Polarboy

Yeah he was playing wide in a front three. The thing is given his physique you'd expect him to be more than capable of leading the line, but he looks like Bambi on ice.

First thing that has to be said is great effort from almost everyone, and some credit to Bruce for quickly realising that the lads were more comfortable in the set up and tactics Rafa was using. Fortunately that set up pretty much nullified Sheff Utd's big strengths as a team. Secondly as much as Almiron frustrates me he at least brings effort, great defensive cover and work, and he carries the ball with pace up the pitch. Joelinton on the other hand, apart from that bright moment against Spurs and a decent assist against the 'ammers has been absolute shite. I could understand if he wasn't really suited to or used to being a target man given he hadn't played centrally for most of his career, but he can't even run defences without tripping over his feet. Perhaps he's just devoid of confidence but I don't see any signs of how or if he'll turn this around. I wouldn't be surprised if the rumour about his actual fee being 20m down and then 18m extra if we win a European competition, which of course is a joke proposition under Ashley, is true. 20m is still far too much on current evidence.

Well again he had ten appearances under Rafa and his limitations seemed apparent then as well. It just happened to be the case that people were willing to give him some time. That time has come and gone for me. I'd like to be wrong but I can't see him improving all that much regardless of where he plays or who the midfield two are. There's a cool headedness when an attacking player gets into the box that separates good players from average to poor ones and Almiron just doesn't seem to have it at premier league level.

Agree to disagree then, but personally I think that while he was getting into better areas his touch and decision making haven't declined all that much from last season. He had plenty of opportunities in the opposition box last season where he could have either scored if he had a cooler head or passed to a teammate for an easy goal.

His decision making and touch was never good mate. With his pace and the amount of chances he's had he would have scored or assisted long before now when Rafa was in charge.

Atsu has looked decent when he's come on in a few games this season. He can't be any worse than Almiron at the minute. But Bruce dinosaur that he is will likely persist with him as long as his running stats are high.

His pace is an asset and running with the ball in dangerous areas is always useful, but again despite all that he neither scored or assisted despite getting in the areas to do it. It was Perez and Rondon who were carrying the weight of our attack the second half of last season.

How long does he have to go without scoring or assisting and or tripping over his feet whenever he's in the box for you to lose faith? That's a genuine question not a rhetorical one. As I said in another comment when he was playing under Rafa he was still losing his head every time he got anywhere near the goal. And I don't see how he's under a huge amount of pressure on the basis of the system.

He may have been attacking from better areas under Rafa but he still didn't score or assist at the end of the day. I just don't see him getting over the sheer panic he appears to have whenever he gets a chance in and around the box.

Mentioning Hazard was a bit of hyperbole obviously, but the facts are he can barely pass the ball five yards, and every time he's given the ball in the final third he either balls's it up or passes backwards. There's being out of form and then there's what Almiron is at the minute. A player can be out of form but the basics don't usually totally abandon them.

Almiron and Joelinton, 60 million worth of shite. I used to be in the camp that thought once Almiron gets one he'll be away, but the truth is that he's just shite. If you still think he'll turn into Hazard once he gets one you need to have a word with yourself.

The self proclaimed greatest coach in the world has to eat as well. A little bit of arse licking might just get him a coaching role with granny face should the compo prove too much for his assistants at Wednesday.

Yep, although even having visited the museum in Amsterdam I can't call myself an aficionado in any way, shape or form. Hey that looks cool were my only thoughts on it.

Stevie Bruce! Stevie Bruce! Stevie, Stevie Bruce! Since the liposuction his ball bags loose, Stevie, Stevie Bruce! Stevie Bruce! Stevie Bruce! Stevie, Stevie Bruce! His appointment's going to inspire some to take out the noose, Stevie, Stevie Bruce!

I've seen it said, but it's almost guaranteed to be Tony Pulis if they can't agree compensation with Wednesday. I'm shocked they didn't just plumb for Pulis anyway, given he's unemployed and they only want someone to scrape us 17th. Sadly it may have been the case that he's already knocked us back. A bit like ten ton Tessie turning you down for a date. But again it's not as if who's the manager is all that relevant anymore, or has been really for the entire time Ashley has owned the club. I used to think that we needed the best manager possible to keep us in the premier until Ashley sells up, but does anyone actually think he'll ever sell while he's still raking in the cash. A couple of seasons in the championship might force his hand. God forbid we join the Mackems in league one, but again it might be the only way to get rid of him.

To be fair the point is that McClaren had no say, and Bruce will also have absolutely no say on who's bought, and as I said whoever is bought is being bought to be sold as soon as a big offer comes in. There was less money spent under Rafa because he had at least some say on who came in.

Well I think whoever we're getting so we can flog later on was decided a long time ago by Steve Nickson. So when granny face comes in it may just be a case of pulling the trigger. Bruce will have no say of course, but they want to give at least a faint illusion that the club isn't run like a Sports Direct store by waiting until he's hired.

I actually think we'll spend a few quid on a few players when granny face is confirmed. But of course they'll be 25 and under, only at us as a stepping stone, bought expressly to flog at a higher price a season or two after they're bought, and used as a way of placating the more brain dead of our support. Seriously f*ck anyone who continues to support Ashley and line his pockets. Supporting the team right now means not going. Support the team not the regime is f*cking absolute illogical nonsense.

If granny faced Bruce becomes the next manager, and you still turn up to the Arsenal game you deserve a good beating, and I'm not joking. Edit. Exceptions for women and children of course, but they should still be ostracised by their peer groups.

Confidentiality? Hasn't really stopped the Sheikh has it? But yeah I have no idea which is why I said apparently. He could be a pure chancer looking to increase his social media profile for all I know, but this guy who's a British football journo in the middle east that did a chronicle podcast has vouched for him.

The Arabian bloke on twitter that gave us the timeline of tomorrow for a big announcement has apparently been confirmed as one of the sheikh's lawyers. http://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2019/05/30/sheikh-khaleds-lawyer-makes-big-takeover-claim-friday-announcement-incoming/

Never a truer word said in jest. Here's Edwards with that implied bombshell he promised from the PL about the takeover. "Neither have the Premier League, who told Telegraph Sport on Wednesday afternoon they would not provide a “running commentary on a takeover that may or may not happen.” https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/05/29/newcastle-united-takeoverbin-zayed-group-claim-have-provided/

Yeah, it'll be "Also heard from the PL... and they are refusing to comment."

Luke Edwards' incontinence on our collective chips strikes again - "Have urged #nufc to formally respond to latest claims from Bin Zayed Group who are now effectively saying they’ve bought club and are waiting for clearance. This does not tally with anything I’ve been told in the last 48 hours. Also heard from PL" - Luke Edwards.