This time last year we played Spurs on the opening day and, although the result today was the same (another defeat) the two performances were poles apart. There were plenty positives to take.
We were camped in our own half when we played them a year ago, we barely had an effort on goal and didn’t really lay a glove on them. Yes Shelvey’s red card changed the game back in August 2017, but we went toe to toe to them today and showed once again that we’re more than capable of competing at this level.
Unfortunately, we’ve come away pointless once again today, but it was a performance that will give plenty people hope for the 37 games of the season that now remain.
Kenedy was absolutely brilliant. Strong, skilful and the one player who was constantly driving us forward. Comfortably our best player on the pitch, although Ritchie also impressed – with his cross for Joselu’s goal being one of the best deliveries you’re likely to see all season.
Kenedy destroying Spurs' midfield, one of our own. pic.twitter.com/34Hk0L3hm0
— Mod (@CFCMod) August 11, 2018
On the subject of Joselu, it was great to see him get an early confidence boost. He actually put in a decent shift and wasn’t that bad, but we’ll only get better once Rondon and Muto find their feet.
Rondon looks a handful (albeit not yet match fit) and Muto made some really intelligent runs, with both playing a part in the last half an hour – although the game seemed to fizzle out really. Spurs tired and we did too.
Ritchie was fuming to be replaced and you can see why when you look at how little Atsu offered when he came on. He looked half asleep and offered absolutely nothing.
On another day we’d have got a point. Kenedy’s one-on-one, Rondon hit the woodwork and Diame smashed the post – all chances that we weren’t creating when we played them this time last season.
Spurs are a quality side – and they fielded a much stronger side than most were expecting – but we’ll be frustrated by the two goals we’ve conceded. One set piece and another where we’ve just switched off at the back post – although the cross from Aurier was outstanding.
The one big worry is the injury Yedlin seems to have picked up. It doesn’t look good. He landed awkwardly on his knee and could barely even make his way up the steps as he headed down the tunnel for treatment.
He was poor today, but that’s not the point. Our lack of cover in that area is bad enough without him facing a long spell on the sidelines. I wonder why Rafa was asking for full-back cover on deadline day..
Cardiff away next weekend. Play like that again and we won’t be pointless for long.
Eric – what could Puel do about one of his players handling the ball like that?!. They sold his most creative player and yet they only just got beat – looks like the merry go round may start early this season ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Glos – if a politician can get away with calling a whole race of women letterboxes and burglars, I’m not sure how anyone can be accused of racism.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – Muslim woman aren’t a race. It’s a religion. The burka is a ridiculous garment that makes them look utterly ridiculous. In fact they do look like letterboxes. The only thing i’d find more bizarre is if a actual letterbox was walking down the street. It’s beyond me how people wearing this idiotic garment can go through airport security or walk into a bank but you can’t do that with a helmet on. Talk about pandering to a community…
Stuart79(Quote)
Which is worse, Muslim men telling Muslim women they must wear a burka, or western men telling them they shouldn’t. Is the problem really men telling women how to dress? Shouldn’t it be their choice?
PremAndUp(Quote)
And there it is, nail on the head. Well done Prem . 🙂
kimtoon(Quote)
Dave Kidd at The Sun has joined the Ashley apologists. What is going on? Why are these Journos and Pundits coming out of the woodwork defending Fat Mike? Is there an anti-Rafa agenda? Is there an anti-Geordie fan agenda?
I have said it before but they will get egg on their face trying to paint Ashley as the White Knight for HoF and by conflating player spending at NUFC and his vulture capitalism at HoF.
https://www.football365.com/news/mediawatch-arsenal-fans-should-be-furious-with-mislintat
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And I will say it again that when the HoF layoffs happen, as they will, you will not see a word from the likes of Kidd and Keys on the Sports Pages and on BEin. It will be like they never said it. Just my prediction after watching these weasels over the years.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Amazon Prime documentary following Pep and Man City starts Friday. Sort of fly on the wall of last season shot by a Crew based in Barcelona supposedly allowed much more access than Sky etc. would have been.
https://www.amazon.com/Season-1-Official-Trailer/dp/B07FRNLKX1/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1534336455&sr=8-4&keywords=Manchester+city
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Waugh is doing a Q&A at the Chronic today and mentions that the transfers of Lejeune and Rondon dragged on forever. He says because of the age and amounts. He still has not grasped that both were release clauses and that the selling club can demand the money up front. His own paper reported that this was the problem last year with Lejeune. And we know from this and the accounts that Ashley has now switched to paying, as well as receiving, transfer fees in instalments. They obviously didn’t want to use the TV money for purchases and with Rafa’s remit of sell to buy there would not have been the funds to pay 16.5 million up front.
