Varadi

Was actually quite encouraged by our performance overall, caused them a few problems and Gayle looks like he's getting back into it. Good to see Murphy looking like a footballer and thought Yedlin was excellent. 4-1 definitely flattered them - Pogba was by far the standout player like, without him could've been a very different game.

At least they've finally dropped that shit keeper - he's been costing them goals every game

He works hard and has a good touch, plus gives the option for knock-ons from long balls for Gayle's pace - reckon we'll be sitting pretty deep today, let Bournemouth have the possession.

Joselu will play 10 I reckon

Aye, if this is how they play when they actually liked the manager can't even imagine what it will be like if the next one is unpopular

Looks like we're the main match being covered from the 3pm kick-offs, so should be one pretty much everywhere.

From Physioroom: B Afobe Knock no date J Stanislas Groin Strain no date R Fraser Knock 2 days J King Back Injury 2 days B Smith Hip Injury no date T Mings Back Injury 2 weeks A Federici Knee Injury

I'm sure the mods can help trace him from his IP....

The Delta flight I was on yesterday had all the sports channels but, none of them were working... I hope yours does! The wifi was weak, it barely sent a whatssapp message... I didn't pay for it though, just took the free service, maybe if you pay it works better? I have a work meeting that should be finished by 4pm Eastern time and so I should be able to catch most of the match over here in the good ol' US of A.... good shout, will be nervously sitting on my plane hoping it works the minute i sit down ffs It only starts to work when they switch the entertainment system on, the little WiFi indicator above your head will light up blue once it is all on. You can charge your device through the USB as well - which is useful! At worst you can follow the match on the FTB (90 mins) app or even maybe here.... Aye, especially if you want a positive, upbeat analysis of how things are going

Joselu is a better football than Mitrovic imo. Our style of play doesn’t suit either of them mind. Too bad Gayle still hasn’t recovered mentally from his injury last season. He's technically better I agree, but he's a training ground champion IMO. He's got worse every game he's played, and his finishing goes to shit under pressure. Mitro's got more self belief, and I think that counts for a lot playing for a club like Newcastle. On the game itself, I think we might lose this 1-0. Two well drilled sides, but I think our back four has more potential for errors. He's in the team for the same reason as Ayoze. Other options aren't as intelligent and hard working as they are. You say "training ground champion", Rafa says team player. Missing a chance here or there is not that important in the big picture. https://www.unibet.co.uk/blog/football/premier-league/why-joselu%E2%80%99s-poor-goal-return-won%E2%80%99t-concern-rafa-benitez-just-yet-1.955264 http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/i-can-read-comments-rafa-13827888 That Unibet link is the most nothing article I've read in a while like. Joselu might somehow get better but there's been no signs of it happening the past few games. Rafa would obviously prefer to have a striker who can score goals on the books. The difference Tammy Abraham would have made to our attacking play is huge I reckon - he does everything Rafa wants from a lone striker.

Even the New Statesman having a say on this - not a bad read: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/sport/2017/10/mike-ashley-why-newcastle-fans-will-be-better-without-devil-they-know

I think the squads are pretty evenly matched tbh, although on paper they probably have the edge. Swap the managers though and the result would've been very different - that was a Rafa masterclass in shutting down an away team with pacy players trying to break on you.

Going to have to stop reading this thread - the hope is genuinely going to kill me

He was clearly cattled not long after coming on like - calf problem apparently: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dwight-gayle-suffers-yet-more-13766991

Watched their game against Chelsea - they played really well with Townsend and Zaha up front and deserved the win but Chelsea were shite and played into their hands by leaving way too much space for their counter-attacks - no way we'll be doing that so I fancy us to get a result.

Aye, there was a noticeable difference in the high pressing when he went off, allowed them to pin us deeper back.

Daft mistake but solid game overall, tough call between him and Clark for Palace.

They had 2 shots on target and scored 2 goals, he saved literally nothing. He's just not good enough at this level. New keeper absolutely has to be a January priority.

Aye, called it a couple of pages back - always a very good chance Merino wouldn't start today.

Rafa tends to pick mainly players who haven't been away on international duty after the breaks, so could maybe see something like: Manquillo - Lascelles - Lejeune - Gamez Ritchie - Shelvey - Hayden - Atsu Perez - Joselu

Whoever runs their Twitter is definitely a mag

Excellent news, really looking forward to watching this lad develop, he has so much potential

Just says he doesn't understand Newcastle (the club or the people) and if he doesn't want to run it properly he should sell to someone who does. Also the story about how they shook hands on a deal for Shearer to stay on as manager after relegation and he hasn't spoken to him since

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rafa-benitez-responds-amanda-staveley-13724985 Bit of a nothing story but at least he doesn't deny there's something going on