Infinitely Content

:lol:

Dear me, international football is dull. Even tournaments don't hold the same magic as the Champions League, Premier League or even the FA Cup. And being someone who doesn't care too much for patriotism, I just don't see anything to be invested in. (don't get me wrong, I love my country, but I just struggle to get so invested in it enough to have an us against them attitude, plus England are f***ing trash)

Just shows how far we've come, in terms of squad, even from just 2 years ago.

Hope the momentum can be carried forth by the people going forward with the group... Seems a bit daft and avoidable to have internal conflicts when the whole purpose of the group was to show unity and generate an atmosphere in the ground. Guess peoples egos always get involved it becomes hard to find mutual ground. Shame differences couldn't just be set aside and dealt with in a grown-up fashion for the good of the club. After all it is what the group is supposed to be for... Maybe I'm speculating too much, mind.

Class. And it's some achievement for Lascelles and Gross to be included in that list. Fair play to them both

Shelvey is one of the most creatively effective English midfielders around, I don't think there's any doubt about the fact personally. Could only really argue that Lallana, Alli & at a push Barkley are more creative but they're also more advanced players. Dier is good but is defensive-minded. Henderson just doesn't have the passing range and instinct the same as Jonjo. Livermore/Delph don't come close. Oxlade-Chamberlain fancies himself as a CM but has never been trusted there by his managers so mustn't be suited there for whatever reason. Shelvey would make England a better team.

Hope so. Been loving GF's work so far, thought it had real potential. Maybe that potential can be realised more fully with the merge of groups.

Pretty abrupt rather than natural it seems. Seems odd but I will reserve judgement as I don't know anything of the processes going on in the background to keep it going. Certainly seems a shame though...

I really hope they do. To have the atmosphere back at St James would be an incredible thing. My first game was in 2002 when I was 10, Newcastle 2-0 Fulham. I was sat in the Milburn stand, 'bout half way up just before it bends into the leazes. The atmosphere was immense, even in the less action packed points in the game the crowd was buzzin. Some bloke behind me kept pulling my wooly hat over my face and laughing with my Granda. The crowd were alive and enjoying it. By the time I was 13/14 I was starting to go to games more regularly and it just got duller and duller as time went on, with obviously the occasional high point but it was always depending on the match, dramatic finishes, high scoring games etc. I'm hopeful Gallowgate Flags and fingers crossed Leazes Flags too can go some way to restoring the aliveness and electricity St James' used to house.

I see. I don't know why but I always thought OM and OL was the rivalry, but in hindsight I think it's just because of the name similarity and that they're both big clubs. Poor geographical knowledge tbh, I thought Marseille was in the north until a few weeks ago and always thought Toulouse/Montpellier were the only southern clubs and therefore must have the biggest rivalry...

That amount of effort for the one game against the local rivals, brilliant. Do the clubs just mutually hate each other or are Lyon actually hated across the league/nation?

Sounds class, wouldn't mind that here like.

A chance for Murphy to step in and get his chance. Great this having depth in the squad thing. Whose bright idea was that? Genius, hope other teams don't twig onto it.

We clearly have very differing ideas of the word 'mental' means. Someone offering a pretty tame, reasoned opinion about football on a football forum is hardly mental like

Assuming he makes the same run, Gayle would have the pace over Matip to keep ground between them. As you say though, Gayle bundled in his fair share of 'ugly' goals last season too. I rank them at about the same level quality wise, but what Joselu seems to lack (albeit questionably) in finishing he makes up for in teamwork from deeper positions; where as Gayle stands and waits, ultimately contributing little in a defensive setup.

He asked the question of them and got his reward with a deserved goal for the work he has put in for the team. Not sure why so many complaints regarding the lad. I am one who does prefer Mitrovic mostly for non-footballing reasons and more to do with his relationship with the supporters, but Joselu is a decent player to have and a good buy for the price. Certainly more useful to us than Gayle will be this season, not that I have anything against Dwight mind, it's just true.

To be fair, if that's him on an off-day I'll take that. He still looked good in many moments and although he gave the ball away once or twice (Lascelles bollocked him mind) he didn't really put us in much danger. Was still an benefit to the team rather than a detriment.

#justice4robbie He's doing well this season and deserves to be our No.1. Solid performer who I feel assured of in goal - probably more so than Krul even a few seasons back when he was in form.

Excellent. I will help out if you need any designers for the flags etc. Give me a message on here if you're interested and we can exchange details.

Good post. Shows how well we're doing as well as how astute Rafa's signings have been; it's hard to argue with any of that regarding our defence & Liverpool's. Would definitely prefer our back 4 and we have better cover than them coming off the bench in Lejeune & Mbemba.

The first touch by Hendrick there is glorious.

Ray Hudson > Isco

best* The pride of Gateshead. He's pure f****** poetry. Some of my favourites of his... "Messi so fast that he could follow you into a revolving door and come out first." "He understands the laws of physics, but they don't understand him"

You are probably referring to Ray Hudson. The poet. The artist.

Getting better every game. His attitude alone could see him become a very, very good player. His displays of passion & determination are second to none I have seen on a football pitch/for a club. Just brilliant.