Altamullan

Thanks Donis . As you've probably seen the same debates gaining some momentum here, as ever (self included) as people are frustrated re this approach solely as we have looked predicable and had some poor results. It is lovely of you to take the time to caste some light rather than stoking heat on the issue.

Derisive smart-alecky gibes abound... welcome to 2017!! [edit: the author has deleted it; good on ye man, HNY ]

YouTube shows...good feet/tricky bugger, crosses with either foot, great awareness of who's around him. Looks exciting.

What the hell was that? A close runner-up to Forest in most bizarre games I have seen. It is hard to strongly criticise, when you've been as dominant, without it sounding like sour grapes. However, we needed something different. Ritchie wasn't getting past anyone. When he or Hayden threaded the ball through it was always Gayle against three defenders, who didn't seem to shift the whole game. Except when they were joined by another six or seven teammates. We then started relying on a left-sided attack. Gouffran didn't go past anyone and more often than not the ball into the box was from Dummett, from deep: floating and easy to defend. Diame looked busy, but too deep. Again, Rafa was slow to change. The first half stats were ridiculous, except they really just illustrated that Blackburn were happy to sit back and let us huff and puff. And why wouldn't they be? Every other shit team have shown them the way. We are predicable and void of ideas. If we're not careful we could really fuck this up. We only looked like we had them rattled in the last few minutes. Even though Murphy and Perez had nowhere near enough time/sight of the ball to make a difference. Rafa needs someone whispering in his ear who isn't just spouting his own rhetoric/kissing his ass.

Unless you know more than is visible in the limited game time he has had, that seems an oddly confident conclusion you're jumping to.

I'd have Larsson and think Januzaj could play the 10 role in the way Rafa wants it played. Not sure whether Borini or Ndong add anything.

Yep. 4,5,or 6. Not that sure of the relative quality of a couple.

How many of the first 11 would get into our team?

Or on a plane somewhere.

Any word on why he's not travelled?

If NUFC was a democracy, I would vote for that rule... (strongly suspect that I am still p*ssed though).

May you always be blessed with walls for the wind A roof for the rain A warm cup of tea by the fire Laughter to cheer you Those you love near you And all that your heart may desire. (Especially if this includes another Championship trophy!) Have great one ?

Just watched interview with Moyes. Got a strong sense that he really wouldn't care if he goes. Seemed exasperated and resigned to the reality that the next few months (assuming it does prove true there is no chance to improve the squad in January) are going to be horrendous. Can't help feeling for the man.

Discussed knee-capping him?

I quite fancy Huddersfield, out of the chasing pack, to push ourselves and Brighton close. Have to say I am less confident of promotion than I have been at any time of the season. Not results related, more recent performance related. Disappointed at how predictable we look at times going forward and how we are huffing and puffing to break poor teams down. Still 8/10.

A bit more persistence and drive--in this stylee--is what I think Christian brings/is capable of and is what I would like to see more of

My sense of there being some justice in the world will take (another) significant knock if we don't pay these 'robbing hoods' back and then some. 6-0. Howay the lads!

Naše myšlenky jsou s vámi a vaší rodinou v tomto nejtěžším okamžiku ztráty. RIP, Pav.

Jimmy says 'Hi!'

Isn't that where he's being played? I know he drifts inside a lot but I assumed that was because he's not got loads of pace to be bombing past the full backs on the outside. Not according to him. Suspect he just has different brief/set of instructions than he prefers/has previously thrived on.

Great post Keggy; sadly I can't help thinking that the odds are strongly against it ending well.

Defoe next http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/slaven-bilic-refuses-rule-out-9532181 Would be incredible. Not likely though as the West Ham fans absolutely despise him. Maybe Bilic is testing the water a little, and checking the social media reaction as well as planting a seed with DeFoe. If he is as money oriented as has been suggested (perhaps unkindly, if not unfairly) then this would be his last big move. For SAFC, it would be tantamount to choosing relegation, mind.

Both are quality. Yes please. Lofus-Cheek has all the attributes to be a 9 or 10. Rafa could really help the lad develop and fulfill his huge potential. That said, I really think Hayden has the potential to be a full international also and wouldn't want him benched (as long as he keeps performing). Sometimes you need to take a leap of faith and rely on young players in order to push them to the next level.

According to Ritchie, he plays better as a winger. He apparently looked a class apart when performing this role in the Championship with AFCB, and to be fair more than held his own in the Premier League. He is not, despite use of the term above, being played as a winger. I see this, and normal fluctuation in form/variation in who is doing what around him, as the explanation for what we're not seeing as much if him 'in the match highlights'; getting sick of hearing the lack of pace meme. Players' performance/contribution isn't solely due to particular strengths/needs there is always context and confidence.