We kinda did replace Longstaff with Tonali. Although that's now backfired spectacularly, and with Longstaff's form this season, he doesn't need replacing anyway.
I think he played well Yesterday Tonali .. we have willock back and hopefully Joelinton can find himself because he's looked awful this season. Ultimately Newcastle are about 4 really top players away which is encouraging. Longstaff isn't good enough never has been has never will be ... people need to look at the likes of de bruyne or even rice as a marker... Longstaff is more on par with Brownhill at Burnley
Yeah, Tonali has been a bit patchy, but was good yesterday. Joelinton still working his way back to full form and hopefully will be much better Vs Man U. Willock back now, and Botman back in a few weeks remember, and also Barnes in a month or so. Injuries are stretching the squad right now, love Isak but he also seems to have the propensity to pick up an injury, and we can't rely on Wilson being fit every game. Gordon is great and gives us options up front but isn't an out and out goal scorer. Striker cover and midfield cover (Phillips?) is a must in Jan.
Tbh I thought Schar and Longstaff were the main players who needed upgrading, but they're both doing a great job this season. Although still part of the "old guard" that will gradually be phased out.
At the end of the day, we will ONLY get players like De Bruyne and Rice when we are seriously competing for the title, not when we're getting 4th place.
I'm using them as a marker though because thats the highest standard and Longstaff is miles away he's nowhere even remotely close. Newcastle need better players than longstaff lascelles Murphy and Burn and then they'd kick on Lovely lass served the club well, but they'll hold us back from now on ... we've used them now throw them away for them and the club.
Anyway let's hope they can beat these ****ers in 2 weeks. Need our best players available .. willock is one of our best footballers by a an absolute mile and hopefully botman is fit and Joelinton is back in form. If that happens we might have a chance.
Depends what your definition of a "serious squad" is. Can this squad get into the top 4 this season? Yes. Can it win the league cup? Yes. Can it progress beyond this Champions League group? Yes. Can it win the league? No. Can it win the CL? No. Compared to City the squad ain't serious, but compared to 2 years ago under Bruce, the squad is deadly serious.
A serious squad doesn't rely on relegation level players. This squad is not going to finish top 4 regularly and did once simply because Liverpool Tottenham and Chelsea had their worst seasons in a decade all at the same time. Newcastle are not the 4th best side or squad in the division. Need a few more top players and are not too many years away.
Liverpool won the Champions League with Djimi Traore, Man Utd won the league with David May and Chelsea won the league with Jose Bosingwa. All these players were playing regularly for their teams. If the general level is high (which it is), and if the lesser players are above what we'd normally expect (which they are), then the team can achieve. It takes time for the lesser players to be phased out, but it's clearly happening, the signings we're making now are a world away from the signings under Bruce. According to the table last season we were the 4th side in the division. Can we repeat it this season? Harder with the CL distraction, but not out the question. Chelsea and Man U have had awful starts to the season, and although Spurs are top, they've been massively lucky, and I could see them slipping away. City, Liverpool and Arsenal are nailed on for top 4, other place is up for grabs.
I was referring to Roly saying the players or the manager don’t have it in them to win these games, despite stuffing PSG in the previous CL game. You can attempt to offend me all you like, idgaf.
