Odear

Yes. He was at fault for one of the goals but Manquillo was for the other and Dummett the first so I’m not sure why he’s getting so much stick.

I suppose when you break down exactly what he said there’s not really all that much to go on, I think we’re reading into his general mood. Far more upbeat than previous weeks. Maybe it’s because of the game we’re about to play. Or maybe he’s finally been told things he wants to hear? Or maybe it’s one week closer to the light at the end of the tunnel..

Can’t look at that comment any other way. There must have been a massive buckling in terms of his demands. Fantastic news and well timed before the weekend, we needed a lift.

Ashley says qualifying for the Champions League counts as a trophy tho. From where we are right now, I’d agree with him. Newcastle playing in the CL is like a different life at this point. Did it even happen?

I guess the only thing Mike Ashley learned was that he can spend more money on a managers wages and then spend far less on playing staff.

I get the reluctance of spending an increased amount to merely improve one or two places. It makes perfect sense when you only look at it that way. And of course he’ll say, I don’t have the money available to fund a push for the CL spots. What he doesn’t seem to get is that by losing this manager he could potentially lose more than it would cost to fund a push for those places so why not just have a gamble ffs..

Keita definitely out for them. We have Lascelles and Pérez back in. Anyone thinking Rafa won’t be trying to win is questioning his integrity and by that measure should be very happy with how this summer is going to turn out when the club let him leave..

Saw that as well. Pack of cunts. The dippers were decent in spells tonight. Just man for man, mostly are second best.

This. Although I’m also aware that an incoming manager can hugely benefit from the best practice of a predecessor, would generally last a season or so. Think George Graham to David O’Leary as a prime example. There’s probably a few others which I can’t think off the top of my head right now. My worry would be that public opinion would be “oh this guy isn’t bad at all” until he coaches all of Benitez’ ideas out. Then we’d be in for a decade of cluelessness like we had before.

Why doesn’t some cunt come in and buy Shelvey for 80 million

How much did Fred cost? Awful player *nevermind ^ mental

Designer soft forrin fanny. I quite like it. Looks a bit like one I got from Primark a few years ago. Wore it until it was threadbare, bit like Pep with his one seemingly.

Pep’s cardigan costs €1500

Mental how gash Man Utd are considering all that money they spent. City either look knackered or they haven’t got out of second gear yet.. hard to tell.

He’d have to pay compensation for McCarthy so that’s instantly ruled out. When Rafa leaves it will be a shortlist of gobshites either out of a job or about to be sacked.

In fairness I can see why Ashley wouldn’t want to spunk 50-100 million to just improve by a few places. If cracking the top 4 was possible then he might be swayed but it’s virtually impossible and those teams around those places have reaped all that extra tv revenue for all these years now. We’re so far behind in terms of what they can afford. Think Rafa could do some great things with extra budget for wages though.

The lad seems to have his head screwed on. He’s in a win win situation. If we sell, he’ll command a decent transfer fee. Maybe up to 25m.. increase his wages and use all the experience here to improve as a player for a new club If he stays it will be because the club will have done the right thing. All good for him.

Could see Arsenal or maybe Spurs going for him but I reckon he’ll be back to Spain if he leaves at all. He’s been here since he was a bairn practically. He’s got as much in common with the NE than he does with Spain at this stage. He’s benefitting from competent players up front with him but he’s also raised his game, he looks stronger, makes better decisions on the ball etc.. Maybe he’s drinking from the same fountain Diame did last year! ?

How many of these total bargains can he possibly find though? Also there’s going to be clubs sniffing around a few of our players this summer. Schär will have suitors, as will Ayoze. Lejeune might not come back the force he is/was.. there’s a shit load of work to do this summer.

He started to hold it when Lemina's knee made contact with his hamstring. It's that fact that's giving me a bit of hope it's a blow rather than a pull or tear. Dead leg maybe? Optimistic I guess. That he walked off of his own accord would give hope that it’s nothing that serious. Nobody can say he didn’t play his part in the upturn in form. His attitude is first rate. Fingers crossed he’ll heal quickly.

His language has become far more direct in terms of saying the club have no ambition. Ball is firmly in the clubs court now. What else can he do or say? Imagine a situation where a world class manager wants to stay here long term and the club somehow treat this as a bad thing.

My nerves are shot again.

Be over the moon if Miggy got a goal today

He’s really benefitting from having competent people playing alongside him. Strolling this match and not playing particularly well.

Where has it gone so wrong for Hughton? He’s a good manager like.. has he lost the dressing room?