St.JonB

Anyone know what sort of formation we are likely to play this season? If we're going to play two up front I don't think a Mane replacement is quite so important. Even with the loss of the two (with Pelle to come) we can still put a good team out and a strong bench.

I think that was Mane. Oh hang on...

It was not long ago people were talking about how well Newcastle were being run signing cheap French players and selling them for big profit. We have managed to improve after two difficult summers; does not mean we will always get better. I really don't think people can be knocked for being concerned that we will be able to consistently replace good players (and managers) with cheaper alternatives.

Must say i'm slightly disappointed. I know every appointment is a bit of a gamble but this seems a higher gamble then need be for a club that just finished 6th. I hope he's not been given a quota of youth players he needs to bring through or told to play a certain 'Southampton Way'. Think we should have let Koeman see his contact out.

Cheers; good post. You're right we are terrible at holding on to our best players (not to mention managers). Maybe only Newcastle worse would you say?

When we are linked to players can you give a potential value in two years time please. A bit like homes under the hammer.

But this is our policy with players. We all know when some of our better players will be leaving but hope they stay committed for their final season. Not so sure its different for a manager?

We do seem to be unique as a club where we know what players will be sold not just this window, but the following summer as well.

Sammy Lee or Dave Watson?

Would have to avoid his interviews - the guy is pretty boring. Not sure if there is anyone better for us at the moment though. Just hope he is fully motivated if he does come.

That's some team (and management team) we have lost in two years. Good enough to win the league?

He plays in the front three but never scores? Rather play someone more dangerous further forward and play Drinkwater sitting. And he's a knob.

Don't really care to be honest. Get someone who does well they leave in two seasons; get someone not so good and we go backwards faster. Lose lose really isn't it?

Did i just hear on Talksport he is signing the extension!?

I posted that comment the day they were playing Villarreal. I'm still not sure if it will benefit us if they win the Uefa Cup but I'm a big Chelsea fan for tonight!

Do i need to cheer Liverpool on tonight? If so it will nor be easy....

Not worried about their fans; just some of ours! I suppose it's best to chose seats at the front?

Anyone recommend a good away trip to take my 10 year old to? Took him to Fulham a couple of years ago and we sat in the neutral end. He loved it but bit worried about other grounds.

You should have visited last month. We were going down and Koeman needed to be sacked according to some.

After watching Lallana score the winner against Norwich you can only imagine how he would react if he scored a goal that mattered.

Are we still going down? Really pleased with this news. He must really want to come to us as he has constantly said he would stay with QPR to the summer.

He's got a point to prove against WBA; I would start with him and take him off if he gets tired.

If Long could finish he wouldn't be playing for us....

Who is on the bench?

I don't know where you get your energy to argue with the moaners on here. The forum is so depressing at the moment. Not many can offer solutions; just pick holes in the manager and players they don't like (same players that were good enough to be involved last year). Anyway lets all try and get behind the team today, and you never know we might surprise a few. COYS!