Monters

Gordon hinted similar in his Gary Neville interview on Whitely prom!

Barkely strikes me as someone who can become disinterested \ lazy if not one of the main men so for that reason I'd pass as I don't think he's a starter if everyone is fit without changing shape... If you got his head sorted ability wise as an impact sub then could be great, we haven't been able to use the bench nearly enough this year (obvious reasons) and having decent options and using them earlier will help in so many ways

Given the new contract I imagine they see Murphy as the young centre half, they seem to high hopes for the young Irish centre half signed last summer (I think) but probs still far too early for him to move up to the first team pool

Standard caveat that I am very much in the Howe camp... but for me the biggest challenge he or any manager has is to some how get us a proper winning mentality, the biggest consistency in my time supporting NUFC has been the inability to win must win games despite being the better side! Over the years there's been Keegan losing at Old Trafford and St. James against Man U, the 4 v 3 at Anfield Bobby cup semi final against Chelsea, Souness (I think) UEFA cup quarter final v Sporting plus no doubt lots more! Last season other than the cup final, I thought we were closer than ever before (I was so angry after the cup final as we never really laid a glove on them) but this year the club has reverted to type with mitigation (injuries etc.) Failing again last night hurt as did the home game against Liverpool and Chelsea away etc. same old same old.... Not sure where I'm going with this other than a rambling rant to make me feel better... I suppose the question is do you want a win at all costs young Mourinho, Ferguson, Klopp etc. or happy for someone to grow with the club and be more of a statesman but not necessarily win like Sir Bobby? Personally I'd always choose the later but man it is getting close... just for once I want us to get the crucial late winner, goal against the run of play etc. and just fcuking WIN

Yep me too, similar to what the Chelsea winner got disallowed for v Villa… Which I did think was the right decision but maybe black and white eyes

Don't mind at all... looking back probably not assertive enough on the ball, got a nasty ankle injury not long before contract renewal which didn't help but probably cold hard truth is the former... Mick McCarthy moved from player to manager and he loved me so if that had happened earlier who knows but there'll be hundreds with a similar story over the years

Pretty much agree - unless wages are mental we should be able to off load for profit if we need to improve in a season or two, seems solid business... Although who knows what the rules will be by then!

Many, many years ago hahaha... I was an apprentice \ young pro at Millwall (89 - 92), we lost to Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup with McManaman and possibly Fowler in the team... and played reserve team against all the London clubs and most of the south east clubs... Merson at the time was just universally revered in that area but that Arsenal squad were known as mega drinkers, we played against them when Tony Adams was first released from jail for drink driving and both grounds (Highbury and The Den) were packed... Malcolm Allen pre Newcastle elbowed Adams early in the first game so the comeback was curtailed on 10 mins or so! I totally agree re McManaman's time in Spain thought he was awesome for Real in some huge games and should have been in the England team more

As a pundit or player? Don't agree as a player - Merson was top draw in a good Arsenal team... I was lucky enough to play against both (McManaman was a lot younger) and Merson was streets ahead at the time, the late David Rocastle played that match too unreal talent... needless to say we got battered!

Scotswood Road too! As you say, Durham my arse!

Personally it feels like City all day to me... Will be gutting like!

Totally agree - especially the bit in bold! Goalkeepers doing what they are paid to do (without going all Roy Keane) is not luck... Used to really annoy me whenever we were called lucky because Given had played brilliantly... On the flip side the narrative was never followed when Schmiechel used to bail Man U on a regular basis especially in the 'Keegan bottled it season'

That was what frustrated me the most when we lost him and gained Bruce... The front three of Perez, Rondon and Miggy had started to play some canny stuff (compared to previous seasons) and it felt that the team didn't need much tweaking only for it all to get chucked away over a few million... Obviously Joelinton then to Joelinton now is a very different beast!

And if not there is always the potential to flip him for a few million to keep the accountants happy!

Yep, totally agree! Rest and a progressive targeted strengthening program is the norm, just just on the Achilles but all areas of the calf and shin muscles... I would imagine they would be looking at his gait too and checking if his boots are too neutral etc.

Would love him to score the winner!

Before moving away from the city I taught my kids to ride their bikes there, exercised the dog and ran there most days myself... Obviously all things I could do in a Central Park type development but not in a housing estate etc. Green space is important to the city or is to me and yes I am old!

Not sure the maths back this up, close last season a million extra for them but net spend was more for us, but Howe's first year Arsenal spent more circa 66 million more and this year they spent circa 80 million more His additional seasons were 160 & 86 million so overall circa 400 million more even if you add the cash we spent on Willock before Howe arrived. If transfer market has let me down then I will hastily retreat!

I’ve hated Liverpool my whole life but Arsenal are shading them at the minute! Truly classless team, manager & crowd… Although saying that Turkey Teeth will no doubt piss me off tomorrow ?

Bollix that boring, shite, ex Arsenal centre forward Alan Smith is the co commentator, he’s never mentioned the dive!

Sorted - my address wasn't fully updated in my membership profile.

Has anyone managed to buy tickets for the match at St James'? I am trying to but the page validation is requested a delivery method despite there being no way of selecting \ choosing a delivery method on the page (at least that I can see) If anyone can help with a work around or show me how I am missing it I'd be very grateful, thanks!

Exactly! Makes zero sense

Totally agree! Would come with a massive risk of him having a Hall season which would be worthless to him and us

Fair point - I have a blind spot to him and really don't see it but better judges than me really rate him