Mole_Toonfan

I'm more concerned about whether he lost his mobility and pace than anything else tbh, he looked lethargic at best when i saw him for Chelsea.

Considering Rafa wanted him i see no reason why he won't reach that number, whatever it is.

Yeah we needed like 9 new players and we have 5 of them, it's still nowhere near enough and i doubt many other clubs needed anywhere near that much.

Ok i'm hyped now.

Has it always been this way? i honestly don't remember much moaning when i was younger ( at least in comparison to cheers) but maybe i'm romanticizing the good times.

Samaris, Shelvey, Hayden and Merino is hardly overkill for two positions. If anything I'd argue we are currently short considering Colback is trash.

Nice insight to how he's thinking, I genuinely feel like he was frustrated and maybe still is but I don't get the feeling that comes close to equating to he's leaving at any stage this summer. Hopefully we can finish the summer off strong and look forward to the season.

He was our most attack minded driving midfielder in a bunch of games last year (those that he had license to get forward in). I dunno... I think he offered a lot in that respect. As pointed out though, he's not creative enough really. Exactly driving midfielder, from the number 10 role you don't get driving space which is why Ben Arfa was always marked out of the game from there but found loads of space on the right. Hayden makes those runs from a deep position, they would be non existent if he played further forward. In general a no 10 should be always available available linking play between the midfield and the attack. We have nobody who can fulfill that role to the required standard at the football club, I usually wouldn't care so much but with the system Rafa plays it's as vital as anything.

It would be a 433 then, honestly I don't expect Shelvey's role to change at all and neither should it. We just need a reliable link between him and Gayle, I'll be disappointed if we don't get someone to fulfill that role.

Even if that's the case Gerrard was much more well rounded than Shelvey ever will be. He had aspects to his game which allowed him to be successful, I really fail to see how Shelvey does.

I wouldn't, he needs space to operate in to spray passes about and has pretty much nothing required to be a very good number 10. We absolutely need a no 10 more than anything else IMO considering what system Rafa will use, none of what we currently are anywhere near good enough and a quality one will change things more than any other signing could. a 4231 falls flat on it's face without one, it's absolutely vital that is sorted before the end of August.

His bio says: Football Insider for Bleacher Report. Talking transfers & tactics. What a waste of existence.

Aye it would be one or the other i imagine.

If we are to believe Ryder (runs for cover) he said we are talking to them about him. Whether it happens or not is another matter entirely.

A few have, very small minority mind. Most seem quite excited.

and then one of the thick c*** presenters chirped in with 'but i still think Newcastle will go down' followed by 'why aren't English managers given a chance in the Premier League'? Hope he responded " because they are shit mate ".

I do, still feel like we need another CM personally. Despite knowing fuck all I imagine Samaris, Hayden, Shelvey and Merino would be the strongest set of CMs we have had in a long time.

I'm pretty sure even Charnley can't fuck up at a Medical

It's been reported he's coming because of Rafa, he's having a medical. It's done man, no reason to be apprehensive at all.

So the club are buying their targets regardless of Rafa's input? We've been here before :lol: What? Is Ryder really Rafa?

I honestly doubt they'll play together tbh, even if we can't get rid of the ginger scrote.

People being critical of a player they have never seen play is crazy to me.

Are there any highlights up?