Chicken Dancer

I still think it's a bit early to be saying it's ruined We will know more after the next 4 (all away but reasonably decent fixtures), but I still wouldn't put it past these twats going through on Thursday. They play twice in the league before City next do. That seems like it could be big, as one of City's 2 games in hand wouldn't be till they play Spurs in between the last 2 weekends of the season. They'll probably have one eye on 2 finals too. Definitely not over yet and I think Arsenal losing sort of let Liverpool off the hook. 4 points and a far worse GD would have been hard to overcome in 6 games. FWIW from the discussion on previous pages I can't stand Arsenal & especially Arteta, but I'm firmly in the anybody but Liverpool camp. Fuck them.

Whilst I agree on the sentiment of that letter and also believe our new owners do genuinely care about the club - I really doubt they give a toss about pricing when demand is so high. Fair enough if attendances were dwindling but they're not and will not at any point in the near future. Has been a mad jump in pricing this season though, but always going to happen.

Agree but even both of them are a pain in the arse for us to get to in terms of having to start your match day in the AM probably. I know you can easily get the train to Darlo but would need some form of system in place like the derby back in Jan or obviously more trains.

It is a shame there isn't a realistic option to play at for a few years if there were to completely rebuild on the current site. Pop-up stadiums etc are pipe dreams, unless they could somehow expand the International Stadium to house at least 30k as a short (ish) term measure.

Will be interesting to see if a new manager at Liverpool tries to rebuild the team with signings to his style of play or just essentially keeps the same style Klopp has instilled. From what I gather Amorim plays 3 at the back and is relatively forward-thinking in terms of methods but quite pragmatic. I see Edwards is back with a different job title - maybe it's part of the interviews with managers re: style etc. I was listening to the Neville podcast the other week and Ferdinand was on about when David Moyes said to him going in after Ferguson was like a new step-dad telling the kids what to do after their Father left. I can imagine it being the same at Liverpool too. It's going to be a ridiculously hard job for anybody. If you look at their squad, it's good - aging in parts - but it's not amazing. There's amazing players in there but Klopp undoubtably squeezes every bit of talent from the 'lesser' members of the squad. A bit like Howe last season. That being said, there is an seemingly an enormous amount of younger talent coming through, with TAA an experienced member of the squad already. I do worry that injuries might become a bit more regular for him now. He's played so much football from such a young age it sadly seems inevitable. Lots of the players are completely suited to playing Klopp's way, which is natural when a coach has been there the best part of a decade. It'll probably the next manager after the next manager that get's it right. It'll be the same when Pep eventually leaves City too.

It's not just us, though. I'm mid thirties and have been to every ground in league now, save for Luton. Plenty in Championship too. Obviously there's occasions when a ground get's rocking but it's actually quite rare. When St James' gets going it is electric. I will die on the hill that there's nowhere in England that would generate an atmosphere like the PSG game. In all of my years going, it 100% was the best atmosphere I've experienced home or away. My Dad & Granda tell me (or told, in the latter. Dead.) that the 80s & especially Keegan years were magic but I can't remember so can't comment, but certainly since I started going which is just prior and just after extending, it's been much of a muchness in my opinion. Last season was the best it's felt to me anyway, although the Robson years are very blurry now so will stand corrected. Agree about the acoustics not travelling well. For those who go/went away regularly, they'll all nearly all confirm that the 'older' grounds like Elland Road/Goodison are the best in terms of noise. Low roofs etc, even our fans sound better there I reckon. Elland Road is the loudest home fans I've heard as an away fan FWIW. We need another singing section in the Leazes (preferably L4 corner or directly above where away fans used to be ) which will help the noise bounce about a bit. The bad news is the better we get, the worse it will get. It's different now as you can see this season - people just expect to turn up and pump a team and get restless when we aren't 2-0 up early doors.

Oh Sadly due to miss one aren’t we can’t remember the last time we missed one. edit: not including Chelsea in cup shootout of course. Never been so sure of someone missing as Trippier.

Eh when the hell did we miss a pen?

What a game

Would seem a shame to shift Gordon wide right, but can't think of any other way to get him and Barnes in the team. Moving one of your best performing players to another position should be a big no.

Aye I don't think INEOS will be signing older players on ridiculous wages. Recruitment and how they've spent vast sums on shite has been the main issue, although that being said I'm pretty sure they wanted De Jong before Casimeiro. Though, it wasn't long ago everyone was talking about him being an amazing signing. They've got a decent spine in Martinez, Mainoo, Fernandes & Hojlund. Garnacho & Dalot are mint as well I think. If I was them I'd be shopping Varane/Cas to Saudi ASAP. Would probably free up £800/900k a week, though granted not much of an issue there.

I feel like every time I've watched Man United over the past 2 seasons I've actually rarely seen them be the better team - even in games they won. Obviously don't watch every game, but they seem so easy to play against. But then they finished 3rd, won a trophy (and got to another final) and are likely to finish 6th with a semi-final to come. It's mad. However, I don't think it will be long before they're actually really challenging again. It only takes a couple of windows and the right manager, although the right manager is hard to find. Doesn't seem to be any outstanding candidates that would be available, but having a structure above ETH will naturally help.

