Happinesstan

Sterling and Kane staying put in the meantime? Spurs and Man City will be holding out for £200M, Ashley will accept the first offer he gets.

That's mental. The ref can book a player if he takes too much time leaving the field, but powerless if he refuses to do so?

Think I caught a glimpse of him in a trailer for Celebrity Apprentice. Not that there was ever any danger of me watching it, but it was thoughtful, all the same.

I thought Joe Rogan.

We'd be much more sellable if we had a nickname like the Sports Direct Ravens. The Yanks love a raven. Also maybe sign Jake Livermore. "The Axe"? since fucking when?

No, I mean if the manager was refusing to pick him for personal reason's, he wouldn't be happy in general. Might just want a less volatile environment. Pure speculation, like.

Wasn't his first game back the win against Man U? Have I misremembered?

Is Atsu a fan's favourite now? I must have missed that. Still think he's largely bobbins. They're all my favourites now.

Not sure how we got away with that.

Lejeune hasn't even played 1 full season worth of appearances for us so I'm not sure how you can say that He's been here going on two years, and has barely put a foot wrong. All I was saying is that the conversation would be different, if Colo had maintained a standard that was worthy of comparison. The fact he didn't and is still our goto comparison says it all, though. Tbf Lejeune was really shaky last season until Lascelles came back from injury TBF he was. It could be argued that the whole team lost something in the loss of such an inspirational captain.

Dire, but seemingly effective. A great result in all honesty. I thought before the game that if we won this we'd be safe (subject to not believing we were safe, if that makes sense). We're nicely set now, Rafa has guided us safely through the turbulence and there is no other man I would trust to land this baby.

Lejeune hasn't even played 1 full season worth of appearances for us so I'm not sure how you can say that He's been here going on two years, and has barely put a foot wrong. All I was saying is that the conversation would be different, if Colo had maintained a standard that was worthy of comparison. The fact he didn't and is still our goto comparison says it all, though.

Depends on his defensive partner. He is at least competent alongside Lascelles, it has a negative impact on the team as a whole though, as we end up more dependant upon the defending of the full -backs, Dummett isn't a problem, but Yedlin often let's us down. TBPH though, there should never be a reason to have a defensive 2 of Clark and anybody. Discounting disaster.

He's an idiot for joining us if that's the case. Wasn't he not getting a game for Monaco(?)? Maybe he was unhappy for other reasons.

The other thing Lejeune has is time. Coloccini was here long enough to make this question redundant, by simply stating that "Yes but Lejeune hasn't done it over a sustained period". Neither did Colo. 2 seasons he was top quality, you can already say that about Lejeune. Why do you think people in the M-Dubz thread are categorically stating he is the best SINCE Given. TBF I don't think we have had a CB with whom to make that comparison.

It always happens. People judge players on what they see. And Manquillo was shite at left back. He was thrown into the team, out of position, and did his best. And we discovered he wasn't a left back. But in his few appearances at right back he always looked at least semi-decent. Now that he is settling in he is gaining in confidence. His assist for Perez, against Watford last season, should have opened some people's eyes, but people wear blinkers when they've nailed their colours to the mast. He'll be first choice RWB, next season as he is much more rounded than Yedlin. And Spanish. And I have no problem with Rafa picking people who are Spanish. It makes perfect sense to me that people attain higher levels of success when they work with culturally similar people. I honestly think he's another who will overcome this, and become a fan's favourite. Don't think he'll set the world alight, but he'll probably reach Atsu levels of appreciation. Although he has more end product than Atsu.

Surely a key pass is one which unlocks the defence.

It seems like the two of them just connected instantly, then he got his injury, and he came back and it was like they'd never been apart. Is Scelles French for anything? Apparently it means to put a seal on things. Perfect.

Nah. Far too much strength of character, I would say. I'm sure he was just delighted not to be booed. I actually considered, at the time, that it might have been deliberate by Rafa. Give the fans the chance to make it all better again.

Scharely it's Scharla Ameobi

Definitely a rare mistake. Strange thing is though, many said it was the perfect tactic to nullify Burnley, but he better not try that formation at home. Granted we didn't have Almiron then.

The stats in relation to us are remarkable considering our devestating start to the season. That's what Rafa does for us. Any other manager we would have been destoyed by November.

I'm not English speaking by birth so this is a serious question, not a dig. But is "fret" actually a word? No. Sir. There's a Mr Knopfler on the phone for you.

Agree with this. He looked almost frantic with excitement when he sensed the opportunity, but once he was in position it was a very composed finish. Seen a good few bright lights burn and fade but he just keeps defying that expectation. Getting better with each game.

Massive fan of his shirt appearing to be at least a size too big. Looks like it would fit Rondon I seem to remember Asprilla's shirt always looked too big, but that might have been with him pulling the sleeves down over his hands in the bitter north-east weather. It's been a mild winter this time around.