Oregon_Geordie

Recently got to watch Barca play Seville at Camp Nou. Kept a really close eye on Carlos... Really confident, an absolute specimen of an athlete and actually had a lot of composure. Seemed similar to Schar in his approach to bring the ball out, but with a little more of a steely edge defensively. No real scout report or anything new, but was good to see him live. Definitely looked the real deal.

That little ball roll before the dink was sublime. Truly Brazilian! It's all too easy for him.

Woods played a large part in where we are now. Yes, not the answer to start next season, but let's not go on a witch hunt. What's the point...Leave it to Howe to decide. Seems a little more qualified than most of us. We'd all probably have ended the season on 6 points.

Folk talking about not signing him, need to give themselves a shake. Should be the first signing and will be great for the next 5 years. Maybe becoming a back up after the next 1/2. His attacking game can be encouraged as we retain the ball better and we get a stronger midfield and attack. Must sign for me.

Love Eddie! We're lucky to have the guy. Class act! Fingers crossed we grow together and he becomes a legend.

MOTM alongside Shelvey and Bruno for me. Great block in 2nd Halve. Grafter!

Needs some pace up front alongside him. But also needs to pull his head out his arse. Embrace a little of the Bruno energy to play in front of a packed St James.

Class Act this lad. Must sign.

You beautiful Brazilian bastard Some player! Big win!

I honestly don't think anyone wants him tracking back and sprinting. Just hold the shape and occasionally press when triggered. If one player (him) doesn't bother, it alls falls apart. Little effort here and there and he'd be golden. It's not a lot to ask really...

On the topic of team wide commitment and pressing. This is worth a watch. Team identity > Individuals is why we turned the corner. I'll say it again, I hope he can learn to be a better team player, pull his weight and be a star here. It wouldn't take much.

Not sure anyone is comparing him to Miggy or Murphy. More so against what he can be, when he 'can' be arsed to be. That's the dilemma...but it's pretty clear its the Maxi show and not the team for Maxi. I doubt you'll see much of Miggy or Murphy after this season, wether or not Maxi joins them in a taxi, is more down to attitude than talent, pity as the two others have the opposite.

In my opinion, I'm not sure it's about just tracking back or scoring goals. It's a work ethic to be part of the team and show your teammates some respect. Watch Salah, Mane or Luis Diaz, they loose the ball they are individually driven to get it back, for themselves and to help their team. It's a little selfish to only play or be arsed to play when you have the ball and you can try and dribble through the whole team like a kid on the school yard. There are less and less of these flair players that just perform solely on the ball, that day of football has gone, unfortunately. I used to love HBA, I don't think Maxi is half the player he was. But I really admire his ability on the ball and I genuinely hope he wakes up the bigger picture. We need him and he could have a great career here and be even more worshipped, not a lot to ask to close down your full back occasionally and not sit on your arse for 5 minutes every time your tackled or things don't work out. I don't think anyone has short memories, but it's sometimes hard to remember the 1 in 8 MOTM performances. The players I mention above do it week in week out and still don't talk about balon d'or. They just get on and do their shit.

Probably see him winning a Media Award before that ballon d'Or! Just messing before anyone get's upset

It's not a fucking Witch Hunt! it's just fair critiism. From watching Robert and Ginola and HBA I'd say there are similarities, but also huge differences - not that it matters lol It's about a hugely talented, likeable lad who is currently well off the pace and often looks like he is disinterested in any aspect the game that relates to not getting the ball and dribbling towards the goal himself. You rarely see him but in great crosses like Ginola, you rarely see him score consistently like Robert and I'm personally not sure he's as diverse in his ability as HBA although they were all lazy on the backtrack if not non existent. I'm personally fine with Maxi being a luxury and not tracking back as much, but he can atleast work going forward and on the press. To do neither and just stroll around or lay on the ground complaining, is simply not how modern wide players play at successful teams. We all want him to succeed but it's up to him. But any fan is allowed to express their opinion and frustration with his weakness or lack of effort.

Thought he tried to release the ball earlier today, play more for the team. But think he looks half arsed or in a sulk...Somethings not right! Weak for the built up to the goal but Wood hardly protects the ball either. Always looks to be reacting to a pass. Maybe try Jo back upfront now he has some belief. Atleast he can use his body to hold the ball up. Nothing sticks with Wood.

Actually thought Kraft was probably one of our better players today. Tried to get forward, was ok at the back. Others way worse.

Born tired.

Comes across a little dumb whenever I watch him. Which has been too much if I'm honest Wilson can't return quick enough, said it before but he looks like your typical lump from the 80's.

Think we played into the anxiety and mayhem of it all. They were fucking shit, it was mainly a game of fuck all quality, second balls and zero attacking edge. Agree we missed Shelvey a little. Thought our wingers and Wood were all utter shit today. On to the next one, but I hate those fuckers - like watching and listening to a group of kids whistling for 90 fucking minutes in hysteria.

He's shite like

Let's hope he's back on form Thursday and he plays like he did at Home to Everton. I think we all want him to succeed. Maybe more than he wants it or can be arsed. Fingers crossed. He's an amazing talent when he's on song!

The Panini stickers shop at the back of the Leazes was more enjoyable than the match. The smell of the hops was stronger than our strike force. I had one of the OG halve Brazil halve NUFC bobble hats for Mira. Would collect the Photo headshots of the players and go and get them signed at Benwell. My first kit, my mam had to stitch on the Greenalls sponsor patch to make it authentic. My sister had a crush on Paul Stephenson. Remember the energy leaving the stadium as a little kid and my mam telling me the other results, then I'd go home and wait for the pink to be released. Happy days!

He's also an athlete than can probaby cover 100m in 12 seconds when he fancies it. Murphy and Almiron are 25% the player but they all trigger pressed there full backs which then allowed our full back to press the wingers. When he came on he neither pressed nor wanted to cover back. So in other words the entire team shape went out the window. And as quoted above, he sits on his arse sulking every time he falls over. Simple things make a huge difference. It's disrespectful to the lads who had done it for 70minutes. I love the guy. But he needs to show his team-mates some more respect and work up a sweat. He could be a superstar here for 5-6 years but if he's not careful he'll be replaced.

Needs to work harder. Great talent but equally just as lazy. We played a triggered press. Everyone does it but him. It had no bearing on the game but he walks back if he loses the ball and rarely closes down. Team > Player has been the big thing of late and he just wants to be the star. I really want him to be part of our team for years to come but I'm not sure he wants to work on his weaknesses tbh. Sadly. I'm sure he'll now go any score a hatful vs Everton and I hope he does but he needs to stop the sulky shit and work.