The Fish

... Get that shit off my board.

I totally understand Tevez taking a final payday for frankly ludicrous sums, he's won plenty, played for massive clubs, represented his country and has been highly regarded. Oscar is 25, he could easily have won some more trophies at decent clubs for a couple of years before moving out there. Make no mistake, it's not the players wanting to move to China, none of them are aching to ply their trade for the likes of Gangzhou, it's the agents after another fat paycheck.

That system should be enough to beat most sides, certainly in this league, but failing to make timely changes is either being timid or stubborn. Blackburn set out their stall to defend almost as the away side would, so when the hour mark rolled by, I was expecting changes to be made to the side to further stretch the game. Hayden, and Colback can't stretch the game with their passing range, but Yedlin, and Atsu can do so with their pace. Instead we saw Perez brought on for Colback and while AP has technique and decent movement, he's not going to sufficiently disrupt their back 8. Rafa deserves tremendous credit for all he's got right, but he got this one wrong and isn't above criticism.

Aye that's fine, but if you're trying the same key in the same lock for 60 minutes, perhaps it's not a bad idea to, on this occasion, try a different approach? Even earlier substitutions into the same system? What was Gouffran doing to retain his place on the pitch for 85 minutes? We were well on top around the hour mark, so the risk that Atsu's introduction would unsettle us wasn't high. They reshuffled, bringing Evans on and firming up their centre, but weakening their flank. Lowe was already on a yellow, get someone like Atsu running at him and at worst Lowe would be reticent to dive in, at best Blackburn have to play a significant portion of the game down to 10 men. Rafa has us 2nd, he's got us scoring goals and conceding few, but he can still be criticised for getting things wrong. Failing to make changes earlier has cost us points a couple of times this season and he should be called out for it.

Called it.

Keep us updated, transfers, system, big scores etc.

I don't think his omission signals the end of Mitro's Newcastle career.

He call one of your lot a Bratwurst Bellend?

I'm not convinced he's better, just that he's more content to stay back than Yedlin is. I agree with you fwiw, I'd be playing Atsu, Yedlin and every quick player we've got. I can't get past the fact that one of their centrebacks is 36. We're better than Blackburn, so we should be able to play with less focus on staying solid. Then again, Benitez has slightly more success than I have, so I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

I suppose Anita gives you more defensive responsibility? Yedlin loves getting forward, where Anita is more than happy to stay back?

I agree that Chelsea's policy of hoarding a busload of youngsters is wrong, but I think you should make/avoid deals on a case by case basis. Loftus-Cheek is a decent player in a position that we could do with strengthening. Re: Delph, he's not a like-for-like replacement or upgrade on Shelvey, but he's a top-half Premier League player and if we could sign him we'd be much improved.

Or is giving Murphy a shot from the bench given the old man hasn't featured much at all and is probably aching to get minutes? Surprised we're not starting with as much pace as possible given the opposition. Darlow, Anita Clark Lascelles Dummett Ritchie Colback Hayden Gouffran Diamé Gayle Sels, Yedlin, Lazaar, Mbemba, Atsu, Perez, Murphy

Is he? Well, between the two of them we should rack up a record scoreline and Graham can two-foot their manager instead.

To be honest, I'm hoping for players like Loftus-Cheek on loan, maybe someone like Wilson from Bournemouth? Delph would be amazing, but I'd be staggered if we can convince him to drop a league when he'd be a starter for clubs like West Brom who're currently top half.

In other news, Blackburn are missing a few players through injury and/or suspension so they'll be playing 36yr old Gordon Greer at centre back. Now, I know nothing about Mr Greer and the man's a professional athlete, but surely, surely, we need to get players like Atsu, Gayle and Yedlin running at a back line featuring a man that is older than me? Danny Graham is likely to start, if he's any kind of Newcastle fan he should two-foot their 'keeper, flick his bench the squeaky Vs, then go windmilling into the Blackburn end. They're 22nd, 3 points off safety. They're winless in 6 games. Suffering four losses and two draws, (F8 A13) with both of those draws came against Huddersfield. Their last win was against us, their other 4 wins were against Rotherham, Derby, Forest & Brentford. They have the joint 2nd worst defence in the league at home, we have the best attack and defence on the road (scoring 22, conceding 6 in 12 fixtures).

Last time I was there Dabizas got sent off for a handball and Sherer scored a milestone goal as we shipped 5. Then, on the way back, the mate I went with fell asleep so I drove most of the A66 with patchy radio and nowt else. 2 Stars, won't be returning.

All dead interesting, but how're Newcastle doing?

You're not wrong, born out by over vs underachievement https://experimental361.com/2016/12/29/championship-trends-28-dec-2016/

Don't get me wrong, there's some fucking terrible sides in the Championship and we're not exactly 1970s Holland, but the bizarre belief that the bottom of the Premier League is significantly better than the top of the Championship is truly ridiculous. Their team just shipped 4 goals to Burnley. Burnley. Not Man Utd, not Man City, but Burnley. Defour was the only newly signed (and therefore not Championship) player that started, so if they're getting spanked 4-1 by what is essentially a Championship side, how're they going to fare when they have to face Championship sides week in week out?

Good points. Also, if Chelsea want a central midfielder who is used to facing physical sides who're set up to defend, who's used to playing in front of a huge and demanding fanbase, who's used to rotation, one that's been put through 6 months of a physically demanding season against men... where else could he go? Haven't watched this but this is one of those brilliantly edited, delightfully scored youtube videos;

What baffles me is the consensus that it's better to consistently finish 17th, than risk trying for more. Premier League survival is literally the only ambition, every year. If they do go down, there'll be a lot of fewm on RTG. On there, the Championship is a pub league, Rafa is a bad manager because we were relegated, Moyes is a good manager because he's in the top flight, our players are shit because they're in the Championship, their players are good because they're in the top flight. I'm amazed there haven't been protests against an unambitious and niggardly owner who, year on year, has 40,000 fans turning up every other week to watch little better than the worst football in the Premier League. Without the derby they've very little to get excited about, have they?

Enjoyed the Accountant for what it is. Surprised Batfleck was the lead as it could probably have worked as well with any actor who's good enough at stuntsing. Batfleck

Off to Copenhagen at the end of January. Anybody been and have some advice on sights to see, places to eat, etc?

From what I've seen, neither of those, thought he was more like a Vieira/Toure. Asking a Chelsea fan I know to clear it up. So far he says "Bit of an enigma. Very special player but yet to find a position. Brilliant on the ball tho", "would be good for both parties. He needs regular football", "Way too good at youth level. Hasn't played enough first team football to progress imo."

4-1 now, the comeback is on.