ExiledGeordie

No worries about this lad getting goals in this league. Give us some power up front and could be vital if Gayle is out a few weeks

Evra and Vidic were written off in their first seasons at Man U

Diame albeit flashes recently has flattered to deceive and Perez just hasn't turned up this season. That's definitely affected the team and Rafas plans badly I'm sure. Hopefully some signings address this.

Amazing his fall from grace, completely anonymous. I thought he'd dominate in this league

Great player but asking too much of him to be a creative spark

You MIGHT be relieved about it - but HAPPY..? Not for me, I would be relieved if we go up automatically but not happy because I want NUFC to be WINNERS...only clubs with a winning mentality are successful. Bill Shankly once said there were two clubs in Liverpool - Liverpool and L'Pool Reserves.. a joke but you can see what he meant. Also, we cannot keep saying it was just 'one of those days'....we have had SEVEN of those days so far and 4 over the last month - you cannot blame people for being concerned. People are entitled to be concerned. I'm concerned about the lack of creativity down the left, the ineffective partnership currently in midfield, our home form and our inability to draw games that we shouldn't lose. I just thing some people lose sight of where we've come from, how well by enlarge we've played so far this season and considering there's still half the season left. I'd obviously like us to win this league but I genuinely won't be bothered if we don't. We need to go up and then let Rafa kick us on. If that's second place then so be it.

Yesterday was massively frustrating and there's a pattern emerging with some of these losses. But on another day we'd have walked this match. There was still passion and organisation and effort from the players. We've hit a rough patch as other team may too but points wise we have the same number as in 2010. There's loads of rooom for improvement and we all know the limitations of certain players. I'm still confident that we'll gain promotion with Shelvey back and hopefully a couple new signings. This is a long hard season in the championship and people are deluded if they think we should be walking it. The overreaction to defeats is alarming at times I find. Not enough people taking defeat on the chin and look at the bigger picture. 9/10 - be perfectly happy going up in second

Was at Mackem mates yesterday while the result came in. He thinks they're gone this season, luck finally running out.

Exacerbated by having Dummett and Gouffran to their left. I'm disappointed that Lazarr hasn't featured yet. I thought he was really going to add something (he still might)

He's been decent at times this season but I agree he offers virtually nothing creativity wise. Would much prefer to see Atsu starting, at home at least

Wish I was going to this. Arrive on the train at halftime (ticket booked ages ago before the game was moved back 24hrs)

For the first time I'd actually like to see this. It would give us a completely different look and teams facing us would have to adjust how they play. We're not dominating from midfield so maybe we need to create some time and space with Mitrovic to hold the ball up. Still can't see Rafa going 442 though

They're a much more settled side I feel. We had major changes in the summer and have been learning as a team. I agree though the home form is an issue - it's like our style/inability to break down teams plays into the hands of opposition. We should be fully going for teams and putting them under constant pressure but we haven't found a way to do that constantly, or even just routine wins. It's either really good or bang average. I'm confident that with signings and or change of tactics we'll learn to be better at home over the second half of the season. A really attacking midfielder could knit everything together. I thought Perez would rip this league up but he's spectacularly fluffed his lines.

It was a piss poor performance but I wouldn't blame the two in midfield entirely. We're just not getting enough from the "creative" three behind Gayle. Diame was non-existent and needed to step up, Ritchie was flat. Benitez will surely have taken note and have something in mind but this inability to put teams away at home is clearly an issue. Other teams will have taken note and will do the same thing Wednesday did. Fingers crossed for some new creativity in Jan because the right signing or two would really have us make another surge. In the grand scheme of things we're still doing ok and top for the time being. Forest is a big game though as I'd still be confident of us going to Blackburn with our set up and getting something.

Shut up ffs

Just to clarify. You're being a cock Yes we're struggling and desperately need to change things up

He hasn't exactly been rubbish recently though has he. Yes he's limited but he's done a decent job recently pre injury

Good team

There's some fight there and as long as Defoe stays fit they'll stay up. Worse teams will save them too

Totally agree

I can't see Mbemba staying, I have it on fairly good authority that he wanted away at the end of last season. Not sure Benitez rates him anyway

These matches are almost like those dodgy 3rd ties in the cup. They were a big side too, you need strength and character to battle through these matches to go with turning it on in matches like the 4-0 against Brum.

Yeah because we're going to win every game 4-0 in this league

Making mugs of the people who stupidly wrote him off already

I agree they'll bring in a starting striker. The rotation policy will still see Gayle getting a fair amount of playing time though I'd imagine.