AdoptedGeordieFromPompey

Watched him on Saturday and he was class. Excellent distribution but made one incredible double save mid-way through the second half where he blocked the first before springing up and denying Matt Ritchie what looked a sure goal on the rebound. Burnley do set up extremely defensively and they are a bore to watch but the back four all played well. The lad they got from Man City (Egan Riley) could easily play in the top flight. Didn't put a foot wrong. Trafford though looked like he has all the attributes to be a top top class keeper for a decade or more.

Ritchie was absolute class in the second half. Balled out. His first was a brilliant run across the backline that the defenders missed, great first touch and slotted home. His second was a cross-come-shot that smashed in off the post but even apart from those goals, he was freaking everywhere and caused 'boro all kinds of trouble. He might not be the most gifted player in the world but he does care and gives 100% and on those days when he's on, that equates to a pretty darn good player.

Local newspaper reports down here saying a loan deal will be finalised sooner rather than later.

You guys should feel for me. I watch Jacob with one team and Josh with the other. They are the same player, how one is starting in the top flight and the other in the Championship is a complete mystery. Both frustrating as all heck and try to do things they aren't really capable of. I'm not sure either would be automatic starters for upper tier Championship sides and Toon are banking on him to help lead them to Europe. Madness.

As a Pompey mush with a soft spot for Eddie Howe and Newcastle (hence why I'm here) this is probably a good spot for my first post. Many moons ago, Pompey played reserve matches at Aldershot where I was living, so I saw Ritchie coming through the ranks and he was the only player that showed any inkling of making it. He's had a really solid career up with you guys and has long said he wanted to complete his career back at Fratton Park. Now we have two Pompey boys in the squad with him joining Marlon Pack. I'm happy to have him back as think that bit of experience along with Pack will be important to Championship survival. We'll take good care of him as he is one of our own.