Altamullan

Super jealous of all going to Dublin. Even though £225 to fly there tonight from Liverpool, or early Saturday from Manchester. Return late Sunday. Which seems like a rip-off, I want to do it. Been trying to persuade 'she who takes precedence' that she really won't enjoy the festival she's due to go to on Saturday (all that rain, and mud etc) and would be much better off shepherding the kids around instead of me. It's not working... Can't believe how much I am back into NUFC! Feels like I am missing-out on something important, which is daft but true nonetheless.

Unbelievable. This lad has a body fit for librarianism.

I'd leave NOISE....PASSION...BELONGING...PRIDE in uppercase.

"Ooooh Arrrr me hearties! Redknapp's as bent as the cabin boy aboard the good ship Venus!" ... though don't think he had a cutlass, more cutass, and jotenko-sized dagger: ? Obscure lyrics alert: https://play.google.com/music/preview/Txdptjtazhhaahyr7mv2xzyoyma?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics [edit: slightly worried I may have upset Graeme Le Saux...] [re-edit, no I can confirm that Le Saux isn't Flipper the cabin boy; no online bullying here chaps. Flipper was just a figment of some sick Sex Pistols' imagination.

Tbf to HH, I do think he has adapted his teams' playing style to make the best use of the squad's strengths. Obviously no place to hide with England, but also a squad with considerable strengths which Woy clearly didn't select for or adapt his formation to. Always pisses me off when it seems managers give too much weight to their preferred formation, irrespective of whatever advantage their current crop of players could provide; I see SMc as having been guilty of this.

Fair enough. Extended my Dennis Wise stylee research, and his stock has risen, more than I was aware, in the last season. He would be ideal for Rafa's style though. Winger who should be a striker, Henry/Torres type; quicker than Bale, apparently. Going somewhere where he is the main man, would be good for the lad IMHO. But would be a stretch, even for Senor Benitez to sell a season in the English second tier.

I think we need another striker. Whilst with what we've got, a very experienced addition may seem most obvious, just considered that with money coming in and the attraction of Rafa we may be able to pick-up a future star from Spain. Someone like Inaki Williams would fit the Rafa brief, but guess it depends how much he rates Perez, Rivière and Mitrovic as well as Toney and Armstrong. God, scratch that, we do need an older head!

I would be insisting on right-handed tugs only...

I doubt putting a 'reverse Collocini' in the contract would get past the lawyers, unfortunately!

I'd be interested to see what Hippo Heed could do with a decent squad, and also interested to see who our Premiership, they're in the premiership you see, neighbours could attract to their premiership club. I hear there are plenty of houses for short-term rent in Darras Hall, so they may have a chance of getting a premiership class manager, for their prem... Etc etc.

Grant Hanley rumours not going away. Howay the Sweaty-Socks!

Beginning to wonder whether any of you chaps actually love the beautiful game.

Isn't that lovely. That's what international football should be about.

"Ronaldo's Moth Zaza's Pen Robson-Kanu's Cruyff Turn When there were no games on Andy Murray winning Wimbledon Iceland beating England" That's your selection? We're meant to pick a highlight from one decent goal, a missed pen with an embarrassing run-up, a decent Iceland performance against a 'better' team who didn't turn-up, a creepy insect attracting a moth, no footy, and Andy tossing Murray? From 50+ games of football and all that went with. Really?

He'll never make it, stage fright at every big show...

I like the idea of picking from the best Scotland have to offer. Looks like we might get two of their international team. Any more which can do what we need in the Championship and, ideally, have room for further development?

Not before time/12 months too late. Good riddance Greedy: if he'd done one, as planned, last year (wasn't it the same team?) then we might have bought an experienced striker to complement Mitro. Ungrateful as it may seem, given their past 'adequateness', I am personally delighted to lose him and Colo off the pay role.

Should have gone last year, might have bought a decent replacement and stayed up.

fab news...someone to hear our prayers, someone who cares...

France. 3-0.

I wonder if he'll part the River between North & South Shields? Oh hang, on that was Moses. Scrap the deal, let's get the right winger from Chelski!

What makes a good captain? I think Gini is our most exceptional player, well the only one who has the potential to be in a small elite group of world players for his position. He's clearly intelligent. He's been playing first team football since he was 16 (or something like that). He captained PSV for two seasons, at a relatively young age, including a championship winning season. If he's captain, he's stayed, and fuck knows he deserves something for committing to a season in a lower league; this guy will have options. Don't get me wrong, I've been disappointed with him too. But, if Rafa does chuck him the armband it'll be fine by me and it may just bring the best out of him.

Changing my prediction to our own personal Jesus.

Assuming Janmaat's offski now, so voting for Wijnaldum for Capt (touch paper lit...) until his departure is nailed on.

Well said. Hope we enjoy his footy too.