Mark Hughes seemed quite downbeat on MoTD so wouldn't be too surprised if they struggle as well. The main thing from yesterday is that Silva has got all our players putting in a good shift. Our midfield looks pretty good. Both Doucoure and Chalobah look to have a good understanding and we also have several mix and match options. We have to be optimistic on this limited showing. Want us to take the game to Bournemouth next week as they hardly covered themselves in glory in the first match (one tame header on target by Ake).
As long as we take the game to them in a controlled way otherwise with our defence Defoe etc will have a field day. Surprised he didn't start against them.
I cannot argue with JJS's stupidity but trouble is never too far away from Alli. He is a specialist in aggravating people. Newcastle will say Kane was lucky to only get a yellow card and I'd agree with them
Just seems ridiculous to get sent off for something that is akin to a light slap. Two footed stamp on his pills if you are going to do it in my opinion.
Do you actually think a light slap is equivalent to having your ankle stepped on by a foot wearing studs and backed up by the weight of a whole person? Especially for a footballer, who needs to run and use his feet regularly?
I actually think Elliot a good enough quality keeper to keep them up, if they got better personnel. Was better than Krul and Darlow when they went down, and I'd have him over Pants as 2nd choice.
Having watch him at close quarters in pre-season, Eddie has probably realised he's over the hill & signing him was a bit of a faux pas
Hahahaha. Do you seriously think Ali was hurt in that incident? It's a red card but to suggest Ali was hurt is absolutely laughable.
Rob Elliot is a great goalkeeper. It's the one position Newcastle are blessed in. Elliot and Darlow would push Gomes close for first choice keeper.
Does it look to me like Alli was hurt in that incident? No. Do I think that trodding on a player's ankle is dangerous and has a far higher chance of injuring the player than "a light slap"? Yes.
Agreed about Kane and the scissor tackle but, as I understand it, it's not viewed as a dangerous tackle like a two footed challenge and he was booked accordingly.
I've changed my mid after the weekend: Brighton - no where near enough quality going forwards and won't survive 'doing a middlesborough' playing for 0-0 draws. Palace - taking a direct long ball Sam Allardyce squad of player and expecting them to play Dutch football is hilarious. FDB will be fired by xmas. Newcastle - can't see they have improved in any way from the team that went down. The whole thing is just bizarre.
Do you honestly think that treading on an opponent's ankle in virtual slow motion has any more than a minimal chance of causing anything than mild irritation? I'm not defending Shelvey who is a moron but making out that he endangered Ali is an utter nonsense. It's a petulant idiotic token aggressive action.
He scored plenty for a terrible Sunderland team last season, yes he's old but won't have gone from prolific premier league goal scorer to over the hill within a few months. His age will mean EH needs to pick his battles when it comes to using him and he won't start every game because he simply won't last the season, but when he does start he'll not doubt be a threat still.
Actually think he is a good back up now but not first choice over a whole season. He may well score against us Sat but I bet over the season he wont make double figures. In fact after xmas he barely scored for Sunderland. For the reported 100/150k a week I would expect a performance every week. Anyway Muff will be fine and will survive with or without Defoe firing. Huddersfield surprised everyone, but they did beat an awful Palace team who I think/hope will be bang in trouble. Burnley were handed 3 points and still nearly threw it away against 9 men. they will be near the bottom as well. Brighton and Newcastle will also be down there as will the likes of Swansea and Stoke. I know its early season but next 2 will be a good guide as to how we will do. 4 points would be great any more a bonus. 2 defeats and the feel good from the Liverpool will go. For whats worth after 1 game my prediction to go down Brighton Palace Newcastle Although i wouldn't be surprised if Huddersfield go down, don't forget Hull won their first 2 last year..
Yes I tried to comfort Mr IBB with the Hull fact this morning as he was attempting to gas himself in the electric oven! 'Uddersfield were very aggressive he said,kicking Haha upon the air on numerous occasions,although I did take the last comment with a pinch of salt!
I don't agree, an older player's legs can go all of a sudden & their game go down hill very quickly, I have seen it many times especially with strikers that rely on speed. He started last season well but in the second half of the season he looked off the pace & didn't score many. I could be wrong about Defoe but I suspect I'm not. We shall see though.
Swansea interested in Capoue (Watford's second highest goal scorer last season) for an initial £25 Million. Rumoured they want a like for like replacement for Siggy in terms of quality and workrate. I saw a link somewhere but cant find it
The Defoe hype is rather amazing, poaches well yes but he's never scored 20 goals in a Prem season for a reason..
Still early days, but they were really dreadful this afternoon. I can't see them spending the money needed to stay up.
Of all the team pre-season, Newcastle looked the best value. Between 5 and 6.5, for a newly promoted team was mad money - especially before any quality signings were brought in. They have Rafa, who has done well in some places but I would argue hasn't really done much in England (they won the Champions League through ridiculous luck and by resting their players to the extent that they finished outside the top 4). I think even Rodgers had them playing better football than Rafa. And even if you disagree, a top manager at a top club requires different skills to those in a relegation dogfight. The fat waiter will be sacked/ quit by November, I reckon.
He's already moaning that this wasn't what he was promised.More fool him for believing anything that Ashley told him.
If Newcastle don't buy anyone before the end of the transfer window I can see Rafa walking before he gets pushed
Newcastle and Brighton both look completely devoid of quality and a cutting edge. I reckon the third will come from palace, Bournemouth, Huddersfield (great start but won't continue), Burnley and West Ham.
True but we have a tremendous amount of more quality in the side and much better strength in depth than they had. Pessimists may say look at hull but I'd suggsst Huddersfield are more akin to Hull but with a better squad. We are much more advanced than both.
I actually like Huddersfield's team. Mooy clearly has quality. I really really like Billing from the little I've seen of him. Van La Parra and Kachunga can obviously play and combined with Mounie provide a decent threat. I don't know any of their defenders so can't comment but I see them being safe this season.
