Novocastrian

Grim line-up, has deflated any pre-match optimism I had.

Shearer came back from injuries a lot worse than Owen ever suffered and outside of those periods he hardly missed a game. Shearer was electric at Blackburn and although he never had Owen’s raw pace he was able , before his first major injury, to pick up the ball deep and run at defences. When Owen burst on the scene there was a lot of talk about his reliance on pace and that he would struggle if he lost it and that’s exactly what happened. He could never come to terms with the fact he wasn’t that 19/20/21 year old anymore. Shearer, on the other hand, modified his game and changed his style which prolonged his career.

Might be worth tweeting a few bods/organisations/sponsors involved in the Rugby Union. Do they want their showpiece event to take place in a stadium so obviously neglected. Might embarrass the club a bit - on second thoughts they are pretty shameless.

Perez has talent but he’s been in English football for years now and he’s as fragile as ever. Other slightly built players have came from abroad and worked on their physique and general robustness.

Need to come out for the second half wearing black socks.

Jorgensen reminds me of Frank Pingel; utter shite.

In all seriousness I can’t believe you are conflating these two individuals. One is an unhinged and sociopathic despot who has surrounded himself with sycophants to do his dirty work. He’s lied and cheated for years whilst clinging to power. The other is Robert Mugabe.

I'm sure we could flatten the current ground and get some clever architect to design a 60-65k stadium in the space left behind. Lower the pitch or build up at Gallowgate and Leazes end?? Purely hypothetical as it would cost a mint but if we had mega bucks owners they could transform the site into a state of the art facility whilst retaining the current historic and iconic location.

Other clubs do transfers?

Thanks for posting - great insight into Rafa's backroom team.

Maybe Rafa's been told the club will be changing hands in the near(ish) future so he's hanging on for a brave new world.

Papering over the cracks.

A liability who won't be our first choice come May. Doesn't have the athleticism, confidence or physical presence to take a ball in a crowded box which is a problem in English football. His powder puff 'punch' near the end of the game was embarrassing and may have cost us another goal. A horrendous, career defining error seems likely at any time.

Watching Mitrovic stroll round the pitch after being on for 5 minutes with 5 minutes left brought back my worst memories of Shola.

Ref sent Vardy off for that! What a chump.

Shame he won't have 15 games to save us rather than 10.

Hope Doumbia has 12-16 goals in him before the season is out, anything less and we are doomed.

Shelvey started pointing, midfield general style.

Guivarch would have converted that, and Frank Pingel.

Most games, even crushing defeats, have a least one player who has performed. Not one of our players is even a 4/5 out of 10 at the moment.

10 people voted yes to the ''do you want Newcastle to get relegated'' question. I think we are watching them now.

There's doubts about Sissoko's commitment and consistency but when he is up for it he is a force nature breaking from our half with the ball. Considering we have, by accident rather than design, evolved into a counter attacking team I would see him as critical to our success this season. Certainly don't see Townsend as a replacement.

Compared to Bournemouth last night we are a joke.

If you want to play at a stroll in this league you need a Berbatov's sangfroid, first touch and speed of thought. De Jong is just too slow in every sense to make any impact. Maybe in a team of runners or with more space he would be a threat but I don't think he's cut out for this league.

Can't wait for the game on Sunday, I don't get back to the NE very often so been looking forward to this one all year. Er........... I'll get me coat...........