OTF

Commentators and studio 'experts' had picked him before the match. The studio has been Tim Sherwood was embarrassing with his half time analysis of him. He also accused Newcastle of never trying to win at half time.

It truly is, we have a knack for doing this, so much so that my reaction was somewhat dulled.

Good finish that.

We've surely signed more than our fair share of dipshits in recent times. Shelvey, Barton, Bowyer, Owen spring to immediate mind.

May get to see how Merino is in our next three, or finally de Jong perhaps.

Now the commentators are suggesting that Ritchie should have been sent off, never said the same for Kane and his tackle was much worse and actually resulted in an injury. I can't say I've missed the biased commentary.

Nice save Elliot.

Aye, a moron. He'd been otherwise anonymous.

Hayden has been untidy IMO. Looks nervous and suspect on the ball. Agree about Perez, he has a knack of making the wrong decision on counter attacks.

Yeah I'd have him slightly behind our current crop for the remaining games, a risk selecting him in those I'd say.

Atsu and Ritchie's hair have been highlights for me.

The nerve if Mbemba there

Just over 30 and we've lost two defenders to injury. Not what we needed given our difficulty recruiting.

Can't believe he had a whinge about getting a yellow for that. Doesn't look good for Lejeune. Was having an excellent debut.

I agree with what you say, but considering this lot finished second last season we're not doing too badly.

Lascelles to replace him.. wonder who will be at LB

I suspect Gayle will fo off injured.

It's food to be back. Hope I can say the same after our first 90.

...and it's not the english language. The media reports on Rafa's frustrations with the market as though they're with Ashley instead and people lap it up. Ashley is responding to the media focus not to Rafa. Don't buy into the drama. Rafa's still here because of support from the fans, if that ends he will leave.

Is that because by your reckoning you can't be world class unless you're at a world class club with world class players at your disposal?

To be fair when he leaves there will rightfully be a mag meltdown. He's the sole reason why an otherwise tepid transfer window has been palatable.

It's oft joked about but given we have a new manager de Jong would actually be like a new signing if he's somehow miraculously able to stay fit. Our wide attacking options look reasonable. Last season we needed everything wide to go through Ritchie which I think burned him out. What's interesting to me is that we don't appear to have a clearcut starting 11. This may be a very Rafa thing. Shelvey is just about the only absolute outfield certainty if fit. Oh, Dummet too

Should stick Krul in goals for a farewell. Turn that 5-0 into an exciting goalless draw.

I liked him, but think it's best for both for him to move on, he stagnated here on tbe back of injury and has never been considered ahead of Dummet since. I'd imagine they're happy to get his wages off the books given he was unlikely to play.

With Colback we're waiting on him to not make a mistake.