mighty__mag

A thing to take note of if anyone thinks Gayle will be ok in the pem up top alone. This level of football and the fact hes scoring a few means nothing. The likes of Chris wood,Tammy Abraham and Glen Murray, even Cameron Jerome all players who can no doubt put the ball away at this level but in the top league I dont see it working out the same. I certainly would be concerned if Gayle is our favoured option to start most if not every game when available. I dont think although he's been very good this season it counts for much going forward.

You look at the team you have above though and although yes Yedlin Clark and Lascelles are safe at this level (but still have mistakes in them at this level) I cant imagine against top strikers/teams that need one chance to score any of the current lads are a safe bet in the top league. Mbemba will be off, so that only leaves Hanley who will be back up to the other CB. I dont think we have any player good enough to partner Shelvey at CM in the premiership. I think we need a midfield player as good as or better than Shelvey, that wont be easy to find, and with good defensive knowledge like a Kante type. Then because Benitez will not chage the system, a proper goalscoring number 10, think that will be impossible to find without breaking the bank. We should just do what we have been good at and flush out all the lads that are unlikely to feature and make some profit to fund the rebuild that will be needed. On the Gayle bit, I imagine we will be under pressure in tons of games isolating Gayle even more and although he can score I think he will find it miles tougher against much better tighter back fours. It would take me back to Papiss who when he had a Ba next to him did great, but up top on his own was atrocious. It's so far off yet and you never know whats around the corner with this club. The not backing Rafa in January (will he be backed in the summer?) Will he walk? Also will we be able to get whats needed player wise? Not many a player will switch to newly promoted sides without massive convincing. And if we are struggling come Jan if the new signings have done a Townsend and requested release clauses it could be a nightmare all over again. I trust Benitez but im not sure i trust this club will give him what will be needed.

Since he has returned to the first team our form has not been what it was. Baffled why so many past managers & now Rafa continue to trust him and give him time. Incredible

He's quality Fifa

OTT, as if he will go anywhere near jail.

You seriously have to question why Graham Carr advised McClaren's appointment here and also add him to the board and then still be in a job here?Unreal! I still question everything with the club because he should have gone,and surley Benitez should have bought in his own team of scouts. So iffy why hes still lingering...

Cant believe he continues to play Colback.

Dolberg ah the shite has started already.

They will go down, i think Palace & Boro could join them?

Disagree wholeheartedly. Blowing up a squad that has gelled over the course of this season and trying to start from scratch is a recipe for disaster. We need to keep the core of the squad intact and strengthen key areas (LB, CB, CM, ST). Its hardly disagreeing wholeheartedly and then adding we need 4 or 5. The core of the squad are those I mentioned as reputable for the prem. But don't kid yourself that keeping hold of your Colback, Hanley,Mitro,Gamez, Dummett,and so many others should be trusted in the top division. I could also see a large number of the current loan players culled. I dont think we will take Atsu, and other players like Mbemba and others will surley want to leave. So perhaps a total overhaul will happen regardless. We can see who our consistent players are and they are the lads likely to maintain their status. The rest are very average. Almost forgot to add Anita & Gouffran also out of contract, will they be retained?

Only belive 4 of the current side are premiership ready. We would have to clear loads out. The fact Jack Colback can start games for us scares the shit out of me. Clark,Shelvey,Ritchie and a push Lacelles because he still has time. I would recoup as much as possible in sales if possible and have a complete overhaul. Also hopeful of a investment on top of that. This side would need major surgery or its just relegation all over again. Not sure Gayle would be the man to carry us and have all the pressure on him as our attacking outlet. A decent striker would be priority.

Why would he not be able to play 90 minutes?

Has to be. If colback starts Rafa is insane or just a wind up.

The hairiest armed Ref ever

Hope this goes into extra time and pens.

Please let this be the last time he plays for us.

Ayoze is fcking terrible

Thanks for playing Gouffran up top

Really should be a keeps bread and butter at any level though. Made some important saves tonight, even with the ref helping out.

As clumsy as Darlow can be, he's bloody also a good stopper.

Possibly may have scored with strikers on the feild. And colback off it.

This is crap. Rafa's selection is shit.

Gouff up top by himself.

Tonight......WE BREAK THOSE STATSSSS If that is to be the case, we need Murphy on asap. Stats say hes highest scorer vs Brighton.