Lush Vlad

Playing Gini in a midfield 2 - I actually wanted to see this, but can see why some didn't. He hasn't played there for us for a long time. Some of his subs (that in hindsight, worked well) Moving Sissoko to left back. I'm not saying they have all been shit and I haven't agreed with them all. I was merely commenting on, some head scratching decisions. Which is what my Liverpool supporting mates, told me to expect.

I can't see him and Mitro both starting. Isn't Rafa a defensive minded manager, who favours the 4-2-3-1? I don't think he's going to throw caution to the wind, away at Southampton. I wish he would, mind. As we've got fuck all to lose now and whatever we have been doing all season, certainly isn't working.

Only seen the goals from Saturday. Can't bring myself to watch extended highlights. From what I have read and heard, plus what I have seen from his first two games. I think we're far too cautious and slow to start. It's as if we're just trying to keep it tight and nick a goal, without really bothering with attacking. Yet we always concede first and then have to change our game plan and start making subs, quite early on. He's tinkered with the team a fair bit, already. Which is understandable, as he's been chucked in near the end of the season and nobody really knows what our 'best' team is. But from what some of my mate's have said about him, about him infuriating some fans and making head scratching decisions, seems to be ringing true. Starting Taylor over Lascelles and Cisse over Mitrovic, seemed a bit odd, to me. In Rafa's defence, he's come in far too late and he's got fuck all to work. Even less than McClaren, when you consider injuries. I also like how his in game changes and subs, actually seem to have an impact on the game. It's just too little too late. The writing was on the wall a long time ago.

It aint over til it's over. But, yeah. It's over. DOON.

There shouldn't be many players that beat him for speed on the outside. Whether or not he is switched on enough, to show players the line and ease them off it, is another matter.

Always used to love Stoichkov :'( what a prick. I always feel a bit hypocritical about getting on my high horse, when I see stuff like this. When the conditions we keep animals in and the way they are slaughtered, is far from ideal. But I just don't get hunting for 'sport'.

Or sacked on the spot for being accused of rape, without an actual conviction. Innocent until proven guilty? Nah, you're not a valuable member of the team. Sorry Cabral, on your way marra.

I have to keep reminding myself of the date.

That's the game I'm thinking of, when Simpson played ahead of him. Went 1-0 up, looked to be cruising and then ended up getting beat 2-1 and looking like absolute shite. On Janmaat, what is it with us and moody right backs, who seem to massively overrate themselves? I know it's probably the same for a lot of our players. But Beye, Debuchy and Janmaat, all got a bit too big for their boots. Hardly worked out well for Beye or Debuchy, I wonder if it'll be the same for Janmaat? Simpson seemed happy here, yet I, along with many, didn't think he was good enough. The fucker is probably about to win the league I like Janmaat and I'd rather he stayed, TBH. But if he really wants away and his attitude is shit. Then good riddance.

Obviously it wouldn't be anywhere near over mathematically. But if we fail to win tomorrow, I think we're screwed.

Both teams will be coasting, regardless. Both going to finish safe, but outside of Europe and probably not in the top half. So I don't see that it makes any difference.

He could do a job in his teens/early 20s there, he would be destroyed there now. The last time I can remember him playing there. Was in some God awful game, where Danny Simpson, played right wing I'm sure I'm not making that up? It was during the Pardew era, I believe?

Nearly as unreal as having a glorified secretary as MD.

Ditto us with the handling of the Johnson mess. If we both go down with Villa it'll probably be the most popular relegation ever No no no. Everyone prefers Sunderland, marra. Classy club and the more successful. Because everyone hates the jawdees, Sunderland are well liked by other fans. #RTG

Anita and Sissoko as our main options at full back. Urgh. We're going to get pumped, aren't we?!

