Virtua Stiva

Ross Wilson has been texting Big Ange, pass it on

I’d give Howe next season too, especially if there’s a decent summer behind him. I’m not holding my breath on that but Wilson has to show his worth big time

£55m for this piss artist. At least Elanga tries

Hard to really put into words how poor that second half was and it’s especially galling because I’d wager a good chunk of us could all see it coming. Since January, it really has felt like a lot of bad decisions, at every level of the club, have finally come back to haunt us and this last week has been two decisive kicks to the balls. I’ve defended Howe against a lot of the shite thrown at him but I do worry that result, with this coming 3 weeks of marinading toxicity, might be the beginning of the end for him and it’s probably the last straw with a sizeable portion of the fanbase. If this season ends without Europe, I think he’s away tbh. It wouldn’t be my move but I think it’ll be what happens

Good news for my bookings bet

That second bit has actually made me more nervous

Proper charva’s day out every time

I do think they’ll turn up and sit back for the first 15/20 minutes as they gauge which Newcastle they’re getting. If we’re feeling sorry for ourselves, they’ll fancy it. I do worry if it’s 0-0/1-0 going into the last 10 minutes though as this lot tend to conjure things up in that time, though it has dried up recently. Sitting here the night before, I don’t think we’ll lose. I think this lot rushing back players, Ballard in particular is a recipe for disaster but when the alternative is O’Nien, I can see why they might in that case. This game coming so quickly may be a blessing; no time for feeling sorry for ourselves, make up for it on the pitch against the mackems. Really, you couldn’t ask for a better game in which to wash the bad taste out of your mouth. Howe has had to rally us from bad defeats before, never THAT bad, but bad nonetheless so I have faith he’ll do it again. I fancy Ramsey to score tomorrow and a Gordon pen. Let’s end this nightmare run of games in style

Ramsdale will be there to face 20 Harry Kane penalties a day in training so Pickford doesn’t have to

Any further news on Ballard being knackered? If O’Nien starts this game, you might as well just give him a booking and us a penalty now

Anyone thinking that this is going to stop us becoming a “super club” is out to lunch. The whole system being rigged is going to put that to bed anyway

I thought Murphy may start on Sunday if Sunderland are going to sit in but would be harsh to drop him

Hey now, we could be without Bruno AND Tonali so add the injuries on

Well, some of the confidence from our lot might get knocked down a peg now

If Arsenal think they can cheat and shithouse their way past Barcelona, they’re in for a rough night.

They sensed blood and struck. We’ve done it to teams in the past when we had the rat up top. It’s what good sides do

Even in the first half, Barca could have scored a couple before they got the pen. I’m betting on there being a response on Sunday though. There fucking has to be

Understand we’re playing the best team in the world and all that but what are we fucking playing at?! Great cross from Ramsey there

Jesus wept, these need to take mercy on us

Thiaw with the kind of performance that sees you dropped for a derby tbh. He looks fucking exhausted

wow look at that

These will get everything now, I’m afraid

Every goal has been far too easy for them, sadly

Penalty right at the end has been a proper kick in the balls, you can tell

Two players that should have been suspended. That ref from last week will be getting a canny Christmas present from Barcelona