Overrated players

[The Prophet]

Yuuuurs. Vintage post-defeat patter.

[TheBrownBottle]

2 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

Yuuuurs. Vintage post-defeat patter.

I’ve felt our midfield isn’t the sum of its parts for some time tbf.   Not criticising their abilities as individuals, but we don’t dominate matches in the middle of the park. 

[The Prophet]

48 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

I’ve felt our midfield isn’t the sum of its parts for some time tbf.   Not criticising their abilities as individuals, but we don’t dominate matches in the middle of the park. 

 

It probably hasn't been, but even going back to last season they were superb. The biggest issue now is that Big Joe seems to be on the decline.

 

I'd also add (regarding another post) that Bruno is one of our best, ever. Tonali probably will be considered similar in another season or two.

 

 

Edited November 2, 2025 by The Prophet

[Mountain]

On 01/11/2025 at 10:07, Mole said:

I love Iniesta but I agree, looked like he was going through people like they're not there at times but he couldn't control a game in the way Xavi could almost by himself.

 

I don't find it a coincidence that they still haven't won the CL since his retirement.

 

 

Perfect example of "appearences can be deceptive" beacause iniesta looks way better on first viewing, but Xavi was would just control the tempo of an entire game while looking less impressive, he has also 1 more goal and far more assists.

[Ronaldo]

2 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

I’ve felt our midfield isn’t the sum of its parts for some time tbf.   Not criticising their abilities as individuals, but we don’t dominate matches in the middle of the park. 

What are Joelinton’s abilities? Curious to hear what the perception is of him now. These days I very rarely see him driving the team forward, linking up with anyone, and he’s also increasing second to everything. 
 

Also hasn’t scored in the league since December. At some point you’ve got to ask what the eff the point is.

[TheBrownBottle]

2 minutes ago, Ronaldo said:

What are Joelinton’s abilities? Curious to hear what the perception is of him now. These days I very rarely see him driving the team forward, linking up with anyone, and he’s also increasing second to everything. 
 

Also hasn’t scored in the league since December. At some point you’ve got to ask what the eff the point is.

I’ve never felt Joelinton is a particularly good midfielder, and have stated it on here in the past - I advocated for his sale in 2024 when he’d have been at peak value; as per usual, we’re likely to persist with him until he’s lot most of his value before selling him.  I think he’s a top pro and all-round decent gadgie but that shouldn’t be enough to keep plugging him into the team.  He’s probably the embodiment of a failure to evolve - we should’ve left him behind a while ago. 
 

Tonali and Bruno are clearly really good midfielders. 

[r0cafella]

1 minute ago, TheBrownBottle said:

I’ve never felt Joelinton is a particularly good midfielder, and have stated it on here in the past - I advocated for his sale in 2024 when he’d have been at peak value; as per usual, we’re likely to persist with him until he’s lot most of his value before selling him.  I think he’s a top pro and all-round decent gadgie but that shouldn’t be enough to keep plugging him into the team.  He’s probably the embodiment of a failure to evolve - we should’ve left him behind a while ago. 
 

Tonali and Bruno are clearly really good midfielders. 

The point about hanging on to players for too long is something I've written about in the past as well. We do it everytime. The likes of Pope and Wilson (I knows he's gone) should have been shifted once we stabilised and could get some money back for them. 

 

With Psr you can't hang on to players until retirement   

[Kid Icarus]

6 hours ago, Mountain said:

 

 

Perfect example of "appearences can be deceptive" beacause iniesta looks way better on first viewing, but Xavi was would just control the tempo of an entire game while looking less impressive, he has also 1 more goal and far more assists.

It's apples and oranges tbf, they're nothing alike. It's a bit like comparing Pirlo and Zidane, and in the end comes down to the type of footballer you prefer, because their skillsets and styles are just different. 

 

Iniesta was a fucking genius and a real big game player. There are only two or  maybe three players in my lifetime that I know I'd definitely rate higher than him.

 

 

Edited November 3, 2025 by Kid Icarus

[ED209]

6 hours ago, Ronaldo said:

What are Joelinton’s abilities? Curious to hear what the perception is of him now. These days I very rarely see him driving the team forward, linking up with anyone, and he’s also increasing second to everything. 
 

Also hasn’t scored in the league since December. At some point you’ve got to ask what the eff the point is.

 

Runs around a lot, he’s the Brazilian Jack Colback. 

