The Fish

To be honest, for all the attacking players go missing, the defence want shooting for our failures on the road. If we could keep a fucking clean sheet we've definitely got the players that have the moments of quality in them, to turn a draw into an away win. Since the Palace drubbing we've only lost by 1 goal in all but 1 of the away fixtures ( and 3 of the 5 games were lost in the final 15 minutes or so).

really? I didn't see that! Shit, you're right he was. Well, don't I feel foolish... Fuck off Thompers, you relentless bellend.

think the nascent On Demand service will mean people who just want the goals and not much more will be able to get that and people who want more discussion & insight will be able to download/stream that as well. There might be issues with the highlight duration? There'll be ways around it though, surely? Like if they're talking about formation, they needn't show the actual footgae, and instead do the MNF big ipad thingy instead?

Frustratingly the more topics there are to cover the more trite the comments. It's only really when it's been a fairly dull day of football (or one of those Saturdays with only 3-4 games) that they can really get into an issue. A lot of Wright & Shearer's contribution seems to be "well he's got the ball there and he's taken his chance early and the 'keeper wasn't where he should be." Which doesn't really tell you that the player's dropped off his defender or if his teammate has distracted the defender with a well timed run, nor where the 'keeper should be. I like seeing Shearer when he gets impassioned about a topic, I mean sure, it's often about us, but when he opined about the ticket prices, it grabbed my attention.

Which is bang average for Premier League centre backs.

He's bang average, but that's better than nowt. He's too try-hard for me, like a politician claiming to be into a band it just makes me cringe.

Tell your face then.

In all seriousness, why do you contribute to this side of TT? You're on record as being pro relegation, that you're not bothered about games any more, you obviously aren't bothered about the football world in general. Why not not stick to General Chat?

Relegation isn't going to improve anything, so there's zero point in that as well. I also don't think survival is the limit of this club, even under McClaren, Charnley & Ashley.

I blame the absent Wijnaldum & Sissoko, the decision to play Perez up front on his own v Everton and a litany of managerial mistakes as much as him. but I wholly understand why people want to be negative after a win where we played well.

I haven't seen any incongruous happy clapping going on, but you have to admit (if you watched the game) we played well and that is a source of positivity with regards to staying up. It's wrong to say the clock is reset, I don't suddenly think we're 8th, I'm just able to enjoy a win without self flagellating about the fact we're still 17th and 3pts of 16th. Christ alive, if you can't enjoy a win, what's the point in associating yourself with the sport at all? Stick to General Chat if a Newcastle win doesn't make you crack a smile, even if it is tinged with frustration that we shouldn't be anywhere near the drop.

They were, but then we were much better than we were against Norwich. Shelvey in the centre changes our game so much it's remarkable.

I think we'll play like that at home on a fairly consistent basis especially given the standard of opposition we're to face before the end of the season. The home games may be enough to keep us up, but really we should (with the players we've got) be able to come up with a decent away-day strategy. Home fixtures left. WBA Bournemouth sunderland Swansea Crystal Palace Spurs and Man City in there somewhere. Add away trips to Norwich and Villa.

It wasn't directed at you Firecrotch, but it is interesting that you're so defensive. Guilty conscience?

Quite revealing about the miseries on here mind. Play shit or lose and you lot can't shut up, Play well and win and not a peep.

If start pulling at that thread this whole thing could unravel. Best to leave it be.

I think once the new players (Townsend & Shelvey) get used to Mitrovic's attacking positions/runs they'll start finding him more and once he gets used to the kinds of balls they can put in he'll start getting on the end of more. Both of them have quality deliveries from wide and set-pieces, but Shelvey's through balls have put Mitrovic through a couple of times in the last few games and it's exciting to see a range of opportunities fall to the big lad. That he's getting his few chances on target is why I've faith in him to score more. Shearer always said whatever you do, make sure you make the 'keeper work. We've seen 'keepers have blinders, but they're also entirely capable of flapping (Mignolet) and letting soft shots through. Tiote's performance was properly retro, limited his passing to short passes to Shelvey or Janmaat , had most successful tackles (4 of 5), most interceptions, most defensive headers (4 of 5), but then it's no great surprise when he was playing alongside someone who unburdens Cheik of any attacking responsibility whatsoever. Speaking of Shelvey; loved how often he was calling for the ball. Arms outstretched like the Angel of the North, demanding another chance to ping a ridiculous 60+yrd ball to feet. Fuck it's good to see a central midfielder with actual vision and an expansive range of passing.

Hard to disagree with this, if NUFC hadn't ground me down, I'd have given it a go though.

Happy Face has mentioned it before but;

Not oestrogenny enough for you?

If a game is low-quality I tend to arbitrarily throw some money on one of the sides, nothing gets you calling the referee a fucking cunt quite like the threat of losing money.

You don't even like Newcastle United, let alone football in general.