Varadi

Must be the most predictable lineup in the league - these fuckers have been crazy lucky with injuries!

The mackems and Norwich are both averaging less than a point per game over the season so far, so maintain that and they'll be finishing on no more than 33/34. Means we would need 3 wins and a draw to stay up, seems a lot more achievable than 5 wins from 10.

Going to be such an interesting tactical battle - Leicester struggle to break teams down who sit back and defend deep, which is almost certainly what we're going to do, just remains to be seen if we can offer any real threat going forward. Really think we could use some pace up front, wouldn't be totally surprised to see Doumbia get a game.

Aye, that's where I'm at. Looking forward to a game is such a novelty!

What a fucking hit that was! Wow

I'm just looking forward to seeing us as team with a game plan again. Don't expect everything to work straight away but I do at least think we'll be able to see what he's trying to do, which doesn't seem a lot to ask but which will be a huge novelty for us. I think workrate on it's own is overrated, it's when it's allied with a proper strategy that it can be most effective, players are much more likely to run that extra yard if they know there's a clear and defined reason for it and hopefully our players will buy into Rafa's methods right from the start.

Really good read. Especially encouraging was this bit:

Townsend?

Physioroom has him due back for the derby

No shots on target by either team second half, none by Norwich in the whole game

Nibbles. Daft little things that can make a difference though, help get the press on side

2pm

That interview is fantastic, such calm authority, can already see how much difference there will be between him and McClaren.

They'll be worried about this derby a lot more now we have a proper manager. Think we'll actually be favourites to win it now...

Obvious call is a defeat but it's not certain anymore, they've drawn with Villa and West Brom and struggled to beat Norwich (could easily have lost before their late winner) there could be something here for us if we keep it tight and get the crowd nervous.

What, you can't be convinced McClaren was taking us down but that a new, vastly superior, manager might not? I was a 10, we were absolutely dead and buried, but reckon Rafa could give us as good as 50/50 chance of staying up.

I have a feeling that everything will be sorted today. I can't cope with optimistic Mick, just doesn't seem right.

We've clearly kept bringing him back before he's fully fit, no surprise this is what keeps happening.

Such conflicting emotions right now, I had alrerady accepted relegation so in some ways I'm pissed off that they may be trying to give me hope again with this appointment. Then I'm thinking how it will feel if we do get Benitez and then still lose the derby and get relegated...

The Man City game is at home, no reason we can't get something if we have an actual manager, they've only won 5 away games all season. If McClaren is still here its obviously a 4-0 home defeat mind.

That doesn't even make any fucking sense ffs

It's Man City, write it off. That's the thing, with a decent manager we wouldn't necessarily have to be writing games off any more, plus Man City haven't been that great since they announced Pellegrini was leaving.

Back in for training again this morning: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/newcastle-united/latest-nufc-news/photo-steve-mcclaren-on-the-brink-as-rafa-benitez-deal-edges-closer-1-7787114?

Express claiming it as a done deal, although their source apears to be a Spanish radio station: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/651384/Rafael-Benitez-Newcastle-Steve-McClaren

It does seem to speak to the root of McClaren's main problem that seemingly no-one has any respect for him. If a gutless wonder like Penfold is mugging you off it might be time to give it up.