OTF

Atsu for Mitro, good sub Rafa

Time to take Mitro off. Glad he got a goal thanks to rubbish officiating, but on a yellow he's a ticking time bomb. I'd like to see Atsu out there. I wonder whether we're always this shit or do we just turn it on for the televised matches?

That linesman was fucking blind. Later Yedlin was brought down with a two footed challenge and not even a free kick.

What an utterly hopeless performance that was. I'm convinced we've seen the best of Perez long ago, his touch is only bested by his decision making in shittiness. That selfish shot with Ritchie across the back to tap in should have seen him subbed. Thankfully we've got some players out there who try, namely Gouffran, Ritchie and Yedlin in this one, but we're carrying a lot of players with horrible attitudes, no concentration and little aptitude. Shelvey is technically the best we've got by a margin, but he's a whiff away from a red card at any point, can't dictate the pace of the game and goes absent. Lascelles has gone well and truly off the boil (lukewarm 'boil' as it were) and needs a rest. Clark's OG was a first rate howler but he's got more about him than his partner. Hard to rate Murphy as he wasn't given much to work with. Overall we were embarrassing and yet we had more than enough chances to comfortably. So wasteful. Worrying too if the rumours of unrest are true.

Love it

Haha.

Yep, Clark is a better footballer than your average defender, lets hope when properly tested he's also a reasonable defender.

I too am bewildered by Mbemba's lack of game time for us. Looked to be a good player in the prem, a few mistakes but nothing critical. Good pace and an instinct to start attacking moves from the back.

This is why the thread was closed.

/thread

I don't think he necessarily is, he seems to run at his top pace all the time where-as others have an extra gear to kick into. I was disappointed with his pace as watching highlights makes him look express when I don't think he is. I'm assuming you're referring to Gouffran and Ritchie as Raja's first choice? I'd say Atsu would be faster for sure, no doubt Yedlin too. Here's a joke, a fit Aarons is quicker too.

Getting Townsend back is not a good idea. He did well for us on a new club high, don't think he's a consistent performer and lacks an extra gear in pace.

Bullshit

A cut like that from an impact injury to a knee, I'd say it will be a good few weeks before he's training again.

From what Rafa said after the Blackburn game he didn't see anything wrong with the tactics or personnel, so I don't think you can say with any certainty that he would be poring over it any more than he normally does. I do agree with the sentiment of the article though.

Ant is there something wrong with the forum? Looks like it's spitting out posts from the 90s?

"Well son, that was an absolute goal fest! Maybe if you listen to your Dad a little more next time we might even score some."

How poorly has M'Bemba been doing in training? He has a few mistakes in his game but he's got pace and an instinct to assist in attack. The fullbacks should be the first to be swapped out, but the sideways passes between the defenders when we're at 0-0 are bad enough let alone the same occurring when we're behind. Coloccini had the nous to start movements from the back that Lascelles and Clark have shown no signs of.

To be clear that was primarily based on the Facebook group. I remain subscribed simply because it's a reliable source for goals/highlights. Without fail after a perceived poor result questions get asked about players and/or tactics then there is a tirade of people posting angfy rants about how if they don't like it then they should stop supporting the club because real supporters "support" the team regardless of the results. Here's an excerpt from one of the many: EVERY time we lose, EVERY single time there are people who come on here and attack him and our players. I don't think there is another manager anywhere who could do a better job than Rafa. In my opinion, he has worked miracles. He didn't even know until the final minutes of the last transfer window how much money we could spend as Sissiko didn't leave until then. He has had one transfer window to transform a squad. ONE!! People say that they have the right to criticise, I disagree, if these people could do better then feel free to have a go. If you think ANYBODY in football could do better then have a go. Managers and players read social media as they read the newspapers, the difference is social media is real people voicing their opinions. Rafa needs the love of the Geordie people, that is why he stayed, he said it. Take away that love, like the bad losers and whingers you are, then maybe he will just pack up and leave. Like this or not it was the fans who drove Sir Bobby out. Yes the fans forced the hand of the board to sack him. (read up on it). If we were doing a Norwich and going nowhere then I'd be worried, but we are NOT doing a Norwich, we are heading in the right direction back to the premier league, Rafa is leading the way. Some of you are deserting the cause, doubting his class and skill as a manager. Unless this page has been infiltrated by undercover obsessed Mackem's, I suggest you shut the F**k up and believe we are going to be ok, believe we have the best man for the job in any league. January is coming, we have money to spend, it will be Rafa's second window, he knows what we need. Trust him. HWTL..

If Ashley hasn't learnt by now that buying only cheap players is a poor strategy then nothing will convince him.

I can't stand the thick headed fucking morons that whine like stuck pigs at people who express any kind of ill feeling towards the tactics or the players after a loss.

We look shocking. Those pointless passes between the defenders are embarrassing.

Is the weight different for the different types? #twixgate Merry Christmas!