TheFish

That Forest game was infuriating, the officials were atrocious throughout. How Ayew and Shelvey stayed on the pitch after all their fouls is a mystery. Shelvey had three bookable offences in the first 10 minutes. And the disallowed goal for Anderson... it still hasn't been explained as to how it could possibly be considered offside? Shame for the kid because it would have been his first senior goal for us, and would have been the difference maker until their CB had a brain fart. Those draws were when we were without Isak and more importantly without Bruno. Like you say, he makes us tick. Now that we have both of them fit for the run-in, I'd fancy us to keep the form going and do enough for Champions League, which is mad when you think about where we were before the take over. I know we've spent money, but we've spent it well, haven't gone off and thrown £100m on a 'name', our big expenditure has been on players with bags of potential.

Views from outside the echo chamber, isn't it?

They came across a bit more salty than I meant. I am nursing a Easter Weekend hangover though, forgive me. You lot must be cockahoop with Emery. I said he'd be a good appointment, but Hells Teeth he's been outstanding for you! 2 points per game since he took charge? That's Champions League form. You've got a tough run-in, but I wouldn't bet against you getting into Europe, which is some going given what the table looked like when he took over. What were you, 16th when he took charge?

We've lost 3 times in the league all season, and we've only lost to Liverpool and Man City. Not sure I'd say that's 'struggling against big sides'.

That's happened twice in the league. Once at home to Liverpool, once away to Man City, is that really a pattern?

There's no conspiracy. This season is similar to the 2012 where a few of the teams who regularly finish top 7 are having, by their standards, a very bad season. There are several midtable clubs having very poor seasons. And two of the promoted sides are having good or very good seasons. Aside from that all you have to do is look at the form of Newcastle after Howe got settled. We've been getting about 2PpG since Jan 22. The time Howe spent away after Bournemouth was time well taken. He went off to spend time with Simeone, some rugby clubs and all that. Worked on the parts of his game he felt were weak (defensive side chiefly) and the improvement is clear to see. We're very well organised, fit as ferrets and are prepared to shithouse for 90 minutes to get our wins. The change to our defence has been remarkable. So many games where Pope hasn't had a save to make. The whole team is working so hard to keep those sheets clean. Only conceded >1 on two occasions; Man City and Liv. Only lost once in the league. Semi Final for the League Cup. We're about 4-5yrs ahead of schedule. Giddy Geordies want us to go off and spend a fortune this window, but I think it's more likely we stick to the plan and only change tack if we do get CL football.

First half I think Danks had you playing to break up play, quieten the crowd, disrupt the rhythm and it was working for the most part. We were still getting some opportunities, but they weren't regular and often from set pieces. You were getting into good positions on the counter, but our defence has been excellent and yours was the second game this season where Pope didn't have a save to make. Then the penalty. Once we won and scored that it meant you had to stop the stop-start and try and chase a goal, which kind of plays into our hands. I also think Howe started to use the flanks a little more in the second half, but I have nothing to back that up other than my admittedly hazy recollection. I also think you tired in the second half, where we still had gas in the tank. I'd argue that's because perhaps Gerrard didn't work on conditioning as much as perhaps he should. Certainly less than Emery will.

Back and still in peace. First off I've not read the thread, but I hope everyone who made the trip up to Newcastle had a good time regardless of the result. Glad to see Villa fans on twitter speaking positively about the city and the welcome. Came up in numbers, made a good amount of noise and most stayed until the end. First half was really stop start and I think that was by design. Keeps the crowd quiet and the disruptions stop the home team really getting going. We really only settled into any kind of rhythm in the second half. Genuinely thought Martinez was trying to slow the game down with a bit of time wasting, was only when he got subbed that I worked out he'd been concussed. Protocols need improving on that regard in my opinion. It's dangerous to stay on and I think what Shearer said on MOTD was spot on, have a temporary substitution while a proper 10 minute assessment is conducted. Anyway, like I said, hope everyone who travelled enjoyed their day (as much as possible), and under Emery I'm sure there'll be brighter days ahead for you.

Oh sure, but since Howe really got his feet under the table (January 2022) we've averaged about 1.875 points per game. This isn't just a purple patch, it's 31 Premier League games with and without our best players.

If we maintain this season's form, we'll end up on around 66pts, good enough for 5th - 6th usually.

#HoweOut

Nah, Burn is the first choice LB now. Partly because of his physical presence and partly because he lets us shift to a back 3 when we're in attack. More so than Targett. When ASM returns to full fitness we may go back to Targett and play with a bit more balance? Dunno.

