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1. Brentford 2. Southampton 3. Crystal Palace 4. Liverpool 5. Manchester United 6. Newcastle United 7. Arsenal 8. Tottenham or Manchester City

I must have just imagined tha we were defensively very structured, closed the passing lanes in the middle, changed formation several times, with Joelinton playing as a RWB at one point, and limited Chelsea to pot shots bar one through ball to Felix. So very poorly coached.

Some general thoughts: Tonali looked really comfortable in the middle, would like to see him given more game time in that position. Longstaff had a good game, he's not a sexy player, and I can't place it, but we seem to just play better when he's in the team. Osula looked really strong and sharp when he came on, he certainly has the physical attributes to make it at this level. Krafth may be the the most 7/10 player we have, ever time he plays, he's just unrelentingly solid. The performance as a whole was such a step in the right direction, our press was their in the first half and our defensive shape in the second. If we can start finishing our chances we'll be back to our old self. I love it when Bruno shithouses in the box.

Quality result. That second half wasn't pretty on the eye, but it felt a lot like some of second half performances in the Champions League season, where the opposition had the majority of the ball and territory, but we where relatively comfortable in our shape, and just defended really well. That coupled with the press in the first half, and there are some really good signs from that.

He's obviously young, and he's going to have ups and down, but I can confidently say he's going to be the best left back the world has ever seen.

Its what my brother said in fairness, I just didn't question it

Scott Parker?

That first goal was a delight to see, not because it was an aesthetically pleasing goal, but because its us doing what we've been so good at over the last few years, and has been missing this year. They've had the odd chance, and we've had to do the occasional bit of last ditch defending but Pope hasnt really been tested. Out balance in midfield looks so much better too, I know its not fashionable, but Longstaff adds a layer of stability when he plays and complements the other players, Tonali has also looked good in that central CM role, and has noticable been sitting a bit deeper at times, his one touch passing is quality at times. Personally It'd like to see a Longstaff - Bruno - Tonali midfield at some point, feels like it'd have a decent balance too it.

Thinking out loud, could that be a slight change of formation, with a box midfield, and Gordon and Isak up top.

Quite like the look of that team, interested to see how we go with that Midfield. I hope Tonali is the middle of the three, will be interesting to seem him in that position.

You lads know we scored a goal from Open Play on Sunday right? It was a really well worked one too

Is that yet another random publication that Bailey has jumped to?

Funny them quotes from Mitchell, as I swear some people on here said we where really basic with our scouting setup and never searched Europe for talent. Weird.

Probably not worthy of a thread, but fuck it. Let's inject some positivity.

https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/newcastle-united-sign-georgian-forward-vakhtang-salia Newcastle United sign Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia The 17-year-old will officially join the Magpies on his 18th birthday in August 2025 and will remain with Dinamo in the meantime. Vakhtang made his professional debut for his hometown club in November 2023 as Dinamo narrowly missed out on winning the Erovnuli Liga title. He has become a mainstay in the first team this season, scoring five goals in 24 appearances in the Georgian top flight. At international level, he has represented Georgia at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level. Paul Mitchell, Newcastle United's Sporting Director, said: "We're delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang. "Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive. "We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future. "We look forward to working with Vakhtang and wish him every success during his remaining time with Dinamo Tbilisi."

Decided to pop my head into this thread for the first time since Sunday and thats the first thing I saw. Can't imagine how bad it was Sunday evening, mental takes.

Emi Martinez wins Best keeper for the second year running. Carlo Ancelotti best mens coach. Emma Hayes best women's coach.

Since when has Ian Holloway been at Swindon?

Love a CDM winning the Ballon d'Or. Rodri is a joke of a player and is more than deserving of the award. If there was a microcosm of everything detestable about Real Madrid, its that story. Throwing their toys out the pram because one of their players didn't get voted the best player in the world, just because they think he has a god given right to win it as he plays for Madrid.

If ever there was a reason why we should be sticking with Howe at all costs. Its that list.

That'll end in disaster.

The happiest person in Manchester right now, is Eric Ten Haag. He's been waiting for that payoff for a long time