Wallsendmag

Might as well close this thread now then. Pointless if we can't comment on his team selection/tactics etc because he knows more than us.

One thing Benitez won't tolerate is players who he doesn't think he can trust. Mitrovic has barely featured since his stupid red card v Spurs and I think Colback will go the same way after yesterday.

He's OK. Pretty good at breaking up the play and playing a short pass to a more creative player than he is. Playing alongside Colback does him no favours.

A lad from work who rarely goes to games but went to the Forest match over Xmas noticed that he needs 3 touches just to get the ball under control.

All credit to the other Champ sides that won...they are showing the necessary character to come from behind in a pressurised situation and that is a quality this Newcastle team clearly lack. They managed it against Norwich by humping the ball long in injury time and getting lucky bounces(something they attempted in the last few minutes of this match and never looked like succeeding). I have said for a while that this team is FAR from certain to be promoted because they lack character, have become predictable and have been sussed out by other teams ; do not rule out a consistent challenge from Leeds either and Derby cannot be ruled out. Colback should never play again but will because we have Africans heading away for weeks. Rafa will have a tough task getting new players because other clubs can see our situation and hold him to ransom...we also do not look the certainties for promotion that we did a month ago. You cannot pull other teams apart if you lack pace...and we do, in a big way especially with Colback in m/f. If Rafa cannot get the players he wants - and the team clearly needs - we will struggle to avoid the Play-offs and heaven help us if THAT happens.. I think that's where our lack of creativity comes in, Shelvey aside. Its difficult to come from behind if you don't have players in a team who can create chances, and we only have Shelvey. I've seen nothing from any of our other midfielders that suggests they should be playing in the premiership. We're easy to defend against. When we go a goal down we're even easier to defend against. That's with or without Shelvey as well.

Alright Charnley. What do you mean by that? We sold all of our best players and made a profit of over £30m. It has to be factored in. Of course we should be doing better with the players we have, but I expected our squad to be far stronger at the start of September and we're paying the price a bit now for the lack of genuine quality in several positions. We have a better squad than everyone in this league (I'll say better team aswell) which aren't helped by tactics that don't get the best from the personnel. It's debatable imo. I remember sitting down to watch the Fulham game back in August and when the team was announced I looked at it and tbh it didn't fill me with much confidence. Clearly if we do go up serious investment is required. I do think Rafa should be getting more out of what he has been in the last couple of months though. Two 1-0 defeats v Blackburn is pathetic in all honesty. I mean they hadn't even won a game since they beat us last time.

I'd like to see him experiment with Gayle and Murphy up front assuming Mitrovic is completely out the picture now.

Not sure we'll p*ss it like. More and more teams seem to be working out how to play against us. Still think we'll go up but it won't be anywhere near as comfortable as last time.

I disagree with a few of those statements.

I think you're right.

I've watched the incident back a few times now and the only conclusion I can come to is that he deliberately gave away that free kick.

Ah well, let's see what happens.

Drivel. You still wanting Rafa sacked bud?

Certainly is. Ridiculous price that! It's football and anything happen. He could hit a trickler from 25 yards and it could ricochet off an errant beach ball, completely wrong footing the Keeper and it could finish 1-0. Stranger things have happened.

Not selling out at home to Liverpool when all kids tickets are £1 is poor tbh. I'd imagine just about every other PL club will fill their ground v Liverpool charging top whack category A prices.

Mackems were 10/1 on Bet365 yesterday. Must have had a rush of money on them!

The lack of any creative spark without him is worrying. For that reason I'd play Diame at CM in place of Colback which would mean Perez would have to start but at least it gives us a more offensive look in the middle of the park. Hayden and Colback in the middle is turgid. could ritchie not play off gayle and start atsu? That would mean persevering with Gouffran though. Perez has been poor this season, no question, but I'd rather play him off Gayle and have Atsu and Ritchie as our wide players with Hayden and Diame in the middle. Tbh I'd rather Mitrovic started with Gayle but as there's no chance of that happening I'd be happy enough with that. rafa will not move both of his grafting wide men like Our left side needs addressing quickly. We have literally zero attacking threat down there with Dummett and Gouffran. Just hope he starts Yedlin at RB again today because he gives us so much going forwards.

The lack of any creative spark without him is worrying. For that reason I'd play Diame at CM in place of Colback which would mean Perez would have to start but at least it gives us a more offensive look in the middle of the park. Hayden and Colback in the middle is turgid. could ritchie not play off gayle and start atsu? That would mean persevering with Gouffran though. Perez has been poor this season, no question, but I'd rather play him off Gayle and have Atsu and Ritchie as our wide players with Hayden and Diame in the middle. Tbh I'd rather Mitrovic started with Gayle but as there's no chance of that happening I'd be happy enough with that.

The lack of any creative spark without him is worrying. For that reason I'd play Diame at CM in place of Colback which would mean Perez would have to start but at least it gives us a more offensive look in the middle of the park. Hayden and Colback in the middle is turgid.

Partially agree with that but surely, with Liverpool being the opposition a fair few of those paying £1 for their tickets tomorrow would have paid the £12 or whatever it would normally be for a ticket so it's probably cost them money and for a club in excess of £150m in debt I would have thought every £1 would be vital. They get decent numbers through the turnstiles but their gate receipts are tiny which is one of the reasons they are in financial trouble. Actually I've just typed that all out and realised I couldn't care less. Hopefully next season they let everyone in for free and go bankrupt.

0-0

If they get relegated and the TV money stops, meaning gate receipts take over as their most important revenue stream they'll be well and truely knackered.

Just seen on twitter that all kids tickets are £1 for their match tomorrow. Pretty desperate stuff for what is probably their most attractive fixture of the season.......Liverpool, on a Bank Holiday, not on the telly. These are screwed if they go down because TV revenue is basically their only decent source of revenue.

The Moyes hokey cokey.

Allardyce or Bilic should pay whatever it takes to get Defoe even if it is £6m+. Swansea and Hull look certain for the drop and taking Defoe from sunderland guarantees they go with them and ensures safety for the others.