Ashley is a contentious figure. From the outside he seemed to do ok at Newcastle. In the top flight for all but 2 seasons, and he paid money to get us back up there, zero external debt, zero monies owed to other clubs for players. We finished midtable for quite a few of those seasons too. But as you dig into it, it becomes clear why the fans turned on him. Ashley wanted to turn a quick buck, he thought he could buy a Premier League club, flood it with his mates and have a jolly old time, then sell it on. He actually had meetings with Sheikh Mansour's representatives, but turned up late, was rude and so Mansour turned his attentions to Man City. After the 1st relegation he changed tactic. Now he cared only about having adverts for his sportswear tat store beamed into houses all over the world. So he did just enough to keep us up. When we finished in Europe he didn't free up funds to deepen the squad and we were oh so nearly relegated the following season. 7th or 17th didn't matter to him. Cups didn't matter. Survival was the only target. He neglected the stadium, the academy, the training facilities. We had no commercial officer, so the only reliable stream of income was ticket sales and tv money. Set aside his treatment of club legends, players, staff, and the fans. Ironically, he might be a decent owner for a troubled Championship club now. He runs a tight ship, is a tough negotiator and has the capital to bankroll modest investment. As long as the fans don't want more than "ticking along" he'd do fine. Re: our transfers, one of the abiding expectations was that we'd go off and sign a Robinho-esque figure. A big name, on big money, for the big occasion. Instead we've been extremely savvy in the market. It's only really Wood where you would say we've overpaid and even then it was more of a needs must type of signing. It's taking a long time to get used to us being a professionally run club, I'm not sure I'll be able to shake the habit of expecting doom lurking around the corner.

I think because of the takeover and the money spent, Howe's accomplishments are often overlooked and it's heartening to see other fans recognising it. One frustration is that a lot of this could have been possible under Ashley rather than the Saudis. We could have appointed Howe, we could have signed players like Trippier, Burn, Pope, Targett, and maybe Bruno and Botman (though they're less likely, granted). Howe kind of reminds of Hughton, in a way. Understated, calm, bit boring, but gets the job done well and done professionally. The about face the squad has enjoyed from Bruce's time is remarkable. You'll no doubt know yourselves that Bruceball is very much "Roll wuh sleeves up and hope". Now we have a clear style, we have game management, we have variety and creativity at set plays. Our defence is the best in the league in terms of goals against, but our underlying performance metrics are good too. Shows we're not simply in a good run of form, but the way we approach the game will get results. Got to be up there for Manager of the Month and if we're top 6 at the end of the season, Manager of the Year too.

Absolutely zero chance of some kind of realistic title challenge. We're so far behind the elite clubs it's insane to suggest we could win the thing. Even the clubs that we're currently ahead of like Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd have greater strength in depth. I'd be happy with top half, delighted with 6th.

High press, a lot of intensity, quite physical, not averse to the dark arts, a lot of attempted balls between the lines and into the half spaces, pulls backs from wide, interplay between midfielders and wide forwards to create overloads, creative set pieces. Generally play a hybrid 4-5-1/4-3-3. Burn as LB tends to move central to form a back 3 when we're on the ball, allowing Trippier to have greater influence up the other end without leaving us short at the back. Wilson as the central striker plays on the shoulder, looking for balls into space. However most of our goals are coming from the wide forwards or midfield. Defence is well drilled, comfortable on the ball and big. Schar is the shortest at 6'2",

When you say slipped up, what do you mean? Not on the wind up or owt, just genuinely curious. Always interesting to get a view from another fanbase. Being 4th is quirk of the fixture list and I'm sure we'll drop a bit, but when ASM and Isak return to full fitness (plus whomever we buy in January) I think we've a decent chance to finish 5th-8th. Chiefly because the team that you'd have expected to be competing for those spots haven't started well; Everton, Leicester, West Ham, Wolves etc. Brighton and Fulham will fall away a bit as the season goes on, too.

Geordie in peace, here. Huge result for you lads on the weekend, was it the shackles coming off after Gerrard left, or players that haven't had a chance staking their case for a start? You must be delighted with Emery. When he was linked with us we were all excited at the prospect of someone like him taking over. He seemed tailor made for our club as it was then. We were leaking goals, had no real strategy beyond Bruce's genius "roll wuh sleeves up and get it to Maxi" approach. From what I know he'll sort your defence out quick sharp, be interesting to see how he juggles all your attacking midfielders mind you. Right, pubs. Newcastle has about 100 pubs within a mile of the ground. None of them are 'away' pubs, and the overwhelming majority will make you welcome as long as you're not causing bother. Any that are driving up and back on the day; park at the Metrocentre and get the train across. Free, safe, CCTV-ed parking. Plus there's the usual food options in the shopping centre itself for travel snacks on the way back. Around St James' you've got Shearers which is part of the stadium itself. Big, loud, always busy so if you go I'd recommend getting a couple of rounds at a time, rather than queueing twice. The Strawberry, the home pub, good atmosphere, good beer, you'll have your ears bent about Emery and all that, but this will be heaving on matchday. Rosies was a staple, had a bit of a makeover now but it's still decent. Tilleys is a bit further from the stadium but great range of beers and good atmosphere. Forth Hotel and Town Wall are both favourites, the latter is a bit bigger though. Loads of food and bar recommendations if you're staying over, but that'll do for now I reckon. Hope everyone coming up has a good one regardless of the result. .

Hi, Geordie in peace here. I was coming on the board to offer some pub, restaurant, parking advice. Then get your thoughts on the upcoming game, your new manager, your old manager and all that. I've supported Newcastle for all my 41yrs, I've seen ups and downs, great players and awful, great managers and awful. Seen our owners go from incompetent to boundless ambition, Dickensian Villain, to Bond Villain. I won't defend the Saudis from any criticism and my bottom line is that no state should own a football club, and certainly not that state.