The Fish

If we don't spend in January, I don't think Benitez will stay. And should he go, I can't see many managers capable of getting this group of players to safety. I think we'll be taken over and spend, or Ashley will stay and have to spend.

I'm hoping my early concerns about his ability were premature, he's certainly got the right kind of character we need at the club. He's still prone to the odd silly decision and taking up the wrong position, but hopefully those wrinkles will be ironed out through experience and under Benitez' tutelage. Hearing him (and Hayden) speak, it makes me think that there's a decent amount of young lads coming through who are far more professional than the great wash of entitled pricks that preceded them.

Shola... I know he wasn't great, I know he's more a cult hero than anything else, but by Christ he's a proud Newcastle fan, an ambassador for the club and a blimmin lovely bloke. Rather have had 1 of him than 10 Michael Owens. (The 8th goal there, against Birmingham is quintessential Ameobi btw)

Our first team isn't that far behind a great swathe of the Premier League teams, but light years behind those who're challenging. You could make an argument for a few of our players getting into West Brom's side, or Southampton, or West Ham, and a few of theirs getting in ours. But none of our players would get on the bench for the top clubs. Benitez is the difference maker, and despite the team's flaws, and his own, I think we're likely to stay up.

Aye, Hernandez, Arnautovic and Zabaleta looked shrewd signings; A reliable goal scorer, a mercurial talent and an experienced winning defender. Compared to Stoke's surplus striker, some kid with hardly any starts and a French centre back. Because we've been so lucky with those... oh oh and an ex Sunderland defender too.

No great surprise, but I bet they didn't cast the net as far as they could. Surely there'd be impressive coaches in the lower leagues, or someone from a foreign league? Managers who'd take a gamble if only for the chance of managing in the Premier League?

I reckon losing 4-1 at home to Liverpool was more responsible mind And having the worst defence in the league. And only Palace having won fewer games. After having spent £40m on players like Hernandez, Hart, Zabaleta and Arnautovic...

Does... does she think the witches do the hunting?

Make sure you fucking don't. That's strike one, sunshine.

Aye, if players like Murphy, Diame and Gamez are still occasionally getting on the pitch and he's not, I can't see him coming back into the fold. Unless Joselu gets crocked and Gayle continues his barren run.

It's like a tripadvisor for answers. Any bellend can pretend like they're an authority. Similar to here tbf

Yeah, Mitro's value must have dropped significantly, despite his performances on the international stage. I'd be surprised if anyone paid £10m for him now. Which is a shame, because he's still better than Chris fucking Wood.

The only thing I can assume is that he says all 3 sides promoted in 10/11 survived the season, but I asked when they stayed up, which was 11/12. Also, Quora? for shame.

I'd get shot of Gayle to be honest. For all Benitez doesn't seem to trust Mitrovic, Gayle surely doesn't work in our system?

https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2017/nov/04/premier-league-promoted-clubs-brighton-huddersfield-newcastle

Hesus Wept

I know it's too early to get too excitable, but when was the last time all three promoted sides stayed up?

York City vs Curzon Ashton.

I'd have Ben Arfa on the right and Jonas on the left to be honest. Bit too early for Merino, surely?

Would any of the current first team get in the the best 11 under Mike Ashley's reign? A first team squad? (Mitrovic aside, obvs)

If some fire and brimstone-type can bully some performances out of them they should improve enough to stay in the 2nd flight, their defending under Grayson has been so poor that a return to the mean should see them survive imo. Not because they're a good Championship side, just that there are enough teams who're even worse. All that said, that they're even in the relegation conversation is fucking hilarious.

He got on a rant about bacon sheds and conspiracies

Aye, I think there's a good portion who thought that just because we did well in the pub league, have Rafa BEnitez in charge and had a decent start we're suddenly a midtable Premier League side again. Look at who we started against Bournemouth man, a few players who haven't cut it in the Premier League, a raft of inexperienced young lads, and don't forget Stoke's surplus striker. I'll be delighted if at the end of the season we're where we are now*. *unless we're suddenly flooded with Oil Money.