ExiledGeordie

I have it on good authority that three different players were set to sign end of June (Abraham was one of them) but Charnley got clever and moved the goalposts. Basically penny pinching and wouldn't cough up. All three fucked off and Rafa close to walking. Sounds like same old shit to me, just different year

It doesn't inspire me with much confidence when Atsu is the only player we've signed and we're waiting on Gouffran. Sounds like there's been stuff going on behind he scenes. I hope a load of quality players start rolling in asap but i hope it's just frustration in the market causing the delay a step opposed to something more sinister.

10m already earmarked for Thauvin. We'll generate 20m easily

I'm here mate. Been a long time coming this and I'm under no illusions, it'll be a hard league to get out of next season. Without investment? I hope the young lads step up. Our U23 side is in a final. They must have something. With/Without Moyes? I must be one of few who think sticking with him is the best option. He was dealt a s*** hand both at the start and throughout this season. Hasn't helped himself I admit but I think he could build something. I feel pretty apathetic towards this, pretty 'meh'. My shift change has recently allowed myself to get a season ticket again next season for the first time in four years. I'm looking forward to going to every game again and a weekend away in Leeds with some of the lads off my Sunday league team. Still my team, I'm disappointed, it's not the end of the world I think Moyes was dealt a bit of a shit hand but he's been been so dour the way he's come across. He just doesn't seem to have inspired or organised players one iota. Normally you'd say you lot can't change the manager again but you just get the feeling it's going to be more of the same shit with him there. No idea who else's you'd go for though

Spot on. For example a proper attacking left winger carrying a goal threat, a proper Number 10 and solid, experienced centre half would make a huge difference. Shelvey and Ritchie would get so much more space to operate in if we have a proper number 10 and left winger.

I think he'd take 70m plus players sales

It's just so great having someone like him as manager. A class act who identifies with the fans and region. What a difference to the horrendous ego driven nonsense of Pardew

The absolute worst cliches are being thrown about already. Jason whopper Cundy for example on talk sport last night. These characters just throw out these age old cliches about nufc "think they're a big club" "demand too much" "will expect champions league next season" blah blah blah There's very few who talk sense

Assuming Ashley doesn't fuck this up again and Rafa is backed properly I just can't wait to see the players he gets in to fit his system. Watching a well drilled Rafa side with genuine quality and ability will really be something

I'd imagine he'll be given a chance next season given he's played quite well in the premier league before. Would be ironic if he suddenly started performing again

I agree, there's been too much pressure on Shelvey with zero creativity at number 10. Can see Benitez going for someone like McCarthy at Everton too though

This is his issue and he doesn't make up for it in other areas of his game

Have my doubts about him being here next season but just going to enjoy the fact he's got us up currently

Yeah some excellent posts above. He's had to pick up a complete mess of a club and there's been enormous pressure going into this season with the financial ramifications of not going back up at the first attempt. The squad has been so brittle for so long and so many people have been looking to see us fail. There's been unbelievable pressure throughout and recently it's started to tell. I think he's managed things extremely well even if our play has been a bit dull at times. The goal was purely to get promotion, first or second.

How many new starters do you reckon Rafa is looking at? LB, CB, CM, LW, No10, striker?

I though I'd read that Gayle might be ok for it, not sure about Clark though

And it's become clear that without key members of our team we just completely lack a cutting edge going forward and sta unity at the back. I'm guessing the players he'd indentified for Jan was to combat this.

There has to be a major inquest into today from everyone, collapse of epic proportions. Sit down and bash this out and decide if they want to go up or not

"our" players

Save for the odd flash he's been garbage all season

That's my feelings, we just don't have enough leaders and the longer this goes on the more stressed and incompetent the players become under the pressure

Today is an unmitigated disaster no doubt about that. To be so toothless in all areas is a major concern, we are doing our best to bottle this

Nerves and inexperience I'd say

It's starting to look this way. A loss today would be nothing short of a disaster

There was more to it with Mbemba. That's exactly what I heard from my in the know source