Altamullan

I blame myself... put him back into the starting line-up for my fantasy team He had a steady game to be fair.

Ha! Love it.

15 more points? Don't think we'll do that much worse in the second half of the season, hopefully with a couple of new players coming in as well. Played 22; 22 points. 16 to the play; which look (home or away re better teams etc) harder, on paper.

Scared the s*** out of Stoke, playing through the middle. With better finishing could have had three goals.

Pre-season predictor (see my 4.11.17 update) now says (rubs crystal ball...) 37 points, I.e. What we were relegated on 2015-16(though reckon it would be enough this season).

After thinking about this, and oddly given others who we've had here during my time, my favourites are: Glenn Roeder, a fantastic captain and just had to love that step over. Nolberto Solano, wonderful passes and work rate.

I did like him, too. Once heard Bobby Robinson screaming at him (when training in Chester-le-Street, after misplacing a long pass): “Who do you think you fucking are? Franz Beckenbauer ?” Memory still makes me smile.

No one else would say tho as it’s absolute fact Try it when your out with mates. Say Ben arfa is your favourite player ever and some will question it. Id guess one or two would even ridicule it. Gavin peacock for me. our own personal Jesus.

Deserved win. Was nervy last ten. Rafa changed formation, went five at the back when Dummett came on. Understand why—they basically had three forwards on—but we were comfortable and then gifted them loads of possession and territory. Really thought they were going to equalise.

Rafa having long chat with Choupo-Moting on way off the pitch. I’d take him. Great on the ball, big and aggressive; would need to learn to track back mind.

Choupo-Moting looks a really good player on the ball but positionally he is leaving their fullback really exposed.

Diame having a really good game so far. Bossing the midfield.

Destroying down the right hand side. Really should be in the lead. Atsu often most forward player. Looks like we could win this.

I am tempted to go. Anyone bought tickets in Stoke end before? Yeah, but years ago for the FA Cup game. Just had some racist c*** a few seats behind abusing Duff for most of the game. Everyone else sat on their hands. Best bet is to go in the Q-railing Stand imo. Got one and I’m offski. Last time I was in a red & white striped home end, was Roker Park, Clock stand. Liam O’ Brien screamer... didn’t end well. Wish me luck!!

Really? Well done for keeping out of the Rafa Benitez thread, Ed

I am tempted to go. Anyone bought tickets in Stoke end before?

I live in Manchester and inlaws are City fans. Brothers in law have followed them all over lower division grounds and now Europe. Through them and others I know loads of longstanding fans, who seem just like our lot really. With the added humiliation of having the achievements of their main rivals rammed down their throat for many years. So my sense of their primary fan base is of people who can’t believe their luck/are still shaking off core feeling of always expecting to fuck it up. What is funny to see is the shift in who the kids support. There are two lads at my son’s school who come from Man Utd supporting families who want to support Man City! Tickles me to bits seeing the angst of their parents (and steadfast refusal, from one, to buy them a strip).

Was always doing to be effective (when there are round pegs in round holes) rather than flamboyant football. That said, seem to recall breaking a club goal scoring record (most away ever?) in the championship and effective football, and managers like Rafa, are more likely to win things.

I’m a 6; more probable than not. Sep (4 games) and Nov (4 games) were our easiest months on paper. We got 7 points in Sep (averaging 1.8 points per game) and 1 in Nov (0.3 per game); that, along with the 4 points from 7 games in December (0.6 per game; though 4th hardest month) may have killed us. That said, reckon we could/should pick-up 12 points from the 8 games in Jan and March. Feb, April & May (9 games) look the toughest months of the season and without improvements can’t see us getting that much joy.

Worst thing I’ve ever read, and I’ve read The Da Vinci Code. raised a welcome laugh. Thank you.

Catching-up with this just made me feel better about doing Xmas/New Year meals with the ‘outlaws’ and randoms. It might have been GeordieDean and HTT round the table!!! (I’d just pretend not to like football).

124 minutes until kick-off. Phew!

I think the most winnable home games (outside bottom seven: Swansea, Southampton & WBA) are Brighton, Huddersfield, and Burnley. In that order. The other home games are Man Utd, Arsenal & Chelsea. The most winnable away games (outside bottom seven: Palace & Bournemouth) are Stoke & Watford. The other away games are Man City, Liverpool, Spurs, Leicester, & Everton.

If that is where we have recouped our 18 points, it makes it seem even more bleak. We have five games left against (current) bottom seven sides (3 at home, 2 away). Which at the same rate would give us 12 points. We have 13 games against top 13: 6 at home. Surely we can to get more than 1 point from the 39 available. Guess if we don’t, then we deserve to go down.