Hanshithispantz

He pressed the wrong button in FIFA.

I think he's been good the last 20 minutes or so tbh barring his 2 chances. Colback levels of cowardice for that cross though. Shitting himself because Ritchie shouted at him.

I'm all for terminating Perez' contract after that like.

This is just weird now like, were we on the piss last night?

What the fuck is this?

That's easily the worst half of football we've played in the league this season. Must have about a 50% pass rate.

We're far more erratic than Brighton like. They've lost 8 games in the league the past year and a half and their form follows a pretty consistent trend. Out of the two of us I'd say we are simultaneously the favourites to win the league and to not be promoted at all.

Brighton have been a work in progress for a few years now and have continued on from last season - they've only lost 3 this season (5 last), they're a very solid side. The reason we needed to strengthen was because we've been in the league half a year and had to patch together a squad in 1 window. We were never going to get everything right in one go.

"seething"

He should have full control of his ins and outs. Not full control of everything like in the 70s where managers were turning up at player's houses. It was believed that if he says 'we need x player' we'd go out and get them (within reason) from what I recall.

i totally agree, it appears the manager didn't want any though, he wanted players who were prem ready. You honestly believe Rafa didn't want more boddies in midfield if we were willing to get then? Or do you not think any opinion he has is based on the restrictions he has placed on him by Ashley? He also said he only wanted Prem ready players in earlier in the window when he still young and nieve, he thought he was getting atleast 2 in back then. He'll put on a brave face but he repeated yesterday that he wanted at least 2 in and that it was all on the board whether he gets them or not. his crack from December sounds pretty categoric, whether that opinion changed or not i've no idea, and nor has anyone else tbh. I'd like to think he wasn't just being ashley's mouthpiece though, we've had enough of them. i think we should have brought more competent bodies in for sure, prem ready or not. Guess we'll see how this plays out over the next week or so, we just have to hope he doesn't feel (and hasn't been) stitched up. I don't think he's being Ashley's mouthpiece, I just don't think he's going to come out and start fanning the flames. At a guess I'd say the board reiterated to him at the start of the window than any money spent that month will come off his pot for the summer (and if the reports are true that we're no longer buying players with no sell on value) - hence "I'll only bring in players who can make the step-up". I think by the end of the window when we failed to bring in a single player he was probably pretty pissed off. At the very least I seriously doubt that this was his idea and that had he actually had full control we would have bought.

I have considered it, <b>it looks mid championship+ JJ shelvey</b>. the other Issue is prem clubs strengthening while we hope for promotion and dont- so the chasm to overcome to stay up if we get there just gets bigger. Fuck off man. no we were shit when shelvey was missing. If shit equals second place in the league then I'm glad we're shit. come on, the momentum was moving away from the play offs when Shelvey was playing, and slipping back towards them without him. and you well know it. Nope. Stop going on as if every team below us are going to win all of their games, because they aren't. And neither are Brighton. There's a long way to go but we've got enough quality to finish at least second imo. Rafa's lack of a plan B is costing us more than Ashley's apparent tight fistedness this season, as much as I hate to say it. I'd hate to say something so ludicrously stupid too tbf.

i totally agree, it appears the manager didn't want any though, he wanted players who were prem ready. You honestly believe Rafa didn't want more boddies in midfield if we were willing to get then? Or do you not think any opinion he has is based on the restrictions he has placed on him by Ashley? He also said he only wanted Prem ready players in earlier in the window when he still young and nieve, he thought he was getting atleast 2 in back then. He'll put on a brave face but he repeated yesterday that he wanted at least 2 in and that it was all on the board whether he gets them or not.

When you've lost 7 games and your squad has glaring weaknesses you sign someone like, it's been clear throughout the season that any problems with us were going to be fixed by us bringing players in, not Benitez changing anything. I don't know why people are just accepting these arguments tbh, if we cannot get a 'prem player' in then get one of those disgusting 'average Championship players' (YUKKKK!) in for a few quid. There's not some mental conspiricy theory going on. #wait

I just hope it's a case of Mike whiteying at the thought of spending any more money in this division. It's the best I think I can allow myself. Just going to enjoy the season and pray we have a plan for the Premiership. We will spend money if/when we go up, no doubt about that, it just needs to be with the full backing of Benitez however much it is.

For another Emily Ratajkowski analogy that makes no sense. She's coming round your house after you played your texting A-game, but all you have in is a couple of ASDA Lasagnas and a 2l bottle of Highand Spring Water. You have money in your bank, loads in fact you've just been paid, and a shit load of petrol. You could drive to Marks & Spenser's and pick up a meal deal for 2 with a bottle of wine. You don't. You risk it. You're a fool.

Blackburn got their game plan absolutely spot on like, they made us look bereft of ideas bar 10 minutes in the first half. A proper Euro 2016 performance.

Agreed, squadwise we should have enough to go up still. I think the reaction is down to the uncertainty regarding Rafa's response. How much did he think he NEEDED Thownsend, and just how confident was he that something would happen. Still 3 mins to go like. Yeah, Our squad isn't too much of a worry but we're risking it to save a few quid again. The main issue is Rafa coming out multiple times saying he wants a couple of players/confident getting them etc and then us signing nobody It's vintage Newcastle United.

3-0 Townsend hatrick.

Stifler the one to bring calm to the forum.

I'm not sure we did, I think our only intention this window was to not spend a penny. aye. Like every other window we've let go by, we never had any intention of signing anyone. When we want to sign people we don't seem to have much bother doing so, signings are made with very little media attention usually, and sometimes 5-6 on the belt. This is about the 10th deadline day where we've 'bid' for someone only for it to fail.

there's absolutely no reason for anyone to kick of at the match like. Nothing's been proven yet although it's fairly clear what has likely went on.

Mike'll probably be sued for that £2m he was desperate to keep.

Aye calm down everyone, it's not like history tells us we've just fucked over another manager during a transfer window or out. Mike's a great guy and has the club and Rafa's best interests at heart.