Rayvin

Just checked the table to see where the other PL relegation teams are. Norwich are ok but what the fuck are Villa up to exactly?

Ah fair enough - agree on everything else, was positive. Knew Brighton were nothing to worry about Just wish I hadn't doubted myself on the predictor...

We give away far too many free kicks like...

Lua Lua looks handy for winning free kicks and so on...

Looking steady so far...3 subs from Brighton looks ambitious though, maybe Hughton has something up his sleeve

Yep, far more diplomatic this way around and I very much doubt it makes any prospective move less likely. It's not like, if Barcelona were thinking about it, they'd be put off because he hadn't thrown a hissy fit in an attempt to engineer a move.

Perez's take on the match: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/26/newcastle-united-ayoze-perez-brighton-striker-chris-hughton Nice bit here, even if it is just playing up to the fans: It is surprising a forward regularly watched by Barcelona remains on Tyneside but unlike the unsettled Moussa Sissoko (the France midfielder is once again omitted from Benítez’s squad as he desperately attempts to engineer an escape) – Pérez has never sought a move “I’ve always been happy here,” he said. “That hasn’t changed – not even when we were relegated. Of course, relegation was bad but not once have I thought about leaving. “I believe staying here is what’s best for my career. If you’re happy in one place, why leave? During the summer I could have gone to other teams but I didn’t.” And Barcelona? “That is something big,” he said. “But if I started thinking ‘Barcelona, oh Barcelona’ it would be wrong. Newcastle has given me everything.”

How much we're they gonna pay for Matuidi?

that sounds actually quite interesting!

Brilliant.

Nice one, great news assuming he turns out to be useful.

Just re-watched it - what about that speech is so off the wall, exactly? I know it was slated as another example of pressure getting to one of Fergie's arch rivals (like the Keegan one) but I don't really see a lot wrong with what he set out. That said, I didn't pay it much mind at the time and so probably am not aware of the full context.

Ah sorry, totally misread that. I figured inbound referenced players - my bad. Agree on the Rafa point - I suppose we'd be up in arms under normal circumstances.

...that's just unpleasant.

Wow, that's quite a statement of intent for a relegated team. Make no mistake, this is spending for an immediate return... Rafa must have been given a very clear objective.

That almost looks like damning with faint praise for Rodgers Obviously Hodgson doesn't get a look in either. Justifiably.

what a scary prospect...

...are we ever going to play the lad? Honestly?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-37154123 Imagine owning the lower car.

Other countries are getting in on the superhero act! The Chinese have contributed Pancake Man. Box office hit in China apparently. The Russians also have some guy who turns into a giant bear and fires a minigun https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2016/aug/25/marvel-russian-chinese-indian-film-makers-chakra-invincible-pancake-man

Ah ok, fair enough. Either way, it's not encouraging to see him injured as much as he is.

I really hate to say it but I'm starting to think it's never going to happen for him. How long does a broken foot keep you out? 4 months? 5? I just don't think he can physically hack it.

Hipster.