There's always going to be a direct correlation to what you get on the pitch vs what you get from the stands. If it's backs against the wall like a lot of the Rafa games it would/can be hostile, the same way if you're taking the game to a superior team it can make it one of the best atmospheres in Europe. Obviously not mentioning the big games - ala PSG, Man Utd etc. Like most teams, we've often fell into the trap of the games we're 'expected to win' making atmosphere flat. Pointless trying to say it's only us as that just isn't the case. Also not a recent thing, it's been a thing since I started going late 90s/early 00s. Night games/late kick-offs help too (booze). Now there is no denying the atmosphere is worse this season, home and away. On the pitch is a factor, but as many have touched on not having like-minded people in the same areas is really where the problem lies if you ask me. The ballot system (which doesn't impact me I will add) has meant groups of lads and lasses more likely to get behind the team can be stuck in Leazes L4/7. How the club combat this I don't know. I'm potentially wrong here, but for what it's worth I think we lost a lot of the 'hardcore' when Benitez left. I'm not trying to glorify the atmosphere in them days either. But we all know people who are either shut out or stuck somewhere random in the ground. No answers as to how to fix it really. But as I've said before, if we do decide to extend rather than move, it's important we don't fall into the trap Liverpool have done and offer 10% of additional seats to season tickets. An extension should be done with the majority of tickets going towards new season ticket holders. Obviously the club won't do this as less ££, but doing that alongside making a singing section next to the away fans would have a hugely positive impact on the atmosphere imo. It was definitely decent on Tuesday though. It's never going to be like PSG every game, and I do agree a lot of the revered Europe atmospheres are manufactured noise. From what I gather, Arsenal are having similar issues this season. Their atmosphere was decent last year but many seem to have the same gripes as us this season regarding ballot system etc. I don't really think any owners give too much of a shit how loud the ground is, as long as the team is winning and seats are filled. The sad reality of modern football.

Felt like a lot of games during winter - played well, should have been 2 or 3 up but then got gassed, unable to bring on anyone to impact the game whereas the opposition are able to freshen it up and bring themselves back into the game. Everton are crap and very lucky that there's dross at the bottom end of the table. Would love nowt more than to see them drop, but sadly they'll have enough. Got some good fixtures too, praying they need to go to Emirates last game and need something to stay up. Also their fans at the end ' you've never won fuck all'. Most of the fuckers singing it were still in their dad's sack the last time they done anything meaningful in 95 ffs Just as relevant as me singing about us winning the FA Cup in the 50s.

Aye, he definitely had my backing. He bought himself a ‘poor’ season after last year, and it’s been very hard to get anything going due to the amount of injuries we’ve had. I’m sure I read Isak and Wilson have only been in the same squad (in the league) 4 times or something. However, he’s definitely reactive. I actually think his in game management is his weakest point. I think his subs often leave a lot to be desired and does seem to be unable to diverge from one way of playing. That being said I still absolutely love the bloke. He made me fall back in love with Newcastle United again. If anyone’s going to deliver us success, I’d want it to be him. Sadly, I don’t think he will be.

Absolutely this. I actually think it’s since they won the league. He doesn’t do it (as much), but there was a period in time when he would just be the most condescending, smug wanker in post-match interviews when the reporter would ask him a simple question. Cant wait to see the back of him and hoping they have a bit of a dip for a few years. Horrible bunch of bastards. Constantly trying to get people sacked on Twitter and that. The irony of them whinging about being robbed after what happened last week at Forest too. Fuck them.

Any manager with a bit about them wouldn’t touch that job with a shitty stick. As much as lots of us will deny it, but they’re a big enough club to attract a decent name. They’re a decent draw, no doubt about that. However, I think (could be wrong but won’t be by much) this is their 21st manager in 19 years. Why would another manager look and think ‘I’ll be the one to sort this shit’. Only Allardyce left willingly, didn’t he? Been a few different owners in that time too. Would suggest that the problem lies at the club rather than anything else. People are quick to rightfully hammer Watford for their turnover of managers but these fuckers won’t be too far behind. It’s absurd how many they get through.

We should give that Edwards whatever package he wants if Ashworth leaves. Though, given he turned down a return to Liverpool and probably Man Utd, I'd be shocked.

Glad to see the back of him. Like others have said, top manager and a decent bloke off the pitch (at times). His touchline antics, his elitist mentality, the way he condescends and is just outright rude to reporters when things aren't going his way has shown what he is like when the mask slips. The next 4 months will be sickening mind - the scousers will go on like he's died or something.

I might be well off here, but I'm pretty sure there's generally an obligation to the manufacturer to wear the change kits a certain number of times in a season. Also love us in the black and white with the white shorts. Memories of the 1-4 and Champions League nights this season. Class.

I've seen him once and that was in the flesh on Saturday. Hard judge, given their team wasn't up to much on the day. Our right side of Trippier, Longstaff & Almiron has nullified much better players than Clarke so hard to be too harsh on him based on that game. Clearly a talented boy, but for every Bowen there's a Lewis-Potter. It would be ludicrous for somebody to spend anything north of probably £15m on him, with the potential of a few performance clauses or something. That's not to say he won't go on to have a good career at a higher level than he's playing at now, just talk of £30m seems madness.

Aye I was in the top and it was sound. Though I do admit I’ve been part of much better atmospheres over there, by some distance.

Naturally was a lot more confident when the draw was made. We definitely should have enough for them, but given they'll be frothing at the mouths, barking at our players from minute one, we need to be very careful. I'll go with (and would take) a score draw, then do the fuckers at home.

He's been great. Like really good. He doesn't give it away, but he doesn't try to make killer passes - yet. That will come in time, I'm pretty sure he's just trying to keep it as neat and tidy as possible now. There's absolutely nowt better than seeing a local lad doing well either. Having Longstaff, Burn, Anderson & Miley in the squad can only be good for the club long term (especially on the first weekend in January too...).

Nah. It'll be more or less the strongest team, pending injuries. I think Howe will want this one. He will know he can't be having a loss to this lot, especially given the relative gap between the two sides. Full strength and hopefully put it to bed early in the game. Then we can rotate. Still wish it wasn't happening mind