Lush Vlad

Can’t be as bad with his feet as Forster, surely? I actually think Forster has been making some great saves in the games I’ve seen. He just rivals Pope with his atrocious passing and kicking. Which isn’t ideal for them the way they set up.

Kulusevski plays centrally for them now and he has been brilliant there. Maddison doesn’t even always start. I think I’d almost rather he did play. As I think it would give us more chance of dominating their midfield. He can go missing when it gets tough.

Their starting goalkeeper, starting CB's, starting LB, backup left back/CB, Dragusin another CB of theirs has been playing with an ankle injury, Richarlison and Odobert who would offer rotation up the top end have been out a while, Bentancur missing through suspension. The young lad who has been getting minutes has been injured a while, too. Moore? I dunno, like. I'd say it's pretty bad.

Kelly isn't even offensively limited. He has a great long pass on him, for example. He's just not as good as Schar and bar the Chelsea game in the cup. He has been poor or fairly uninspiring in his appearances for us so far.

This is all set up for their team of ressies and kids to beat us, isn't it?

This. He has also become very injury prone, would be on big money and I thought there was talk of him going to Saudi for a huge contract? Not even sure he will definitely leave this summer, anyway. I'm sure when he does go, there would be plenty of the top clubs in Europe after him who regularly play CL and would be able to pay more in fees and wages. Not a realistic option at all IMO. He is still one of the best keepers, if not the best in the world.

They always do bonkers videos for their signings, don't they? WTF is that though and why is Ashley Barnes so camp at the end?!

He is starting to weigh in with assists this season. But he really should have a lot more based on this. Put it on a plate quite a few times and whoever is on the end of it has fluffed the chance. Always found it odd that his assist numbers for us have been so low. It's not like he's a poacher type or just plays between the posts. Nice to see he is getting even more involved and creating big chances.

Woke leftism discourse? At this time of year, at this time of day, on Newcastle-Online, localised entirely within the Manchester United 0-2 Newcastle United thread?

Sounds like he won't play tomorrow. But I was told Pope was hoping and aiming to be back for this game. Did find it odd that a few journos were making out like he'll be back mid-late Jan, possibly later. It didn't sound like the injury was too bad and he'd responded well to platelet injections and his treatment.

I didn't realise he had played 3 games. I suppose they had some behind closed doors friendlies arranged for him, too. All sounding pretty positive. I still think it would be a bit mental to chuck him back in away at Spurs and/or Arsenal after so long out. More from a performance perspective and how much quicker and difficult the games will be to say, a more steady affair at home, where we might be rotating anyway. Like the 3rd round of the FA Cup. But Howe sees him in training every day and Bunce is supposed to be overseeing all the performance related stuff to stop us bringing players back too soon. So I'm sure it will be the right decision, either way.

Well it does have medicinal benefits, TBF. Might chill him out a bit and all. Stop him punching everything.

Son has been bad this season. But did give him nightmares last season at their place. With Schar out. You could argue Trippier’s passing from the back and that right hand side is important. But then again, you could also argue Tino’s defensive qualities and ability to run into the space they will no doubt leave is a better option.

Yeah. My worry against Man U was that we’d play the occasion and the club and not the team. I sort of feel the same about this game. They’re far more dangerous than Man U in attack. But I feel like if we try and impose our game on them and act like the favourites. Then we’ll beat them.

Not sure why, as I’ve hardly seen much of either. But I think I’d prefer McAtee and he’d likely be cheaper.

Must be rough for you. At fault for both goals and kept kicking it off up the other end for a goal kick. Rightly booked and all. 3/10.

The way they play and all the injuries they have had. I don’t think the extra day would make much difference. I think and hope we will look like the fresher team. We have also been in a fortunate position to manage our games over the festive period. The last half hour of games have been cruise control for the most part. I also think when you’re flying high like this. Then fatigue isn’t going to be as bad as if you‘re getting slapped every week and your fans are turning on you.

I'm not sure it necessarily means we go for another keeper this month. Although the Trafford links won't go away. More that it is just the last chance to get a bit of money for him and gets him off the wage bill 6 months earlier. Everyone on here has said we haven't been ruthless with sales and we don't have many saleable assets. So the fact we can get something for him, however minimal and save whatever he is on a week for the next 6 months (I'm guessing circa £30-40k per week). Then it makes perfect sense to do so.

Yep. Even against Liverpool when they got battered, they managed to score 3 and were still creating. Aren't they the second top scorers in the league? Not ideal having Schar missing for this one, either. Dubravka might have to make some saves this game A few times I've seen them, they've gone hard early and then tired. A bit like we were doing last season and have been doing of late, albeit without tiring. They went 2 up against Chelsea and could have been 3 early doors. Before eventually falling away and flattered by the 3-4 scoreline. If we can do our usual and get an early goal or at least keep it level for a decent amount of time. Then I'd fancy us to get a win here.

Also got booked in the 97th minute or something daft. So is now on 5 yellows.

Meltdown of the year award already sorted and it's the 2nd of January

We wouldn’t miss one of the best strikers in the world if we replaced him with Delap? I really rate the lad and he seems destined to go to the top. But that’s an outlandish claim.

Tyrone Mings and VVD are just two centre backs recently that can be used as cautionary tales coming back from ACL’s. So Botman is going to go from 60 mins for the reserves and not even being in a matchday squad for nearly a year. To starting away at Spurs or Arsenal? What absolute madness. Won’t be up to speed or match sharp. Mentally it is tough and there are always slight concerns in the front and back of your mind. I’ve come back from 4 knee ops in the same knee. I had a great physio and sought after surgeon, fortunate enough to get specialist rehab. It all still doesn’t prepare you to just get chucked back in at that pace. This is playing about 10 leagues lower than Botman and all

Can’t sign a pre-contract for another English club. Only teams abroad.

The diving to the left thing is massively overplayed. He did look unnatural for a bit going to that side. But are people forgetting the top class save he made against Liverpool? Mac Allister drilled one bottom corner and Pope got down full stretch to his left. His arm ending up in the same position as when his shoulder went against Man U. I do think the last 5 games have highlighted how much better we would be longer term with a keeper who is comfortable on the ball. However, I still maintain it won’t be cheap to find a keeper who is as good as Pope. But can spray it about like an extra outfield player. James Trafford is certainly not that player currently and who knows if he ever will be. If we really are hamstrung by PSR. Other areas need addressing first IMO. But in an ideal world, having a ball playing keeper would be class.