As we all know; Matt Ritchie was out of yesterday’s win over Cardiff. The Scotland star missed the game through suspension but his absence from the starting line-up was not missed.
On many occasions this season Ritchie has been hailed as Newcastle’s star player and has even sometimes been referred to as the best player in the Championship.
However, it should be said that whenever Christian Atsu has taken Ritchie’s place in the first team, he has looked no worse than fans favourite, Ritchie.
Atsu plays the game very differently to Ritchie. Where Ritchie will often slow the game down to play a killer pass or deliver a cross, Atsu usually likes to play the game at a high pace and with plenty of intensity. Again, though, it should be noted that the Ghanaian is more than capable of slowing the game down when needed.
Atsu impressed again against Cardiff and Ritchie may find his place in the side in more jeopardy from now on and in the week when Florian Thauvin was sold to Marseilles, Atsu made his case for a permanent transfer.
Minnow country’s don’t prepare you for the likes of Germany, Spain, Brazil, Italy or even Holland, Argentina. We cant even beat Iceland, Russia, Uruguay ffs. I’m not talking about friendly’s.
Stem(Quote)
Not worth bothering with mate,pack of 2nd raters
Icedog(Quote)
Have to disagree with you on Uruguay Stem, mate. They have a pretty good alround team and 3 players who would walk into the England team – Luis Suarez, Godin and Cavani. I mean, seriously would you pick Theo Walcott ahead of Cavani and Suerez or Chris Smalling ahead of Godin?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am sure that Southgate will get the job but you have to question the FA’s mental health. They appoint Mr. Roy in the first place but even worse keep him on after the farce in Brasil. Then they appoint a corrupt, garrulous oaf and are surprised when he is caught on camera being corrupt and garrulous. Now the failed U21 coach is odds on to get the job.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, Ralf Rangnick is a top man, is at the helm of the Red Bull Leipzig dynasty which has just gone from 5th division to pulling level with FC Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga. All with Red Bull money of course, but without signing expensive foreigners. He certainly knows what he is doing, took FC Schalke 04 to the quarters of the Champions League before burn out got the better of him. I recall his name was touted in connection with the toon job, but hes way too smart for that. I reckon theres little chance of him taking the England job, but he is a great football man, director/coach like Rummenige, Allofs etc, the are loads of them in Germany, hung up there boots and moved into the DFB system, Oliver Bierhof, Miroslav Klose, Andy Köpke, all ex internationals with a great pedigree. England have Southgate, Ray Clemence, Sammy Lee , Allardyce, Pardew and…
Why Tony Pullis’s name is never in the frame is beyond me… he would be ideal ?
England are a joke, internationals just get in the way ….
Munich Mag(Quote)
Has Stuart Pearce had a chance ? Or Gary Neville …. there are loads of top managers about ….. not
Must say I like the look of Conte’s Chelsea, he really looks like he knows what he’s doing, though he did inherit a canny squad which had downed tools and stopped playing for Jose…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Agree 100%
Icedog(Quote)
Agree MM, he has certainly got the defence looking tighter .
kimtoon(Quote)
Cheers MM on Rangnick. I had heard of him and knew he coached but also held boardroom positions and had a bit of success. Sounded much too sensible for the FA to go for and, as you say, he would be mad to take it – unless he fancies 3 million pounds a year for 6 months work, tops 🙂
Knowing the British Press though if he failed to win the World Cup they would stick a jar of sauerkraut on their back pages with his face superimposed on it, a la “Turnip Taylor”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – Do you get to vote over there?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Don’t think Eric’s old enough Sharpy. Going by his posts anyway 😮
Regarding Jake’s question at the top – Ritchie is a much better all round team player than Atsu although the kid does have the feet and the pace to leave defenders trailing, a missing quality that stops Ritchie being really top drawer.
Atsu’s no kid either and although he is doing well I can’t see him having an impact in the PL.
georgio(Quote)
looks like J Barton is going to get binned by Rangers,ime not shocked
icedog(Quote)
Shevey charged by FA under the racial or ethnic abuse code. Against Wolves.
http://www.thefa.com//news/2016/nov/08/jonjo-shelvey-charged-081116?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I am not a citizen so cannot vote. I will probably get dual citizenship in the next couple of years to keep my options open.
