saintscottofthenortham

Most notable thing I took from it was how Che has twice had interest from bigger teams willing to bear double his wage, yet he has stuck to his task. He does my head with his finishing (or lack thereof), but tip me hat to him for that.

You do have to pay attention when the players have stopped playing for a manager, though. It wasn’t going to work again for Ralph. His way had been found out and he didn’t have a plan b.

Che hasn't wanted a move, despite chance to earn far more, but he emphasised that Che hates leading a line on his own and knows he can't do it. Hopefully we see him with a man alongside him more often now.

Problems with Ralph were widespread. No details specifically, but things went bad and were getting worse. Talk of lads going to board level weren't unfounded. Newcastle were in for Che last January before signing Wood. Would've doubled Che's wage, but club held firm and Che didn't kick up fuss. Leeds came in for him this January. Would've nearly doubled his wage. Club held firm and Che didn't kick up fuss. No mention of Everton, despite links in press. Lads really like NJ and enjoying working under him.

Excellent trip and a great reminder of just how good our away fans are. Bar two or so minutes of shell-shock when they made it 2-0, we didn’t stop. Top class all round. Pleased we were loud and clear for all to hear, as it’s a tough place to make a noise all the way up there.

Just landed back at Heathrow, had a bit of time to reflect. NJ made some bold calls with that starting XI, and unfortunately got it fairly wrong. The shape will get the brunt of it, but it was the way it was played out that cost us. NJ emphasised on Friday's pre-match Press Conferance how, due to how they managed the squad, only Lyanco had to play two lots of 90 in the week. Alcaraz was at sea for the entire first 45. He started the farce of the opening goal with a dreadful pass (Lyanco instantly done the same when we won it back mind), and has to take the lions share of the blame for the second goal, where he literally watched Longstaff waltz into the box with not a man near him. He had to track him, no excuse. I don't recall him doing anything remotely positive and rightly hooked at HT. Bree's first 45... Deary me. Rabbit in the headlights I've seen mentioned a few times, but that doesn't do it justice. I didn't expect much from him, but my god it was bad. He looked to settle down in the second half, but it wasn't going to be hard on his first half display. He needs to improve greatly on anything he done last night. NJ should face stiff questions over why he chucked him here for his debut, though. Mental decision in my eyes, especially with Perraud coming off of the weekend like he did, it was crying out for Perraud left and KWP right. Diallo done well defensively, but his head is a bag of mushy peas as soon as the ball is at his feet. Looked far better when Lavia settled the midfield down, but very much a weak link in our XI. Bednarek chucked back in, quite literally... But alongside Lyanco he looked like Maldini. He doesn't do anything with grace, but from a defensive point of view he was probably our most stable companion. Over two legs though, we've effectively gifted them three identical goals, albeit from varying distances, and it should've been four as we done exactly the same in first leg for the glaring miss. We are seemingly unable to track runners from midfield, and we've now advertised it to the world. Howe had obviously spotted it and they targeted it, to great success. Shame, as the moment we moved this rancid hybrid into a four, we look so much more composed and effective. Che even strongly alluded to it, three times, in his post-match interviews. No coincidence he has managed to get that in at every opportunity. Talking of Che, the lads at work had a family member of Che's in last night. Interesting comments he's had to say regarding issues the squad had with Ralph. I'm hearing it second hand, obviously, but it was a far from happy camp.

What's our total number looking like for travelling fans?

I've just seen this from ABK at 1-0... https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx2Lc3jz7GMLRHan4_lK6WQMzX-Um7_noo What on earth was going on here? That is quite possibly the worst passage of defending I've seen from us, which given our recent history is some achievement. ABK, granted he is coming back from a few weeks out, has looked mighty questionable since returning from the WC with Germany.

A little over 50 hours of probably the most important transfer window in our prem history... And we're making a crisp packet XI.

A disjointed line-up was never going to produce a spectacle. With the fixtures we’ve got coming up, today would very much have been about getting through it with the bare minimum. We’ve done that. AMN needs sending back, though.

It looked like far more than that had been sold before the first leg had even taken place?

The clear positive of tonight. Lad looks a serious baller.

This is more the point, for me. Diabolical attempt at an easy finish with goal gaping. For so long as we're relying on Adams and Armstrong... We've no hope.

Cannot let that Che miss go, me. Big moments, you just can't fuck them up that consistently.

Cling on to take a 0-1 to SJP and hope for a miracle.

What a stupid sub with ten minutes left.

Oh fuck off.

GTTTTTFFFFIRFIIFIFIFFIFIFIFIFIFIF IN

There you go. Fucking furious with Che me.

CHE ADAMS YOU FUCKING TWAT

Is it me or does KWP take five extra touches than he needs to when bursting into their box?

You could audibly hear the Newcastle back line sigh of relief with Che coming on for Mara. Madness.

Mara off FFFFFFFFFFFFFFSSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSSFSFSFSS

To be fair, I've been harsh on him. Defensively he has been sound. Great work just now down the line with Willock.

Edozie for Orsic surely. Been playing with ten men.