I know it is a stupid way to do business but I am sure Ashley will have allocated different sources of money to different pots. For example, I am sure the TV money would be there as a carrot to Rafa to sign a new contract but also as a buffer in the NUFC account. That’s my theory anyway.
Requiring/demanding payment up front for a release clause is NOT my THEORY though, it is a FACT. That is the way it is and I wish The Chronic could just put 2 and 2 together and see what was going on.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Prem – 100% agree mate. The one thing I would add as a final pop at our Boris is that he doesn’t even know about the garment he’s referring to. The Burka is a full head cover with a mess covering the eyes, not to be confused with the Niqab – which is the open slot for the eyes.
You’d think the former foreign minister would know the difference.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Of course he doesn’t now the difference sharpy, that would involve educating himself on a very basic level of understanding foreign cultures. As you say, you would think a former foreign office minister would have a fundamental grasp of these things.
kimtoon(Quote)
To be honest, Prem I’d think any women or man for that matter wearing stupid things like that would look ridiculous. Although I do believe people covering their faces in everyday life is a pretty fundamental issue. I wouldn’t want a school teacher teaching with a crash helmet on or bandaged up like a mummy. It just makes me uncomfortable but then again each to their own.
I like to try and take it away from it being about women. It just so happens that it’s only women that wear it.
Maybe we should allow people to walk around completely naked too? I think we need to be sensible in the whole discussion.
It says a lot when very liberal countries like Denmark ban the wearing of the Burka.
Stuart79(Quote)
Actually, Kim, in many parts of the Islamic world like Pakistan, UAE ect less people wear these stupid garments than they do here. Let’s be honest, this whole debate isn’t about women. It’s about a garment that is oppressive, offensive and looks horrendous. If men wore it too it would be just as ridiculous.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu, it’s about choice mate, be it a man or a women, who are any of us to say they should or shouldn’t wear something that’s important to that person.
I think guys look ridiculous in budgie smugglers, mankinis and thongs but I defend their right to wear it. 😉
kimtoon(Quote)
What about the people who are uncomfortable seeing it? Are their rights not as important? Do you also think it’s acceptable that people can’t go into banks with crash helmets or balaclavas on?
Stuart79(Quote)
I am not going to get into this debate except to point out there have been quite a few ads making fun of middle aged men with beer guts and hairy backs on a beach making fun of them wearing budgie smugglers/speedos. There would be uproar if any fun was made anybody in a Burka. It is not just about choice it is about religion and suppression.
Looks like Yedlin will be OK.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
With Saivet and Aarons almost out the door, how many is that have been shipped out now? I think there were 18 let go from the academy which tells its own story.
Our wage will must be well under control now. Zaha on 130k a week and supposedly Shelvey our highest earner on 70k. Ashley must be getting ready for another run at the Championship!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stu, Are you seriously telling me it makes you uncomfortable ? Why ?
It’s just clothing at the end of the day.
As for helmets and Balaclavas on when entering a bank, there can only be one reason for wearing a balaclava in a bank mate as far as I can work out. 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
We are certainly a lot trimmer Eric, readying for a sale maybe ? I live in hope.
kimtoon(Quote)
Wow .. wasn’t my intention to kick off a full on thread about religious intolerance but rather to highlight another example of the club’s ineffectiveness.
Anyhow I tend to agree it’s down to choice and freedom on what to wear.
I guess it’s unhelpful when unthinking fuckwits stymie an opportunity for thoughtful debate on how to work out ways to overcome tension when one set of values that attempts to demonstrate modesty and religious belief conflicts with another set of values that requires the ability to view facial expression.
