Infinitely Content

We’ve Isak up top, Dubravka in goal and nine passive, disorganised oddly fearful and tense individuals in between. We’re a really poor team of late. Look completely void of coaching and a cohesive mentality and aim.

Leave whoever that is exposed and he won't look up to much either. The blame aimed at Schar is somewhat misdirected imo.

Parish the type of guy to show up to a football game drinking a puppuccino.

A bad run of form lately will no doubt colour this one for many, but Schar has been one of our best players consistently for 3 years now, superior to any of our other defenders by a distance. He's put together runs of consistent excellence, is one of the best ball playing centre backs in Europe and has enabled our high pressing way of playing more or as much as any single other player in our squad. He's been nothing short of brilliant. I'll have to not visit this thread as to not lose my mind and indeed faith with the D's & E's no doubt incoming. B+, love you Fabian.

It felt effortless for Liverpool watching it from a Newcastle perspective. A stroll in the park for them. The goals felt phantom-like, as though they exerted little energy or will to create them but just found us opening doors and showing them the way, not through dreadful errors but just through a weird passivity and resignation. As if a 2-0 home win had been agreed upon and predetermined and all that was left to do was go through the motions.

He’s the wrong type of player for this game. Unassured and clumsy, will always have the tendency to undo hard work with a brain dead decision. Not that I’m entirely sure what type of game he’s right for at the minute like.

It appears to me that Howe has decided he fancies our chances more with Pope playing in the final than Dubravka, and in deciding that knows he needs to give Pope the game time.

Solid S tier for Sick-note Sven

I’m not sure where it comes from, but the weak, passive, sleepwalking mentality of this team in runs and games where things are going well is the reason why we won’t step up and become an actual quality side, worthy of being considered a genuine competitor. Proper teams stay alive and awake at 4-1 up and see the game out, sapping confidence and energy from the opposition. We’re not a proper, serious team yet.

Regarding Howe and the team, the only concern or criticism I would have (which isn't really a criticism at all, more an observation) is regarding the runs we go on. Looking as far back as his time at Bournemouth he is able to put together these ludicrous winning runs followed by some fairly abject performances which look concerning in isolation. It seems confidence and momentum count for more than anything in football including skill, and I just hope we're not hitting one of these poor runs at precisely the wrong time.

I think a lot of us expected the team to have a bit of belief in themselves and play without fear. Most teams in the league don't play with fear against City anymore and it works, we've turned up here looking afraid.

No, not at all. It's lack of belief and intensity and a complete passivity from everyone on the pitch. There's no way Howe set them out to play like this.

We're playing in no man's land. Half pressing and then just giving up on it any time we get near a City player. It's absolutely terrible. Refuse to believe it's what Howe asked them to do.

Hugely frustrating watch, we can't even get anywhere near them. We looked like we gave up after a few minutes to me. Poor mentality and poor energy given they play way more games than us.

Losing all of the individual battles, we needed maximum intensity today to better them as we can't match them with quality. We've been passive and oddly looking a bit afraid. Josep G. looks like he's had a few keys for breakfast as well. Wired.

Think we're mistaken if we think Khusanov is a weak link just because of a bad 20 minutes on his debut. He's obviously quality.

Your team looks brilliant.

Back shift at the American Express HQ marra.

Yankuba Minteh with the unlawful APT goal. Sickening.

So is this only relevant to us if we did try to pursue a sponsorship deal with a Saudi company between 21-24? Or does it also have an impact hereafter?

If Saint Sandro the Tireless took up the build the day after we win the FA cup final, I reckon he'd be done by the start of pre-season.

RTG watch party in The Wheatsheaf for me marra

Sounds like the internet.

A real Northern dominance in the Championship this year. Could be looking at Sunderland, Leeds + Burnley/Blackburn/Boro promoted.

Looking for a Michael Oliver two footer on Salah tonight.