Paullow

That's a completely different situation to the one you've quoted. Throwing the game would be playing a bunch of kids, be happy if we lost, get out of Europe completely to concentrate elsewhere. Whereas those saying they'd take a draw realise it's not the best situation, but it's not the worst either, a bit like saying they'd take a point at a fairly tough away game - could be a lot worse, so they'd settle to at least get something from the match and avoid the worst possible scenario (a loss). Even Eddie was alluding to the prospect of Europa League in his press conference., and that we've got something in our hands. "Being under the lights here, in the UEFA Champions League, is always very special. We have something to play for, something to gain. To be here with some kind of destiny in our hands, European football still in our hands, I think we would have taken that at the start of the group. We can control our performance tomorrow and we will make sure we give everything we can to try and win." Finishing 3rd in this group is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. I'd be gutted if we lost tomorrow, whereas at least we would have some sort of reward if we were to draw. even if not the ultimate prize.

Not a massive amount on the line from a neutral perspective in the 5.45pm games - PSV vs Arsenal is a complete dead rubber, with nothing at all on the line. Lens vs Sevilla is a shootout for the Europa, so decent enough from their perspective, and a chance for Sevilla to defend their title and they must win, but it's effectively a UEFA Cup last 64 match in old money. I might actually watch Sunderland vs Leeds tonight instead of the Champions League, although will be keeping an eye on how Man Utd's group unfolds. Probably the best scenario would be for Man Utd to win, but there also be a winner in the other match meaning 3rd for MU, helping the PL co-efficient and extra matches for MU (a bit like us potentially, but the Europa League would clearly mean more to us as a club and fanbase as we've barely been in Europe these past 10 years). It would be really annoying if Man Utd limped through a weak group in 2nd with only 7 points, and we ended up 3rd with 8 points in the 'Group of Death', but I could actually see that happening.

Great draw, arguably the tie of the round, likely to be on TV, but it would have been far better if it was at home, and potentially at SJP'. It's not like a 3rd tier side going to Man Utd in the 3rd round of the men's event and a trip to Old Trafford and a money spinning tie for the club because it will likely be at Leigh and the ground isn't really any bigger / prestigious than Kingston Park, and it's not like the club will really need the money either that say a fellow third tier side like Halifax, Stourbridge, or Liverpool Feds would, but hopefully there's a good crowd there generally, and plenty in the away end. That all said, it's still a very high profile match for the lasses, one they will very likely lose, but a chance to give a good account of themselves, test themselves against better players, and hopefully be a rehearsal for things to come more regularly for club in the next 3 or 4 years, and should they go out, then they can obviously concentrate elsewhere, on the League Cup, but more importantly, another potential promotion. I assume it will be decided on the day, and no chance of bringing them back to Newcastle if they did manage to hold them to a draw?

Good news if he is back, but it does seem very early - just over 5 weeks. Obviously injuries can vary in severity, plus the sport could be taken into account, but my favourite tennis player suffered a 'lower back stress fracture' in mid May, missed the French Open, came back at Wimbledon in early July, so like 7 weeks, retired during a match and hasn't played since, so just hope he isn't coming back too soon, but you'd hope the medical staff would know what they are doing.

It hasn't half put a downer on the season in what should have been the club's best and most exciting for years heading into it. We are still reasonably placed in the league, still in Europe with a more than 50% chance of still being involved in some capacity in February, and still in the League Cup, and a million miles away from where we were just 2 years ago, but at the same time, the season does kind of feel a bit of a write off, and it's very easy to feel sorry for yourself, which I'm sure, at least behind the scenes, the club will be. Never seen anything like this before. To have 12/13 out for at least a month, some longer and missing 5/6/7+ matches all at the same time is unheard of. I'm sure we will continue to get injuries in early 2024, and going forward, due to our style, but hopefully not missing this many at the same time. Plus, going forward, the likes of Ritchie and Dummett, mainly there for their character, won't be around and there will be better options among the 25 in case of crisis, plus there will likely be a lot of good young'uns around who don't need be registered, like 20m Brazil or Argentina 19 year olds, and not local lads on the bench who will more than likely end up at the likes of Hartlepool, if they're lucky. It really is easy to sometimes forget that this time 26 months ago, just over two years, we still had Ashley and Bruce.

