Lush Vlad

They like to call the team 'lads' and any negative poster 'bedwetters' don't they? Moyes has lost the plot. He keeps blaming the players all the while. Even noticed on MOTD he was saying they and not we! That's pretty shit coming from a manager.

It would be a lazy comparison to compare him to Sissoko. But that description reminds me of Moussa so much Really not sold on Gayle up front with Diame behind him. Gayle can't play up on his own and Diame doesn't do much to help him.

Fucking hell. Reading through that thread has the opposite effect. It made me feel depressed seeing all those names of shit and average players Imagine having some of those players in a recent memory best XI

That is kind of my view. But at the same time, we have had so many false dawns, I'm a bit cautious in thinking too much will change if/when we get back up. I am still paranoid Ashley will piss Rafa off, or he'll get a better offer from elsewhere. It's a completely hypothetical situation. But if it was a straight up choice. I think I'd still go for a cup. A day out at Wembley, breaking the hoodoo of all them years and actually seeing the team win something meaningful, would just be too much to turn down. Different ends of the scale. But this kind of reminds me of the Arsenal top 4 or a trophy argument. I'd go for the trophy in that scenario, too.

I wondered if that was something to do with Rafa. More time to prepare for the Saturday game perhaps? Surely you can't choose when a game is scheduled?

I've interviewed him. On a one-to-one basis, when he doesn't have time to think of something pretentious to post on twitter, he doesn't come across as particularly intelligent, and there's certainly no intellect there. I've met him a couple of times in Newmarket. Actually seems like a decent bloke and spoke highly of Newcastle the place and the fans. It's just some of the stuff he comes out with and how hard he tries, that totally puts you off him.

With the amount of decent prem teams that will be going out. Then if we get through, we have a chance of getting a slightly more favourable matchup in the quarters. If not another Championship team, then a lower prem team at home would be alright. Be a good yardstick to see where we are. Not to look too far ahead, as I'm sure we'll cock it up. But if we got through and we end up getting a bad draw. Then Chelsea, West Ham or Arsenal away would be alright. As at least I'd be able to go to the game.

Wasn't that a mackem pretending to be a QPR fan? So it's even worse EDIT: See above.

That's what us Geordies want. A good hard morning down the pit, quick stop off at the shipyard in the afternoon before going home to beat the wife and stare at a Jimmy Nail poster. Barton's comments Your reply You know what. I have to be honest. I am quite interested in reading his book. Even though Barton is a complete and utter tit, I'd like to read about his time here and his stint at Marseille. I don't think I'd pay £2 for it, though. Never mind £20!

I get that the fans now have a lot more optimism and hope long term. But I do wonder how this poll would have looked under Pardew/Carver/McClaren. If the options were staying up or winning a trophy.

Mitro has to start. He is a big part of us keeping hold of the ball further up the pitch. Not sure Rafa will play both Mitro and Gayle. So if it is one or the other. I'd go with the mad Serb.

What did he do? I thought they were going through a bit of a shit run and they just got rid of him a bit prematurely?

Tough one. But I think I'd go for the cup. Haven't won fuck all of note during my years supporting the club. So to get a day out at Wembley, see them lift a trophy and finally get the first major cup since 1969, would be incredible. But I think not getting promoted would mean Rafa would leave and so would a lot of the players. I also think Ashley would go back into panic mode and just tighten the purse strings further. There would be a real possibility of us staying down for a while, if we don't bounce back this season.

Not see the game from Saturday, other than the 3 minute lowlights. I didn't think the miss was that bad. Should have tried to get some height on it or went for the lob. But I thought it was going to be a complete sitter from 8 yards, or something. I thought Mitro was a big reason as to why we played so well against QPR. His hold up play allowed others to join in the attack, he defended from the front, which kept the pressure on and he was a nuisance in the air. From what I have seen of Gayle. He looks fast and a good finisher. But in the games I have seen, we have had no control whatsoever, when he has been up front on his own. It's not his game and I don't think he is suited to that system, at all.

I don't think they are to be honest. There'll be a reaction from them to Tuesday night and we'll still be a bit cagey. Be a lot closer than the 2 games on Tuesday were I'm sure. Agree with this. I think we'll win, but it will be a close game.

Not so sure. Hasn't he been utter shite for them so far? Caught the first half of the Old Firm game and he went AWOL. Got dominated by Scott Brown FFS

When Rafa was having a go at Shelvey to take the short corner from Ritchie. Shelvey just points at the box and gestures something. Ritchie whips it in, Clark scores As mentioned in the Rafa thread. They were going mental for goals right until the end. Sending everyone bar Anita and Sels up for a corner, in the 88th minute, when 6 nil up

He's not a patch on Gary Birtles when it comes to hating everything. Love to hate Teenage Mutant Gary Birtles. GET THE BALL IN THE BOX!

* Derby, not Brighton. ** Atleti Spot on, though. We always hear about how Rafa's team meticulously plan for different outcomes, who should be running where, or doing what, when the ball is in a certain area etc. So I'm not that surprised that our set pieces have improved. With his own players, we are starting to resemble an organised, well drilled team.

What the actual fuck is he going on about? That is pure Brent definitely sounds like something Pardew would say, and all.

I am. Not being able to properly catch up with the game after a win is doing my head in. MOTD was about 5 minutes of highlights, but you got a tiny bit of insight at least. Would quite often watch the hour long highlights on Sky, too. Tuesday night made me consider packing in playing on Saturdays and start going more regularly again. Just can't be arsed with the travelling.

I may be wrong. But it looks like it does go in? Watched the highlights back and it looks over the line. Never going to get given, though and it was impossible to call.

Because from watching him. He looks awkward with the ball at his feet, he's slow, misses a lot of chances and he doesn't look natural striking a ball in front of goal. I'm not saying I am going to hold him to a ratio similar to Shearer or Aguero , as a yardstick I just don't think he'll ever be someone who we rely on for regular goals. This sounds like I am slating him. I'm not. I really rate him and he is probably my favourite player. I just don't think he'll be consistently scoring for us a lot of goals per season for us.