Geordie_once_removed

He was key to your goal and most of your good attacks in the first half but how Tino glided past him for Barnes' first was very poor defensively.

Baffling. I posted about this in the dullard punditry thread, how can you be so wrong. Barnes is literally a winger who specialises in finishing.

Is it Hot Shots where they are crunching each others balls and one guy ends up spitting his out his mouth with squeaking "You win". Anyway, that was us to Scum United today.

Barnes, Tonali and Tino all fantastic today.

Pretty sure yes.

He's been great recently. Great to have two great options on the left.

Whoever was on second coms on Optus Sports came out with a corker today. After Barnes' second goal he said something to the effect of "He's now adding goals to his game which was always the one element he was missing." That's pretty much Barnes' USP. How can a professional commentator get it so wrong?

Also completely ignores their recent transfer record which has been patchy to say the least. The way PSR has tilted the field in the favour of clubs like them means they will make a couple of expensive signings for sure. That they'll be "quality" of that I'm far less sure. Our transfer record since the takeover has to be one of if not the best in the Premier League. So I'd favour us to buy the players we need to improve over them.

He is a human who has to agree to sign for City which I doubt he would if their intentions were so nakedly exploitative. Also City generally haven't been this obvious in their actions so I don't see this personally.

I forgot all about him. Does any team have as bad a record at buying strikers as West Ham?

My view is a bit different. We still often struggle to have controlled possession against good to top teams. When we're at our best, like the cup final, we still play a version of the system that got us 4th. Ultra high pressing and lethal in transition. Howe has tried with mixed results to move away from this. A player like Gomez in a midfield 3 with Bruno and Tonali could help us has a less physical more technical option for a midfield 3 that would allow us to play that alternative style we'll need if we want to be a top team.

Can't wait to hear him lecturing us all about how the next generation should show some respect. 2035's Gabby Agbonlahor.

I see him here next season then leaving for a big fee which I'm largely ok with. For some reason I just can't see him being here longer than that even if we do get Champions League this season and next.

In the last few months a new keeper has jumped right to the top of my summer shopping list. Then RW and CB. Of the high profile players available on a free, I hope we go for Tah (would allow us to go for a Rigg or Delap) and Gomez.

Some part of my brain always makes me think Lewis-Skelly plays for Liverpool. I think because it sounds like Scally. Anyone else have this issue?

I feel a late season surge to the Champions League.

Almost as soon as he came on he challenged for the ball on the left touchline in England's half and straight after he was rubbing his upper thigh/hip joint. He was moving gingerly after that.

It looks like those videos of those poor buggers who had Shell Shock.

Well that does it. This season's shirt is getting bought and Burn 33 is going on the back!

I put on my Newcastle shirt to represent on my morning run here in Düsseldorf. It was a bit chilly which was fine with the short sleeves it turns out the material of the fan shirt versions is a bit course. So now my nips are a bit chafed, but you have to suffer a bit for your team. On a side note if there are any other Newcastle fans here in Düsseldorf feel free to drop me a message. It would be great to have someone to watch the European games with, fuck negativity!

Like a couple of others I feel he's got a special role to play today, either an assist of a thunderbolt of a goal. Or waving VVD off after he finally gets sent off for throwing elbows. Any of the above would be fine with me.

I'm trying not to hope. However, it's my daughters first ballet show at 16:00 until 18:00, so I'll be stuck there watching that. If we're going to win the first major trophy in my lifetime then sods law dictates I'm destined to miss it.

A good result and no injuries is another bonus. The quality of the football from both teams was proper ropey at times but we generally managed the game well.

It's hard to say if he is totally done yet as he always took a few games to warm up after time out with an injury, but he really does look a shadow of his former self.

Cock and balls. Agree this makes two CBs key. I wonder if the club are looking at Tah as he's available on a free.