Pretty sure Norwich will cruise the league. They have a strong team, they're all experienced, they haven't changed much, they all played together in this league.. think it'll be smooth sailing for them tbh. I can't see us finding the sort of consistency they have. That said, if we somehow were to defeat them big, maybe they'll wobble. And we did clobber them last season. So a repeat would be very welcome. Off topic...anyone too notice how much better our under23s seem to be doing this season? Actually winning matches. Just shows, Rafas having an effect not only on the first team. Losing culture is slowly changing?
I've no idea how we'll go against your lot. Although topping the table gives off the impression of a savvy side destined perhaps to make the instant PL return. The points don't tell all about the performances. We are certainly giving up chances to the oppo and we have struggled in the main to close out games. So far we have only seen 1 half of football where we truely looked like champion material which was against Forest. Maybe against Blackburn too but it's tough to say how much of that was down to Blackburn being poor or us good. I'd be happy with a draw but I'd really love a bit of revenge for last season and give you a damned good thrashing! I'll predict a 2-2 Bah!
Grinding out results, whether you play well or not, is probably the best way out of this league. Better that than our up and down performances (sometimes in the same match e.g. Villa)
That is true but even after 5 wins on the spin there are very few of us who believe that the performances have been as good as the squad could or should allow. And that when we play the better teams in the division we could just get found out. Granted you can only beat whats in front of you but, whats been infront of us has been sides mainly in the lower half of the table and the only side in the top 6, (Brum) thumped us 3-0. We have the players to raise our game and we may well look and play better vs sides that have not come to park the bus. I saw your other 4-4-2 thread and thought if that is what you go for it could play into our hands. We have the quality to dominate the middle of the park if we have you out numbered. That said, i think a top two of Murphy and Gayle would cause us real problems. Keeping Klose may have been our best business in the summer but Murphy gave him a very uncomfortable game at the Portaloo in August. Is Rafa likely to pick him though? Bah!
It's matchdayyyy! Sadly can't make the game due to work commitments in London but my old man is going. Anymore optimism today lads? I'm going to go for 2-0
This... I'm in Cheltenham so will be looking out for a stream. 3 points will take us one win off top spot....
Its not on telly I think go 442, Darlow Yedlin Mbemba Lascelles Lazaar Ritchie Hayden Shelvey Perez Mitro Gayle Atsu on for perez at some stage, very hard picking between hayden and Tiote, but Hayden has been impressive so swayed my decision. Get at them from the get go, plenty of width and crosses Prediction 2-1 home win!
Darlow Mbemba Lascelles Clark Lazaar Yedlin Tiote Shelvey Ritchie Mitro Gayle That would be my team. 3-2 It gives us a very flexible team able to switch between 442 and 352.
I'd play - ----------Mitro/Murphy----Gayle-------- Gouff---Shelvey--Hayden--Ritchie Dummett-Mbemba-Lascelles-Yedlin ------------------Darlow----------------------
Tash I love the way you do your formations the opposite way round from everyone else on the planet. I keep thinking why would you put a goalkeeper as the lone striker, oh wait, it's you Tash.
Well, it's not how you start it's how you finish. Huddersfield had its 5 or 6 on the trot. We had our six. You've now gone 5. It's a long season. The team that can put 6 together in April or May is the one which is likely to finish top.
Actually think we'll win 3-0 nil with Diame getting on the scoresheet. He's going to come good, I dreamt about it.
No idea if a stream is available..(if there is one post it up) Radio for those outside the Newcastle region: http://connectcast.tv/Ultra-Rare-Pepe 1st half: http://mixlr.com/rarestpepe/ 2nd Half: http://mixlr.com/rarestpepe1/ Rare-pepe doing a sterling job of providing this week on week ( ..its on radio 5 extra too ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/5livesportsextra)
