Abacus

Honestly can't say enough about what this giant has achieved. I'm still struggling for the right words. After the summer with Staveley going, I was genuinely worried about whether his heart was still in it. Silly me. Because then, he just rose above all that and if you're a player or a fan you're now going to follow this guy right to the end. I've never seen us turn up like that when it mattered and just shrug off the likes of Gordon and Hall being out, no excuses no pity party. 70 years wiped out not in an instant, but in 100 minutes of controlled yet emotional play against one of the best teams you'll face. Let's get champions league now and see what he can do next. He's the man, no question.

If Tonali is an A, so is Bruno. Genuinely think he could play for any team, and he also has that X factor in his enthusiasm and attitude. One of my favourite players ever to pull on the shirt and you really wouldn't want to be playing against him. So, A then.

I am coming around to this view.

A cup final isn't just a one off game because you need to get there in the first place, which we did by trouncing some of the best teams in the league. And then, to actually win it, to be set up properly not just tactically but mentally with the occasion, the opponents and the ghosts of the past. You are welcome to your opinions of course, but I don't think that any manager who has just done what he has - lifted the curse, changed the mentality and just beaten one of the best teams in the world right now despite no reinforcements should ever be in any doubt. Him and his team have just broken through a wall I never thought I'd see be broken. I'm not even sure what to expect next because I still can't comprehend it. But I cannot think of a single manager that I would prefer to him and I think he'll carry on proving everyone wrong. He's Newcastle through and through now and I'll be on his journey and love every minute of that rollercoaster. But aye, on topic, Pope was immense and that save tilted it our way just as much as Dan Burn's colossal header. Which are both right up there with anything I've ever seen in terms of a memory that will never leave.

He's a squad player now. He wouldn't get past any of our current midfield 3 barring injuries or suspension. But there's no shame in that given that it's probably one of the best midfield 3's in the league. For us then, right now a D.

Just watched the full match again this morning. Then I've been reading about how Eddie was thinking of his late mum at full time, and how he ignored his media duties to go charging towards our fans with the cup. Still in dreamland and this guy is a legend to me forever now. What a man and what a manager.

England's own league cup final winning Dan Burn, you say? There's only one score for him.

I still can't believe this

I actually cried today when we won that. Didn't realise I still cared so much after the Ashley years so Eddie goddamn Howe needs a statue for bringing my love of football back. Legend

Think there's only one club that doesn't want us to beat Liverpool. Come on!

Some sweet chin music right there

A low C for me. He's good to have in the squad and has some definite qualities, but at the moment right now for us he's more of a D. I.e. good to have in the squad, but you'd hope for better. But on balance I'm sticking with C since D seems a bit harsh because I think I'm judging it a bit based on a bad run of injuries and lack of availability.

Because I have no background in architecture, planning regulations, design or construction, I'm going to throw in a pointless guess too - 9 years, to align with the 2034 world cup.

Think I agree that he's a C now, but was a B pre injury. It's easy to forget what an upgrade he was when he first came in and replaced Dubravka. Now he's solid, to the point where there's genuine and reasonable debate between the two of them.

Given that Man U stadium announcement, I'd far prefer our lot to just say that we've done the groundwork, we've consulted widely, this is our plan and here's how we fund it. Then get on with it, whatever the choice is whether staying or going. And just not end up with some kind of bivouac plan.

Thought Pope was decent enough. And I don't think we mess with the back line now after a clean sheet - it's not perfect but it's probably the best we have. The argument for me is that if we sit back against Liverpool, Dubs is better with his feet at close control in tight situations, whereas if pressing forward and you leave a gap, then Pope's sweeping is far better to close that gap down. And arguably also if we face a barrage from corners etc I'd trust Pope more. I get why you could argue it either way, though.

And they can always stick an awning on it for a cost conscious extension.

So, a prefab stadium with a plastic bag on top stuck on by 3 tentpoles for £2bn (funding tbc), at the worst time in years to be taking on more debt. Plus it looks absolutely terrible. I'm all in favour of this

A C feels slightly harsh, but a B would feel too generous right now. I agree with what others have about needing more support in front of him to be able to be more attacking down the flank, and I think he has the attributes to get there, but for now I think he is a high C.

Have him down as a B right now, his progression has been really remarkable. You only have to look at how gutted we are that he's out for the season - he'll be England's left back and hopefully ours for a long time.

E - Not good enough either by virtue of general ability or being past their prime. I don't think he's past his prime. I don't think I can comment on his general ability, albeit I think he looks like he could be a handful. Is he not trusted or just being eased in? That's why I've gone with D.

I can't rate him an E. Remember when Hall was brought in and slowly introduced to the team, before now becoming a stand out player? From the flashes I have seen he's got something, so I'm trusting our management to have spotted something and be working with him. I don't know what his ceiling is, he's definitely raw, but on that basis I'm scoring him a D for now.

That's the one! Cheers enthusiast, I've just watched it another 5 times.

When I talk to non Newcastle fans about Ben Arfa they've barely heard of him, whereas I try to explain he was the definition of a player who got you off your seat. Then I show them the clips. If my brain hasn't gone too AWOL, I think the first time I thought that was maybe his first game when he was spanked the ball and just stopped it dead with the most outrageous control I can ever remember seeing. Then later, sitting in the gallowgate when he picked up the ball before halfway in the cup, with the bloke next to me just quietly saying "oh, here we go" and starting to stand up already. And then he just waltzed through half the pitch and stuck it away in the most beautiful goal I've ever witnessed live. A magician on his day.