Inochi

Aye, that's why I mentioned that the hope there is in De Jong, and Cabella settling, improving that aspect of our play.

Last season, we lost our first game 4-0, and followed it up with a turgid 0-0 at home to West Ham. Plenty of people were crying 'relegation' then, too. What makes it all the funnier, is that these same people will be the ones who talked with excitement about our new signings, boldly stating that they'd need time to settle and they wouldn't write them off after two games. Well... Yesterday wasn't even that bad. We looked compact, solid, and exactly like a team with a load of new players, individually trying to impress. The need for an out and out goalscorer is painfully obvious, but we're not getting one. The hope is that De Jong transforms our attacking play, and at least one of our gambles finds some form. Pleasingly, he did look a class above in terms of composure and link up play when he did come on. Cabella will settle, he looks incredibly tense at the minute, but he's a young lad dealing with an incredible weight of expectation. We won't be pulling up any trees this season, but we'll be comfortably top half.

That's pretty accurate, like. Tried Hop and Cleaver last Friday, the new BBQ place on the Quayside. It was alright, to be fair. Nowhere near as good as it thinks it is, mind. Somebody really needs to tell them that BBQ brisket should be served sliced, not as pulled beef in gravy. Flagrant violation of trade descriptions that.

How does it happen, though? How much a fuckwit do you have to be to shoot first, before asking the 'intruder' to identify themselves? What the fuck are they all so scared of? Or, is it that they're just so excited to get to use their gun, that they're simply looking for an excuse to go Rambo at all times?

Plenty, I imagine. I think we'd have spent on either Lacazette or Remy, as they were our 'main' targets. History has shown that if our main targets don't come off (often at the price we want to pay) in one window, we're happy to sit tight, to the obvious detriment of the team.

What's a sledge? Which film are you spoiling for me, you absolute bastard?

Well, that's me told.

Aye, you're probably right. Would explain the selection of Dummett ahead of Haidara too. He did just seem hesitant when he had a decision to make. In the friendly, he looked like Debuchy mk.II, so I don't have too many concerns with him.

As I'm sure has already been said, I thought there were quite a few positives to take from the game. Colback was our man of the match, and gave the midfield the energy and bite it lacked whenever Cabaye was out of the team. He obviously won't replace the creativity of the beautiful Yohan, but I was happy to see him looking forward more often than not. If he can keep up that level of performance, it's going to make a lot of overly precious people look very silly. The team on the whole looked committed and full of running, closing down and strong in the tackle. We'll need that this year, as goals may be slightly more difficult to come by. Riviere looked quite strong, and I was shocked to see how much of a unit he is in the flesh. Looks to have a touch on him, and not afraid to put himself about. He'll need to massively improve his composure if he's going to make a truly positive impact, mind. It'll be interesting to see how he fares against lesser defences, and with De Jong up there with him. Cabella looked flashy, but a little nervous. Had some nice touches and moments, though, and It's clear to see that he'll be a massive player for us this year. Janmaat looked a little off the pace to me, slow to the challenge and nervous/unadventurous with the ball. Odd one really, considering he was the opposite in the last friendly, but I guess that it can be put down to nerves and needing time to adapt to the nature of the league. How we looked after the changes was perhaps the biggest plus. We were very quick on the break, clever with the ball, and young Perez appeared absolutely fearless. It was also good to see Pardew bollocking Krul for kicking it long after Riviere had went off. Common sense, at last. Sissoko was a real driving force throughout, but I hope he's given more support on the break against the lesser teams. It was disappointing to lose, because I think we'd have got something if we'd been more adventurous earlier on, but City always looked capable of moving up a gear or two. Dzeko was the best player on the pitch for me.

That's a nice looking graph.

I really like Sandro, actually. Would be a good replacement for Tiote. Dembele appears to be made of glass, unfortunately.

For the money Spurs (Levy) would inevitably ask for, I think there are too many question marks over each of those for us to commit. For that reason, Daniel, I'm out.

'Eeeee, London!'

In the least surprising news of the day, the 'meet and greet' has been cancelled. You have to imagine that will be on the back of some strong words from the club, and most likely the police. Can't say I'm disappointed. We could do without the inevitable shitstorm it would have created.

Think you were just meant to keep your old one, like. Supposed to only be sent a new one if you'd changed anything, like your seat, etc. Wouldn't be a total shock if they've fucked it up, mind.

Really like the look of Janmaat. All action, assured on the ball, and committed in defence. He'll face stronger tests, obviously, but he's impressed me.

It wasn't when I went, like. Not sure why that makes me a troll? I was left disappointed because I'd heard so many good things. More so after giving it a second chance.

Been to Blackfriars twice, and was left disappointed both times. Seems to be highly rated, but the food was massively underwhelming, and the service worse.

Best meal I've had in Newcastle, easily. Went there prepared to be disappointed, but was massively impressed. I've eaten in a fair few Michelin starred places, and that was up there with them.

I like it. Won't buy it, of course. Nice though.

House of Tides, Kenny Atkinson's new place. I don't think there are any other restaurants in town that are on the level of Cafe 21/Jesmond Dene House. Maybe Six @ The Baltic? In any case, House of Tides surpasses them all. Full nine course tasting menu experience too, which you won't be getting elsewhere in town.

That picture really brings it all home. Such a massive, massive shame, man. Thanks for the write up, Craig. Good to know that respects were paid on behalf of those of us who knew him online.

I knew that was coming. But no, I'm not placing any stock in it at all. I'm just using it as a near perfect example of the sillyness in ridiculous overreactions to pre season games, which was my point from Saturday. Lose to 'mid table' Spanish side one day, beat Champions League German team the next. Means nowt.

No positives to be found in in comfortably beating the 3rd place team from the Bundesliga (in a pre season friendly)? Not looking for an argument or anything, just noticed you hadn't commented on the result. Think the reaction to Saturday could have been slightly over the top at all?

What did you make of the game yesterday, mate?