Lush Vlad

Read about Rafa's tactics and how he isn't a massive lover of players ad-libbing and doing their own thing. It's all about what runs to make, when another player is in a certain position with the ball. I think Bellamy and Carragher have gone on about it. He isn't mad keen on individual flair players and mavericks by the sounds of it. Can't see it happening and the rumours seem to have started off the bacl of Diame's comments.

Too soon. Wanted him to stay there a bit longer, so they could really see just how terrible he is. Still. What a great early Christmas present Met a Palace fan the other day and he was saying how awful he was. Saying all the things our fans said years ago. Quite surprised he has gone. Not sure why, mind. His record was woeful.

So is that one of the reasons it didn't explode? No fuel left in the aircraft

Pleathe be rethpectful, he's only jutht died. It was bad enough before the edit

I think Darlow, Yedlin, Dummett, Mitro, Perez and Colback (if available) will all start this. A fair few of them looked fucked last night and there would have been some rotation even without a midweek game.

He didn't throw it off he gave the full hoof. Big right foot straight through it and it sailed into the crowd. I'd be pissed off it had came my way I'd reckon. In fairness, the minute he kicked it, he had his hand up apologising. I think it was sincere. If you look at some of his passes and clearances, he is a bit wayward

Bristow is an absolute spud. He is just repeating the same thing over and over What an absolute piece. Morgan almost had me siding with the prick, mind. Such an odious man.

I thought he as about a 6 or 7/10. Which by his standards, is pretty decent. He still looks clumsy and wasteful in attacking positions. But he but I thought it was one of his better games for us and he managed to bag a goal.

You were on here last night saying Rafa is the 'worst NUFC manager ever' for subs or something like that. Now you're having a pop for an over the top reaction You must still be pissed.

Stop with this Seems to have a sloppy halve pretty often. Defends Sels. Who has arguably been our worst player of the season. Slates Shelvey, who has probably been our best player and played pretty well last night. Only thought he started to fuck up towards the end of the 90. Was dominant for an hour or so. He said he had a sloppy half which he did 2nd half. Slightest bit of criticism = over the top reaction from yourself. He also said this, which is utter bollocks: You're a fucking parody of yourself now, man. Go and take your head for a shit.

From .com Don't want to be all negative and Pardew, as I would have loved to have a crack at the semis and you're usually going to be playing a good side in a semi-final. But I think what they have written is all fair enough and I forgot that we would be losing squad depth for the AFCON.

I was going to type it all out. But just realised it would be the same as KI's

Thought this wasn't worth quoting again. Brilliant post and much needed perspective. Yeah just read that. Nodding along in agreement and makes you feel positive reading it

I feel a bit like this. I was really fucked off last night and nearly broke my work laptop Dust has settled and the fact we looked comfortable away from home is a massive plus. We haven't really controlled away games for years, regardless of who we are playing. The first shot on target from them that I can remember was their goal, I think? We were also lacking a bit of cutting edge, but we were camped outside their box for long spells and they had everyone back. Just a bit worried about losing two on the bounce and playing 120 minutes last night. When we now have a tough looking game on Friday. The squad has enough depth for this, at least. Phelan seems like a proper PFM. The bollocks he was shouting from the sideline seemed reminiscent of Pardew. "GET BACK. PUSH UP. DROP. GOOD GOOD. OOH, YOU NEARLY HAD HIM."

If you are a member on here, I don't see why you would need to watch his stuff? Some really knowledgeable posters on here who's opinions I really respect, even if I don't always agree with them. You can just read them, and all. You don't have an angry, large bearded bloke pointing and shouting FACTS at you.

Unlucky with the chance early on. His movement is usually pretty good. But worryingly, he seemed to be on a different wavelength for a lot of the night. Regularly seemed to be making a run to an area and the ball ended up nowhere near him. Not sure who's fault that is. As we know Rafa's methods rely on certain players making particular runs in different situations. So could be the final ball being misplaced, but it might be on him freelancing and not following instructions?

I keep thinking he will get caught trying to play out from the back. But at least he has the confidence to do it and he seems very assured on the ball. Considering we used to have Williamson slicing it into the East Stand or Taylor bringing it out and actually losing possession. Then I guess he is already an upgrade on those jokers. Possibly our least exciting signing of the summer. Yet he's been one of our best players thus far. MOTM last night, I thought. Didn't have loads to do. But has quite a good turn of pace and seems to be solid and always positioned well.

Played well on both flanks. Sounds like Ritchie has had two poor games on the bounce and despite Gouffran's workrate and ability to pop up with the odd goal. He is incapable of beating his man, or playing like an actual winger. Wouldn't mind seeing Atsu get more chances. Only really remember or seen him for a bit v QPR, Cardiff and last night. But he offers something different to the regular starters.

Stop with this Seems to have a sloppy halve pretty often. Defends Sels. Who has arguably been our worst player of the season. Slates Shelvey, who has probably been our best player and played pretty well last night. Only thought he started to fuck up towards the end of the 90. Was dominant for an hour or so.

That's what I thought? He got a little slack with his play towards the end and was in danger of getting a second yellow. But he made three crunching tackles that I can remember, actually got forward quite well and looks to get the ball forward and wide at times, not just relying on Shelvey to do it all. His physicality and mobility help Shelvey, IMO. Who still can't tackle or mark, but does put more of a shift in TBF to him. I thought he was arguably our MOTM. But Clark probably deserves it, again.

Good on the ball, has a nice cutback that always seemed to gain him a yard. Didn't look particularly quick and his crossing was a bit weak. But I liked what I saw and there is plenty to build on.

Spot on. Say what you will about Ronaldo. But his football takes are often on the money. Apart from his irrational dislike of Lovenkrands

Neesy Oh and for people complaining that there are 'fickle idiots' on here, complaining about Rafa. I only see Neesy kneejerking all over the place? I think many others are pointing out how risky it was to play Sels and how despite our dominance, we don't create a great deal. On the creativity thing. I'm not sure how much of that is Rafa's fault. I think that will improve if we were to get back up and invest in another attacking midfielder/winger or two. Gouffran, Diame and Perez aren't exactly chipping in with loads of assists. I love Rafa. But nobody is beyond criticism and if it is fair and balanced. I don't see the problem? If it is saying "His use of subs is probably the worst I've seen from a Newcastle manager." Then yeah, fire away