Nine

15-20 mins today

Totally agree and this is why missing out on a euro spot this season might not be the worst thing to happen, how often have we seen outside the top 6 sides qualify for Europe and then have a bad season the PL due to the extra fixtures? We could especially suffer for the way we set out to play in the PL. I dont think we will ever flesh out the squad with 6/7/8 players in one window under the current regime, Howe seems very into the idea of bringing in a few each window and getting them settled. With all that being said, 1 or 2 in Jan and another 3/4 in the summer and the squad will look a whole lot better again although no guarantee we do that kind of business after the money we've already spent so far.

Think you have taken my post a bit to literally there, im saying a cup run being an extra run of games that will add the percentages of injuries up and tire our high intensity game out towards the end of the season. Im being realistic and looking at things pragmatically, not just saying 'yeah we'll be top 4 and win a cup because we arnt owned by Ashley anymore'. Lets not label things as 'Pardewism or Ashleyism' just because its not the overly positive reaction that some people seem to be expecting already, lets keep it realistic. You perceiving my post the way you did is exactly the type stuff that gets us labelled as deluded, bigger than City and Chelsea? Not on the pitch (where being 'big' counts) for a very long time.

Christ

How much do you need to spend to guarantee a cup win then? A lengthy cup run is the worst thing that can happen for our top 6/7 aspirations

When I said benefits us I should have specified I meant on fitness levels, the question on momentum is just something we will have to wait and see on.. the team will have ideas on how to keep the players that don’t travel focused enough.

The world cup break will benefit us massively

Hes clearly happy here and will be offered a new contract sooner rather than later, and rightly so will be the forerunner of advancing our wage structure. Cant convince myself that hes never going to leave like some can though as football is never as simple as that.

Was completely wrong about him, always thought he wasn’t suited to a back 4. Amazing we got this guy for like £3m or whatever it was.

Ultimate shithouse, love him

Hes very press resistant as well as being great as pressing, doing very well lately

Could anyone else have done better here so far?

What a fucking result

They scored on em real nice Wayne, they're hawt shit right about now

Sorry not sorry

The goal perked us right up, we were on the back foot before then. Just hope we dont drop off at 60 mins.. we'll have some tired legs and few CM options off the bench

MIGS. AGAIN.

The goal picked us up a bit

Lets go boys

Never a foul

LOL

They look deadly today

Sharp run from Joe

While I agree with the ambition, the current state of our squad suggests to me that maintaining and finishing within top 10 this season IS a positive. I've said it before, one or two key injuries (Bruno/Wilson even Botman or Schar) could significantly harm our current consistency and given the intensity we play/train at its likely at some point. I dont see it as lowering the bar myself, I think we are actually performing above the bar right now.. no reason we cant continue but realistically I think its unlikely. I think we as fans tend to forget where we started when Howe came in, things have moved very quickly (credit to Howe, players and ownership) but there will be bumps in the road up ahead. Theres no way 8th/9th would be disappointing to me, theres a long way to go even after our great start.

The gap from 8th-10th could be miniscule, no need to get to caught up on placement (below 7th) as top 10 still indicates massive progress