ExiledGeordie

Nothing like a bit of pre-match confidence

As has been mentioned already, we need to start well. The two home matches I've seen at St James we started so slowly and static. We need to get at them and get thr crowd up. Gayle is vital really and given they like to knock it about I can see him getting some good chances. If Gayle had been playing we would've put away QPR for example.

Can't complain when we utilise our squad when we have 3 games in 7 days. If nothing else at least we learn a little bit more about which players can step up and which ones can't. So why do gouffran, Perez and colback keep getting games then when they fail to step up nearly every time. Colback must be sucking Rafa off cos it's the only reason he can fail to see what a totally abysmal player he is Hayden is injured therefore Colback gets more game time, Perez gets the odd game and Gouffran while ineffective offensively puts in a shift but Atsu has played more recently anyway. Benitez doesnt have any other options a lot of the time given the players we have and the rigours of this league. I'd rather see players rotated and avoid injury. The proof is in the pudding anyway......look at the table, we're top. Hear what you saying and can say fair enough to some you said but cant agree on Colback or gouffran points and never will. Hopefully if we go up then both will be at other clubs in the summer because I would be majorly concerned if either were part of next seasons squad. Gouffran is "functional" and has done well this season. I dont rate Colback either but clearly Benitez thinks he can do a job as he chooses to start him over Diame in the same position. Neither player should be playing for us next season if we go up.

Gayle back is huge for us at home. It affects the way teams set up against us and in the games he's missed at home recently we've missed far too many chances Mitrovic being the bigges culprit.

Can't complain when we utilise our squad when we have 3 games in 7 days. If nothing else at least we learn a little bit more about which players can step up and which ones can't. So why do gouffran, Perez and colback keep getting games then when they fail to step up nearly every time. Colback must be sucking Rafa off cos it's the only reason he can fail to see what a totally abysmal player he is Hayden is injured therefore Colback gets more game time, Perez gets the odd game and Gouffran while ineffective offensively puts in a shift but Atsu has played more recently anyway. Benitez doesnt have any other options a lot of the time given the players we have and the rigours of this league. I'd rather see players rotated and avoid injury. The proof is in the pudding anyway......look at the table, we're top.

He's rotating the squad after two ridiculously tough away games and a tough match with Fulham on the horizon. No issues with who he played tonight.

Fulham are on form and won't be easy. Need to get back to winning ways. Hahahah

Solid point after two tough away games before this and some players rested which is key. Gayle starting and everyone raring to go for Saturday v Fulham Huddersfield and Brighton really had to win tonight given who they were playing ffs. We'll have plenty chances to pull away again when they have tough matches

Some of them have certainly got carried away by the looks of things. I quite like Wagner but hope they get done in the playoffs.

His pace got him that goal. He's always a threat with balls over the top.

Just need to avoid something ridiculous like Colback getting sent off. Do the same again and hit them on the break. Hopefully Gayle will get a run out second half at some point

Getting Gayle back fit will clinch it for me as we'll jut be that much more clinical in front of goal. We've really missed Gayle at home where missed chances have cost us badly.

That's a good summing up there. The Huddersfield match is bigger I think.

I couldn't believe how anonymous he was again. Even when he had time and space to take players on or pick a pass he fucked up both turning the ball over. Zero threat and considering how woeful Mitrovic is it's no wonder we struggled.

Second time I've seen him live at St James. Absolute garbage. Doesn't anticipate crosses, slow, I don't remember him winning a header ffs. We all know about his finishing too.

Back up visiting, mate has sorted two tickets, winner.

I'd be more worried normally but we'd played some good stuff against Norwich even if we'd didn't take our chances. They're really struggling and Gayle is back which is huge and will cause them all sorts of problems.

We've got a great chance with two winnable home matches and considering Reading play Huddersfield coming up and then Brighton play Reading. Win our next two games and we could be in a very healthy position going into those three tough away games. Nothing is ever straightforward with this club but got a great chance coming up.

Totally agree, sometimes the overreactions on this board are nothing short of embarrassing Like people throwing in the towel tonight in the match thread after 20 minutes

Reading and Huddersfield play each other next

In the most he's been quality this season. He's a young lad plying his trade, some people are being far too harsh on him. Would you rather Sels?

Brighton draw, good stuff.

We're one goal down ffs not 3 down. He'll get 20-25 mins I reckon, needs to be eased back in rather than thrown on in a panic. Loads of matches coming up where we need him 100%

I don't think Gayle will start, probably on the bench. Having him back will be a major bonus though even if it's from the bench on Tuesday. Tough match, happily take a draw given their form

The thing is if he doesn't give Benitez what he wants and isnt prepared to defer to football knowhow and experience to build something then he's basically looking to go back to the s**** we've seen before. Bring in effectively a coach/yes man who will be told to work within defined parameters and provided with players chosen by Carr. Two relegations in his tenure you'd think and hope would've changed this mindset.