Maybe its just easier to spout derisory diatribe than actually try to understand some elses perspective
GlosMag(Quote)
Im searching for the fingers crossed emoticon ?
Aha ?
GlosMag(Quote)
So, who have we had defending Ashley and saying stupid stuff like it is better to spend the money on HoF than NUFC, like it is an either/or proposition – they are not even owned by the same entities, but that is too much for the following to grasp:
Dave Kidd (The Sun)
Martin Samuel (The Mail)
Andy Gray
Richard Keys
I know there’s more and will try to think of them to put on my wall of shame.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s a very interesting point of view, Glos. Especially the bit about trying to understand someone else perspective. You say someone else’s perspective is, let me get this right, “derisory diatribe“. How’s that trying to understand someone else perspective? ?
This narrative that people who don’t want to see people walking around in full veils are “**** wits” is not helpful. In fact it’s pathetic and is bizarrely the exact thing you seem to be unhappy with.
Although it’s a new one. Usually people who have a slightly different view are routinely called racists, Islamaphobic or fascists. So I suppose “*******” is new if nothing else.
Stuart79(Quote)
You’re missing my point, Kim. My point is that people who wear these garments for religious reasons (it’s not in the Koran btw) are allowed to cover their faces in a bank, but nobody else is. I remember an incident at RBS in Newcastle a few years ago when a Sikh guy walked in with his Kirpan and the police were called and it was a big incident. The Kirpan is a requirement for Sikhs, the Niqab or Burka is not a requirement for Islam. Why the different rules for Islam?
Btw I should point out that I’m a complete atheist and believe it’s all a load of tosh but I certainly believe it’s important that people have the freedom to pray to whoever they want.
I find the hypocrisy a real shambles really. Islam for instance is treated completely different and that’s not acceptable imo. But eh ho – that’s the snow flake world we live in now.
Stuart79(Quote)
Anyone who is silly enough to believe that the conditioning and cultural training that they have received makes their beliefs right is bad enough, but when they then think that’s it’s ok to impose that on others without trying to understand the others position, you are in danger of becoming a politician.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Just read an article in The Spectator on HoF and initially the bankruptcy meant that 70 million owed to suppliers was written off and 170 million in pensions liabilities transferred to a Govt insurance scheme. Ashley has pledged to keep UP TO 80% of jobs. Stay tuned, this will change dramatically in the coming months. I still think the biggest benefit to Fatty is being able to renegotiate the property leases but nobody has brought that up yet that I have seen.
I know this is a different entity to NUFC but I think it was taking up Ashley’s time as it coincidentally happened on deadline day. I think even if Charnley wanted Ashley to sign off on a 20 million purchase he wouldn’t have had time to do it or probably been sacked if he had called him.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hang on what ???
Is it really that much of a stretch to conclude Boris Johnson equating those who choose to wear a burka as letterboxes or bank robbers isn’t derisory?
Is Johnson a ******* .. well yes he is.
As for the pathetic and bizarre paragraph .. well you’ve lost me.
I routinely think differently .. never been labelled as any of those things you mention. As for johnson .. nah hes not someone who appears to think differently at all .. pretty well middle of the road
GlosMag(Quote)
Stu – it is in the Koran, and it is a religious garment – not a helmet designed for protection, or a balaclava designed to keep warm in cold conditions – neither required to stay worn whilst teaching kids or entering banks ?.
But my point is that Boris Johnson is a politician in England and represents people who willingly wear such garments. At this time it is not illegal to do so, and to my knowledge there is no suggestion it’s about it be. If it was a member of UKIP that came out and used the term letterbox or burglar, the press would hound them out of their job.
It shouldn’t be written off as silly old Boris, he knew exactly what he was saying.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m quite amazed at some of this discussion on the attire of Muslim women… I live here in Dubai, UAE. Contrary to what many think, there is a lot of tolerance here. There are women that choose to wear the niqab (which is the veil by the way) and some that choose not to.. nobody is forced to wear what they don’t want to… the Burqa is the head scarf not the veil. The local people are very tolerant of western women walking around in tiny shorts, mini skirts etc, and us westerners are tolerant and respectful about the Muslim lifestyle. It works… I read totally ridiculous **** in uk websites and newspapers, some of which is just not true. Tolerance and choice is found even more here than in the UK.
