themanupstairs

You can quote as many variables as you like the fact is that we could and should have been blown out of sight with the chances they missed. People mention the 35 minute mark but really there was no vast improvement until the subs were made. It has been flogged to death now though and there is a massive split in opinion on the game which won’t be changed. Healthy that there is discussion but I think we should all just leave it now and move on. I’m not going to change my opinion, HTT is not, you’re not and I doubt anyone else will either. Actually, the fact is that we didn't Also, changing opinions is moot anyway as it has no baring whatsoever on Benitez or the players or anything that happens on the pitch.

Would be a d:ream signing

You build a team from the back. We've been working on shape and organisation since last season, and it shows. So refreshing having a unit that can defend and CB's that don't rush out of position trying to be heroes. It's Rafa's long game, and....long may it continue.

Astounded at some of the posts on here tonight. It really doesn’t get any more simple than we’d have been hammered if we’d ‘had a go’ tonight with this squad. We’d all love our team to have had a go, but we haven’t got the quality to do it yet until, please god, we are rid of Ashley and can buy better quality. The fact is, we were a goal line clearance off a draw here. With this squad. The tactics and game plan were spot on. I’m astounded that people think the way we played for most of the game was the right way especially the first half. It wasn’t as if allowing city so much space, time and just do as they like with the ball restricted them to one or two chances they could and should have had 5 plus with all the chances they had. You do not allow teams like city to be able to basically walk the ball towards the goal. The only reason we were only one down was due to city having an off day in front of goal. Or maybe our defence and GK were able to restrict them to shots from distance and half-chances from awkward angles. Not having that like. Apart from two good saves by Elliott, I don't remember them missing any glaring chances.

If you can't see the difference between this team and that team then that says it all tbh. I mean we were already f***ing 3-1 down in that Benfica game So that just shows we had nothing to lose tonight. We couldn't afford to concede again to Benfica and had to turn it into a sprint. Tonight it was horrible to watch that first half and it was clear that we were going to concede and if it went 2-0 it was game over. I'm just not comfortable turning up to watch my team not try and win a match. No. It shows we needed to score twice against Benfica. Why would you set up defensively in a game where you need to score 2 goals? We started todays game with a point to lose. What are you talking about ‘if it went 2-0’? It didn’t. The gameplan worked and we grew into the game late on and could have got something. Still trying to work out the logic behind the comparison. Total nonsense.

Besides the fact that he was an abomination of a manager for us and set us back years, I think it also has a lot to do with that he continues to spout lies on a daily basis in front of the cameras. Fortunately for him the English media also continues to lap it up as part of the general back-patting in support of mediocre English managers. On a personal level, I will hate the f***er until the day he's no longer involved in football.

63 before bonuses for Kane© and Firmino, with Elliott, Lascelles and Sterling still to come.

Initially went for Firmino then switched to Kane. I haven't done well with a single choice of captain all season, so I'd go with Salah if I were you.

Merry Christmas Jill and gentlemen. This place is still without fail, the best place on the internet. Wishing all a great year ahead and especially NUFC.

Merry Christmas and all, but seriously fuck off with that

What's going on?

But the dross were his signings. No one told him to buy Joselu when he clearly could have spent the 5m on someone far better.

Any chance the announcement is not being made in order to keep prices down in January perhaps? So we can get the most we can for the money being made available? Hoping that's the case. This, along with the "info" that Rafa has no clue what he has to spend in January would make the most business sense IMO. The downside is the visible effect this whole saga has on the players.

I'm not a brain deficienist like but anyone thinking or saying "he needs to go" should bury their heads in hot lava for the betterment of humanity.

Nah. Sack and replace with Bono.

It really isn't though. Once in 3 matches he'll actually get a tackle right and that's about it. Everything about his game apart from some of his freekicks and sideways passes is substandard.

How has Yedlin gone from excellent to insufferable trash in such a short space of time? Diabolical since his return.

He's a liability from open play. Utter garbage footballer with an eye for a freekick.

There's been two or three weak attempts at puns and they haven't taken off so far. God willing it stays that way. Needless pun jab. Excellent

This is the crux of it for me. I don't blame him for being just an OK player. He's adequate I suppose for where we are, but he should really be accepting responsibility for his own mistakes especially when he's meant to be one of the more senior players.

Effort to do what? Bollock his defenders when he gave the ball away in a dangerous area to a dangerous winger because of his own stupidity? Not having that like. He has some quality but his decision making is shockingly bad, and his arms constantly waving about only mask his own ineptitude.

Yup. Grade A wanker.

What a pair of donkey cumstains. I don't know which I hate more, al pards or Carver.

He knows he has no competition for his place, so he isn't even trying. Been woeful the last few games. I'd cash in on him as soon as the season is over.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BV7sv5OjZBC/?taken-by=firetotheworks Why is Stephen Ireland buying us? #Irelandout.