Altamullan

If Rafa has his way, Abraham and Loftus-Cheek would have been the first Newcastle players (loan) called up since, Carroll? Or perhaps Townsend? We were also strongly linked with Maguire, but he might have been on our NO pre-Lejeune wish list, rather than a serious Rafa target.

Think it’s time for some airbrushing of previous frustrations/rose tinted specs re wor shola; feel nothing but warmth for the man now.

Nic The Greek getting off at Jesmond versus ‘getting off at Billy Mill’ with his son! (With thanks to Viz profanisarus).

f***s Rob Lee been eating ? A) Everything. B) Mick Lowes.

Scumbag, eh! Send him back to. Chelsea. (whoops)

Didn't someone say he writes for a national paper? Surely not? Seems more the type to have had regular entries in a reader’s wives section of a national publication.

‘Kin hell. Probs one of the (few) match going fans who has swallowed that many plastic bags (for da ladz) it is causing slow onset dementia. Bit like those poor penguins swimming around with plastic 4-pack holders around their necks.

1-0 Gayle late on.

Nah.

I just don't think it is/was. Disappointing maybe but certainly not terrible. We're still ultimately the promoted team with a terrible squad, we've no right to expect to beat the likes of Bournemouth playing £20m CB's. These are the kinds of games which will define our season. Given Bournemouth’s form, and seeming lack of quality, if we have aspirations to finish in the top ten then it is a terrible result. If safety is our highest ambition, then yeah disappointing seems a more appropriate adjective. I want top ten and despite our own absence of quality I think Rafa will be striving for that, also.

The predicted total points looks like being just enough; if we stay behind the predictions, by the same margin (achieve 74%), then we’re looking at a 38 point haul, rather than 51 points. (6 March, update).

Think this is our best centre back pairing. Hope I think the same at the final whistle!

Joker demolished because “...it was minging!”

Wonder how this will pan out for Ritchie? Extra special (Townsend-like) performance against former team? Or well marshalled as they know his strengths and weaknesses so well? Hope it’s the former as we won’t play well if he isn’t influential.

Will be surprised if it is not Joselu in Perez’s role. He’ll cover the ground well and harry, hold the ball-up (hopefully when indicated) and play through to Gayle or off to Midfield joining. Also a more useful presence for dead ball kicks.

Happy with that.

Is that the 4g/Astro pitch? My 8 year old played there and really enjoyed it/felt like he'd reached the 'big-time'.

Not sure whether Aguero is going to start... Playing three strikers at the mo, but considering subbing Sergio for extra midfielder: JJ.

Yet Joselu is somehow taking it to new levels. Shifective: [noun] s*** but perceived to be effective, sounds like defective. Synonym: Joselu.

There are good times coming, though we may not be alive to see them.

UEFA.com have some decent brief highlights. Dele Alli really does miss a sitter for a hattrick against Real Madrid (unbeaten in qualifiers for five years!). That sentence reads like a Boy's Own adventure/Roy of the Rovers story. Phenomenal performance from Spurs and from City. Things looking up for the PL in Europe. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/video/highlights/videoid=2511049.html

There certainly seems a different between how 'rated' Aarons is, by many fans, and how rated he is by his manager. I definitely rate him highly, based on what I have seen of him live (admittedly limited and mainly preseason). Not certain that he is being 'overrated' but then we would only know that if he had a consistent run in the first team. Bit like the seeming 'gone to shit' perspectives re Murphy. He also needs regular pitch time and, I suspect plenty of positive strokes from RB and crew.

Betrayal, I say. Betrayal! I know you left us for 'them', and played nearly twice as many times for the cocks, Daveede, but no need to rub our noses in it.

Really good post Gottlob : like the balance with the positive contributions he has made. Just too many visible, unforced, or consistent errors for me. Personally, not that it matters a jot, I've had enough of him as a regular first team starter. Had enough of hoping/willing and supporting him to have a more meaningful positive impact.

Interesting read/link in Perez thread. The relevant bit, to this, is the Spain U21 coach (Celades, very much a defensive midfielder in his day, apparently) evidently reckons Merino has what it takes to play the number 10 role. Even though I'd prefer Ritchie, not going to disagree with him, and it would mean getting Hayden, Shelvey, Merino, Ritchie and (probs) Atsu on the pitch together. Really? https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/25/mikel-merino-newcastle-borussia-dortmund-attack-team-bus-rafael-benitez