I was thinking the same thing. We need to see Mbemba in for Lascelles, Diame in for Perez and Atsu in for Gouffran as soon as they are available. I'd still like to see Mitrovic in the side too. In all honesty, the players who we hoped would develop and kick on this season aren't really doing it. There's still time but I'm a little disappointed in the way it's going with them. Lascelles, Perez, Mitrovic and Hayden in particular.
I think everyone needs to be more positive until the end because that's all that will help being negative certainly won't
That would suggest we were excellent. It was pretty turgid. You won't take every chance that comes along. 2-1 or 3-1 would have been a fair reflection but I have to say I was not surprised it ended up a draw. They didn't threaten much, but when they did they looked likely to score. They missed 2 or 3 gilt edged opportunities themselves.
We've taken 7 points from the last 9 in the league. If we can keep that up we'll be fine - we had chances last night, even after it went 2-2. with Gayle and Atsu back soon I think we'll be fine. Every team in the top 6 still has to play each other, so there will be points dropped by the likes of Reading and Leeds - we just have to keep ticking along picking them up and not losing when we play the sides around us.
Can't believe what I'm reading on here, personally thought we outplayed last night, only played who had a good game for me was Shelvey. Something has seriously gone wrong there, suspect it's been outside of Rafa's control. Also think one or two players have attitude problems which is holding us back.
Oh a side note I see Calum Wilson is out for the season. Crucial Knee. Good job we didn't spunk 15 million there eh.
Think that's a bit harsh on Lascelles, but Perez definitely has an ego problem, same with Mitrovic IMO. Not convinced about Hayden's attitude feels like he thinks he's better than he is.
I think we will be okay but l am far from certain. I feel the top two spots will chop and change between ourselves and Brighton right up to the last kickings. It would be great to be Champions, but l will take second place all day long That will be fine so long as we get our act together and keep the gap between us and the chasing group looking healthy. We have gone a bit flat and look to be either arrogantly complacent or lacking true belief. We are in a slump, whilst other teams are over achieving. It's how it goes, swings and roundabouts. It's not unusual for a Newcastle team to show a true lack of belief, we have seen it all too often before now. Even when things are going great it's like they just can't quite shake that "nearly ran" mentality. Let's be realistic, Rafa has done a great job so far, but, anyone who thinks he has changed the old mentality and banished it from the teams psychi is seriously deluded. It's creeping back, you can see it and feel it. Most teams excel at home, but again we are the exception. The club has tremendous support, but the anxiety of the faithful is palpable and at times the silence is deafening. If we fail to get promotion l fear we will be cast adrift for years to come. Rafa won't stay, you don't win that particular lottery twice. I for one will keep the faith, as to accept anything other than the current situation is a temporary bout of stage fright is unthinkable. I don't want to consider the hypothesis that Ashley blocked the signings that Rafa wanted this window. I think it was a case that he wanted two players in Townsend and McCarthy who simply were not available. Ashley said we would make our own luck and it's a good sentiment, but a lot will depend on the fortune of other clubs too. If the likes of Huddersfield etc want to do us a few favours, l for one won't look that gift horse in the mouth.
