Novocastrian

PIF are the only owners who can conceivably challenge the status quo. They’ll spend up to FFP every season whilst gradually raising the ceiling with improved commercial contacts and increased revenue. It’s going to take a while to breach the gap though. Definitely frustrating. When Man City first qualified for the CL they became a top 4 fixture, they’ve been in every season since. That’s the type of performance the Liverpool’s et al couldn’t countenance with us.

Joe Cole based on his reputation, he had a decent career but was never the player he was built up to be.

If Howe matches up Burn at LB with Salah I give up.

Circa 150-180m. No chance. Much better value abroad.

1-1 or 2-2 no doubt we’ll be on the end of some VAR fuckery or 19 minutes of additional time to give the Micky Mousers time to equalise.

Just found out Joao Pedro plays for Italy

Maybe a bit dramatic but watching football for the last few days we look like one of the worst teams in the league at the moment.

I think Howe survives this season, a bad start to next season, after being backed extensively in the transfer market, would be the coup de grâce. I think things get worse in the short term. We won’t get the intensity that Howe’s game plan requires until these players are rested after the January break and some of the injured players return.

Yeah the jury is still massively out on Tonali, I’m not sure he really improved us before his ban.

The World Cup did us a big favour last year IMO, we headed into it looking very tired. Even though we didn’t have anywhere near the injuries we’ve had this season it gave Howe the time to regroup and gave most of the squad a rest.

Gordon needs protecting from himself, I’m sure he’s telling Howe he’s fit and ready for every game but he looks totally knackered.

Tino starts the next game then?

Howe has been incredible but if you’ve got players that can barley run you have to replace them even if it’s just fresh legs and not someone who is going to influence the game or allow sone tactical pivot. My only criticism of Howe is he’s run these players into the ground. Gordon played nearly 100 mins and Almiron over 80, both possibly carrying knocks/already fatigued. He lost the game anyway and has to go again in 2 days.

We go again in 4 days and Gordon, who was probably carrying a knock, and Almiron have just played another 180 mins. What’s the answer? I would have lined Gordon to have been rested midweek. The wide players have the hardest job in Howe’s system. We are breaking them at the moment.

If we finish outside the top 6 he’s back to square one. That might sound harsh to some.

Hall coming on? Tino? Why does Howe continue to flog Gordon and Almiron?

He’s probably the dog’s danglies but he’s not been here long enough to have made a significant impact and he wasn’t involved in our early transfer market successes. I think most Toon fans are nonplussed at the links, if he wants to leave before he’s even got started so be it. There are others out there who would jump at the chance.

Has Ashworth even been here long enough to make an impact? Which players were his picks?

A Man Utd winner here would be quite funny.

Fuck Arsenal.

And a CB, a young striker, a goalkeeper and a right winger.

If there were two flies he’d have a bet.

Can he play in goal?

When the season started I said the only two teams I was scared of in the CL were Real and Bayern. Bring it on!

We win this one 3-0, we’re through man. Get your Christmas shopping done and relax.