ExiledGeordie

He needs to find some form if we're to stay up

Season in season out he fails to address the key areas that actually won him the title years ago. A solid defence and bruising midfield that can mix it up as well as dazzle. Giroud isn't title winning material either but if their midfield and defence was tougher and they had more leaders it might not matter. Mertesacker in central defence ffs? Lol Roy Keane said Arsenal players were more interested in "6 packs and selfies" than winning, ha. Maybe a bit harsh but I agree with him that there isn't enough character or substance there. Leciester winning the league (or Spurs) would be the ultimate insult this season.

A win against the Mackems would set everything up nicely. There's winnable games left and the positive impact of Benitez can't be underestimated. After watching City yesterday that gives me confidence that we can win our game in hand against them. I'm probably at a 7/8 but if we draw tomorrow night and beat the Mackems I think we'll stay up because the momentum will really build.

Townsend? I guess only if absolutely 100% fit. Be better to start Perez and make sure Townsend is ready for the final games rather than risk him.

We can beat city at home with a roaring atmosphere given how they look at the moment

Ashley already has changed, we've spent just under £80 million in a year and we've appointed our first manager on merit since Keegan came in. As for sexy football, who gives a s***? Surely the only thing we need is effective football and I'm sure we now have a very good chance of seeing that. It's exactly the type of appointment we needed, I just wish he'd come in earlier at Christmas or after Chelsea. A solid performance at Leicester and beating the Mackems will go a long way to get the momentum swinging. Our game in hand v City with a rocking St James could be a corker too. Interested to see who he plays and how he sets us up.

The problem with Moyes or any decent manager with credibility is that they'll want control and Ashley just hasn't been prepared to offer/allow that. It'd take a sea change in attitude for this to happen but I guess the risk of missing out on over a 100m of tv money next season may swing it (finally).

He's been an unmitigated disaster and his position is untenable but it would be classic for us to "stick with him" ffs because the club as a whole is a car crash.

I am. If you get someone like Pearson in I'd be worried. McClaren IN!

I hate everything that this club stands for currently, it's an absolute disgrace. Cunts the lot of them

I think it's the perfect toxic combination of some players who genuinely don't give a shit anyway and the bulk of the squad completely losing faith in the manager.

It all sounds like a complete car crash doesn't it. The way we've been playing its looked for a while like the manager lost the dressing room. The whole thing is rotten.

Awful, awful manager. Record speaks for itself, completely and utterly inept Fuck off

He should.............. Sack McClaren Hire Moyes or someone else competent Get rid of Charnley, appoint someone who knows what they're doing ........none of that will happen because this is Ashley who is clueless and stubborn and he's failed year on year with the same bullshit

But with the huge sums of money available next season the fee for sacking McClaren is small change in comparison, there's got to be a point even a penny pinching fat miser like Ashley sees this. I completely agree mate but the "board" and owner are too entrenched in their deluded beliefs that their systems work. They've been failing year on year, same old s*** time and time again. I just can't see them hooking McClaren and making the necessary changes to allow a proper manager to operate. They're clueless clowns and too stubborn/arrogant to admit they're wrong.

They're too stubborn to sack him especially as they won't dare provide the environment for a decent manager to operate. They also won't want to deal with the financial compensation that come with sackings. If think we're royally screwed basically

The players look utterly clueless tactically and completely demotivated. Of course they're at fault too but ultimately it seems pretty obvious that McClaren has had and is still having zero positive effect on them. I just can't see Ashkey getting rid, he's a gambler so will probably stick with him. So depressing listening to this halfwit do post match and even pre match interviews. That grinning yesterday in the interview really fucking wound me up

I turned over to watch the rugby after 30 mins

First thing he did was smile in the sky interview, fuck off man

I think we can really cause Chelsea's defence some problems but as ever it'll be down to whether we put our chances away. Our inability to convert chances, suspect defending, awful away record and Chelsea's gradual improvement recently points to a defeat for me though. I can see a 2-0 or 3-1. A point going into this break would be awesome.

He'll need a few games to get up to speed given he hasn't played that much recently. He looked handy in the highlights

Crucially he looks in shape and match fit now

Jesus. My god talk about clutching at straws, it just gets worse. I've just heard his latest total sport interview, I mean honestly, just talks complete rubbish. Utterly clueless

One match in and some already writing the lad off dear oh dear