Can we get back to football now?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
DT – that’s good to hear mate. My initial point was never about the garment as such, it was more the choice of wording used by a politician – wording that would see joe public in a world of trouble.
There’s Liverpool reporting Salah for use of a mobile phone while driving, but our PM turns a blind eye to Boris – it stinks mate.
But yeah, it’s a footy blog isn’t it, sorry mate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good news on Yedlins injury – might be that he only misses the Cardiff game, but they reckon he’ll be back training very soon.
I suspect if that’s the case, Rafa may not change the formation too much and just go with Manquillo for one or two games til Yedlin gets back.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree, Sharpy, don’t think he’ll tinker too much.
kimtoon(Quote)
Just for clarity, Sharpy and my final comment on this subject. It doesn’t say anywhere in the Koran that women should cover their entire face but for a slit for their eyes. Neither does it mention wearing full face veils.
I just thought that needed clearing up.
Back to Cardiff. Will be tough as it’s their first home game and they’ll be up for it. Normally you’d want a win against a newly promoted team but I think we might get a draw. The fixtures haven’t been kind to us…
Stuart79(Quote)
5th Ashley apologist: Dennis Wise, I am sure there will be more.
Martin Samuel is saying Shearer is equating the 90 million spent on HoF with not spending at NUFC. Did he? I don’t get Match of the Day so could have missed him doing that. What I did see was him making a joke on twitter about the monies spent. I doubt anybody but the stupidest twitter-ite would equate the 2 and my guess is Samuel is doing his usual and knocking down a straw man.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Having thought about this there is a grey area of Sports Direct, Mike Ashley and NUFC. I agree that the HoF purchase had nothing to do with NUFC transfers because that was made by a different entity, Sports Direct. But what of the Sports Direct advertising hoardings? The benefits of those go to SD and to Ashley individually as majority shareholder in SD) but not MASH Holdings or NUFC.
Ashley has blurred the lines on his different enterprises so it is not that surprising that some might question if the money is all really just in the same pot.
Still, Ashley would have done the HoF deal anyway regardless of NUFC transfers and most NUFC fans were not questioning that deal they were questioning the “every penny” statement he made and then repeated in writing at the end of last season.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am bringing this up because Martin Samuel made some very condescending replies to NUFC fans who sent him e-mails on the subject for a Q&A he does. They are on The Mail website and also The Chronic have a story on it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, Rangers get just 7p from every replicate shirt sold, rest goes to SD I believe.
God only knows what he is ferretting away via SD from nufc . He only had 10% share of Rangers yet managed that stunt, what does 100% owner allow him to do?
kimtoon(Quote)
Eric, you still seem to be under the delusion that NUFC is in some way a football club, rather than an activity managed by the international marketing division of Sports Direct.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Then you would think they would want NUFC in the Premier League then as there is virtually no exposure in The Championship.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And, I am still not understanding what Martin Samuel and Keys and Gray get from not only defending Ashley but putting out positive propaganda for him. And Talksport with their stupid poll asking where money is better spent 1) saving 17,000 jobs 2) buying NUFC players. The only shock was that they didn’t fool everybody and 30% chose option 2. I am sure as recognition and protest at a fixed poll.
So, there is my #6 on the rollcall of Ashley apologists. I forgot Talksport initially.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Summary so far of Ashley apologists:
Keys
Gray
Samuel
Wise
Dave Kidd (The Sun)
Talksport
Eric Sykes(Quote)
George Caulkin’s latest article in the Times is spot on! People should read it if they get chance.
Stuart79(Quote)
it is extraordinary, really, that 11 years into Mike Ashley’s glorious ownership of Newcastle United, a period of unparalleled (pound for pound) success and cheap socks, that some people — ungrateful people, stupid people, nasty people — still do not appreciate what a complete genius he is. It is even more remarkable that a lot of those ingrates, the flag-wavers and shop-shouters, actually attend matches at St James’ Park.
As a counter-balance to the mindless thousands who regularly turn up to sing “Get out of our club,” at Newcastle games, thank heavens for Dennis Wise — always such a thoughtful soul as a footballer — to remind us of some basic truths. “Unfortunately whatever he does, he will constantly take stick. It’s as simple as that,” Wise says of Ashley. “There are a lot of people out there that don’t help the situation. They want to bring it onto him.”
