Craig

Livramento probably had his worst game for us. Tonali seems knackered and I wonder if given the enormity of the game, Miley should have come from the bench. Biggest issues were the wings though - completely ineffective and the fact they both ran the ball out of play summed it up for me. This game was prime for Gordon & Elanga getting in behind their man - neither of them seemed to have it in their locker though.

tbf to him he's never demonstrated anything but that - hence my curiosity as to why we signed him if we weren't planning to exploit it.

I fully understood why Elanga started the game. I'm starting to really question why we bought him though - to be able to profit from his USP required a change in approach to games, that we've never gone anywhere near. If we're planning to continue playing out from the back then Elanga isn't someone who should be in our plans.

Bruno was one of the only ones to come out of yesterday with any credit for me. Probably Thiaw as well.

Part of the issue for me is that some of our big hitters appear to be hoping others will do the hard graft for them. I don't see that out of bone-idleness, I see it out of carrying injuries / fatigue. The situation with Gordon I'm finding really frustrating. With Isak gone there's an opportunity for him, and also a need FROM him to step up further - but he's well off the boil.

I'd forgotten he was in the Wolf of Wall Street as well. Stand By Me and A Few Good Men are amongst my favourite films. Sounds a tragic situation all round

And Spurs at home. We can't keep inviting the opposition to come at us and be surprised when they score. If we were able to execute boring old 1-0 wins by sitting back an absorbing pressure then I'd accept it for the greater good, we've demonstrably provided countless times that we can't.

Not to mention This is Spinal Tap

I agree with this, although I'm fairly certain they bought Elanga in the knowledge Isak wasn't likely to be there by the end of the summer. Had we got Ekitike, as planned, I think we'd be seeing a completely different outlook. That's where Liverpool fucked us over IMO - not by unsettling Isak, but by ripping the rug from beneath our feet where our intended replacement was concerned.

I'm sure that was the gameplan, but it's risky as hell and we've been undone by it countless times this season - perhaps it's his overall plan given the amount of games we've got to play but it's a false economy for me. I wonder how many times he's going to try it BEFORE he accepts it's not working.

Did very well thanks. Cashed out at £80 on a potential £250 that didn't materialise

I don't want him out, but the tactics have to change. Setting ourselves up for a 0-0 away to the Mackems by sitting back is not appealing. Reminds me somewhat of Allardyce's style and what's more frustrating is we know Eddie can coach a completely different style. I'd rather we'd have gone for it yesterday and we ended up losing 2 to 3 nil.

For him to go off in any match is unheard of. For him to go off in his first Tyne-Wear derby can only be down to a significant injury. I'll be surprised if it's not fractured ribs,

This sums it up for me. We've lost our identity - our success came from the high press and not giving the opposition a moment to breathe until we were 2-3 goals to the good. The histrionics from the media and the Sunderland fans doesn't wash either - it was an awful game from both sides, divided only by a freak own goal. As for the 'photo op' - what goes around, comes around. We've got to take that one on the chin I'm afraid.

Gary Neville’s just advised they’re not putting our name on the scoreboard. It’ll say ‘VISITORS’ instead. Rent fucking free

Aye James is undoubtedly the number one RB when fit. Superb player.

Most will do. I expect there’ll be a small contingent who don’t. They need lynching.

Anyone who buys one of these is a cunt

We were talking in the office the other day about it - 30 years ago when they had the world cup it was a sporting event and I cannot recall Clinton anywhere near it. It's polticised to fuck these days - it always was, but this is insane!

Aye ... but Joelinton would spend the next 89 mins 30 seconds trying to draw out that foul that'd end up costing him a red.

tbh I think the players themselves have the restraint. Wasn't Bruno existing for several games last season under the threat of a ban and avoided picking up a yellow card. Both have the gameplan of identifying the most volatile opponent and nibble away hoping for them to snap - Bruno was definitely on that crusade against Enzo Fernandez in the Chelsea game. Imagine if the mackems still had Cattermole

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSKS6oKjVTV/?igsh=eW8zMTlyZDUxOXZ5

Having the most famous and successful Muslim footballer of all plying his trade in Saudi Arabia is perhaps the biggest drawcard of the lot tbh.