If there's nobody due back for Milan then, while it's a shame it's against a Euro rival, I'd consider starting the likes of Hall, Ritchie, Dummett, Krafth, maybe one or two young'uns like Murphy, and save some of the better ones for Milan. We'd probably lose to Spurs regardless given the situation, so may as well give ourselves the best chance possible of getting something vs Milan.

Poor defending for Spurs, and it is 1-2 West Ham.

Many will be turning on the Spurs match hoping West Ham can nick a winner, but with the injuries, away form, fixture congestion etc. we could well be battling more with West Ham for league position than Spurs.

Yep, I know he wasn't great vs Dortmund away and Bournemouth, but it doesn't say much for him if he can't get any minutes in a congested fixture list and knackered players.

Obviously a few poor draws last season, but assuming we don't score in the final 10 or so mins, we'll have lost as many league games after 15 games this season as we did in the whole of last season.

Lucy Ward. Usually does the BT/ TNT Saturday 12.30pm matches.

Those overseas will be about 20/30 seconds ahead of the UK Amazon viewer, so that could be quite interesting regarding this thread. Nothing unusual for those who usually watch via dodgy streams though.

Deserved to be fair.

It's still bizarre and unfortunate though. Up until a few years ago and the recent push and promotion, the Olympics would have been seen as one the biggest events on the women's side and where the players would probably get most attention. Full strength squads, not the U23 rule like in the men, and a medal on the line, and a sense of national pride to gather casual interest. That was definitely when I paid most interest to the women's side, especially 2012 and just before the home Olympics kicked off. Granted it might have changed with more widespread interest in the Euros and World Cup these days, but most would still want to play if given the option. I see neither are playing, but it would have been weird for the likes of Kim Little and Caroline Weur in recent years ago could be expected to start for GB (not sure if the former us still involved with the national team).

Scotland vs England in the women's Nations League tonight. Olympic place on the line for the group winner - England were nominated for Team GB and would have to win and have a better goal difference than Netherlands, if they were to beat Belgium as well. About 90% of the potential GB Olympic squad would be English, but if there are 2 or 3 talented Scots then they can effectively cost themselves a chance of going to the Olympics by picking up a result, so it's a bizarre huge conflict of interest.

I was having a quick browse on a few 'Champo' forums to see what the general view was was from rival fans, and this made me laugh on the Stoke board. I bet his mrs is well happy. Imagine having an unemployed Tony Mowbray sat across from you for Christmas dinner He always comes across a canny bloke, a bit like Peter Reid. They've had some awful ones, like the obvious, but they've also had some that you can't help but like, despite who they manage.

Aye, there was definitely some talk of bringing a new manager in out of nowhere, but quickly went away.

I'd honestly be more annoyed if the club badge changed than the stadium. If they can stay reasonably central, increase to 70/75,000, and no need to reduce capacity during construction then I'd be in favour of moving. Maybe billy big bollocks stuff, but it was always great having the clear second biggest attendances in the country in the early 2000's and, especially as we can definitely justify it, it would be great to have similar again.

Barcelona vs Atleti, or Napoli vs Inter?

Not a bad weekend overall. If we're in a mini league with Villa, Spurs, Brighton, Man U and Chelsea for 4th or 5th then 4 of those dropped points (although one obviously got an excellent / unexpected point).

The only bookies, as most have us 5/4 or 6/5, but PPs have us odds on to finish top four at 10/11. Close between a few others, and you have to factor in margins, but looks far too small to me. https://www.paddypower.com/english-premier-league?tab=outrights

That might wake Man City up.

Didn't realise that. The table I always look at never has F or A just GD: https://fulltime.thefa.com/index.html?league=872938 But aye, 8 clean sheets in 9, and the only goal conceded was against Stoke in a 3-1 win (was 2-0 at the time of conceding). Good going.