durhamunigeordie

I've spent too much on trains to waste it.

 

Same with me

Likewise.

Never going to happen but would be great if Rafa held a meeting today and asked any of them not interested in being here next year to get their things and leave straight away. He could then name names in his press conference and at least we would get to see a side for once this season that actually half cares.

It was frustrating but I don't think he was wrong with the way he set up today. You can see he has us drilled defensively, and it worked, but of course as a fan you want to see people pressing and trying to nick the ball back. Do that and get it wrong and you leave opposition attackers open and that's what we've been doing most of the season.  As others have said another five/ten games or so with him in charge and wed most likely have been fine.

Pathetic. Again.

Would be a real blow if he misses out. His reading of the game is underrated and he makes good decisions. I don't mind Janmaat but he doesn't strike me as the type to be able to stick to a game plan. Anita knows when to make the forward run and when to hang back, when to go and try to nick the ball and when to stand off etc. Janmaat on the other hand only knows how to play the one way and he rash decisions have left us exposed on numerous occasions.

Thought that was one of the best things he did to be honest. Stopped them breaking with us outnumbered. Not enough of those "take one for the team" style bookings.

His booking sums him up but he did play well today.

If he keeps up the performances for the rest of the season, would anyone be opposed to having Mbemba and Lascelles as first choice CB pair come start of next season (regardless of division) if we got a cheap-ish old head in as cover in the mould of Toure/Demichelis?

Would like to see them given a go but would like to see another experienced CB brought in. We have the "old head" in Colo, so someone of Saylor's age, similar level of experience but a bit better. Chances are slim though I guess.

When Tiote is in beast mode Colback is unnecessary. He just gets in his way. Still it is working at the moment so can't really push for a change.

If Janmaat comes straight back in wouldn't mind seeing Anita in for Colback.

Getting better and better with match fitness.

Agree, would drop him for Tuesday. No room for passengers at this stage.

The sort of performance I expected Rafa to help us grind out. Was always going to take a few games to sort out, but the hope was we picked up a win or two riding on the wave of his appointment. Just such a shame we forfeited the Stoke and Bournemouth games - he could have had almost another month to work with the side

Shelvey has done nowt recently. Neither have sissoko or gini but we know they are capable and have pace on the break. Can't blame a manager for hanging onto the hope that they will have a good game.

3 fit defenders in the squad...

I'm prepared to trust Rafa. If it means we grind out a win then so be it. We aren't outscoring teams so may as well try and shut up shop and grind out a result. Not saying it will work, but had to try something new. Not a fan of cisse up top but I guess the plan is to provide him with service.

Not that impressed that he still hasn't worked out that Sissoko is currently our best LB option. Three games in a row he's ended up moving/having to move him there and weve looked much better for it.

In part yes, but they were able to target Anita because of his size and lack of forward threat. If you have Sissoko there with say Perez in front of him all of a sudden the opposition are on the back foot.

Just scrolled through.

 

Gutted to see Mick hasn't been in here saying how confident he is that we'll get three points like he did before the sunderland and Norwich games.

 

I'm saying nothing until at least we have an idea of who is fit to play, if Taylor and Anita are starting again we've got no chance.

It has to be Sissoko at left back. Forget the defensive side of things - running on to the ball on the overlap, arriving late etc. all play to his strengths because he doesn't have time to think about it too much. He is such an attacking threat there that the opposition have to sit back a bit on that side. Norwich were having a field day against Anita but were much less of a threat down that side once Sissoko moved back behind Perez.

My main gripe with Shelvey is everything has to go through him. He drops deep to pick up two yard passes from our CBs only to look up and give it to either the RB or LB. That is a pass the CB could be making himself, and is usually the only ball 'on' for Shelvey as there is no one available a bit further up in the centre which is where he should be.

Offered nothing centrally. Better when out on the right. We badly missed a proper DM today (Tiote or even Saviet). Shelvey sits in deep enough to be a DM but doesn't break the play up in the same way that Kirchhoff did for them. 

I thought he was too careless with the ball yesterday, and I usually defend him. But Rafa seems to have been pleased with him so he's not going to get dropped any time soon.

He never ever has the ball under control and tries to beat players by just running through them rather than around them.

 

 

That's a myth, he tends to be very direct - no step overs or feints. It can look clumsy, but when it comes off it can lead to genuine openings. I think managers prefer that to someone who will do 3 or 4 step-overs which gives the defence plenty of time to get tight on their strikers.

Agree - that's the best asset he has. It is when he is not being direct that he becomes a problem. With his pace and power he is almost unstoppable when he gets into his stride, but he hasn't been doing it enough lately.

Mbemba will make a world of difference.

Agree. Was willing to give Lascelles the benefit (and still am to some extent as he has only played a handful of games) but right now he is not what we need.

Our players don't care enough.

Go to him man.

Fucking hell.

Carr can still scout though. Suspect the types of player he recommends are probably much more up Rafa's street than they every were Pardew or McClaren's.

He's a disgrace. Hides the whole time.