TK-421

Ando suggesting mbembas poor half is the result of the rotation policy... said something about him forgetting how to play after sitting out the last match. ? Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Hmm, not sure. Whilst Rafa said he was targetting players that could play in this league then make the step up (if we go up), its clear that some of the players we've signed are just for this season/division. If we are top, and flying, then maybe Rafa will try and go back for some of the targets he didn't get in the summer (for whatever reason), and they may be players he sees making the step up? Maybe not £30m of signings, but depending where Brighton are in January, the likes of Knockaert might be back on the agenda?

Just seen part of Moyes Presser on Look North, and he's pretty much just publicly blamed the players again. Says he will take responsibility as the manager, but the players have to look at themselves, and they had a lot of managers here (and kept struggling). You can see why he saying these things but can imagine its just annoying/alienating the players even more!

Aye, just caught the back end of that call on my way home... apparently we're all talking about the champions league next season already. Then when he was asked if he'd swap places with us, he said no, and when asked if he could remember what it was like to win a game, thats when he said "well, I can remember winning 9-1" I think he also mentioned us "winning relegation" too. Must be their new catchphrase.. oh, and horse punching, our supporters are horse punchers. I think he was playing cliche bingo. It's been mentioned recently in the thread, but they really hate the fact that despite being in a league lower than them, we are still ( and will always be) a bigger headline than them. They are still in our shadow.

did you hear the bitter Mackem on the fans forum on weds night Aye, and I recognised his voice - I think he's the one who regularly calls in and has a bit rant at/with Gabbiadini.... surprised they let them meet face to face!

Been getting annoyed listening to Total Sport each night since the QPR match, discussing whether the team should stay unchanged after the result, or will Rafa change it? I think we all know what Rafa's rotation policy is like, but the presenters/pundits don't seem to be able to understand, and almost seemed to be questioning why he does it??!! Its precisely this squad rotation that is building the competition in the squad, as each player will know that they have a chance of playing, even in a team on a winning run, whereas if he stuck with virtually the same 11 week in-week out (barring injuries), then you'd probably have players feeling pee'd off for not getting games. I think its great that he keeps dropping players in and out, even the captain, as its helping keep players fresh for matches, and wanting to do well when they get in. Also by bringing 'fringe players' in, then everyone gets match time/fitness, so they aren't coming in cold after sitting on the sidelines for weeks.

Did Everton not bid £18m for him in the summer, and Sunlun turned it down??

Aye, saw some comments last night, ranging from 'found their level' to 'they will walk it then come up with a bloated championship squad'. They also seem to think we are sh*tting ourselves that once we walk this league, Rafa will be poached for another job next summer. I'd totally forgot that they play QPR down there next week. That will be interesting - but if/when they get beat, no doubt they'll be 'concentrating on the leygue'.

Tweet from Wolves after last nights result... #Rattled

Mackem at work was very quiet yesterday, and is even quieter this morning. I asked if he saw last nights result, he just mumbled... "it was only QPR"

SSN will probably show them all just after 10. They were showing each of them just after they were scored.

+12 GD

Not sure I can remember the last time we scored 6 or won 6-0 away from home??!!! And it could be more, yet!!

Barcelona just got their 6th... time for us to get ours.

Only following the match by SSN and this thread... and this thread is quality!!

Suppose if you have SSN on, then they tend to show goals just after they've gone in? Or follow it on radio, and then just switch to SSN to see the goal(s).

This. I don't even feel the need to comment on team selection at all anymore. Whatever Rafa does is good for me I agree, except pick Colback. I'm ok with that as long as we win tbh. If he is going to use Colback semi-regularly in rotation with Shelvey and Hayden, I hope he has a word with him about his lunges. A few times on Saturday he dived in and if he'd connected, would have given away a free kick, or possibly a penalty (at least one was edge of our box). He just need to sit, protect and hassle the opposition... no need to be a hero, throwing himself wildly into tackles.

Whilst he probably should be given time (god knows, at least one manager needs to be, at that place!), I just think if the results don't improve, the slackjaws will get even more restless, and Short will panic (again). Di Canio and Advocaat both left in September and October respectively after poor starts - and Moyes doesn't even have the comfort of having kept them up last year! Suppose he does have the excuse that he was brought in late in the summer and didn't have a full preseason to work with the players... but how long will that hold up if the results don't pick up?

Mackems like a plane banner don't they? maybe they could get the one Man Utd fans used... http://www.independent.ie/incoming/article30137811.ece/ALTERNATES/h342/Man%20U4.jpg

Nice result tonight. Gotta wonder how long before Short will panic and pull the trigger again.... and then where he might turn? But, given their track record with managerial appointments and tenures over the last few years, who would take it (if they sack Moyes)??

Any bets on how long till some 'not bothered' Mackem tries to wrestle a red and white shirt over it??!! I bet 'the Micks' are readying a new banner already, for another daring twilight raid.

He did actually. Did he, I always thought he celebrated with his hand held up. I don't remember it being a finger job. Aye, he did a few times... https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=shearer+celebration&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwib1Lnv4InPAhUoDcAKHc7pCBkQ_AUICCgB&biw=1405&bih=661

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/see-alan-shearer-statue-unveiled-11874694 So has the club put anything towards this, or was this all Freddy Shepherd?