

FWIW I think he'd be excellent for that role. Want to keep him though, he's wors.

I could see the arguments for why it was done but I did think to myself today what negative impact this may have had. For me Bruno leads through his ability and quality of performance but if he isn't playing well what does he lead with. Trippier was quite clearly organising and talking lots at full back. I generally think it's better to have deeper lying players as captain anyways such as defenders (but I am biased).