I mean, yeah, there have been those two relegations from the Premier League, but this is football and these things happen. They can definitely happen when you employ Joe Kinnear (twice) and bring in players above the manager’s head (oh, hello again Dennis!), but there is no point in re-raking old history, so let’s forget Sports Direct Arena, Wonga, cups not being a “priority,” and the way Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and others were betrayed by the club they adored.
That’s the problem with Geordies. The play in black and white and it’s how they live their lives, always harking back to the good old days. Like the decade before Mike arrived, when not only were they never relegated, but they finished second, fourth, third, fifth and seventh, reached the final (twice) and semi-final (twice) of the FA Cup, broke their transfer record, had a world-record signing in their team and played in the Champions League, the Uefa Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup.
But the game has moved on and Newcastle were stretched back then, hurtling towards economic ruin and the big man, for all his faults (he isn’t perfect; he’s an honest fella who said relatively recently that “it wasn’t acceptable what happened at Newcastle United,”), has brought financial security to Tyneside. Don’t forget that he inherited a crippling £77 million debt! Just imagine how terrible things would have been without his money.
As Shola Ameobi said on the telly recently, “He’s a businessman and unfortunately for Newcastle fans, he wants to run his business in a way that is sustainable. Credit to him, because you look at the likes of Aston Villa and these clubs who are struggling financially. The one thing that Mike Ashley has done for Newcastle over the last ten years is to stabilise the club where the club is running itself and we’ve got no debt. That’s a credit to Mike.”
Charnley, left, and Ashley have masterminded Newcastle’s pursuit of self-sufficiency
Charnley, left, and Ashley have masterminded Newcastle’s pursuit of self-sufficiency
Stu Forster/Getty Images
I’m not sure how fair or helpful it is to point out that, in their latest accounts, Newcastle actually had a debt of £152 million. Mike doesn’t charge interest on that, which means that the club is actually saving a lot of cash. Admittedly, a lot of that debt has been accrued royally ****ing things up, but it could be worse! And it’s only proper that he gets benefit in kind through Sports Direct, his firm, not paying for all that lovely advertising at the stadium.
Shola is right. Mike is a businessman and credit to him. You might not understand how Newcastle have consistently earned less in commercial revenue than before he took over, but he is a big-picture man, a blue-sky thinker. He knows what he’s doing! What the shop-shouters call flatlining, a stripped-back skeleton-staffed shell, barely treading water and certainly not striving to achieve, we call stable, safe, self-sufficient. There’s a lot to be said for it.
I must admit to a little LOL at something doing the rounds on Twitter (credit @bigchrisholt). It’s photos of hydrotherapy units at Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton and then there’s one of Newcastle players sitting in an inflatable paddling pool at their training ground. For real! There’s a quote from Mike saying “our training facilities have improved significantly during my tenure.” And he’s right. This season he’s got them a bucket and spade to share, too, ha ha!
Seriously, though, when will Rafa Benítez ever stop moaning? He’s a great manager and all that, but he’s not got a scooby when it comes to running a major company. Dennis knows. He was Newcastle’s executive director early doors under Mike and like he says, “People complain about them not spending enough money but if you trade well at a football club and you’re able to bring players in and take players out and make money, I don’t see what the problem is with that.”
Exactly that. Rafa brought in seven players this summer. Seven. It’s not trivial, is it? Even the manager accepted in a statement he, Lee Charnley and Jamaal Lascelles released last week that “we have a better squad,” now, so what’s all the fuss about? Yeah, so Mike said at the end of last season he would “continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available,” to Rafa. It just so happens that “every penny” was minus £18 million. Simple maths.
Newcastle have tried and tried and tried to get Rafa to sign a new contract. They repeatedly tried throughout January when he seemed a bit preoccupied for some reason and they’ve tried again and again since then. All he does is sigh, shake his head, talk about “trust” and look pissed off. The fans sing his name, really seem to love him, but if only they knew what he was like to deal with. He always wants more. He always wants better.