[Roids]

Anthony Gordon & Anthony Elanga

[Roids]

13 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Not an individual player, but our midfield as a collective is overrated.  We can’t retain the ball and we are ridiculously easy to play through.  

that's a managerial/setup issue, which would imply a certain someone should be appearing in this thread 

[gbandit]

If you think Howe is overrated you’re a buffoon 

[Lush Vlad]

I always watch Paqueta and think he's overrated.  Apart from when he plays us and he turns into prime Rivaldo.  

[OCOCOL]

On 31/10/2025 at 19:27, jack j said:

He is the 3rd highest ever appearance maker in our whole history. 

 

He could have left numerous times before he did. He was probably too loyal for his own good if anything

 

Makes me laugh when people say this about Given when you think of how many fucking wankers who couldnt give a toss have played for us over the years 

I met Shay at a pre Ascot horse sale - spoke to him and his wife for ages - he started the conversation when he heard my accent and asked if I was a Newcastle fan - told me his lad loves us still and it was the best years of his life - said he was very lucky he got to go to a fair few games through punditry and connections at the club. Top lad and was a very good goalkeeper so probably not overrated imho

[Fak]

3 minutes ago, OCOCOL said:

I met Shay at a pre Ascot horse sale - spoke to him and his wife for ages - he started the conversation when he heard my accent and asked if I was a Newcastle fan - told me his lad loves us still and it was the best years of his life - said he was very lucky he got to go to a fair few games through punditry and connections at the club. Top lad and was a very good goalkeeper so probably not overrated imho

 

[TRon]

12 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

I’ve never felt Joelinton is a particularly good midfielder, and have stated it on here in the past - I advocated for his sale in 2024 when he’d have been at peak value; as per usual, we’re likely to persist with him until he’s lot most of his value before selling him.  I think he’s a top pro and all-round decent gadgie but that shouldn’t be enough to keep plugging him into the team.  He’s probably the embodiment of a failure to evolve - we should’ve left him behind a while ago. 
 

Tonali and Bruno are clearly really good midfielders. 

 

 

They are, but Bruno is not the most mobile to start with, so he needs legs around him. Joelinton's seem to have gone this season and that means we don't have enough running in midfield. You can't put everything on Tonali. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

2 hours ago, gbandit said:

If you think Howe is overrated you’re a buffoon 

 

Very generous choice of insult there. 

[Mountain]

On 03/11/2025 at 06:47, Kid Icarus said:

It's apples and oranges tbf, they're nothing alike. It's a bit like comparing Pirlo and Zidane, and in the end comes down to the type of footballer you prefer, because their skillsets and styles are just different. 

 

Iniesta was a fucking genius and a real big game player. There are only two or  maybe three players in my lifetime that I know I'd definitely rate higher than him.

 

 

 

 

Indeed, matter of preference.

 

Who?

[Lush Vlad]

I’ve never got the fuss around Vini Jr. 
 

He’ll probably score a hat trick now. Which I wouldn’t mind  

[KennyUtd]

4 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

I’ve never got the fuss around Vini Jr. 
 

He’ll probably score a hat trick now. Which I wouldn’t mind  

Not sure he'd get in ahead of Gordon but I'd have him here like. 

[Fak]

6 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

I’ve never got the fuss around Vini Jr. 
 

He’ll probably score a hat trick now. Which I wouldn’t mind  

 

Been on the decline ever since Rio tipped him for the Ballon d'Or sixteen times live on air. 

[Fak]

On 01/11/2025 at 18:18, Fak said:

Does Van de Ven deserve a shout in here? He's a good defender, but feels like pace and maybe that assist v. Man Utd has done some heavy lifting for his reputation 

 

 

[janpawel]

1 hour ago, Fak said:

 

Been on the decline ever since Rio tipped him for the Ballon d'Or sixteen times live on air. 

 

He makes me sick Rio like

[Menace]

Nico Williams 

[Jewel]

On 03/11/2025 at 06:47, Kid Icarus said:

It's apples and oranges tbf, they're nothing alike. It's a bit like comparing Pirlo and Zidane, and in the end comes down to the type of footballer you prefer, because their skillsets and styles are just different. 

 

Iniesta was a fucking genius and a real big game player. There are only two or  maybe three players in my lifetime that I know I'd definitely rate higher than him.

 

 

 

Curious to know who those 2 or 3 players are. Not having a go or anything, I'm genuinely interested. I assume Messi is one of them?