Happinesstan

Yes and no. If he comes back, I'll be all "He came back, I love him", but until then, he left us so fuck him. If he wants to come back, I hope he does. No reason why he and Ritchie can't alternate the wide positions successfully.

Why? Well as things stand he's probably now our 3rd choice striker which he wouldn't have envisaged at the start of the season. Even before his injury and Murphy coming in and scoring in every game the signs were there when Rafa didn't even include him in the squad for Blackburn. I agree. How he reacts to this could be decisive in his future with the club. I for one hope he focuses his determination into proving his worth. He could certainly learn a bit about his role from Murphy.

Reluctantly!!!!!! he can't even be bothered to do that

That sort of story usually happens only every few decades, man. Don't get your hopes up. Was meant to be a comment on Rafa's style of play. Obviously we aren't going to do a leicester.

Sell our best player and be in a relegation scrap? Probably right, aye. I did include the caveat of Rafa staying, although I appreciate the reality check.

Total off the wall s*** here like, but I think we are in a great position to do a leicester, net year. If Rafa stays. Rafa's system comes alive at 1-0 up. We've struggled at times to get that first goal against teams who are intimidated. There will be less of that in the Prem, so we might see more joy. If Rafa stays and gets the right personnel for the job, then why not?

It was a team effort like. The footballing equivalent of the Dudley Death Drop. Something they've been working on in training.

I don't think Darlow would have made the save if Clark hadn't clattered him.

Might be wrong, but I have the feeling Rafa's system has always worked like that. Obviously there are one off performances which dispute that, but I remember his Liverpool team were capable of destroying teams once they took the lead.

Coming to terms with playing in front of 52000 fans? That bodes well for the future, could be a big player for us in the Prem (If we get promoted). We need players who can perform in front of big crowds, week in week out.

He's proving to be the epitome of what you want as back up. If we'd had a similar back up to Shelvey we'd be walking this division.

Doing what he was bought to do with the hope he'd never have to do it, and doing it exceptionally.

When teams sit back with an organised back line, we need the ability to hit them quickly and increase the pressure. The fact we have done that today is a great sign. slightly irrelevant if we get promoted as we won't be half as feared in the prem, but good signs for the rest of this season.

Fine end to the first half. Sounded slow and plodding but we scored with a quick and direct attack. You can't man mark Shelvey when he's taking free-kicks.

Having worked at Twickenham and Stamford Bridge for over 3 years, I would say they have a point.

Certainly increases our chances of a clean sheet.

Depends. Did he get a better contract when he signed for them? If so we'd probably have to match that. Then there is the question of signing on fee. no way we should lose money on the deal.

We don't have anybody who is even remotely similar that's the problem. He's the only attacking centre midfielder we've got basically. If we had anybody remotely similar to Shelvey on our bench, we'd be the luckiest 2nd tier team in the history of European football. Probably. i don't think we need a replacement of Shelvey's quality though, the equivalent of Guthrie would do. I know what you mean, but that type of footballer will probably be a regular starter for another championship team. Whether they'd be willing to sit on our bench is the question. A better replacement for Colback we would have probably been alright.

We don't have anybody who is even remotely similar that's the problem. He's the only attacking centre midfielder we've got basically. If we had anybody remotely similar to Shelvey on our bench, we'd be the luckiest 2nd tier team in the history of European football. Probably.

Sign him on loan with an option to buy. After he plays his heart out and gets us promoted send him back to a relegated palace.

Probably.And probably done without Rafa's knowledge. But Benitez only has a 3 year contract, so the club are well within their rights to purchase players, with a view to developing them beyond that point. I doubt Rafa would have a problem with that. If anything, the obvious meaning of future player is one that will join in the summer. "before this window is shut" Would that be like when they announced before the end of the last window that we would sign Alan Judge in this window? Very likely just a player whose contract is up in the summer. Oh aye, that could be right. Obviously how this club works on such things is an enigma so I wouldn't try to pre-guess anything, but what would be the benefit of announcing such a deal before the window shuts? To appease the fans, maybe? When do season ticket renewals begin?

Probably.And probably done without Rafa's knowledge. But Benitez only has a 3 year contract, so the club are well within their rights to purchase players, with a view to developing them beyond that point. I doubt Rafa would have a problem with that. If anything, the obvious meaning of future player is one that will join in the summer. "before this window is shut" Would that be like when they announced before the end of the last window that we would sign Alan Judge in this window?

From the highlights i've seen he looked very dangerous. And he got us the win with that bit of vision and ability that we will need in the absence of Gayle. Maybe an option up top, and maybe more effective as a no10 with Murphy up top to aim at. Maybe in the face of the current adversity we will develop a better understanding of our options for plan B.

a fantastic 3 points. Haven't seen the whole game, but to adjust to those injuries and win the game after being pegged back suggests a team spirit that has seemed absent recently. Enforced substitutions were more effective than Rafa's usual attempts. Not having a go at him, I just find it funny. I imagine it is completely coincidental, and we will now go on a bit of a streak. Shelvey to destroy Brum midweek. Come on Toons.

While we're top of the league as well Strictly speaking, we are top of the division. there are 20 teams above us, in the league. Strictly speaking, you're a rectangle. Looking forward to Champions League football next season? No.