Everybody knows he fluked that Champions League win, just like he probably fluked those two La Liga titles, the Uefa Cup, the FA Cup, the Uefa Super Cup, the Supercoppa Italiana, the Fifa Club World Cup, the Europa League, the Coppa Italia, the Supercoppa Italiana (again), Uefa Manager of the Year (twice), European Coach of the Year and his cycling proficiency. It’s almost as if he knows something that Mike and Charno don’t. What gives him the right?
If Rafa leaves in nine months’ time — when no doubt he’ll whinge about Newcastle not being the big club he thought they could be — as so many punters seem to fear, what’s the huge issue? Why are they getting their Y-fronts in a twist about wasted opportunities? Somebody else will come in. Mike is a genius, remember, and he has has a golden touch. Joe, Steve McClaren, John “best coach in the Premier League” Carver, Pards. Nuff said.
How dare that bloody MP raise Mike’s running of Newcastle in parliament. What’s it got to do with Chi Onwurah, who was born and raised a fan and has St James’ in her constituency? She didn’t even contact Mike beforehand! Granted, the last time she did that, Charno told her not to bother next time, but even so. What a joke to express concerns about one of Tyneside’s great institutions, one with the power to shape its wellbeing and its economy, in the commons.
And who are these shop-shouters, anyway? Who are this rabble who, by paying for season tickets, think they have a better grip on things than Dennis and Shola, the pundits on the radio and in the papers? Who is this Magpie Group, a collective of fans who protested on Northumberland Street last weekend? Apart from representatives of Newcastle United Supporters Trust, true faith fanzine, NUFC Fans United, Wor Flags, Wor Hyem, Ashley Out and others?
When will these people lower their inflated expectations (last domestic trophy 1955)? When will they appreciate what they’ve got? Mike has listened. He wants to sell. And before anyone says this is the third time now, which suggests he’s either not very good at it, asking for too much or his heart isn’t in it, desist. Don’t bring it on to him, because Mike gets it. There will always be a Newcastle. Just as there will always be a sale on at Sports Direct, you lucky, lucky bastards.
Bravo George Caulkin, brilliantly accurate .
kimtoon(Quote)
Thanks DT for your first hand knowledge and experience. Western media tends to have this problem – arrogance and prejudice.
funrafa(Quote)
There is rumor big Sam will be the next manager.
funrafa(Quote)
Should have kept Mitro then.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
yeah, I have seen that too mate. Likely cause he was sticking up for jabba recently. 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
true
kimtoon(Quote)
RIP Aretha Franklin, amazing voice. 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
So we keep Mitro to wait for big Sam to take over? Why not just ask Ashley to fire Rafa so he won’t sell Mitro?
Anyway Fulham may well relegate if they don’t change their tactics soon. Big Sam can buy him back if he likes him.
funrafa(Quote)
I was joking funrafa 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
😛 sorry mate.
funrafa(Quote)
Big Sam would be the odds on choice. He’s Jabba’s perfect manager in retrospect.
Stuart79(Quote)
Villa thinking of trying to buy Clark back chances??
Scum getting beat two nil at home
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I don’t think we have a strong enough squad to be loaning him out mate. If we had a decent young CB waiting to come through, then yeah, but I don’t think we do.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I obviously would never want to loose Rafa, but thanks to Ashley’s stupidity I’ve kinda resigned myself to the fact we will.
I may be in the minority or on my own, but I think there are worse managers than fat Sam. Can’t say I’m a fan of his arrogance, but as a manager I do rate him. He’s a level below Rafa, but of that bunch, he’s one of the better ones imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – she was a huge part of my childhood. My Grandparents loved her and always had her songs on when we were at their house.
Then The Commitments movie had so many of her songs in – one of my favourite films.
Queen of Soul music according to my Gdad – better than the rubbish I listened too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Blues Brothers set in Chicago was her only appearance in a film. You should have a look on Netflix or Prime and watch it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I sometimes forget how young these footballers are and then you see these stupid celebrations that they get caught up in like the Deli Alli thing and you realise. Their mental ages may be younger than their actual ages judging by some of the Instagram **** they put out.
