Infinitely Content

Big Semi up ya?

MA looking well there, shifted some serious beef. Remember him looking a bit trimmer at Fulham last game of 18-19, and he's really kept it off, good for him.

Alonso is one of the best finishers at the club tbf, can see the thinking with their wing backs playing so high up the pitch.

He has every right to swear at the ref in 7 different languages.

They should have all just slowed down in respect for the great artist.

Superb player and one of my favourites to play for us. I got my first season ticket the year he signed and having heard rumblings about his influence in the extraordinary Lille season the previous year I was excited by him. Became apparent very quickly that he was going to take us to another level than the likes of Nolan and those he was replacing could have. He had near perfect technique, incredible vision and was also up for the physical battle and thrived in the challenge. Some highlights for me were his first goal in the league against Wigan, having started the season so well for us we were just waiting for him to get his first goal, think it was around 85 minutes in, 0-0, Gallowgate End, lovely clean strike from outside the box curling away from the keeper into the top left. Another was the exquisite pass to Cisse against Stoke at home the same season, I'm not sure a single other person in the whole ground could see that pass, and no other player on the field could have executed it either. Supreme.

Same, I used to show it and wax lyrical about how supreme this performance was to people who had literally 0 interest... and I wonder why I don't have a big friendship circle

Rooney was having an incredible season and Tiote bullied him out of the game to the point where Fergie just took him off. Was fucking scenes.

I wanna play a game. Batty vs Tiote...who wins? You decide, make your choice On their day, the pairing of Cabaye and Tiote could be competitive with just about anyone. They were excellent together. Used to start games expecting to win the midfield battle (unless Yaya Toure was involved). Imagine that.

Yeah, genuinely seemed like the primary reason he left so early. Iirc he came alone as a 20/21 year old on loan for 6 months before we signed him. Not always easy to settle/transition seamlessly I imagine, couple that with a pretty bad injury and it's no surprise he was longing for Spain/home comforts, particularly being from Pamplona with an opportunity to play for Sociedad.

I don't know enough about Allegri's teams, but I wouldn't begrudge anyone wanting to see a new manager come in if best case scenario happens re: takeover rather than trying to rekindle the past. Me, I just want to be tenth and see Rafa place his glasses away in his top pocket every few weeks. I'd be a happy Newcastle fan

Oooft

The player standing behind the ref in that photo makes it look like he's clinging on to his last few hairs Maybe that's why he's so angry.

Class picture. The dominant stance and then 'Judge'. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55373546

Bossed it for South Shields that Carl Finnigan, iirc?

Jones: Okay Andy, I want you to pin Christensen back, but play it smart, anticipate, don't give the referee the excuses he needs to penalise you. Look for Miggy's runs. Bruce: AHyayYAHEWHDya GET INTO THEM ANDY FUKIN HAV THEM!!1!1!

I don't even think it's born out of their love for Steve Bruce, but more their contempt for Rafa Benitez and the deluded Geordies.

Darlow has always been prone to parrying and punching (flapping I'd say), where as with Dubravka, the ball sticks more often than not. Besides that, he's a commanding presence. We have a captain in Lascelles who isn't the most vocal so we really need a big presence in the back line. For instance yesterday, when Werner runs onto the pitch completely unchecked, you are looking to your leaders to be going fucking wild ensuring someone is picking him up. But no, radio silence from the coaches, the centre half captain, and the keeper - all three of which have the opportunity to see play developing more than others.

Perhaps too obvious, and always seemingly caveated by 'yeah, but money', however Pep has done a wonderful job this season. Particularly with the absence of two of his most influential players.

It was the same role Wilson has played but Gayle did it much worse. He didn’t really make the runs Wilson was or track back so he was just fucking useless at it. It could have been Chelsea’s system and wingbacks making him look so poor mind. I feel like I still mentally view Gayle as the Championship version of him and am surprised at how rubbish he is every time he comes on as sub or starts. That's very kind tbh. If Gayle was twice the player he is, he still wouldn't be on Wilson's level.

You're doing a good job of giving us a miss lately (feel like I've seen you comment a few times regarding not watching the game). I can't help myself... A glutton for punishment.

Aye. Pardew playing Cisse wide levels of incompetence

Has to be back in next game aye? Something fitting about him coming back against Man United as well given it's the (albeit reverse) fixture he started his PL career with us so superbly.