durhamunigeordie

I don't think Gayle is fit. Not 100%, he seems to be holding back, don't know if that's mental or physical, but something doesn't seem right. Yep 100% Not sure I agree - at one point in the first half yesterday he chased down and slid to try and keep a ball from going out for a goal kick. Would love to see Murphy and Gayle given a proper go though up top.

it's such a stupid concept. If we'd lost those 2 games we'd be 3rd Agree completely - rather lose this and win at Brighton than the other way around for example.

Agree it was a collective nightmare. But at least some the others actually made some mistakes. Colback didn't stand out as being particularly bad because he just hid.

He was pulling our of everything today with the booking in mind. Pathetic from a pro. Put the team first.

This late term abortion of a post is saved somewhat by the tempering in the final sentence. Otherwise, oh my. Clearly you haven't read the post then. I'd say 9 goals in 34 PL games is enough to class as "a bit of promise" in the Premier League during a first season. Doesn't say I think he will go up and be top goal scorer, just states that he was better last season than he has been this season, which is quite obviously true. Likewise with Mbemba - he was our best defender last year, but has struggled with the physicality of the Championship when he has played this year.

Looks like it is the end of the road for him. The only saving grace may be that Murphy is clearly not going to make the step up with us, whereas Mitro has shown a bit of promise at the top level. Would like to think that both him and Mbemba will be more effective in the PL than the Championship. That may be wishful thinking on Mitro, but certainly think it is true for Chancel.

Gayle and Perez up top please - they were linking up very well at Brentford before Gayle's hamstring injury. Diame and Shelvey in midfield, Ritchie and Atsu (although will probably be Gouffran) either side. Pretty sure the 10 booking = 2 match suspension expires post-Fulham on Saturday. Pretty sure it is the second Sunday in March in the Championship. With any luck Ritchie can avoid it and Colback can pick up another booking just in time for Hayden to come back. We can but dream...

Just listened to his interview on NUFC TV. Good on the lad - seems to accept that his attitude has not always been right and that he is in a better place to take his chance. I hope he gets it. Would certainly rather see him play than Gouffran. Alright he probably won't make the cut when we go up, but you just never know. He could be a late developer. There is certainly more chance of him being involved next season that Gouff (who I hope will not be offered a new deal) so lets just see how he shapes up.

Perhaps worth taking a look at Lasse Vibe? He looked very bright yesterday.

He had a lot of critics around me yesterday. He was linking up well with Gayle in the first half. Ok so a lot of what he tried didn't come off, but at least he tried to make things happen with a bit of urgency. Would much rather that than watch the likes of Gouffran and Colback plod about with no sense of urgency.

Any good/big away pubs in town?

Wouldn't be that surprised if we keep him around for at least as long as Atsu is away. Rafa clearly doesn't like to have a squad that contains no cover and rightly so.

Class all round. The best sport in the world.

One of those days. It happens. Learn from it and move on.

Agree. Unlikely to happen but would take him back for sure come the end of the season.

http://spiritof69.bigcartel.com/products ? Thank you mate that is the one!

Please can someone help me out - I can't for the life of me remember the name of the website/company that sells those really good retro bobble hats? Thanks in advance!

Anyone got their tickets for this yet?

They've released a couple more blocks if you are quick mate.

We could make 11 changes tuesday and still have 10 full internationals plus Hayden playing. We should win the league.

Him and Ayoze please.

Mine is as well - thought it was the iPad.

Needs to be Perez behind Mitro in the long term for me. That's as close as we will get to two up top. Afraid Gayle will have to sit on the bench, with Ritchie, Atsu, Goyffran, Aarons and maybe Diame on the flanks.

Shelvey's tackling is a liability.

Sorry if already mentioned, but just read that Ipswich are going to replace him with Best who is a free agent. If he's coming in as back-up I think i'd honestly rather just offer Best a year.