Infinitely Content

Extremely good stats from a number 10, there'll not be many with better this season. I think that role is his and should be - although Rafa is famously ruthless so we'll have to see.

Wouldn't read too far into that like, still think we've got a pretty good chance of signing him or loaning him again if the money is there. Seems more a standard procedure thank you message than a certain farewell.

Playing absolutely fantastic football recently, always knew he had it in him. Hope we can hold on to him tbh as I suspect there will be interest.

Best since Given for me. Feel even more confidence in him than I did with Krul at his best those couple of years.

What a club.

Ayoze

I fucking love Ayoze Perez.

Dubravka :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

Wonder how much he's worth on this form

Tbh it wouldn't be much of a different scene if they were 3-0 up.

Mo > Kante.

Hopefully he's in the stands watching and his mind his made up for him. Play for the shite in blue, in a team lacking desire entirely, in front of some of the most boring fans in the country - or in black & white, in a team full of passion, work rate & commitment in front of some of the best fans in the country. Howay Robert son, get that transfer request in

Fantastic from Perez this half. 100% deserves a place in the starting 11 next season, he's been sublime.

On this form, he's not only better than the fringe players like Livermore & Cook, but better than the regulars like Henderson & Wilshire - by a distance too. Defensively superb, well disciplined & the best passer by a country mile.

The guy to his right had some wicked swimming goggles on like.

Willian on the bench is fucking criminal. One of the league's best & most consistent players. Really really hope he leaves Chelsea like, deserves so much more.

Diame schooling Kante

I kind of agree. I certainly think the calls of £40/50/60 million fees I've heard spouted about are ludicrous for a somewhat erratic championship player with a tendency to go missing (although I'm not ignorant to the fact he has been sensational for considerable spells too, ripped us apart in the Championship).

He's responsible for one of the greatest individual performances I've ever witnessed live at St James' Park. That 0-2 towards of the end of the 11-12 season. We looked canny good on the day but he ran the game from deep before eventually moving further upfield to score two goals, winning the game and keeping City on the front foot of the title race. It was amazing to watch - as if he had super powers.

Yep, full-back & striker are priority for me. Number 10 afterwards probably, but I'm inclined to allow Perez more time to grow into the role he's currently playing now. He's doing a fine job.

I've noticed that, for large spells in recent games we've pretty much played with a front 2, Perez often going beyond Gayle or beside him. It's probably an effort by Rafa to get them linking up more often than not when we spring on the counter. Perez's movement off the ball is absolutely fantastic imo and creates many chances, largely because he's playing so close to the striker - pulling defenders and midfielders around leaving space to exploit.

Lascelles & Lejeune should be our starting CBs next year if we can help it. No reason to intervene in what is a promising partnership. Lascelles does a very good job of playing the cover role when Lejeune steps out to close down attackers as he's inclined to do. Can't underestimate the importance of a duo that actually compliment & understand one another's game. We have that with these two. In my opinion, centre back is one of the last places I'd look to improve in the squad, much more priority in nigh on every other area.

Fair play, I won't claim to know much about him other than clips on YouTube & somewhat blind trust of Rafa's interest. I just get a good feeling about him for some reason, but can see clearly why people would get the opposite inclination too.

Sad isn't it. Barring injury the only NUFC player at the World Cup will be Mitro. I'm biased as hell but I would have both Shelvey and Jamaal on the plane if I were Southgate. I agree. It's likely that neither would start, but both have what I would consider invaluable assets to bring to the squad & tournament. Jamaal's attitude, desire & commitment is as good as anything I have seen in my years following football, and I truly believe Shelvey would be the best passer of a ball in the squad - as biased as I am.

Not sure we know enough to conclude he is a 'big lump' like. Looks mobile & quick enough on YouTube clips fwiw.