Altamullan

couldn’t have asked for anything more from him. All round great debut. Well done Martin

Personally, I’d snap your hand off.

I don’t want to appear greedy/delusional. So I’ll settle for a Leicester 2014-15: win 6, draw 2 of last 12. (They’d only won six prior to that as well, I think).

What’s the craic Jack?

I thought we/he set-up perfectly at Old Trafford. Scored the important first goal and could have had more. Gayle and Joselu started, with Shelvey and Hayden flanked by Ritchie and Murphy. It worked well, in the main. Don't think the defence covered themselves in glory, mind (Manquillo, Clark, Lejeune, Yedlin and Elliot in goal) but tbf they were up against some great players. We had 12 shots (5 on) to their 16 (7 on) with 35% of the possession.

Gutted if this guy can't play. Feels so NUFC. Seemingly against the odds big money signing loan, hugely needed and long overdue top class goal scorer, and he isn't available.

There is no good reason why we should be optimistic about this, but fuck that for a game of soldiers. We may as well cling on to some positive emotion /optimism before the game (not least as it may evaporate pretty sharpish during!). I watched the Old Trafford game. We had a lot of good chances to score more. If we'd gone 2-0, or even lasted another minute or so and got to the break at 1-1, or pulled it back to 2-2 (watch the highlights on .cock, all of those eventualities were possible) then obviously the score line wouldn't have been so empathic and who knows we may have nicked a point or three. In short, this, I.e. we have played well against them and perhaps can do so again (for longer), plus we are so due a bit of luck, will make me optimistic right up to kick-off. After that? Who knows.

Niasse

My eight year old banged in a twenty yard top corner screamer at FC United ground this morning, wheels away Shearer-like screaming ‘Sli-ma-ni!!’. It’s a sign! (Saying that he scored a hat trick there the same day we were tonked at Old Trafford...).

I’d put it that way.

Was just going to be a poor pun, probably in poor taste, at reading the post as being the tragic news being he played for Sunderland, not his loss. Something like at least he had a fine career, otherwise. My bad (nearly).

Really hope he's able to start. It will give all (players & crowd) such a boost. I do believe if we can make a decent start, get the crowd up and roaring, we could build winning momentum for this game. First goal, early and second on stroke of half time. They score on 70. Nervy but ultimately victorious end. Yes please and thank you very much.

Just sickens me. The whole industry with shoals of barracuda feeding off these young men who happen to be exceptionally good at football.

... ... nah. I’ll just say RIP.

Imagine being churlish enough to want to have a go at Shola.

thanks both. Well worth a watch.

Tbf to HTT, like, my reading is the opposite. He’s offering some perspective to counter the “it is 100% the players”. The ganging-up is also making for uncomfortable reading. Listen to the podcast, if you don’t think Rafa agonises over his decision making and knows he gets it wrong sometimes. All managers/everybody does. He does less than most.

“I like the feeling of going to Mr Robson’s home. I like that feeling.” I suddenly find myself having positive feelings for ‘Jo-Mo Ego’!

Top nine I think, though not certain and can’t find the reference.

Fantastic podcast. Makes me a bit more hopeful that he will continue ‘the project,’ even if there is no change in ownership. Still not confident he’ll fancy another season in the Championship though, should that come to pass.

Ahhh, the wonder of cross country runs over Tit Hill on a ‘fresh’ East Gateshead day. Happy (masochistic) memories.

so true. Even then though, for many, with undercurrent of real affection. Like watching a friend/brother/son who you’re desperate to do well, but who just keeps falling short.

We are very lucky to have him. Just hope that we have a chance to back him in the Summer. At the moment the signs aren’t great though.

I like that, as someone said, perhaps with Dummett for Clark. Also, on form, possibly Perez for Atsu.