Everybody I know wants this election to end. It has gone on for 18 months when you include primaries and has dominated the news for 6 months.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
what the hell going on there,this is a while coming out is it not??
icedog(Quote)
where would your vote go mate?
icedog(Quote)
Ice: I think Trump is a madman. I am sure you didn’t get the same amount of coverage over there but he has said too many offensive things to count. He has managed to offend everybody except white males and is still in with a chance. His own party don’t even support him. There are theories that it is all a front to start his own TV channel. If he loses and doesn’t concede there is a chance there might be violence as he has whipped his supporters into such a frenzy at the rallies and there has been open talk of jailing or even assassinating Hillary.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, the Republicans in general have become much worse than the Tories. George Bush left Obama with an unwinnable war and the world in an economic crisis. Obama pushed through a lot of measures to get the country back on its feet but almost all were opposed by the Republicans and yet they never say a word. I could go on because there are so many examples of Republican stupidity I could write a book.
But, please let this election be over and for Trump to disappear onto his own TV Channel that I will never watch.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
None of us know the facts on Shelvey yet but John Terry was given a 4 game ban for using racially charged language to Anton Ferdinand so that might be a gauge of what Shelvey could face. Of course, we don’t know what he has been alleged to have done or whether he is guilty.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sky saying it is a minimum 5 game ban if found guilty. Punishments must have been beefed up after the Terry ban. I am not surprised as that was so high profile and a lot of people thought he got off easy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Interesting insight there Eric. I can’t believe you do not have citizenship, have you not been there contributing the best part of 30 years?! It sends a shudder down my spine thinking Trump could be the leader of the Western World. Fortunately that won’t happen.
Shamrock(Quote)
Leader of the western world? They won’t be leading me, I wouldn’t vote for either of them even if I could. I think whoever is American President is just a figurehead anyway, just a puppet on a string. It is the big corporations that run the West, if anyone.
DJG(Quote)
If Shelvey gets fingered by a bunch of other players then he’s guilty, and deserves everything coming to him. Silly lad.
Munich Mag(Quote)
I dislike them both in equal measure actually. I would rather someone could run who wasn’t a billionaire (or multi-millionaire in Hillarys case, I’m sure).
DJG(Quote)
Why has this Shelvey stuff took so long to emerge ? Can’t imagine Rafa will be best pleased if it’s true.
On the US election, the thought of that moron Trumps finger any where near the button makes me shudder.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sham: I only realised a few years ago I could be a dual citizen. Will get around to it eventually but I have a Green Card that means I can live here as long as I do not leave for a greater period than 2 years and do not commit a felony. My plan was to eventually live in Southern Europe but Brexit might have messed that up.
Trump is much worse than Hillary. Most of the stuff/lies they throw at her is exaggerated by Murdoch’s attack dogs at Fox News. I never thought there was much difference between Republicans and Democrats but believe me there is and the Republicans have only gotten worse.
Name any issue and The Rebublicans are on the wrong side of hit. Climate change, racial equality, sexual equality, pollution and the environment, progressive taxation, health care, a living wage, the death penalty… They are a bunch of self serving, corporate lackeys and religious bigots.
Apart from that I like them 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
They had a Republican debate with I think 8 candidates who were asked if they believed in climate change or Evolution. None of them believed in either. All of this does not get covered in the UK so you might not know what a bunch of myopic, reality deniers these Republicans are. Hell, absolutely none of them are for ANY gun laws. They are even for allowing potential terrorists who are on FBI watch lists to get assault rifles. These same people cannot get on an airplane but can buy a machine gun and as much ammo as they want.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am only going on a political rant because it is election day and because I wanted to point out to DJG that they are not all the same and Trump is much more dangerous than Hillary.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Got to be honest I never ever fancied visiting the US, not my cup of tea at all. Prefer to go to countries like Germany, Italy or Austria .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: Shelvey has until the 16th to reply to the allegations. Then I am sure they will have to arrange a hearing. It is almost inevitable that if there is something in it he will be suspended over the Christmas period.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well it’s interesting to hear your take on it Eric, when does the new president get sworn in then?
Hilary has served her apprenticeship, whereas Trump has come in in a wave or media hyperbole out of nowhere. Bizarre how that can even happen.
Shamrock(Quote)
Well what will be the preferred central midfield line up with no Shelvey for a few games then? Hayden for his work rate but then we are struggling for creativity.
Shamrock(Quote)
The UK is nice for a holiday too. I’m building a canoe this winter and will be taking my son and nephew on a 4 night camping trip along the river wye in July. The holiday itself will cost next to nothing but will create far fonder memories than some all in hotel in Majorca for example. I’d like to tour the US one day. The change in climate and scenery looks stunning.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham: I am planning a trip up Highway 1 in California. All along a beautiful coastline. It is a bit like combining The Amalfi and Dalmation coasts but they speak English. I have been all over Europe (my ex-wife owns a European travel company) and a lot of other places in the US but for some reason never took this trip – I have been to the end points of Highway 1, San Diego and San Francisco, but never did the drive in between.
