duo

In today's market £40m for Matic is a bit of a bargain.  Huge error by Chelsea selling to a rival for that price.

It's a brilliant bit of business by Man U.

The end of his interview is very concerning.

Looked fed up.

Am sick of this lad - doesn't produce the goods often enough and keeps doing stupid things.

Doesn't sound good - looked in pain.

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10987181/newcastle-0-2-tottenham-benitez

Hmmm.

Despite the injuries we were reasonably comfortable until half time and could have grown into the game in an attacking sense. Restricting such a good side must have given us confidence and I would imagine Benitez was quite happy at the break. Later on we could have changed it with Murphy or Mitrovic being put on but unfortunately thanks to Shelvey we'll never know. I'm not saying we were brilliant or anything but it feels very churlish IMO to make out we were s**** all game and that it's an indication of how we're going to struggle this season.

We were far from shit - at the break neither side really tested the keeper.  2nd half we looked pretty comfortable until Shelley got send off.  If I had one complaint I thought Rafa needed to bring on Merino earlier but other than that we did ok against a good side. 

1st half thought we did ok.

2nd half - post Shelvey sent off - we were lacking in midfield until Merino came on and he changed the game - lad looks class.  Looked like we went 3 at the back and we looked liked a different team.

Does anyone know if Ashley pays now for s*** direct being plastered all over the ground?

We need to show Rafa some love today regardless of the result.

Sunday Supplement just been talking about Rafa/Ashley.

 

Andy Dunn from Mirror seemed more on side of Ashley but Paul Hayward and Oliver Holt (in particular) are totally on Rafa's side and weren't having any of Ashley's s*** that he cannot compete. 

 

Arent the mirror ashleys media partner?

Yep

Sunday Supplement just been talking about Rafa/Ashley.

Andy Dunn from Mirror seemed more on side of Ashley but Paul Hayward and Oliver Holt (in particular) are totally on Rafa's side and weren't having any of Ashley's shit that he cannot compete. 

Perfect weather for a match 

Love the first home game of the season 

Exactly, it's as obvious an exaggerated strawman argument as it gets. It's only intention is to make reasonable expectations seem deluded and unreasonable. How there are people who can't see that within our own fanbase is pathetic.

Personally I think due to the timing off it I think it's more directed to Rafa.  Obviously we've yet to see it's full content but what I have seen is with regards Transfers and Rafa.  It's a really odd situation as you have Rafa now having to defend himself via the press:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4785254/Rafa-Benitez-not-happy-Newcastle-board-transfers.html

These two have clashed, and after the raft of interviews Rafa did this week where he talked about the lack of transfers, Ashley feels the need to do one himself.  It's just bizarre - only at NUFC.

Nice one Burnley.

Not good for us though....

Football Focus just showed this on screen as a confirmed signing (on loan).

I noticed that.

Nee idea why he's wasting away his career here. At some point romance has to make way. There are plenty of other legitimate clubs that would take him and treat him like the delightful man he is.

V.true.

Arsenal have scored so lovely goals tonight - but really let in soft ones.

https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/896014898987233280

toilet paper then?!?

There could be an obligation to buy, plus it's Chelsea so it's not like he actually plays for them. Not arsed about the loan politics on this one tbh.

Could be a 'try' before you buy like Atsu.

I did the obligatory check on youtube and from the 4mins I saw he seemed to play at LB for Chelsea - the clips didn't show much defending but he looked an upgrade to Dummett going forward.

They just need to be straight with him. If the budget is tight, just tell him. Don't promise every penny if that's not the intention.

 

It's the messing around, the lies, the deceit that stinks. Exactly the same as we've seen time and time again.

 

Honestly boils my p*ss that they STILL haven't f***ing learnt.

Ashleys a gambler always has been, always will be.  This is just one more play at the roulette table for Ashley.  So long as we're in the Premier League he's happy.  I was naive enough to think he'd actually give Rafa some cash to spend

It's not quite Keegan they've not got some one buying players behind his back.  I think Rafa has control of purchases the issue sounds like Charnley and Co aren't getting the job done. Penny pinching which is costing us to miss out on players

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4772610/Rafa-Benitez-admits-s-preparing-relegation-battle.html

Title says it all.

Cracking up the pressure on Ashley maybe - all out media.

He's clearly had offers from overseas clubs but he wants to stay in England which is lucky for us as it reduces the number of teams that could offer him an escape out.