Consortium of one

He's not going to be a world beater but he can grow with the team.

That was a "confidence" goal. Never a doubt in his mind it was gonna go in.

He was quite good in his time and I have a soft spot for him but he's typical of the team: on the downside and needs to make way for more talented players.

Everton are as mismatched as Newcastle but while we've been on a shoe string they've laid out a shit load of money for their pap. Cenk Tosun exemplifies their policy: bang average, over paid and doesn't play much.

For an in season refurb I think its fine.

daft business, that

I think Rafa fell in love with the idea of building a club when he was with us. Hence, he went to China with the same thought. That failed but not because of him. The bottom has fallen out of the China football experiment. If the stars would have aligned, the new owners with Rafa would have been ideal. With a window to bring in some new players and time to drill them we would have been OK, IMO. I still would have wanted a DoF though. At this point, I think the Rafa ship has sailed though. I don't want to see Howe undermined by the shadow of Benitez. At this point I simply don't want him back. It pains me to say it.

I've joined the Trust and left. I've donated to the fund but stopped. Im not local so I don't have any skin in this game. Am I to believe that the Trust does not regularly post minutes? If so, that is the first sign of a problem. I would also point out that even if the Trust send minutes out to active members, it should post them publicly, as a form of attraction. I have some experience with similar type organizations. A Trust implies transparency on all levels.

I think his legs are gone but like you said he reads the game really well, easily our best at it. I think at best, with all factors combined, he's a good squad player for a mid table team. Still, he and Schar are our best combination and both work well with Dubs.

Darlow and Clarky lost us 4 points and should never play again for us. Big Joe has taken a big step up and Lewis looked good in Radgies absence. Fede was big yesterday so I would think he has a team forming in his head. If he goes back to Darlow and Clark he'll deserve all the abuse thrown at him. I'd go 442 til new recruits come in. Dubs Manq Fede Schar Lewis ASM Shelvey Willock Miggy Joe Wilson Still a gaping hole in the midfield.

should be pedaled

I remember him saying he was always encouraged to bomb forward when he was at Norwich. Bruce coached that out of him apparently.

If Clark is in because he's leftfooted then the first thing we need is a new left footed CB!

I gotta see if I follow the game at work or go with an NO blackout and wait til I get home for the replay on Peacock to see who wins. A draw would be devastating. A loss would be a kill shot.

I don't think you could give the hand ball. The other two... Also felt like we never got the benefit of the doubt all game.

we have to get the monkey off our back so this is a must win.

I thought we were playing against 12 on Saturday.

ahhh, that did make me laugh

Bruce and the Steve's would get them ticking along. I would love to see all the pundits be at a loss for words as that ship slowly sank. Ah, I could dream.

Sunderland fan hopping on the bandwagon

I think he works better in a midfield three, playing more advanced and allowed to roam. Then he can press a little higher or cut out passing lanes. He's not a true midfield defender.

was shocked to see his bald pate covered in sweat all game. Fair play to him.

He's definitely declined physically. He was never a beast or a great game reader but we were talking about him as our Captain or maybe getting an England call up.

I think all three should be brought back and publicly drawn and quartered. The pieces should be shot, trampled by elephants and deposited into a cesspool, there to remain for all eternity.

Even setting the first goal aside Darlow was awful Hope we can shift him in January.