Doctor Zaius

Think the priorities will be Phillips in, another right winger and now a goalkeeper. I dont think we'll sign another centre half until the summer when we'll also probably sign another midfield player. The problem with signing another keeper is that you either go out and get a player whos better than Pope, which means spending big, or you get someone in the short term to replace Dubravka until the end of the season, but there really is limited options. It would have to be a loan or a free. There's no point in signing Ramsdale, if hes going to be relegated to the bench again after 6 months but theres no chance of Arsenal sending him out on loan. Dubravka has looked way off it in his first two games. He's barely played in the last two years and hes 35 in January. I really dont think we can see out the season relying on him im afraid.

New format seems rubbish btw.

I expected a bit more resolve from us today. I know we're knackered but I wanted us to dig in a bit more and potentially catch them on the break but we sort of got caught in between sitting back and pressing high up the pitch and did neither. I think a lot of the chat round fatigue and players knowing we're down to our bare bones has got in their heads a bit. Isak looked fucked from the get go.

Why give a clearly knackered Trippier five minutes rest like? Bizzare. Take him off earlier ffs

Yes we can, it's been reported.

Isak has been woeful today mind

We can't go the next five months with him in goal because he was decent a few years ago.

Trippier absolutely tortured for both goals.

Pig sick of Almiron now like.

Far too easy. Not even picking up runners for fucks sake

How the fuck haven't we scored there man

We look fatigued already

Has there even been a more boring man to walk the earth than this odious little cunt?

We're definitely fatigued, we can see it however thats not the full story. Not being able to even bring on subs is the worst though. Players know that and it must play on their mind. Mentally they are drained too, I think Burn mentioned it this week. Even resting a player for the last 20 does wonders. If we had Willock, Wilson and Barnes/Murphy to bring on, I think itd be a different story and it would have been us taking it up a gear, not them. Its a bit of a worry that we dont seem to have an answer for teams that surrender possession of the ball and hit us on the counter, away from home. Everton have done it, Bournemouth did and Wolves were a dodgy VAR decision from turning us over too. Everton were tough, they battled well and looked good on the break, but they were more than happy for us to have the ball. We'll fashion the odd chance but we're poor finishers. Gordon can be wasteful in front of goal and he was at his worst last night, snatching at chances, picking the wrong option. He lost his head a bit. Almiron needs to be replaced sooner rather than later. He's just not technically good enough. Yes, he runs and presses well, but if we want to step it up a level, we need players who arent going to waste opportunities like he does. He good if we're pressing, or hitting teams on the counter, but the better we get, the more we'll need clinical players who can take chances against teams who are dug in. Thats not him, time and again he'll waste opportunities. I think Barnes is a miss in these types of games. You'd back him infront of goal.

Both sides would probably take a draw

He looks every bit 34 and not played in years. If we have a choice, I think we'll get a replacement in. Karius must be utter shite like.

Trippier hopeless tonight

Almirons a complete waste of time when were not pressing like. Simply not good enough technically.

Lack of quality from Gordon and Almiron has let us down tonight

He must be deep in some session like

You see, we're just not that bothered Sunderland. No, no, it doesnt matter that you've beat us once again, it was only our fringe players you see. Yes, yes, we've been talking about this game for weeks, but what we're actually bothered about is Liverpool and Milan. Full strength please. I cant be chewed with another loss to them lot.

If there ambition is what it's supposed to be, I do think it's when and not if like. I would just about be able to stomach it if they did something special with the arena site. Anywhere out of the city centre and it's a complete soul crushing disaster that I want no part of.

But you've made six thousand posts on a Newcastle United forum. Some people (and their significant others and disinterested kids who they drag along) arent actually that arsed, and will go less often in a few years. Might be wrong like.

I do wonder whether some people might be over estimating the reach/potential of our fanbase. I wonder how much of Man City is corporate? I'm sure they've thrown everything at it so they're probably a decent barometer. Most of the boxes are SJP are local companies aren't they? How much more could they squeeze? We're on the crest of a wave at the moment. Absolutely everyone wants to be a part of it at the minute. That won't last forever though, eventually apathy will set in and there'll be less demand.

How corporate it's all getting is grim like. I don't give a fuck whether I can eat sushi in the ground. My biggest fear is them wanting people on the stadium early, eating their overpriced food and shite beer. The best way to do that? Move away from the town. Would kill the club as we know it. Really hope that isn't the case. Hopefully Stavely et al have a bit of nous about this. I don't want to leave SJP at all but I do feel like eventually, it may become inevitable. The arena site would the most ideal location.