ExiledGeordie

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.

It's the lack of communication that worries me. He seemed to suggest in interviews that he wasn't genuinely in the dark as to why nobody was signed in Jan. Maybe he knew more than he stated, who knows? I just think if he has a sense that he's going to be undermined anymore he'll be off as there'll be loads of clubs after him. My fear is also based around Ashley's ego and his inability to hand over control to someone who knows what they're doing and accept that his methods don't work even in the face of clear evidence.

I'm afraid I'm the same, I think it'll be all the cloak and dagger stuff from Ashley and Benitez won't get the assurances he needs. If Benitez was to go it would comepletely kill off all interest in nufc while Ashley is there. Agree with Michael Martin, many would desert in droves, at least many of the regular hardcore that remains. Ashley's playing a dangerous game but if is ego gets the better if him again this could be his most costly decision.

That's what I've just been thinking. Had key players missing too

Cunts they're going to win this

Yeah the crux of the argument was a bag of bollocks

That's my fear too. Ashley treats the club like his business portfolio, he can't ever not be in control of something even if he's clueless. Complete egomaniac

I'm much more confident going into these games with Gayle returning soon, Diame back and presumably Atsu not far off A couple good results in the next two away games would set us up for two winnable home matches. Then it's those 3 tough away fixtures and if we come through those without losing our position too much I think we'll go up.

Yeah I'd like to see that too

Be great if Gayle is back for this. Hanley to retain his place? We'll probably need his physical presence

If Rafa is forced out due to the same old bullshit that forced Keegan out and shafted Hughton, only to bring in some yes man manager with the aim of hovering anywhere from seventeenth up if we got promoted. Begs the question, why on earth would you go to St James? Utterly pointless.

Seems very realistic

We made 30m profit in the summer man and they wouldn't part with a few million with potentially 150m on the line. This has Ashley all over it ffs

I have a bad feeling about this