ExiledGeordie

This result and other results like the Wolves loss at home seem typical of a side still settling down in my opinion. There's loads of new players who will take time getting used to playing with each other at a new club and in a new country for some. Season doesn't start probably until October and I'd expect the side to settle down more with less highs and lows and more consistently professional performances.

He typifies the type of player we've signed in recent times who has given up, become disinterested leading to diassafection among the fans. On his day he excels but those days are so few and far between. To get 30m and shift a player who was probably only going to sulk and cause disharmony is fantastic. I have no doubt that the money brought in may be used in January towards a final push to promotion.

He's completely rejuvenated my interest in the club

I thought you had more faith in Rafa than Bobby etc? I have complete faith in Rafa, but I cannot be the only one looking at what is basically a whole new XI brought in and feel underwhelmed? I'd rather bring in 2 or 3 special players to destroy the league than a whole new team of average players or unknowns because I feel that will get you out of the division not squad depth and having a player for each position. Time will tell, I hope I'm wrong of course! We've lost 16 players. We couldn't just bring in two or three. I don't have any issue with the signings as we're buying realistic targets as a championship side. The squad will clearly be updated with premier league quality if we get promoted. Not sure who some people were expecting us to sign really. I'm actually very happy with most of our signings, they might not be dead exciting, but for once we are building a proper squad with plenty of options in every position. Especially when you consider the number of games involved in the league. .....and our injury record

I thought you had more faith in Rafa than Bobby etc? I have complete faith in Rafa, but I cannot be the only one looking at what is basically a whole new XI brought in and feel underwhelmed? I'd rather bring in 2 or 3 special players to destroy the league than a whole new team of average players or unknowns because I feel that will get you out of the division not squad depth and having a player for each position. Time will tell, I hope I'm wrong of course! We've lost 16 players. We couldn't just bring in two or three. I don't have any issue with the signings as we're buying realistic targets as a championship side. The squad will clearly be updated with premier league quality if we get promoted. Not sure who some people were expecting us to sign really.

Looks decent in clips - left footed winger with pace

It was a horrendous tackle but a few years ago now and I've read quotes of what seems genuine regret. Benitez is surely fully aware of the implications of "the tackle" but if he thinks he can do a job to help promotion and that it won't affect team spirit then so be it. Not something that bothers me really.

Young player with a point to prove, like the sound of this

Should make a huge difference to the shape of the team

Good. Need more of this. Don't agree at all, no matter how awful a player is booing their introduction is not healthy for all parties, does not send the right message to other players. I honestly don't have too many issues with his current role at the club which seems to be a player we play occasionally, he's not a guaranteed starter anymore and we should be thankful to Rafa for that. If some stupid club come in for him before the window closes, we naturally should snap their hands off but we would be woefully short in CM, unless we can get Tiote playing again. Booing our own players when they come on ffs. Idiotic and exactly what is it supposed to achieve?

With Ritchie, the new LB, Shelvey, Perez you'd think he'll get on the end of a few crossed too

Would love another winger, we'd cause all sorts of problems with someone attacking on the left wing combining with the new left back

He's not going to start many games but at least provides some competition for Mitrovic and Gayle and takes the pressure off when the games come thick and fast and not doubt injuries mount up. He's seasoned in the championship and knows how to rough it up. No problem with the signing really and clearly Benitez feels he's beneficial otherwise he wouldn't sign him. Assuming he contributes to our promotion the money involved in the transfer will be almost insignificant.

Starting to look like a proper team with shape and you can see they're well drilled and trained properly - what a bloody novelty' molars to the nonsense of recent times! I like Hayden, he's a proper solid box to box midfielder who surely will only get better under Benitez. Good to see Shelvey playing well, consistency is the hey for him. Mbemba and Lascelles look to be forging a decent partnership at the back too. I thought Perez did really well considering he's not a striker, ran his bollocks off so not sure why he's getting some criticism. And considering we had niether of our main strikers up front I thought this was a decent performance. Get that left back in an hopefully another winger before the deadline and we're looking good.

About time we had a proper left back ffs

Hopefully we'll get a few more names in before the deadline, need them

There's a difference between him breaking down with a hamstring an issue and an unfortunate ankle injury. An ankle injury can happen to anyone in a tackle. He does seem to have real trouble just staying fit though which is a shame

I've never been that fussed by Janmaat, too many rash decisions and mistakes

Assuming he signs, why don't people just see how he does under the tutorship of a fantastic manager before writing him before he's even kicked a ball.

I think he'll do well as he'll get more chances but his finishing has been patchy at best. Still loads to prove

A starting left back, winger and another striking option and I think we're looking good

Great for the defence that we didn't concede late on, that will help build some confidence. There's probably been a lot of pressure on Lascelles going into the season but hopefully he'll settle again and kick on from here. Clearly there's still some questions marks over the team but that was a very important away win. The defence will continue to improve and as Diame gets fitter we'll start looking more threatening. I'm actually really interested in te team for the first time in years which is a novelty That's the main positive for me

People writing players off already, who'd have thought

I've never been that impressed by him to be honest, makes loads of mistakes and rash decisions

Hayden did well moving the ball forward Wednesday night. The pressure is more on Diame to provide attacking support with Ritchie for Gayle. I don't hink it's such a bad team really.