I have travelled all around Britain as well so I am sure you will have a great trip with your family. Last time I was back I did a “tour of the North” with my mother and Aunt. Stayed in B&Bs along the NE coast, the borders, the lake district and Yorkshire. I really don’t think people appreciate how beautiful the coast and countryside of Britain is.
I know the Yanks will do London, Oxford and the Cotswolds and that’s about it, they can check Britain off their bucket list 🙂 If they golf they will go to St. Andrews.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sham: the Wye valley is beautiful. I only drove down it but stopped off at a few watering holes.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sham: New President is sworn in in January. Until then they are called President Elect because they have been elected but have no power. Meanwhile you have a bunch of congressmen and senators who have lost their seats but remain in their former positions for 2 month. They call it the lame duck session because nothing gets done. Given the number of living dead TV shows and Movies there are now I think they should change the name to Zombie Parliament and it would be very appropriate given the number of shrivelled white men that are usually elected.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, the US is not all Jesus Freaks and Racists. Chicago is an Oasis of tolerance in the Midwest, and NYC, Boston and California are famously liberal.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
lake district is stunning, went there in my teens for a cousins wedding, little wonder it’s inspired so many artists and poets, it’s breath taking as is the Scottish highlands.
kimtoon(Quote)
Looks like Brexit USA. The country is split down the middle just like Britain.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I could write a million words on how this Trump election was dumb but it was not unexpected by me. I had seen Bush re-elected and Brexit so I was still worried. I really thought the American people couldn’t be so dumb, just like I thought the British people couldn’t be so dumb with Brexit. My own mother voted for Brexit BTW.
I have travelled all over the country and know I live in a liberal bubble in Chicago and a lot of the rest of the country is not like where I live.
It will be a bit fcked up for a while but the changes will not be as big as people worry about because Trump has made a lot of empty promises. I will not bore you with details.
THERE IS THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK AFTER ALL THAT WILL TAKE OUR MINDS OFF THIS 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well flook me. Trump the president. World’s gone mad.
Shamrock(Quote)
Oh dear god, America, REALLY. 😯
kimtoon(Quote)
Dollars flying out of america quicker than pounds after brexit. Fortunately Trump can’t be as bad as his rhetoric or can he? Eric?
That trip you mentioned is well worth the drive mate. I’ve been up that road from San Diego to Vancouver (and back) and it’s stunning nearly all the way but the bit between LA and SF really is special. You should do it!
georgio(Quote)
well done to Armstrong scoring a hatrick last night in their 8-1 win
icedog(Quote)
I’m going to look at some positives from this result.
1) It will encourage EU Countries to step away from compulsory immigration quotas (by voting in anti immigration EU governments and looking to leave the Union). I did not vote Brexit, but that aspect of the union is unhealthy. With more countries moving to the right and taking votes in the union, it will only increase the UK’s strength when it comes to negotiating our own exit. I always belived and free grade agreement would be underpinned by compulsory immigration, which kind of defeats the object of leaving.
2) I get the impression Trump will have to show he means business on a few things, or nobody will take him or his Country, or the West seriously. Will there be a sustained effort to eradicate ISIS properly now and is it achievable without a massive rise in terrorism back in the US and UK? If he can tackle that successfully then he will be forgiven for most other shortcomings.
3) Taking a hard line with illegal immigration does not sound unreasonable at all, provided innocent people do not suffer for it.
Negatives:
1) I worry that curbs on industry pollution and emissions will cease or stall. There is no way that it does not at least contribute significantly to natural global warming cycles.
2) If Trump continues to be as direct in his opinions with other world leaders in sensitive situations he could spark off WW3 (or some other significant conflict) directly or indirectly. I’m fairly sure his advisors will see that does not happen though.
3) I believe the ‘working man’ will be failed by him and that they have been ‘had’.
Shamrock(Quote)
4) and this is a big one. Will his hyperbole opinions be misinterpreted by Countries that have recently made progress in basic human rights issues? Will this encourage them to go backwards and result in widespread human rights catastrophes across the globe? There is a lot of work to do from Trump and co. to find a balance and tone it down somewhat now that he will be in office.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham
I have family in Florida ( with US citizenship)and they, and everyone they know , were voting for Trump due to him promising to get rid of Obamacare.
sidekick(Quote)
Interesting Sidekick. Are they amongst those caught up in having their employment based health insurance taken away from them?
