Upthemags

For too long to write it off as merely a patch of poor form either

So frustrating to think what this attack could be if we'd have had half a season of gordon at RW and Barnes at LW

BRILLIANT dubs

It bears emphasizing: We are effectively playing 2 seasons with exactly the same squad - effectively all of our additions are literal non-factors. Of course we didn't know that coming into the season. But these results feel much less of a gut punch when you realize it's basically the same exact squad we ran out last season (with some injuries to boot). Each squad in the top flight upgrades on the squad from yesteryear. It's a massive blow we've no improvements anywhere in the squad. And that puts into perspective how impressive it is we are still within a purple patch run of form from qualifying for Champions League football. Keep perspective lads.

We don't have access to the books so it's hard to say, despite anyone telling you they know for a certainty we can't spend. I suspect, though many here disagree, that the summer budget will be expended in January on account of the current circumstances. Howe has been characteristically coy in pressers, suggesting we'll make some stop-gap moves based on the injury list, but I suspect he's strategically underplaying what will be a very aggressive January for us.

Losing to a Championship side just isn't good enough mate - all for positivity, but not toxic positivity

Thought Burn was fine surprised some think he's been the problem - there's just no attacking creativity with these. Can speculate as to why we aren't, but we should be breaking down a Luton midfield/defense with relative ease.

Not going to questions Eddie's reasoning, but Miley is one of our few creative outlets, especially with Gordon knackered. Maybe a bit disciplinary on Eddie's end for the ball watching mistake

Yea it looks Eddie is trying to hide him defensively with Schär helping on the wing

Miley injured?

Dubs looking fantastic

Endlessly impressed by Eddie's composure before the press. Not sure if it was someone in these forums or elsewhere who said Eddie has the sharpness of a politician, but it's spot on. Lucky he's at the helm.

New owners coming in and wanting immediate success/results is unfortunately a tale as old as time. PIF seem more even-keel than others, myself included, have given them credit for though. So here's hoping it stays that way.

I agree the article is very empty of anything of substance, but it's worth highlighting this last bit: "Of course, there is one obvious caveat to the rational, steady mindset of Ashworth, Staveley et al. Whatever their thoughts, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund holds an 80 per cent majority stake in Newcastle and, ultimately, crucial calls must be ratified by Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the chairman. To date, Al-Rumayyan has left decision-making to those who run the club day to day, but there will always be a risk he will intervene if his aims are not being fulfilled." I'm glad to hear PIF have left the club to operate as its own independent entity, and you would hope PIF are smart enough to keep it that way.

I agree with you that Eddie ought not be going anytime soon - unfortunately I do harbor some worry that the PIF will be less patient than the fans. End of the day this is an investment for them, and they won't like feeling like they've been kicked in the pants a year after qualifying for Champions League football.

Any closed league in the style of American sport is a terrible idea

I don't disagree with you, and I don't think Eddie does either - he'll be sent back in a few months when the loan ends assuming we don't buy. Not like he's trapped here forever.

Howe all but confirmed that there are indeed performance-metrics that must be hit in order to trigger the obligation to buy. I'm not really sure why everyone seems to be scratching their heads over this. Howe doesn't want to spend 35 million pound on an 18 year old fullback while we're strapped for funds under FFP and the money can be more efficiently used elsewhere.

Whether it frees up funds in the present or future is beside the point, really - it does indeed free up funds in the summer, so we could go out and sign a contract that looks exactly like Hall's does now, loan with obligation to buy next year.

I think this is less to do with whether Hall could help in this particular game, and more to do with the team's decision not to pick up his option and sign him in the summer. To me, that means we'll see a sizable move or two in January with money that otherwise would be spent on Hall in the summer

Brilliant from dubs

A rest for Callum is in order with him not too far removed from injury, but think we can comfortably say he'll be starting tomorrow - just hope he can weather it with Isak likely out Would be massive to get through tomorrow with a beatable field remaining

Not really, players would eventually fall in line

Love the officials cracking down on that kind of dissent

Villa making it difficult for me to stand by my position that they will regress to the mean... Still possible, but maybe it's just a purple patch of a season for them, and that's not to take anything away from their quality/Emery's job