BlazeT44

What a player. Looked a bit tired at the end but expected. Quality throughout though.

Lots of positive comments on the Sheffield United forum and in my local community (very near Sheffield) this morning for the way in which Newcastle fans behaved yesterday, particularly in relation to the minutes silence and applause. Many of which have said there was no better set of supporters to be visiting than Newcastle, given the occasion and the respect they wanted to show the girls family. Lovely to hear the majority of our fan base is held in high regard.

We won't finish top 4. The top 5 all get CL this next year. We won't finish there either. But I don't class that as a lack of progress. Last year was a freakish year. In addition to the wonders Howe and the squad produced, we had great fortune with Chelsea, Spurs and Tottenham not being at the races, and Man Utd having a shocking start. We had fantastic fortune with injuries too. I think the PIF are well aware that a repeat of last season, in addition to playing CL football this year and the demands it has on the squad, will make this a tough year. Anywhere in the top 7, playing European football and two more transfer windows to bring in 2-3 starters, will see us mount a credible top 4 challenge in 2024/2025. Which I truly believe was their plan anyway (I think their initial plan was 3 years to target CL football).

Christ. A bad start against Villa City Liverpool Brighton Give me a break. We'll be fine.

Don't you mean, WALK. Edit: 5 minutes alone might be a good thing after watching this shit

May have been mentioned, but Tonali going back to play against AC Milan

Have you ever seen a mackem in Milan?

I wasn't far wrong

Bayern, Real, AC Milan incoming if last night is anything to go by.

Let's have 'em

After that red card I'd rather have lost 2-1 trying to stick 7 past the c**** We did everything right in the first 30 minutes, to take our foot off their neck in the time after the red...

No, I fucking don't

The BBC sport app 'receiving' texts from "anonymous" claiming to be a Newcastle fan who believes that it wasn't a red for VVD or a yellow for TAA. They'll do anything won't they?

Fantastic half from the lad, and playing very technically different from last year. He's definitely taking on the instruction required and buying into the way Howe wants him to play his game.

Would definitely be putting Barnes out on the left to run at TAA and switching Gordon over to the right to tie up Robertson... Great half. Need to be more clinical.

Looks like a horrible and distasteful take, but I never make full judgement based on a "short" clip without any context or listening to the prior discussion. Not withstanding that, he's a little freak

Didn't see this. Where is the full statement?

Don't think anyone here is defending him mate?

That's where my mind went. Maybe unfairly, who knows. Of course, we don't know the full circumstances and situation as it stands now I sincerely hope they all get the support and help they need. You'd like to think lessons have been learned by all.

Would be, if the topic wasn't so serious. They've handled it so so poorly. A statement purely to avoid potential litigation.

Great post. Was trying to say similar but couldn't find the right words!

This is the bit I find extraordinary. It really doesn't sit right with me that they can play judge and jury.

Ched Evans. He was found not guilty upon review.

They have made a mess of this from start to finish. However, they've gone down this route to avoid any potential legal case. If they sacked him, he could pursue a legal case since he hasn't been convicted of anything and could argue "trial by media". He could not only try to sue for lost wages under the current contract, but maybe for loss of earnings in the future (damages due to club statements, treatment etc). If they let him play, they get a more severe backlash from fans, commercial partners and 'interested' charities. This statement is positioned carefully, straight down the middle. It states he has not been convicted, that there was more evidence than what was in the public domain, and after considerable scrutiny, BOTH parties mutually agree is best to part ways. They went way too far in saying he did not commit the offences he was accused of, IMO. They're not in a position to conclude this. But there is now no chance that Manchester United will be liable for anything (i.e., Greenwood has no chance of a claim) -- and that would be their main concern. It really wouldn't surprise me if he's been paid until the end of his current contract, or Manchester United have utilised some form of 'Early Termination clause'. In this scenario, Greenwood looses nothing (unfortunately), he can move forward in his career, and Manchester United cut ties with the player. Just hoping that all concerned parties (particularly the unborn child and the woman in question) remain safe....

I'll leave the politics out of it -- each to their own on that. I just don't like his style.