Smal

improvement in intensity since HT is off the scale

First assist for Isak?

Callum!

Wilson coming on for AG

Maybe he will come good in time, but I don't think now is the time to be playing him. We have a big run in and we need players who've proven they can score and assist in the PL. The best 3 opportunities have all fallen to him (decent movement) and he's fluffed all of them.

He’s not technical and he’s not quick enough to make up for it either I’m afraid

Shite like. Paying the price for no quality in the final third.

I do think of Isak was playing left side we could be 2 or 3 up here, like.

Gordon is poor, like. Needs a lot of work.

Missing our combinations down the right a bit.

Absolutely loads of space in behind for both wingers here.

Ahh ffs, sitter

Need a bit more from the crowd. Not much intensity so far.

ah, Bruno’s left foot

Needs to put that across goal

fuck, Willock was away there

Same lineup as the Villa game actually isn't it? Please do better this time lads

Gordon starting. If he has anything at all he should be showing it today.

If Longstaff is out I think we need to be playing a double pivot really. We need two CMs covering in defensive transitions. Longstaff does this as an 8 but it was massively missing vs Villa. Gaps everywhere and exposed defence. Would probably go: Bruno - Joelinton Murph - Isak - Willock Wilson

I'd love Rice. The only drawback is wages. If we give him what he wants - which I'm assuming will be at least £200k p/w - we're going to have to give out some big new contracts to keep current players happy.

Do we know if Longstaff's ok after going off the other night? If he's out I'd be tempted to start Wilson and Isak. Really get at them from the off.

It's only my opinion, but Trippier has controlled far more of our games than Bruno has (and I love Bruno before anyone starts!). He is our main creative outlet and the player we look to to get us out of trouble. He does all this from right back, and is also part of the best defence in the league. I think Bruno has to start dominating more games more often (like he did against Spurs) to be considered on the same world class level. Based on what we've seen from Isak so far in a Newcastle shirt he's probably a top 5 striker in the world, mind . If he keeps this level up then it's not going to be a discussion soon.

Watching match cam and Schar was so annoyed about his goal not standing

My favourite stat this season is that outside of KdB - who is an absolute freak - Trippier has the highest expected threat in the league. It's a shit name, but basically put it is a cumulative score assigned for when a player moves the ball from an area you are unlikely to score from to an area you are likely to score from. It doesn't include set-pieces either so it's all open play - https://markstats.club/epl-players-22-23/ We can basically say he is the best build-up player in the league behind KdB, who is a top 5 player itw.

I'd love to know why they get them to go on the bikes so much. Being a cyclist and a qualified coach myself, if I'm training a lot I have to do a shit-tonne of stretching and strength work on glutes/hamstrings. Cycling effectively shortens your hamstrings because you don't fully extend them on a pedal stroke - I'd imagine you really don't want this if you're running/sprinting a lot.