The Fish

Got to remember to stop giving @mikeashleylies mad props on the podcast.

Nah, apparently they/Rafa relegated us. And we're too deluded to see that. Rafa had long enough to rescue us because in other seasons, with different circumstances, different players, different opposition and different requirements, different managers managed to keep up a different team. They relegated us with their win against Everton because Rafa played two defensive midfielders away to Aston Villa. Rafa is as much to blame as McClaren despite having 0 transfer windows to Steve's 2, despite having 10 games to Steves 28, despite having to undo Steve's mess. They're livid we didn't have a melt-down upon dropping into the 2nd tier, they're livid everything is going well on Tyneside and they're livid it's all returned to shit on Wearside. Remember that we definitely weren't getting Rafa to join us, he definitely wouldn't stay if we went down, and of course he wouldn't be a success in that league because it's tough and he's got no experience getting teams promoted, and anyway it doesn't matter because anyone could lead an expensively assembled squad to win that tinpot league, as long as it's Newcastle's expensively assembled squad and not Aston Villa's... FTM!

Quiet now Panty Perv

It's a weaker side than the one that he only just managed to get to 17th in a season with one of the worst teams in Premier League history. I can't see him going back there this year, but taking them up from the Championship might interest him. Plus it'd mean that he can keep hold of his "Never been relegated" lie while still managing a club he clearly has a passion for. I wonder if the Chinese investors that cooled their interest in Sunderland were the same ones that were so keen on us that they were willing to prove they had the funds?

Surely he'll have a relegation clause in his contract? Stick with him for this season, while lining up his replacement. If he keeps them up, pay him off with the Premier League cash, if he doesn't, operate the clause.

Villa fans do it with Birmingham City, insist on calling them "Small Heath". I'm guessing some Manchester City falls call Man Utd Neaton Heath, or whatever. Odd behaviour.

Two lads could play the game on an x-box in the cellar and someone, somewhere would try to be offended.

Only because we won. They hate us cos they ain't us.

Least surprising post of the day, that.

He'll end up managing Villa when they eventually go back up to the top flight and struggle to do more than last time.

Best thing is that it seems Rafa has instilled a resolve throughout key members of the squad, so even if Shelvey is taking it easy, we've sufficient number of players in the 1st team who're grafting for every point. It also helps that not a single player has an automatic spot, not even the likes of Ritchie or Gayle.

Didn't know Colin had beef with Rafa

Yeah, I suppose. Poor Shane

More than Ritchie, yeah. They cross from the byline, or stay wide until at least the box. Ritchie cuts inside/crosses from deep.

Once the dust settles and he's coined in a ton on various football show sofas, he can always come out of retirement, for the right "project".

3rd worst attack in the league, 4th worst defence (Norwich have the 3rd worst defence, by the way), we should smash these all over the shop. Ritchie is suspended though, and while Atsu and Gouffran are more than capable producing against this level of opposition, we might be as creative. Gayle is likely to be fit, but I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa started with Mitrovic because; a) why risk it and rush Gayle back, 2) Mitrovic is in good form and iii) if the two wide players are more like typical wingers, isn't it better to have the big man in the centre?

Something on twitter that caught the eye yesterday was the sheer volume of signings they've made, that they go on to sell/release at a loss. And so many they receive nothing for at all. £32m lost on Alvarez, Fletcher and Johnson alone. What's notable is the number that are bought for a few million quid, then released on a free within a season or two.

Makes sense to cut costs everywhere. Didn't Ashley swap out all our light bulbs for more economic ones? Sure you're only saving £20k a year on some poor Administrator's wage, but you'll also be looking to flog Rodwell, and Kone and the rest.

Gotta feel for the people losing their jobs, as it's hardly the admin assistant's fault the owner's consistently employed the wrong people, bought the wrong players and then sold then for buttons.

Innumerable options there mate, personally I'd advise getting a big breakfast down you and getting into the Strawberry early doors.

Isn't the first time, won't be the last. Do you think we will beat our record, and the league's too?

I'm so very tired. Meant I thought the record was 105.

Thought our record was 105?

Depends what you're after, glass of bubbles and michelin fare, decent pub grub and a pint of real ale, dorty borga and a fosters?

Imagine them firing Moyes, to replace him with someone like Pearson only to become the worst team in Premier League history. Just imagine that as Mitro scores his 3rd and our 5th against Barnsley to clinch a record breaking 106 pts, they concede their 3rd at Stamford Bridge to go down with 5 points. back in a mo.