Pilko

Rafa's transfer record against the backdrop of Ashley's NUFC and an overall net spend of around £10-£15m across his entire time here should be lauded and celebrated IMO. Even some of the shakier signings were either free or we recouped virtually the entire fee a year or so later. 23 permanent signings and there's about 3 duds in there, I don't see how people can put so much of a negative spin on it. Even Fergie signed fucking Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson ffs. Even some of the loan moves he made like Kenedy and upgrading Gayle for Rondon for a year were excellent. We operated like we didn't have a pot to piss in and he got us promoted at a relative canter and consolidated us for two years on a shoestring.

Agree that it was probably his poorest overall game since he got back in, but he scored and was involved in the build up to the first goal too so he contributed in a positive way to the result still. Definitely earned the shirt for the time being, Gordon wasn't great pre-suspension and should feature from the bench when he's back, at least initially.

Agree, especially considering Carragher kept interrupting him, was doing my tits in. Going "Can I just ask you something?" and then prattling on for about two minutes before getting to the question by which point everyone had totally lost the thread of whatever he was saying.

Cast your mind back around 10 years and we've definitely been on the Leicester end of a few of these - play shit at home and absolutely uninspiring opposition stick three or four past us despite not looking anything special. Suppose from our perspective it's a good sign that we can be that average and win 3-0, clean sheet and no injuries. Frustrating to watch at times but a fucking mint result.

3-0 and we're not even in first gear, we're still in the hallway looking for the car keys. Could be 6-7+ this easy if we actually start playing. These are absolutely chod and Faes is the worst centre back I have ever, ever seen.

Eddie won't fuck about resting the likes of Isak if he's fit to play, he'll start and come off after an hour when hopefully the job is part way done. Bet it's horseshit as usual and he plays.

I think Eddie would have given HBA a chance and definitely utilised him, but like Maxi he would have been the first to be dispensed with when decent money was on the table.

Well, we can file Ivan Juric alongside other Premier League appointments such as Jan Siewert, Terry Connor and Nathan Jones who were parachuted into a doomed scenario where a Fergie & Cloughy joint ticket wouldn't have done the trick. Seemed an odd one at the time unless they were retaining him for next year's promotion push, now they're not it just makes no sense at all.

I like Mbuemo, but just think there's bound to be better value for money out there when you look at the fees cited. I wouldn't be complaining if we signed him as I think he'd do very well for us, but I also think it might hinder our spending power in other key areas (CB, GK for instance) if we drop the cited £50-£60m on him.

We'll offer a year extension, I'm convinced of it. Dummett and Ritchie were poised to sign on if City hadn't fucked up the cup final and he's way further up the pecking order than either of those were.

It's like watching someone trying to run wearing one of those cumbersome It's a Knockout style costumes when he comes on. Just looks so far past it.

Rotten tonight. Effort and tenacity was there but bloody hell, he couldn't pick a pass for toffee. Sean would have been ran out of town with a mob waving pitchforks for that sort of showing.

Good win that, if not the most fluid. We definitely created more good chances than they did and played well in patches. Bit ropey between the pen and Sandro's howitzer but largely managed it well other than the Schade chance at the death I thought.

Man of the match tonight for me, he's an absolute monster.

Would quite like to see his goal with Alan Partridge's "SHIT! DID YOU SEE THAT?!" commentary over the top of it.

That cross for the goal, absolutely inch perfect dip on it. Lovely.

Was good tonight I thought. I'd keep him in for Monday and introduce AG from the bench if he's ready.

£10m for a young, promising English player is shite really. Especially an attacker. First chance they get and they flog their young gems for a pittance.

Great news he's around for a bit longer, but we really need to have a younger CB with some pace sharing the duties with him next season.

Seems like Neave is ahead of him in the young'in pecking order though. He scored tonight also and only played a half, wonder if that's so he can sit on the bench again on Wednesday?

you get the impression Brucey would look for an excuse to get himself to hospital if there's free tea and biscuits going afterwards.

That the one with the batsman on the end of the string and you let go of it? Absolutely elite game.

HAULED OFF

https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/ex-birmingham-city-striker-lifts-lid-on-playing-under-steve-bruce-and-questions-the-newcastle-united-head-coachs-selection-calls-3165752 I've listened to the full pod that's pulled from and he goes on to say of 27 professional managers he's played under, Bruce was the worst one - calls him a shitbag, "not a man" and a coward. Also a very funny riff where Bruce gives Phil Brown Vine's mobile number to ask him about a loan move, but hasn't spoken to Vine about going on loan at all. Vine says no to Brown then gives his mate who's a plumber Bruce's mobile number and says to ring and text him asking if he wants any plumbing doing saying that it's no different.