Shamrock(Quote)
The election of Trump is the culmination of a liberal, left wing elite in the media and politicians refusing to listen to the working class. It was the reason why we voted for Brexit too. The working classes are sick of being told what to think, what to do and who to be compassionate to by libtards who are the most bigotted of people. Working class are sick to death of being called racists or xenophobes for being concerned about uncontrolled, mass immigration. The political correctness of this this country, Europe and the US is now at a stage where main stream media and main stream politicians are too concerned about not offending certain communities or certain groups of people that they do not connect with normal working class people as their silence is seen as ignoring their real life problems. They see people like Trump or Farage and think “These people are saying what I think and what my friends think and aren’t afraid to say it.” That to them is a breath of fresh air. Already the liberal left in the media and politics are branding Trump voters racist, islamaphobes and xenophobes. Will they ever learn or will their arrogance forbid them?
This will not end here. Italian right wing will get a real boost from this in their referendum in December and the French Right wing will also get a huge boost to a already rampant Marie Le pen in their elections next year.
This could be yet another ‘peasants’ revolt that spreads right across Europe. I for one will welcome it as I am sick and tired of being told who I should show compassion for by the liberal left wingers. Time governments started looking after their own people first and foremost before trying to look after everybody else. They also need to start looking after hard working people who pay taxes that fund the welfare system as well as looking after the poorer people of society.
20 Years in the making…
Stuart79(Quote)
No idea Sham.
I do know they pay quite a lot for health insurance and they now have quite a sum deducted direct from their wages for Obamacare as well.
I understand Obamacare only covers you for the first $1000 of medical costs per year so you really need to have health insurance as well .
sidekick(Quote)
Sham – The working man has been failed by politicians for the last 20 years. They wonder what can possible be worse? As I said above, this is why we are where we are.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart – what will be worse will be the far right grinding them down quicker and lower than anything we’ve seen yet.
georgio(Quote)
It’s pretty hard to get lower than having no job, no prospects and at the same time being told to “go without” to accommodate refugees as one Labour MP recently told people to do.
Stuart79(Quote)
First thing he’ll do is cut taxes for his rich friends and big business. Why would you think the son of a rich man who has never known what it is to struggle would help the working classes, it isn’t going to happen imo. His attitude to women disgust me also, the tapes don’t lie, that men AND women are prepared to overlook such a serious personality flaw is staggering. Him and Hilary are like a couple of bond villains or shakespearean characters , no choice at all for the American people in reality.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – One of America’s so called best Presidents of the last 50 years was Clinton and he was the biggest misogynists in history.
But although it isn’t popular with the left it’s pretty obvious that what is good for business is good for employment. So tax cuts for business would actually boost employment. Although I accept not many people see it like that.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, you are right about Clinton but the difference is that most voters didn’t realise he was until after his election.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sham your 2nd negative point is what worries me too. I hope he has a good team around him to keep that gob of his in check. He doesn’t appear to engage brain before speaking at times.
kimtoon(Quote)
Stu, all good points. The leftism has most definitely gone way too far. When they stopped calling blackboards, blackboards you knew all common sense was lost.
I think there has to be a sound middle ground and now that Trump is going to be in office I’m hoping he can tone it down a bit and make meaning gful, but fair change to the political landscape as regardless of what some might say, what the US does next can and will have a big impact on the views and actions of a vast swathe of the rest of the world.
Shamrock(Quote)
I have to say the exit polls, bookies and so called experts got their calls completely wrong for both Brexit and the US election. They can’t be relied on in future.
Shamrock(Quote)
In terms of economic security in the wake of Brexit, a Trump led US could actually work well for us and further strengthen our exit negotiating position. He is a clear fan of Brexit and backs the move. He also despises current trade agreements. Where Obama said we would be at the back of the queue for trade agreements, Trump is likely to put the UK close to the front.
Shamrock(Quote)
We could well see Sturgeon changing her stance once she sees the bread may well not be buttered on the EU side for much longer. This again strengthens the exit negotiations. Merkle must be sh!!!ing herself.
Shamrock(Quote)
This is my best modern times combined England/Scotland team.
http://bbc.in/2fSyB4a
What’s yours?
Shamrock(Quote)
you got it spot on there Sham
icedog(Quote)
Why do working class people who are complaining about being shafted vote for the oppressors
Premandup(Quote)
with the chance of Shelvey being banned talk is toon might look to Barton to fill the void but whispers is Rafa does not want to go there
icedog(Quote)
Neither do I mate. By all accounts he was out of his depth physically prior to being banished. Gerrard is free next month, match fit and keen to keep playing. Could he be an option until the summer? He has Shelveys passing range and comes with bags of experience.
