4 stars out of 5

He is but he would get a bored a lot quicker when he's losing money. That's the only end to this in my oppinion. I just don't get what enjoyment there would be by winning tomorrow at all

Dubravka Yedlin Lascelles Lejeune Manquillo Hayden Diame Atsu Perez Kenedy Rondon Would be surprised to see Rafa go 3/5 at the back at home in a game like this, and that team is about as close as he can get to the one that finished last season so strongly. The only reason I've left Ritchie out is because he's played a huge amount of minutes lately and Atsu/Kenedy will be fresh. Think Lejune gets the nod anyway, but it helps his case that Fernandez and Schar played the full 120 on Tuesday. Wouldn't be surprised to see Fernandez in for Lascelles after his behaviour at Blackburn, though. Still never fails to shock me how bad our LB options are. It's minging isn't it and has been for years. We have needed a left back for ages and no sign of one! God wasn't Hayden and Diame hulls championship midfield in 2015!? Atsu and Kenedy couldn't get a sniff at Bournemouth and Watford and a relegated forward on loan to top it off.

Hopefully a couple of seasons, serve him right for been mates with uncle mike the captain cunt

Nothing will happen and there will still be 50,000 there. Sooner everyone accepts Ashley is going nowhere and there never will be any protests/ boycotts the easier it is. The only thing that can end all this is going down and it all burning to the ground. People can't see it but a Cardiff win tomorrow is the best thing for us long term. Just like the 2 wins v Watford and Bournemouth caused it to all blew over all a win tomrrow achieves is another step closer to the tv money for Ashley. If people truly want him gone then another relegation and more spotlight on him is the way to go

My mate is adamant that shelvey is leaving this month. That’s what I’ve heard also. They’re all for sale for the right price but Shelvey hasn’t even been getting a sniff when he is fit. I wouldn’t miss him to be honest. Great passer but he doesn’t boss a midfield at all, except on a blue moon like he did against Man Utd last season. Never looks like scoring despite having all the tools to do so regularly. Just something missing from the lad (apart from brain cells) Shelvey was one of the key reasons we did as well as we did last season. We have absolutely zero creativity in the side when he doesn't play and seeing as it looks like we're not getting any new players any time soon, he'd be the first name on the team sheet every game for me. Midfield 3 of Shelvey and Ki with Diame sitting behind them and we might actually have a chance of competing in midfield with some teams. If Rafa wants to go ultra cautious and cover Shelvey's lack of tracking, play Diame and Hayden/Schar in holding roles and let Shelvey play further forward. We can't afford to have a player with his ability sat on the bench when the alternatives are so ordinary. I’m struggling to remember when he last turned a game for us, we look infinitely better with Ki in his place. I once thought we couldn’t do without him, now I’m glad when he doesn’t play, that said because Ki is away we need need him now but not in the future, if we have one. Was it the last PL game he came on with his 3rd touch hit a perfect through ball for Perez to run onto? Our biggest problem is we don't have players to finish off the quality he provides. At least when Gayle was here Shelvey had a willing runner with the strength to retain possession. With our current forward options we're gutless. Shelvey's passing is world class. I'm not saying he's world class by any stretch but that one attribute of his game is. We struggle to hold onto possession, struggle to create and have absolutely zero chance of unlocking a PL defence without him in the side. How many of our goals have come from set pieces this season? Ki has looked excellent but he doesn't give us what Shelvey can in terms of creativity. Again though under Ashley's nufc what's the point in any of that?

Dubravka Yedlin Lascelles Lejeune Manquillo Hayden Diame Atsu Perez Kenedy Rondon Would be surprised to see Rafa go 3/5 at the back at home in a game like this, and that team is about as close as he can get to the one that finished last season so strongly. The only reason I've left Ritchie out is because he's played a huge amount of minutes lately and Atsu/Kenedy will be fresh. Think Lejune gets the nod anyway, but it helps his case that Fernandez and Schar played the full 120 on Tuesday. Wouldn't be surprised to see Fernandez in for Lascelles after his behaviour at Blackburn, though. That is lifting

This is it unfortunately

Reminds me of the 1980’s-90’s post and pre KK. Just got to hope for a change of ownership. Hang in I have been hanging in 11 years

soz bro tempted to put pogba in for hazard and captain him

Rafael Benitez Maudes.

They've been playing with two strikers all season though right? No. I can't see how Lucas plays up front as they need him on one of the wings. Llorente Alli eriksen lucas They have no other players for the front 4? Is lamela still fit?

By middle you mean around 17th yeah? I know this isn't fully serious but think we'd do well in the championship again if we got relegated. A lot of our players are in that really good in the championship/not good enough for the PL category Jesus. I don't get how anyone could support the club if we go down, imagine winning games and feeling happy about a victory knowing it's just to get Ashley back on the gravy train again. Absolutely nothing more. If we go down we may as well go full on destruction mode as that will lose him money and might be the thing to finally make him sell as we know being on the gravy train won't

I think for his last few months we should have his full name in the title

I agree. Good riddance. Nowt worse than bone idle players. All the talent yet gets a goal a season and strolls round 90% of the time

Sounds like you are starting the bottom half championship contingency plan early

Decent shout

AIDS

The drones will probably still turn up. The owld missus will still be in the house regardless of the weather.

Stop going then paully. Simple As I've said before, I'd hate to lose all of my loyalty points as I know fine well the sale would go through a few weeks later! It's bollocks how they're completely wiped if you don't renew! how long you been using this logic? Paully[/member] there never has been or never will be a sale, its time to wrap it now like especially when your hero Rafael goes

Would be a wise move I reckon

Wild stab at the "magic man"?

FFS

I have Dubravka Ryan Maguire Lindelof Laporte Kolasinac Boly Felipe Anderson, Hazard, Salah, Richarlison, Bernardo Silva Rashford Rondon Jimenez Wildcard or no Wildcard?

Decent that, looks fresh! Salah or Rashford captain this weekend? Every man and his dog will go Salah but I'm 100 points behind my mate and we are playing for £100 so might go for Rashford as a differential, risky like.

Its over, hes won. No takeover and there will never be any protests or boycotts. Its done. Congratulations mike