OTF

We still would have been if we played like we did, regardless of result. It was clear that we couldn't sustain the results with the way we were playing and the hope that we'd turn it around based off the confidence of winning hasn't come to fruition.

It's fair to say that those three in particular have been well well short of their best.

It's odd that he hasn't started Tonali. He certainly makes some peculiar decisions with his team selections. We're lacking leadership, making Bruno captain was a mistake IMO he's not captain material. Not the sharpest tooloin the shed and not great English (understandably). I think that decision was made based on his importance to the team, but this whole season he's not been himself. Trippier's personal life issues have destroyed him as well, and losing the captaincy can't have helped no matter hoe diplomatically Howe did it. It's not looking pretty TBH, every game we've been ugly and without an identity, not bringing in new high level talent in the window has also hurt us.

Not like it once was I dare say, and the same can be said for most of the players. How do you turn that around though? The family feel of the club may have ended with the departure of Staveley and Ghoudoussi.

It was a Bruce era performance in terms of effort for much of the game.

Is Howe the problem though?

What a steaming pile of shit we were.

Shit house.

Mitchell unfortunately reminds me of Ashley.

Here comes Billy. I guess Howe figured if our existing players can't play our system then why wait.

Trippier is not himself.

0.99 xG

Schär, oh dear

That's not a foul by Gordon.

I don't think this ref likes Jiminez. Very reluctantly gave that obviour FK.

Barnes is a good crosser of the ball as well as finisher.

Pope just made up for his error.

Eddie has been super positive about him. Not enough CIVIL WAR if you ask me.

It's why I'd bring Almiron on to link up with Bruno and Trippier, plus you know Almiron generally brings a high intensity even if he does frustrate with his final ball.

A problem with the high intensity play is that is just takes one or two players not pulling their weight for the rest to stop bothering as well. We've only had a spell of 10-15 minutes of high intensity cohesive Howe Newcastle football this season (from the start against Wolves last week). If this is our new style it's going to be a long ugly season.

Maybe they're getting glare from their stupid hair styles and can't see properly?

Surely the end for @LongTimeAdmirer, just in time ahead of Man City. With the form we're in we may not have a thread for that.

All of their yellows have been legit though, should be livid at your players for that many daft plays against a turgidly poor side.

There was a CIVIL WAR at the back between Schär and Burn earlier. You get a CIVIL WAR! You get a CIVIL WAR! CIVIL WAR FOR ALL!