Shamrock(Quote)
what a great shout that is mate,would love for that to happen
icedog(Quote)
Nothing more oppressive than being told what to do, what to feel, you’re racist, stupid and xenophobic!
The liberal left should look up the definition of bigot. “Those who are intolerant of other people’s views.” That sums them up perfectly…
Stuart79(Quote)
the mind boggles what Gerrard could suppy to Dwight, Richie even Mitro,going to put it out my mind as i would be upset if it didnt happen
Sham you started bloody something now 😐
icedog(Quote)
Oops sorry Ice! He is free though and says he wants to keep playing. This is what he had to say about Benitez;
“I get on very well with Brendan Rodgers, he’s a great man-manager. Roy Hodgson, too. But Rafa brought the best out of me.
“I wasn’t sure how he felt about me. Did he like me? Was he happy with me in that game? So, for every session and in every game I was desperate to impress him.”
I think it could be a realistic move unless he wants another pay day somewhere more exotic. Doubt it though as he loves his City, has openly admitted being homesick and Newcastle is not a long trip for him, especially if it’s short term.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham there you go building my hopes up 😆 😆 ,talk was L/Pool manager wants him in a coaching role,could or would he want that at the toon??
icedog(Quote)
Come on peeps, lets not let our fantasies get ahead of us. Gerrard and Barton are both WAY past there sell by date. Why on earth would we toy with the idea of bringing in either of them, especially the waster from north of the border.
No thanks, someone within the group will need to come to the fore. I trust our Champions League winning manager to come up with a formation which will minimise Shelvey’s absence, at the end if the day he could also get injured, what would we then do, press the panic button?
Gerrard from 5 years ago, perhaps, …Barton, never again !
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM i think Garrard would handle the ccc in the short term
icedog(Quote)
is there another thread up???
icedog(Quote)
Stuart: I doubt you have followed the election that closely. This is what Trump ran on:
1. Tax-cuts. There will be nominal tax cuts for the working and middle class and massive tax cuts for the rich. You point to the same old trickle down economics which have never worked. What will happen is this will add to the deficit. The economy is in reasonable shape so an extra stimulus may give a short term boost.
2. Immigration. Even George Bush wanted to provide a path to citizenship for illegals. The legal route is actually quite difficult. I was married to an American and it took me about 6 months to get approval and my father-in-law had to sponsor me. I think Trump will pay lip service to his campaign promise and build a fence at the less rugged parts of the Mexican border and beef up border security. It will not really affect much because there is a net outflow of people from the US to Mexico. This is not like the refugee issue. Working class Americans have been whipped up by the right to think that Mexicans are taking their jobs, but the Mexicans are doing the jobs Americans will not do – farm labour in California and Florida, Bus Boys and Line cooks in restaurants in NYC and LA, Maids and Roofers in Chicago.
The Middle East refugee issue is a non-issue because the quota is only about 5,000 and it takes an average of 18 months to vet them. It is a scare tactic and whatever plans Trump puts in will have no effect because there wasn’t a problem in the first place.
3. Trade: If Trump starts imposing tariffs that is a rocky road to go down as it was a big factor in the Great Depression. I think there are enough people in the Republican Party that know this so these actions will be gradual and limited. As far as bringing back American factory jobs, that ship has sailed to China. It won’t happen and the exodus was done by Trumps rich buddies and the corporations he champions. If you think Trump is a champion of the working class you are delusional.
4. The Supreme Court: he will appoint ultra-right wing justices who will roll back a lot of reforms. They have already closed most abortion clinics in the South and will probably make it illegal. Having a misogynist like Trump in charge of women’s health choices is scary.
5. ISIS: not much will change. There is absolutely no wish to send troops into that region again. They will probably step up the drone attacks and maybe find a few mercenaries to do the dirty work.
6. Obamacare: the full reforms were blocked by Republicans because it would have curtailed the obscene profits of drug and insurance companies. The old system was just as bad, believe me and costs had already spiraled out of control. This will be repealed but what replaces it will send millions of Americans into bankruptcy for unpaid medical bills, just like the previous system did. America was the only rich country without a safety net for their citizens and if you think there was not already socialised medicine then you are wrong. There was Medicare for the over 65’s and they love it. Obama wanted to put a similar system in but the Republicans blocked it.
Stuart: things are not perfect in the US but they are a hell of a lot better than the last time a Republican was in charge and almost sank the Global economy and started a phony war in Iraq. I don’t expect you to listen as you have already made up your mind. Calling people “libtards” just about sums up where you stand.
Eric Sykes(Quote)