I saw something in the Sun where their fashion expert was showing readers how to copy Naby Keita’s “style” on a budget. I know they like to dress like rappers but he looked like ****. The amazing thing was he was wearing a pair of jeans that cost $1,400. Where do you get a pair of jeans for that. My Levi’s cost $40 and they don’t have holes in them 🙂
Was that me turning into a grumpy old man 🙂 What do you mean “turning” !!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: Aretha in Blues Brothers. Probably a bit before your time.
https://www.thewrap.com/aretha-franklin-blues-brothers-scene-think-video/
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, love the blues brothers, epic car chase scenes, must of cost a fortune to make that film.
Aretha was brilliant in her short appearance in it. fried chicken and dry white toast. 😎 🙂
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJZwcaWResA
One of my favs
kimtoon(Quote)
Stevie wonder wrote it by the way.
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6YCxXQ6Scw
And of course the sam cooke classic, so many great songs she sang.
kimtoon(Quote)
Why would Rafa let Cairan Clark go out on loan? We must have one of the lowest wage bills in the PL now and by my count we only have 7 fit defenders:
Yedlin, Manquillo, Shcar, Lascelles, Clark, Fernadez, Dummett
By my reckoning that is as close as you want to cut it with Lejeune out for a while and Sterry untested even if he makes the squad. We brought Fernandez in because Lejeune was injured so why would we want to ship our centre back cover out FFS?
And wingbacks? That’s risky. When Ritchie played left wingback he was **** and Kenedy would be a risk. Wingbacks still have to defend, right? You are not just playing extra wingers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I cant see us letting Clark go. Assuming we play 2 CB’s then Lascelles with Schar or Fernandez might look like enough cover. If however we did want to play three at the back then Lascelles in the centre with Schar or Fernandez on the right and Clark or Dummett on the left is needed to have that option regularly. Yes without Clark we could play it as an occasional option, but we would be wafer thin doing so regularly.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Why do you loan players:
1. To let them gain experience.
2. Because you are overstocked in a particular position.
3. Because they have fallen out of favour with the Manager.
4. Because they are not good enough and you cannot sell them.
5. To save money on wages.
I don’t think Clark or Hayden fall into any of these categories. Fck Hayden and his whinging that he wants to be near his family. It didn’t stop him sending **** pics to a model when he was with his girlfriend.
If anybody has any other reasons for loans let me know.
I wouldn’t loan Hayden. He has until January to prove his head is right and then I would sell him if he continues his whining. Rafa is saying the right things and giving him extra time off but I bet he has given up on him long term and that he will be off when we can get a replacement. And 10 million? Can we really get anywhere near that for Hayden?
Fernandez has just come in and he is from Argentina. Muto from Japan. Ki from Korea. Hayden is from the Home Counties, it can’t be that difficult to have them visit for a few days. It is an hours flight from Heathrow to Newcastle Airport.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have thought of another, but it also doesn’t apply to Clark or Hayden:
6. To prove themselves/prove their fitness, like when Wilshere went to Bournemouth.
This one doesn’t happen very often.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And a few years ago I was on a midweek flight from Heathrow to Newcastle. Sol Campbell was on it and he wasn’t injured, so it is not unprecedented for players to do a quick trip to London and it would be even easier for Hayden’s girlfriend to do it. I am not trying to be sexist but I am guessing she is a stay at home Mum.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am glad Rafa addressed the (non) loaning of players with squad numbers. He may as well have said – what do you think I am stupid!!!! C’mon, getting rid of players when you haven’t even filled out the squad is just silly and only stupid journos could suggest it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I despair of Journalists sometimes. Sure, put out your stupid poorly sourced and researched stories as clickbait but at least put a disclaimer in there saying it is highly unlikely so you don’t look like a moron when inevitably it doesn’t happen.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I used to think Chris Waugh was not as bad as Ryder until this summer. Then after so many Ruben Loftus Cheek stories and even worse when he constantly repeated that we had a net spend of 46 million last year I think he might actually be worse. At least Lee writes his 200 words and goes back down the Pub, whereas Chris seems to think he knows something, and writes a few, what he thinks are, in-depth articles that are full of inaccuracies (especially about the finances).
Eric Sykes(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/08/17/cardiff-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups/
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Olly Hawkins(Quote)