mighty__mag

Think manager of the season should go to Hughton or Wagner. Rafa should have pissed this league but has been to negative with his formation.

He made some great tackles and played the position well. Also put some good passes in right after important tackles to keep things flowing. Was one of the best performers in an unfortunate result.

Rafa gets subs more right than wrong, and sometimes they work fantastically well. But they didn't tonight. Was he asked about taking Hayden off after the match? I had my doubts as soon as Colback came on. I cant pin all the blame on that sub,because we didnt take all the chances we should have finished. As much as Rafa does and gets things spot on, he continues to use players ineffective, and that is down to his stubborn formation. He hopes what is at his disposal will adapt, but its not always that simple. It is obvious to see though that we do miss Clark and the threat of Dwight Gayle. Mitrovic is just not a threat at this level or higher. I defended him in the early season but he's just far to slow.

Terrible subs. Still thinks its ok to risk Colback. And thinks any old player can play as a number 10.

The way I see it is we could have won the game three or four nil. But we didn't take our chances, had a ton of corners and chances to score. Perez is not a number 10 and is wasted there, and Mitrovic registered 1 chance on target all game. Shelvey played too deep. Apart from the unnecessary 5 minutes and Colbacks rash decision which he made due to Leeds breaking,We have got to take some blame for not taking plenty of chances. Fair play to Green he saved some efforts, but instead of tightening up and protecting a 1-0 we should be taking sides to the cleaners.

When will he learn about bringing Colback on!

Rafa giving us a 10 man handicap late doors

Get Murphy on now

Its worrying for when we go up. If you dont take chances at the top level you get punished usually.

I wouldn't care. He really doesn't have the aggression or attitude for a fight. And if we are realistic with our selves there's a good chance we will be scrapping down the bottom. No room for lightweights.

Thauvin What makes you think Thauvin? Surley it was Mbappé, cheap at only €130m

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/03/23/could-newcastle-united-bring-back-hatem-ben-arfa-this-summer/ Sorry had to do it.

Clark has been better than expected. You could argue Gayle with his goal return. Ritchie has been a good buy also. Theres probably 4 to 5 that are relatively consistant.

Neither are better than De Jong based on statistics and achievements. But they just happened to have injury free seasons. If a shit player contribution in minutes is higher then that means something these days i think?

No wonger sponsorship next season i think?

NUFC reported it Have they made it permanent already though? I thought after so many games he was their's?

He can play CB and Right and Left back I believe.

Seems a bit pricey for a 26 year old. De Jong is back to full fitness and form while on loan. Hopeful if he does return he gets a good pre season and maybe gets a chance here,for all his injuries i really wish it would work here for him and us.

Have we sold him or not? I thought it was agreed, mate says hes only on loan. Just called to France squad.

Wood has a total of 10 Premier League appearances, stretching back to when he was 17. Fewer than Adam Armstrong. Think it's safe to say he's not been given the chance at that level. The question is why though at his age. Maybe like Armstrong he would or has found it difficult. He is 25 and you say since he was 17, so in 8 years he has not pushed on.

The only difference with Abraham is he would be surrounded by class, and obviously age on his side. But this is the same Chelsea who didnt give Lukaku a chance and others. Bamford was on fire at this level also, he went on to do not much later. Murray wont be stepping up at his age now, I think this is his best level or coming off the bench for a prem side perhaps. Wood has been tested at this level on many occasions. But done nothing in the prem, but ploughing goals in for fun down here. Even think Vidra was lethal at this level. The point raising Abraham in the first place was highlighting how its much easier at this level, is it his first proper time out on loan?and on loan at a side really struggling. Just saying pinning our hopes on Gayle is a big ask. Priority would be to get someone to partner Shelvey. Delph would be perfect.

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