KetsbaiaIsBald

Yeah. That interview with Longstaff when he talks about how depressed he was and then nearly ruined his career was so telling. For a player to excel under the manager before and after Bruce is really telling.

I don't agree with a lot of that but it's all just opinions. It's interesting hearing the debate from the other side. I was left very bitter with Bruce due to: - his mates media support (I'm sure he's a nice guy 1-1 and that has worked for him) - false Geordie claims - being very poor when anyone questions him - complete disregard to tactics and preparation of the team for a particular opponent - and mostly being completely unprofessional and leaving our squad unfit for a season. It really did look like he was looking for his 8 million. Low salary high pay off absolutely stank of Ashley. edit: to the point that I have more respect for Pardew and I absolutely hated him at the time.

Also ASM has just turned 26 and has three years left on the contract. It would be fantastic if he could get over his fitness issues.

I have not really followed him this year to be honest I didn't know that. I guess the age difference is significant (26 vs 30). The only way it would work if he was plan B/C like both Isak and Wilson is plan B. My feeling is Howe want to the team game view and players like both of them are going to struggle, from what we've seen ASM's body cant handle it either. At 26 he does not want to be a plan B, there are a few sound bites already where he's indicated that. Mind you whether Zaha would accept that either is debatable.

Yeah. I think there is too much water under the bridge for the player and fans for him to come here now. Villa would suit their go for people that reject us approach. It would keep their fans happy.

I love it when he goes on one of his runs with the ball. I’m always thinking I wish he’d do it more but maybe it’s the element of surprise that gives him the first couple yards.

I think the only way ASM goes is if we sign someone like Zaha on a free. We need someone who can run at a defence when we can’t get behind them. I really hope he stays as he offers such threat and I’d hate to play against him. But he is constantly carrying an injury. Say 40-50 million in and replaced with Zaha keeps that sort of attacking threat and allows further investment else were. Even typing this I’m in two minds whether it would be a good idea. I do love ASM when he’s flying.

Apologies if this has been covered by why is the premier league organising the tournament? Are clubs obliged to play in this premier league friendly cup ever so often? Football wise I think playing league opposition in friendlies is a bad idea. Commercially maybe the premier league label brings more revenue but are they taking a cut?

I like what I’ve seen of him so far. Before he signed I thought he was mainly about dribbling but his passing is an equal part. He’s not set the world alight but he has created a few chances and defended from the front. I think he’s been unlucky with injuries and being cup tied. He’s obviously a bit frustrated as he wants to show more. I personally like that and the blip last week has been blown way out of proportion. His first assists and goals will do him the world of good when they come and when he can play football without trying to impress I think we’ll see a different player.

This doesn’t align with my memories. The last 5-6 months after we signed miggy was the best football we played under Rafa IMO. - relegation season - style didn’t really matter. I don’t remember how good or bad we were to be honest. I was just looking for the points - promotion season - we were, if anything, a little negative for the league we were in. We achieved the objective but it was not free flowing. - 1st season up. We did what we had to to stay up. Played well sometimes, sometimes very defensive. - 2nd season first half. Lots of bad luck with results. Performances ok - 2nd season second half with miggy. We really started to play well. With an attacking threat at last. We didn’t have maxim yet. Miggy gave us someone who offered something and despite the lack of goals made a huge difference to the style. We lost Rafa, signed Bruce. Got maxim so had two good attacking threats and took a huge step backwards in style of play. Using stats people compare Bruce and Rafa over Rafa’s two seasons in the league. I think that’s totally unfair as we were a newly promoted team, building and improving. Stats should compare the rafas last 6 months with Bruce’s time. Bruce’s football was poor defence. Conceded 15-20 chances. Prey they didn’t take them. Hope we score on the break.

I read a while ago about a system that removed shirts and colours so you could not tell what team or even match it was. I think something like this would be good as it removes doubt of bias.

I was a bit lazy in throwing smith in there in what was meant to be a tongue in cheek post about villas choice of manager. I do not serious think they just based their choice on us going for him. I think of him in terms of poor villa recruitment choices as I think getting rid of him was too quick. I think binning him for Gerard’ was an incredibly poor choice by your powers that be.

I think it could happen more with signings. Some teams scouting could be who we are after. Hopefully we do a few dummies and the ones we want realise we are committed to them.

Notts county have 3 easy games left. They may not get promotion with 109 points.

For a non Newcastle save that was the same for me.

What a fucking game

Notts high line is insane.

Get in there Lee junior.

I’m really hoping that players see us as the best place to come to forward their careers. We have a plan and we buy a player as he’s a fit for us. We stick to the plan. Look as Botman, now Pedro. Compare us to scattergun Chelsea’s approach where you can join and end up sitting on the floor as they’ve signed so many players. If we’re interested in you and you want to progress under good management at team and player level they should know where to come to.

After he tripped himself up for the free kick. That will make good tv.

Come on Plymouth. 1 down ?

The linesman has got 4 decisions on the trot wrong ? he wants to be the bad guy in a Disney movie

It’s ok on the iPad. What’s with the flags on seats? They mentioned at the start that it could have sold out multiple times?

He was onside by a meter! I thought the officials couldn’t get worse!