Dr Gloom

A cautionary tale

Gemmill’s reign in the throne was even more underwhelming than mine

no shit

We’re so frustrating. There are glimpses of the team we were a couple of seasons ago but we’re so inconsistent.

Brentford’s wide players are great

Yeah, unlike the first two goals where we responded straight away, Brentford have been much better since scoring their third

Ffs, so soft

Eddie’s latest team talks

Hospital ball from Barnes

I get the need to rotate after a game on Wednesday. I’m just surprised Tonali is the one to make way. He’s looked brilliant in his last three games and it feels like Eddie might have stumbled across his best midfield with Bruno revelling in the more advanced role. Joelinton is the one who looked most in need of a rest to me. I’m a massive fan of his but it feels like he’s been used in pretty much every minute of every game this season compared to Sandro who has been used sparingly for us, and yet seems to manage two games in three days okay for Italy. I’m not pretending for a second I know more than Eddie and I’m sure he’ll be listening to the conditioning staff. I’m just disappointed it’s Tonali to miss out again as it means a Bruno dropping deeper. I hope that doesn’t stifle our creativity from central areas. Some of the forward passes he put in playing the more advanced role against Liverpool were chef’s kiss quality, particularly the through ball for Isak’s thunder cunt.

Tonali benched after another impressive performance in his previous game. I don’t get it. Joelinton was the one who looked knackered towards the end against Liverpool. I’d have thought he could have done more with a rest given how many minutes he’s played compared to Sandro. Still, in Eddie we trust

Jordan is a pompous bore

Yeah. It’s twofold: tactics and attitude. We’re clearly better against teams who come on to us but I don’t want to dismiss this group of players as big time Charlies who can’t be arsed to put the work in against the “lesser” teams. It’s an overused cliche but this season has shown there really are no easy games in the premier league. We have no divine right to bear Brentford in their own back yard. Everyone is taking points of each other. The players have to approach the game against Brentford the same way they did against Liverpool. Won’t be easy given their home form but we can’t have another no show like last Saturday at Palace

if we play like we did against liverpool, we win. if we play like we did against palace, we lose.

the crown is a heavy burden. I too began my reign with a valiant draw against the league leaders.

a play that pardew used to call, the williamson

beat brentford and there's a new king in town

Gordon was class in the second half. Much more like his old self. Hopefully the start of a return to last season’s form.

Bruno was moved to the right-sided number 8 role and chips in with two assists against the league leaders, including that lush through ball for Isak’s thunder bastard, the type of ball he thrives on and has been mostly starved of all season. Sandro looked great again mopping up behind him at DM. I hope this is the midfield we use going forwards. It was the perfect balance of creativity and industry. Liverpool had more of the ball but mostly it was in their part of the pitch - we won the midfield battle. Let’s see if Bruno playing the more advanced role helps unlock the creativity we’ve been missing in central areas for what feels like forever.

Sandro has been immense the last three games he’s started. Has to stay in the side

I’ve got a weird feeling we’re getting a result this evening. It would be the most Newcastley thing ever after being so shit in the past two games. Feel free to mock me later when they put three or four past us

It’s a ridiculous state of affairs that we have to engage in this kind of craic on a football message board. Not blaming you. I don’t understand any of it

I work in a business where my inbox is bombarded by clueless dickheads chancing their arm. I almost feel sorry for them at times because PR can be a soul-destroying job and they’re used to this treatment. Replying to every pitch would be a full time job. Not happening. On the rare occasion when I do reply to let them down I usually get a grateful response because they’re so used to being ignored but get the fucking message. I don’t ignore the people that matter

it’s such low-hanging fruit. This is what I’m talking about with Starmer’s lack of ambition/vision. He’s scared of his own shadow. I get that he’s worried about losing the votes he gained to win the election but he may only last a single term if he doesn’t grow a pair

he would look better with a number 10 slipping balls through to him to run on to but we don’t play that way