Billy Whitehurst

It’s just laziness. Instead of actually watching him and seeing what he brings to a team, they just note that he is a bit petulant so these holier than thou arseholes write him off on that basis. I don’t think he is the best midfielder England have but I think he is their best passer. In fairness, Danny Murphy said he’d take him to the World Cup on MOTD last night. In a way, I’m pleased, he’ll get a proper break in summer and England players are on a hiding to nothing with our press.

Shelvey’s passing was a joy to behold, as it has been the last few games. Aside from Zaha, there’s not a player in the bottom half that I’d swap him for.

Get in there, would have been a travesty had we not won that. Diame, Dummet and Shelvey magnificent today.

Absolute shitheads. Went to the World Cup in 2006 to a few random matches. The atmosphere was great everywhere until we overlapped with the England fans (who all seemed to be from either Stoke or Wolverhampton) in Cologne for a day. What a bunch of troglodytes. I do hope they enjoy the Russian hospitality.

Does anyone get any pleasure from watching England anymore? I can’t stand half the players, the officials, the media and the hype surrounding them. I completely understand why the Scottish, Irish and Welsh enjoy watching us exit major tournaments in increasingly hilarious fashion.

From a Newcastle point of view, it’s no bad thing. You’re on a hiding to nothing playing for England with our snidey press. I think Lascelles has been omitted as Southgate has stated that he likes ball playing centre halves (which is why he doesn’t pick Smalling). However, you still need an organiser and I don’t see anyone in that squad as good as that as Lascelles. I think Shelvey misses out due to his reputation and he does blow hot and cold. That said, there’s nobody in that squad with his range of passing. Fucks knows why we need Dier, Henderson, and Livermore. Drop one of those as Shelvey would be a much better option off the bench. Anyway, international friendlies are fucking awful at the best of times so I certainly won’t be watching these two matches.

Thank fuck they got that one wrong as Lascelles isn’t suspended for the Southampton match.

Good point under the circumstances. Zaha looks too good for Palace mind.

Vintage stuff from us in the second half so far.

I sit next to a Dutch lad at work, big Feyenoord fan (fucking loves Dirk Kuyt). He’d be delighted with €20m as they’ve just got RVP. He reckons he’s good in the Dutch league but will struggle in England and would put him on a level with Luuk De Jong. Thinks we should have gone for Locadia instead.

I’ve seen Willian Jose quite a few times and he is quality. I’d be absolutely astonished if we signed him. I’ve never really seen Sandro play but all the others would be a vast improvement on what we currently have.

Agreed, our last four or five seasons in the Prem have been painful.

Was that the one towards the end where it wouldn't come down quick enough for him to get over the ball and keep it down? Nobody in our squad would have scored that, it barely a half chance. I've criticised Diame over and over again (with a fair amount of justification) but he has been decent the last few weeks and I thought he did ok today too. His selection was not responsible for us not winning today, that was again down to our owner and his his unwillingness to buy or loan a premier league quality striker.

Imagine spending all that money (I think they have 7 or 8 £20m+ players in their squad), having one of the best academies in the country and their manager is still lumping it long as though he has Kevin Davies up front. Any clubs that hires that fat charlatan deserves exactly what they get.

Aye, as good a manager Benitez is, he is not above criticism. Picking Diame is just madness, he is fucking shite. He offers absolutely nothing. Ritchie, Merino, Aarons, Perez or Murphy must be a better option at number 10. Merino, Hayden and Shelvey are all better than him in centre mid. I‘d even rather have Colback in there, and he is woeful. I don’t particularly rate Mitrovic but he at least deserves a chance as he makes life uncomfortable for defenders.

Thomas comes across as a bit of a prick there.

Yedlin is fucking rubbish, he’s not a footballer.

And only 2 points off 9th with Merino and Lascelles to come back soon.

Watford have been far far better than us today. Elliot, Yedlin, Manquillo, Diame, Murphy (although I thought he did ok today), Joselu and Gayle should be nowhere near a PL starting 11.

Come on Ireland, would be great to have them there for their fans alone. The Euros was quality having England, N Ireland, Ireland and Wales there.

Supporting Newcastle has to be one of mine. What a fucking waste of time that has been.

Must be a really shit jigsaw if that is the final piece.

You moaned about the performance against Palace. You used to moan incessantly last season when we ground out wins. What were you like when Pardew/Kinnear/Carver/McClaren managed us? Did someone have to take the laces out of your shoes before were allowed to watch the match?

We only just won against Palace, yes. This is the premier league with a squad that hasn't really improved since the championship so we won't thump anyone as we aren't good enough. However, the fact that we aren't getting hammered is also a good sign. What do you honestly expect with the squad that we have? We are already overachieving.

Could have gone either way. You can't really blame the players as they put the effort in but half of them are simply not premier league standard. Diame, Perez, Joselu, Yedlin and Manquillo in our starting 11 and we're still in the top half of the premier league. Hopefully we'll have Merino back for the next match.