Is it all to do with the 'not liking him' shit? Not to do with the fact, that he's a bang average keeper, who is slow off his line and who's distribution seems to get worse with every game? He's alright. No more, no less. To call him player of the season, is a bit ridiculous. Nobody has played well on a regular basis, so fuck knows who would win that award. It's probably why we're utter shite and in 19th place.

Whilst I wouldn't be quite so harsh. I kind of agree with this. The last line in particular, is spot on IMO. I often hear people saying "yeah, well he's a great shot stopper." I mean FFS, you're not going to be a pro keeper, if you've got really good distribution and you command your box. But you let in shots all the while, as you can't dive

Yeah. I think that would be the most likely outcome. Who have we got for left back?! Sissoko?................

Is Janmaat a doubt for this? I wouldn't want to see Anita at right back. They would just get Mbokani or Jerome, to peel off to the back post and pump long diagonals to them. They'd win every header and completely ruin Little Vurn. No idea what to go with for this game. But it's quite worrying, that yet again, we don't seem to have any idea what our best team is?! McClaren was still tinkering after months in charge, now the fans are all in doubt, as well. In Rafa's defence, he's only been here two minutes and we've had a fair few out injured. So I'm sure he'll take a bit of time to figure it out. But it's still a concern. As it's not like we have much time to get it right.

I wholeheartedly agree assuming you mean a local park bench feeding stale bread to pigeons. HA

Just three isn't it? Excluding Janmaat now so Gini, Sissoko and Mitro? Am I right? Hope he and the players can really prepare for the final run in now. Think Rob Elliott is in our squad too, not 100% on that though You're right. Elliot is away with Ireland and Aarons is with England U21's.

It really is quite difficult, to muster any support for our club and some of the utter cunts that have been involved with it, in recent times. I wasn't particularly interested until Benitez was appointed. I'm sure it will all end in tears with him, as well.

Totally agree. The question I've got is why now and what is the actual message? Forget what he's saying and ask what he's actually meaning to convey. It's clearly an attempt to absolve himself because (and I said this yesterday after watching him on SSN) he fancies us to go down. Watch the interview on YT or wherever and you can tell he thinks it's a massive long shot that we'll survive. Does anyone remember that story from last season about him having analysts working on whether we'd survive or not? Basically predicting the likelihood of staying up/going down. You have to wonder whether they're doing the same exercise this season and they don't like what they're seeing/hearing. I don't buy that he's just shooting from the hip. I just don't think that's him. He's always been hugely wary of the media so I really don't think he gives them this, for nothing, he's certainly getting something out of it. The question is what? NUFC Fan sympathy? Not going to happen. Wider empathy? Perhaps but even he must see that that ship has sailed. Is it an indirect message to Rafa about money? Very possibly. Once thing is for sure, RB would not appreciate the owner coming out like that. Is it a message to potential buyers? Also, very possibly. There's something in the wording of 'we're stuck with each other' that almost infers, I've tried to flog'em, I can't, we're stuck together that almost invites interest/cold enquiries. The headlines this morning of 'I wish I'd never bought NUFC' (from his preferred media partner btw) are so unhelpful, so damaging that you have to wonder how he's completely missed the point with us. It was so simple. If he'd told his board ( btw) that they should appoint a manager with serious credibility from day one then we'd never be where we are, the fans would be relatively happy sitting in mid-table knowing that they'd actually started to invest properly and he'd be generating even more profit thanks to the TV deal etc. He's made a real job of this. It's actually quite hard to get it this wrong but he has. All of the absolution in the world won't get away from the fact that it's not easy to f*** it up this badly. The message, the tone, everything has changed so dramatically from the May2015 interview, especially given he's not had any stick at really since, makes me think he's got an agenda surrounding this interview and I can only conclude it's to either smoke out some interest from buyers or to manage expectations should we drop. Deserves to be on the new page. Good posts from Wallace and Minhosa

Well thank fuck you're not the manager.

Yeah. It was the Gyan goal, scored off his arse. Plus, I'm sure a few of their fans, seem to make it onto the pitch, every time they score against us.