kitch

Co-commentator is atrocious. Must be on the same Disney bonus list as the ref.

Edwards looked decent in the Brighton friendly, I think he's just having a very bad day. Can't help playing next to Stephens. Armstrong, on the other hand, is consistently shite. Gets a pass because he's good at stat-padding.

Bloody awful. Armstrong playing in the anonymous role again, no proper strikers on the pitch. Went into it strolling around thinking our quality will see us through. Wrexham rolled up their sleeves and we've got nothing in response. Too lightweight, too empty in midfield (Charles has been alright though) and no target at the front. Fraser's doing alright, Robinson slowly coming to life, Wellington putting in a shift but that was atrocious. Reminds me of last season, where we're slowly trying to play in a certain sequence and then every time the other team try to stop us, we all have to stop and start all over again. It's bollocks. We just need to WIN! Send AA home early.

That starting lineup is pretty concerning 😐

I REALLY hope you're right!

They nearly did!

This is our biggest problem, IMO.

If it wasn't in the Scum, I'd have been encouraged by this claim.

I watched that game yesterday, St Mirren (my adopted Scottish team) were, at best, mid-L1 level (though they defended like lions). Anyone who says the PL is broken hasn't seen the SPL!

Of all the players and all the performances in pre-season, Bazunu isn't one of the ones I'm worried about.

I'd take that, as long as we were sufficiently financially compensated.

Christ, imagine being a team that were comfortably being beaten by Southampton not 10 years ago, now buying one of their prized assets simply as a squad player. Not sure if it reflects well on Newcastle, or badly on us. Probably both.

That's a better way of saying how I feel about JB to be honest. None of it's his fault, and he's been excellent value for money. If he'd remained a squad player, he'd have been a great success, but that's a reflection on the club and the people running it, not him.

Best of luck to him, but not sorry to see him go in the slightest. One of the first signings to me that signalled all was not well with the club. Bought in as a squad-level player (same as Martina, McCarthy, Pied etc) who was some way off the quality of the established starters, but ended being up first-choice in the PL when he should never have been (though still ahead of Stephens, easily). That signalled the drop of quality of the team to me, as opposed to an issue with Jan B - the fact he shouldn't really have ever been a starter. He was too slow for the PL. Proved a good CB at Championship level, sure, but he's been part of the same squad of losers for too long now. He needs a new start, as do we. That's a great move for him, no doubt about that.

Some finish from Downs, that.

By the fans (the people who watch this team week in, week out) sure, I agree. By the club? No chance. They seem tone-deaf to the issues at hand, i.e. half of the squad not being good enough.

Scottish Championship, sure.

I worry about this Gibbs-White situation. If Spurs (or anyone) prise him away, how tempting is Matty F going to look to Forest?

I dunno, a bookies?

Quite possibly, but we've not had football for a while and we're all (well, most of us) are scarred 😆

Had a brilliant seat over in the main stand next door but one to Alfie House, so be interesting to see if his thoughts are similar to any of mine. Game of two halves (duh). First half gave me the heebie jeebies. No pace, no character, no hunger - just totally flat. Charles looked tidy, BBD was trying hard but looked like could have been one of Eastleigh's players, the youngster in defence was an absolute unit, fuck knows what they've been feeding him and Smallbone's mishandled pass was what started Eastleigh's breakaway to get their early goal, so nice to see nothing has changed there. Eastleigh set up deep and surrendered possession and deserved their lead until a questionable penalty gave us an equaliser. "It's all just for fitness" ...is what I kept telling myself. Second half the entire team changed and with it, the entire pace of the game. First half looked like what we've been used to for the past couple of years, but second was fast, direct, energetic and determined...for about 30 mins, at which point they looked out of ideas. Quarshie is FAST and a bit nasty, but some of the passing was concerning (keep telling ourselves it's pre-season). GReat signing though. Woods looked more a leader in defence. Downes is Downes - different gravy. Matsuki is an upgrade on Smallbone, good close control and lots of movement. Not a PL player by any stretch but he's a decent squad addition for the Championship. Dibling had a couple of moments but looked like he had the handbrake on a bit, or his head was elsewhere. Edozie looked like he'd forgotten how to beat a man, which is a concern because that's all he ever really had in his locker to begin with. Standout was Jay Robinson. Yes, it's against a National League team, but none of the others stood out, whereas he did. Good control, decent pace, good positioning...he's going to be useful. Will Still looked pissed off on the touchline for most of it. Maybe that's just his demeanor?

Drinking before 10am isn't a good look.

'Foreshadowing'

I love the club too, doesn't mean I should be playing centre back!

I fucking despair of this club sometimes.