PRL

Quotes on SSN directly from Howe, not entirely sure where from as cannot see on the official site

Bad and good. Clearly more than just the flu, but hopefully caught in good time and should make a full recovery. Better than some of the scarier speculation.

I’ve really enjoyed the link up play between Barnes and Tino. Would hope Gordon has seen this and will be a little less reluctant to use the overlap with Tino and Hall in future.

If you watch the video above, skip to the last minute, it tells you all the considerations supposedly used. Makes no sense and shows completely subjective and pretty much pointless beyond directional indicator.

Had a watch. Interesting. I guess the bit that gets me is the big old list of things that have to be considered when deciding xG, then you have a decision being made I’m assuming manually to assign a random percentage based on all those stats, often within a matter of seconds of it occurring if BBC site updates are industry standard. I completely agree it’s a useful directional indicator for a match, but beyond that I don’t think there’s much real science to it at all.

Completely disagree on this (and realise I’m in the minority). Every time I’ve watched him I’ve thought he looks a liability and cannot believe he was tipped for Real Madrid. I know he’s young, was injured, new to league etc so I could very well be completely wrong, but look at the lad from City who (I think) is younger, played less games before his move, also from the French league and cost a lot less, and I would pick him every time (not just because we wanted to sign him too!) edit - Khusanov actually 18 months older. But, born on 29th Feb, so on a technicality he’s younger as he’s only actually had 5 birthdays.

I mean, until recently (or currently) we still had / have Jamal Lewis, Isaac Hayden, Jeff Hendrick and others on the books, so it’s definitely a more recent phenomenon

Fair. I think it’s because they always show the dot and then apply the percentage so I’ve always assumed it’s based on the pure chance and whether it should be scored. I score this 9 times out of 10, let alone Barnes!

How does that work? Isn’t it based on where the shot is taken rather than any of the build up? How can a basically open goal from 3 yards be 0.54?

Two random, completely pointless and unrelated bugbears relating to yesterday. Firstly, I was on this thread whining about the atmosphere having been at our last few games against the Mancs and the atmosphere being great each time. Then hearing from those who attended and watching the highlights with the radio newcastle commentary, it’s clear there’s a concerted effort to mute the stadium noise by Sky. Why is this? Exactly the same with the cup final and I can only assume most other games. I need to stop judging the crowd based on the telly coverage as its bollocks. Ashamed it’s taken me this long to fully twig. Secondly, xG is such a load of nonsense. Never been a fan, but just looking at yesterday and seeing us having below 2 and just above 2 with those posted on here - how can that be? Surely Barnes first goal was as close to 1 as you can get? Bruno must have been 0.6/0.7 at least and while Barnes second was a great finish, it belies the fact that more often than not you expect the ball to go in from there when he’s clean through on goal. Add in the Isak chance saved from six yards, Tonali’s goal and a few long range close calls (Murphy, Tonali) and any that I’ve forgotten, the idea we should have expected 2 goals in that game is a nonsense.

Spurs, Wolves, West Ham

Hahahahahaha

Fucking get in. Brave to go alone there

Honestly, these short set pieces are fucking dire

Murphy continues to be the most effective ineffective player in our history

GET FUCKING IN

Always a chance of that with what we have missed. Need to go again

Should have been the game that. Twice

Fucking goal

Crowd flat here. Really disappointing.

That felt a bit of a harsh yellow, but pleased to have him on a tightrope for the game

Lovely move, weak by Bruno though, shouldn’t be getting outmuscled by Ericsson

That was a quality display. Hope the ground is bouncing

FT. Get in

Fuck off Chelsea.