themanupstairs

We're not coming back from this are we? 

What's the fucking hold up? Just start this match already man 

Fucksville o'clock now. Get on with it time ffs!

Just had a dream that Jasper Gromkaer put us 3-0 up from a Coloccini low cross.

"our DNA". aye. Tin pot club, tin pot manager is more like your DNA al.

The problem is, his 'best' happened in a league in which plenty of strikers not fit for PL football score goals.

 

Like Mbemba he's got lots of potential but the money spent on him should've been invested in a known quantity given both the importance and reliance on improving those areas of the team.

There are fine lines though. If he had put away a couple of the chances he had and we'd had a mediocre season safe from the drop, we'd be talking about how the best is yet to come from him. As it stands we've had a woeful season and he seems to be one of the scapegoats for that. You're right, good money should have been spent on a more proven striker for Mitrovic to play understudy to. That doesn't at all mean that he'll never fulfil his potential.

We'll win this 2-0. Goals from Shelvey and Mbemba.

I'd personally play Moussa in Yaya Toure's position at Man City, they have similar playing styles (running through people) but Yaya is just better at it.

 

They don't have similar playing styles at all. Yaya is a passer and is a legitimate goal-threat with both feet. He has rampage mode but that's not how most of his goals or assists or meaningful play manifest. Sissoko gets the ball and tries to run at players to be effective. It's rampage mode or nothing.

 

Can you imagine SIssoko sitting in and dictating play like Yaya?

You have a point, but I don't think I've ever seen Sissoko try to sit and dictate play so I can't know. As far as I can remember, he's only been played in the number 10 and wide right roles. Never seen him start in midfield.

Still in disbelief that he's our manager. Now stay up you fucking cunts!! Please stay up!!

They all look a lot happier in training: http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/News/Gallery/0,,10278~5429504,00.html

I don't know about happier but they all look focused. Cathro smiles! bloody hell. Great to see Mbemba and Cisse back in the thick of it as well.

Haven't even seen this guy touch the ball yet, is he terrible or why has he only had like 9 minutes on the pitch so far?

 

He's pretty good from what (little, admittedly) I've seen of him in the CL. In those 9 minutes he did have our best chance in that game and produced a decent attempt. Definitely worth a try I would say.

Was this the one Butland saved? Was our best effort that night.

Gypsy beggars aren't the easiest to deal with like, but some of those fans are absolute scum.

If he can get his head right and provide the pace that Mitrovic/Wijnaldum/Shelvey desperately need around them, he could be vital. That was the hope I had for Townsend but he still seems a long way from being match-fit and back to his usual self.

He slows things down far too often. Which really hasn't been the way I remember him at PSV. Don't know if it's lack of movement or just lack of confidence.

 

He will develop under Rafa - maybe he is capable of moving further back.

The Philippe Coutinho syndrome.

There was a time when we used to praise Nile Ranger for having a decent impact when coming on as a sub, doing similar things to what Mitrovic does holding the ball up and bringing others into play. I see their potential in a similar way except that Mitrovic has more power and is possibly a better finisher. People writing him off completely must be having a laugh. He has immense potential and hopefully we will see it under the current manager. Next season. In the top flight.

 

Immense potential my Arse. He's 21 as slow as treacle and has the turning circle of an oil tanker. He's not going to get any quicker. He also does not have the brain of a footballer and certainly not a striker if he did he would actually get into positions where he looks like scoring. Sadly he doesn't, I look at this lad and other than the fact he can hold the ball up (which in fairness I could try my best at doing) he has absolutely no attributes to make a good striker

Ok mate, you've convinced me. He's shit and always will be.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/14345828.Moussa_Sissoko_hails_Newcastle_boss_Rafa_Benitez_as_one_of_the_best_managers_in_the_world/

This could be great news. Benitez is certainly a manager that will attract good players to the club, and more importantly get them to want to stay and play for him!

There was a time when we used to praise Nile Ranger for having a decent impact when coming on as a sub, doing similar things to what Mitrovic does holding the ball up and bringing others into play. I see their potential in a similar way except that Mitrovic has more power and is possibly a better finisher. People writing him off completely must be having a laugh. He has immense potential and hopefully we will see it under the current manager. Next season. In the top flight.

Used to hate Spurs big time, but I find it hard not to respect the squad they have assembled and the manager they have appointed. They used to be all fart and no s***, but to still be up there fighting for the league title with a heavy EL schedule behind them this season is no easy achievement. They play better football than Leicester and dominate teams a lot more than Leicester do.

I'll be happy to see Spurs or Leicester win the league as it would be a massive two fingers up at the elite either way.

Missing a trick if he doesn't take Joe with him on this gig.

erm..

They mentioned it on the commentary a few times. Needs to check his run until the midfielder or attacking player in front of him has control of the ball before sprinting down the line to offer wide support. A few times Mitrovic/Shelvey/Wijanldum miscontrolled or were tackled and Janmaat had already been too far up the pitch and had to recover.

He's a better left back then he is midfielder, wouldn't have him in the side though.

This. He is one of the worst "midfielders" to ever play for us in the modern era in terms of positive contribution.

Whats going on with him? Was he brought back in to get a move to China that fell through? Is he fit or not?

Really hate how the club tells us nothing. That goes for the likes of Tiote, Cisse, Mbabu, Marveaux. Are they injured? are they not? are they close to coming back? Be specific for fuck's sake.

He really should have made more of the headed chance he had in the first half. It was decent defending from Simpson tbf, but f*** me, how do we not purposely try to make Sissoko more of a goal threat with his head? He made a very good run and the cross from Perez was superb. Hope Benitez has picked up on this and played him on the left to have that "far post" threat when play comes down the right.

How many times have we seen have a headed chance like that in the past? He scored with his head against West Ham in the game that kept us up, and....that's it?

I have always thought he should be scoring more headers from corners and crosses considering his size and athleticism.

Pathetic again. 18 touches in that first half. He is better then Colback and going invisible.

 

Improved in the 2nd half but just not good enough, drop him for away games.

Thought he had a marked improvement on his usual away performances. Influenced the midfield a lot more than he normally would?