Infinitely Content

Feels good to be considered 'too tactical' tbf. Haven't been able to say that much in my Newcastle-supporting life.

With players like Boufal to bring off the bench it would be silly to rule out their chances if it's all level late on in the game like. A boring 1-0 to us with them not threatening too much would be absolutely welcome though.

I've watched a few Southampton games lately, including Stoke just gone, and whilst they were better than their opponents they don't look a good side by any stretch. Given our general solidity and that we've proven hard to beat for decent sides, I really don't think we'll be losing this one. A draw would be the obvious prediction but I do think we'll nick it by 1.

"Go out and enjoy yourselves. The result will come"

That’s nonsense, outclassed in every department? Ridiculous. The only thing Messi outclasses him is in terms of football flair and wizardry on the ball. Stats wise very similar, same with accolades and trophies. Only Ronaldo has won a major trophy with his country. I’m sure the debate about who was best will continue long after they have retired. But Messi has more goals & more assists in club football as well as being comfortably the better footballer. Ronaldo has the international edge in terms of trophies and that's about it, which isn't really an individual accolade tbf. That's pretty comprehensive in favour of Messi in my view, although you're right in saying the debate will continue long after they both retire which is credit to the pair of them.

Must be canny frustrating for Ronaldo like. All those wonderful accolades yet still outdone and outclassed by Messi in almost every department.

Talking about pens, I think the penny might have dropped for Rafa when Joselu missed that penalty against Burnley. He hasn't started since, and if there's one thing I think Rafa got wrong it's judging his character. I just don't think he's a big match player whereas Mitro is, regardless of any other attributes. I think you're right. Mitrovic's mentality comes under question a fair bit, but I think he has that something else about him that serves him/the team well in big games (and from now till the end of the season all we have are big games). Ironically that 'something else' may also be the thing that prevented Rafa from giving him the chance to play, as he would perhaps be more inclined to take things into his own hands; discarding the manager's instructions on certain occasions. I can understand the thinking though if this is the case, as Benitez would probably rather be in control as much as possible given the fine margins we're dealing with.

I don't believe thinking in terms of Mitrovic v Joselu is all that constructive tbh. Where one has to been made out as less for the other to be more. Joselu does a different job, and some including the manager, coaching staff & players I presume would argue he has done it well enough for the most part. 'It's only the championship' is also not really a worthwhile point as the same could be applied to Dwight Gayle who has hardly set the world alight in the Premier League ever despite being quality in the Championship. I think it's more constructive to think of them individually and what they bring/could have brought to the team with recognition that all three of them have obvious positives & negatives. Joselu has scored a few important goals, worked very hard for the team & been lacklustre at times too, the same can very much be applied to Dwight Gayle who goes missing far to much to be a leading striker for us. Mitrovic on the other hand has had glimpses of action for us this season and arguably made us look a more potent attacking side on those occasions. I think the frustrations & questions come about through the thought of 'what if', as there's much evidence that points towards the feeling that if he was given a run in the side, he would have likely matched or bettered the other two scoring wise whilst also allowing us to take advantage of his direct style in a team consisting of poor passers of the ball and not much creativity generally speaking. Slimani could provide that if he gets himself fit in time, but now that Mitrovic is showing his worth and the ability to hit form despite not even being match fit - of course questions are going to be asked as understandably so I'd say. Not that they're all that useful at this present time mind. And not that he would have been guaranteed to make much of a difference either. As an aside, and imo, going forward as a team I'd much rather keep hold of Mitrovic than the other two, I think Gayle & Joselu have pretty much reached their ceiling in the Premier League, where as Mitrovic is a young, promising player and more of an unknown quantity. You also cannot ignore the positive signs shown in his first season here when he was actually given a run. On the other hand, if Rafa doesn't see him as a player who can play in the system he sees fit, than obviously Mitrovic has to move on, but that doesn't mean he was/is poor in any way shape or form really.

Incredible.

