Ketsbaia

Just spreadsheeted a prediction based on us beating Forest and got: 4th - Forest (66) 5th - Chelsea (65) 6th - Newcastle (62) 7th - B'mouth (61) 8th - Villa (61) Was surprised at Chelsea but they still have the three promoted sides to play at home. Have Bournemouth down for a quite a few draws, too. There's probably a bit of pressure to reach Champions League to keep players but maybe Europa/Conference are our best chances of finally winning a trophy, domestic or not.

The combo of dumb home defeats + what Wood did last season makes it a nervous build-up. I'm not confident in our lot tbh. But that City Ground performance was good so Howe needs to remember that + not play to their strengths again. Have to win. Can win. Think we scrape it.

Think these silly defeats have ruined top 5 chances, unless we pull off a shock Anfield win. Not confident they can multitask so this run-up to the final will hurt. 7th or 6th, I'd say.

Optimism usually goes wrong but it's building, unfortunately

Maybe we can go all-in with a £17m Yamal bid.

Classic

I've been keeping up with the Shearer's Bar latest, which is where I spent the 2023 final. Just thinking though, maybe there's somewhere better through town? Packed, lots of screens, class atmosphere....

Ah just seen the draw, that's annoying. At least it's at home, mind.

Every fucking time.

Also, he might not adapt to these tricky new match balls.

Not beaten Liverpool in 16, they're having a class season, Slot going for his first trophy. Throw in the unbearable pre-match coverage too. Earlier, I almost didn't want to face Spurs because living the next month as cup final favourites would destroy me, mentally. But now, no, clearly I wish it'd been Spurs

Before committing to a bar through town (Shearer's, Stack etc), I want to do everything humanly possible to try getting tickets through work contacts - we work with the Premier League but now also EFL, so please let that become something At that point, travel will become a problem. But whatever.

I'd put my name (+1) down but think it's one page too late

In 2023, it felt like the players went there as tourists. Wow, Wembley is huge. Wow, a cup final. Huge celebrations, get the camera out. This time, we've already done all that. Since then we've qualified for the Champions League, played six matches in it, bought a Serie A winner + are generally much more used to epic wins. There was no Gordon, no start for Isak and we had to play our third-choice GK. Of course, there's still time for injuries to come. But this occasion has us going to Wembley as serious professionals, none of this underdog vibe.

It sounded incredible tonight and - as jealous - I'm very jealous of whoever was in there. My spine was very much tingled by the noise

On a level that I never thought I'd see a Newcastle United player. He's absolutely phenomenal. And ours.

Petrified for tonight and realising that 5th Feb is a known day for Newcastle v Arsenal comebacks doesn't exactly help....

Even if it has to be through the play-offs, I just can't see a way that they don't get promoted. Whoever finishes 5th + 6th is just a lighter shade of shite, easy peasy.

Horrific own goal

Aye, Gordon would be the reluctant preference. Ahhh man, I really want to rant but in 48 hours we could be in a cup final (not too confident, mind). Purposely weakening the squad just feels a silly risk to take, pinning our entire hopes on a below average number of injuries.

Hopefully that and Iling-Junior can turn the momentum around. Bit of blind faith, maybe.

BOROOOOO

Would be absolutely insane if they got Adingra. Gutted because I really like him as a player. Surely he can do better.

Not even a loan deal, man. If the hierarchy are giving up on the Champions League, it's very disappointing because a couple of weeks ago we looked in a great position. I really hope we attack the free transfer market because, as well as CF/RW/CB/GK, we desperately need depth. David, Gomes, Walker-Peters, Bardghji etc.

Relieved if they're settling on Rashford and Asensio. Was worried they'd do some great things with that Duran fee!