Fair enough, Sid. I just think it's mentally trying to put yourself in a win:win situation. Our games haven't been settled by coin toss though. They've been settled by 2 very distinct factors: 1) A change of manager (for 3 of the games) 2) A number of our players being exactly the kind of players that will cost you derby games (I'm looking at you Coloccini, Sissoko). The fact that both of those factors are in force YET AGAIN this weekend is my slight worry, although I do firmly believe we will win as Allardyce is a disgraceful manager and I'm ecstatic with our summer signings. I won't be surprised to see you win though, in your "coin toss" scenario, every new toss is a 50/50...
We don't have derby ready players. Still don't however, we have Wij! He will guide us to victory for he is the way, the truth and the light!
wtf? Will you come to the mission will you come, have a free cup of tea have a bun, hallelujah. Good grief.
Your username is a bit crap when you consider the correct pronunciation of Wijnaldum is "Why-nal-dum". Why is God. Hmmm. Wijnaldum is a stunning player. Mitrovic, excellent. Mbemba, huge upgrade on what we had before. Of course I'm happy. Your only decent signing was once again a loan so I can understand why you may refuse to acknowledge our good summer
Have you ever celebrated a Newcastle victory over Sunderland in the presence of Joe? If not, are you a bit scared he'll blame you and mount you on his wall?
Lens is a decent player as well, although I think he might get a bit disillusioned playing under Sam Allardyce's 'backs to the wall' tactic, if he chooses to go with that. Can't argue with your assessment of your own players mind, they've all shown they've got what it takes so far. Thauvin will take some adapting but if you get him playing then you've got another good one there. The worrying thing is, your chances of winning currently seem to rest heavily on whether Sissoko can be arsed on that particular day. Sunderland on the other hand, I'd say play more as a unit, complete, although so far, not very good... that's another debate.
I'm hoping Sissoko goes back into bone idle mode and doesn't track back. If PVA can get up the wing in support of Lens their RB will be isolated and we'll create chances for the front men. Whether they'll take them or not is another matter...
Aye forgot about Lens actually mate. He is a good player but as you say, he'll be anonymous under Allardyce, he doesn't worry me. Thauvin can go either way, although given how poorly Ben Arfa was received by coaching staff here I just hope the new staff have a different outlook on that type of player. I'd be much happier if Sissoko were dropped tbh, 1 game isn't going to make me forget about the last 10. He's ****e imo, a proper Match Of The Day footballer. I think our front 3 of Wijnaldum, Perez and Mitrovic is devastating enough without him now that they're starting to show the signs of gelling and understanding each other.
He was in that mode on Sunday mate. One of the goals came purely from his laziness and the other was at least partly down to that. Fortunately for him and us he was devastating at the other end.