I admire your values, IC. Good point. Here's a random and peripherally relevant 'knowledge-bomb': even in the most extreme conflict you can (most people, not accurately) imagine, you don't have to turn all psychopathic and disrespectful. Studies of killing in war reckon most of the small arms kills come from a very small percentage of the front line soldiers (WWII, 70% kills from 2%). Mostly infantrymen were posturing and firing wildly and ineffectively, many trotting-out hate-fuelled rhetoric. 1% of the effective killers were psychopaths, i.e. callous and generally malevolent, didn't care about anybody but themselves. The other 1%, were decent moral men. Who cared about their 'people' (brothers in arms, family, town/city, country etc) enough to overcome the p*ss your pants terror and fundamental wrongness of taking life. The point? You wouldn't want to damage/threaten something precious to, or generally f*** with with, the latter group (or the psychos) but they would be more likely to maintain respect for you, even if they were willing to end you. The chest beaters and shouters, well it is just (often self-defeating) noise. If Ashley is the enemy, personally I would rather not let his actions lead me to behave in a way which doesn't fit my values. Which drags me down to his level. Doesn't mean that I wouldn't kick the living s*** out of him, but I would have to be given due cause to exert 'reasonable force' (honest officer). A nice post Altamullan, thanks for that. I am of the belief that people are infinitely more than just the role they play, or what we see through our accumulated knowledge of them. Yes Mike Ashley is doing an absolutely terrible job at his role as far as Newcastle fans are concerned, but is that enough to equate that role with who he is and therefore allow myself to be lowered to a level where I would be willing to treat him in a way that corresponds with such a monstrous act of reductionism? (by which I mean, there's Mike Ashley the concept, and Mike Ashley the miraculous, automated life-vessel no different to you and I, and to take him solely as the concept is a huge act of reductionism where I'm coming from). Many would be... is the answer, but I would prefer to see myself living in better conditions. We have all said and done bad things, and I know I would appreciate deeply in another the ability to still recognise in me the thing that we share on a basic human level, so the very least I can do is treat people according to that. Respect and kindness come naturally when we can recognise that, we don't even need to try (athough it does not mean an unwillingness to act if a situation required it of you). Unfortunately that value doesn't include the idea that allowing my ego to run rampant over the person standing in front of me with the belief that it will somehow make me feel good is okay, as fun as that sounds...

Of course I am, regardless of how much I disagree with or am frustrated by someone, allowing basic levels of respect to go out of the window shows only your weakness and not theirs. No wonder Ashley has us by the balls You realise you can disagree with someone whilst still showing basic respect & courtesy aye? f*** me I'm out, I can't believe 5/6 posts in a row either advocate wanting someone assaulted, disrespected or even dead because of a game of football. Absolutely awful tbh. You obviously weren't here in the Pardew days. Not on here no. But I find anyone who wishes to attack or abuse someone because of a game (as much as we all love it) absolutely pathetic if I'm honest. Most of them given the chance wouldn't have the bollocks to speak their mind anyway, you just know it. Same with politics and Trump, I disagree with him on just about every level but would never wish a second of harm on the guy, it's just a weird way to behave. Then following on from the Gold video, Haydn saying he would happily see Ashley die is just vile, rotten crack of a weak individual in my eyes, particularly someone who has had a scare himself lately with his father I believe. Awful lack of basic compassion. Really basic stuff, but of course I'm a snowflake for speaking up against people advocating the wishing of harm on others over a game But fair enough, crack on if that's what's cool here...

Of course I am, regardless of how much I disagree with or am frustrated by someone, allowing basic levels of respect to go out of the window shows only your weakness and not theirs. No wonder Ashley has us by the balls You realise you can disagree with someone whilst still showing basic respect & courtesy aye? Fuck me I'm out, I can't believe 5/6 posts in a row either advocate wanting someone assaulted, disrespected or even dead because of a game of football. Absolutely awful tbh.

Wow...

Of course I am, regardless of how much I disagree with or am frustrated by someone, allowing basic levels of respect to go out of the window shows only your weakness and not theirs.

If that was one of our lot to Ashley I'd be embarrassed tbh. No need for it. As much as we as football fans get emotional when losing, you're a idiot if you put that emotion before the basic respect for another human being. Yes they're footballers, billionaire owners etc, but they're fucking people first and deserve to be treat like it.

you're a f***ing thick c*** like. Go on, gimme a ban. In the words of the Limmy caller "well worth it mate, he's s****". He's entitled to his opinion man, no need to call anybody a "thick cunt". Be nice man

Some harsh criticism from the pundits imo. I feel like we did well in the 90 minutes and were undone by some quality players.

Phew, Jamaal got away with one there, would have been a huge blow to us losing him. We certainly got our share of luck there

Can’t be too down about this game in fairness, we’ve had some good performances from the likes of Diame, Dummett & Lejeune/Lascelles. Midfielders and attackers can’t really come out with much criticism either I don’t feel.

He’s doing fine imo, he’s cost us fuck all unless you consider the Salah goal to be a mistake in which case I would strongly disagree.

Heading wide from about 6 yards on his own? That was Redmond. Boufal provided the cross. Other way around Aye you're right mate, I thought Redmond was playing off the left this game but he seems to have switched over.

Heading wide from about 6 yards on his own? That was Redmond. Boufal provided the cross.

Excellent from Boufal, that.

What a surprising team selection. There's much in there that people have been calling for loudly including Murphy, Merino & what looks like Atsu at no.10.