The core of our team

[HughieG]

Dubravka, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett, Shelvey, Diamé and Ritchie are all players that I'm happy to see starting for us at the moment. If Ayoze continues his form from the end of last season you can count him in there too.

Kenedy is quality on top of that.

Added to that we have some trusted squad players that can do a job when called upon in Elliot, Darlow, Clark, Murphy and Atsu

Yeung seems like he can do a job too.

Sels, Hayden, Saivet, Manquillo and Aarons are players that I'd be happy to see leave (if somehow replaced properly). Armstrong and Sterry I'd like to see more of, but if Rafa doesn't reckon they have the level, then that's that.

I have hope for DeYedlin but at the minute I don't think he's quite good enough to be the starting RB, though he's the best we've got.

With the striker position, it all depends on whether or not we're bringing someone in. Rafa doesn't seem to rate Mitrovic at all, and so we should get shot of him for decent cash. Gayle and Joselu are both fighters and for that they deserve respect, but they're not good enough for this level. Still, we know that bringing in three new strikers is unrealistic so if we bring in a new main one then I can accept having these two for backup.

We have some challenges in our squad, but the core of the team I'm personally very happy with. Not only do I rate them as players, but they all seem to have the right attitute towards wearing the shirt. Some of the not-so-good players we have brought in have been down to Rafa, but he is also responsible for either bringing in the good players in our side or letting us see the best of them (Shelvey, Perez, Lascelles etc.).

The core is there, we just need to build on it with two-three top signings. A shame that it has to be so difficult for Rafa getting a bit more quality into the side as it could improve immensely from it.

Thoughts?

[Jammy89]

Aye, fair comment.

Personally i think Hayden could be a good back up player as well, however if he wants to go then as long as we can replace and get a fair fee i wouldn't mind.

It just comes down to the striker position again, as it has done for last few prem seasons.

It would be nice to see some youngsters coming through and like you, i'd like to see more of Sterry and Armstrong but if they are not good enough, they are not good enough.

[tinostongue]

Dubravka, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett, Shelvey, Diamé and Ritchie are all players that I'm happy to see starting for us at the moment. If Ayoze continues his form from the end of last season you can count him in there too.

Kenedy is quality on top of that.

Added to that we have some trusted squad players that can do a job when called upon in Elliot, Darlow, Clark, Murphy and Atsu

Yeung seems like he can do a job too.

Sels, Hayden, Saivet, Manquillo and Aarons are players that I'd be happy to see leave (if somehow replaced properly). Armstrong and Sterry I'd like to see more of, but if Rafa doesn't reckon they have the level, then that's that.

I have hope for DeYedlin but at the minute I don't think he's quite good enough to be the starting RB, though he's the best we've got.

With the striker position, it all depends on whether or not we're bringing someone in. Rafa doesn't seem to rate Mitrovic at all, and so we should get shot of him for decent cash. Gayle and Joselu are both fighters and for that they deserve respect, but they're not good enough for this level. Still, we know that bringing in three new strikers is unrealistic so if we bring in a new main one then I can accept having these two for backup.

We have some challenges in our squad, but the core of the team I'm personally very happy with. Not only do I rate them as players, but they all seem to have the right attitute towards wearing the shirt. Some of the not-so-good players we have brought in have been down to Rafa, but he is also responsible for either bringing in the good players in our side or letting us see the best of them (Shelvey, Perez, Lascelles etc.).

The core is there, we just need to build on it with two-three top signings. A shame that it has to be so difficult for Rafa getting a bit more quality into the side as it could improve immensely from it.

Thoughts?

Yeah, agree with all that. Lets not forget this group of players finished 10th last season, why not again? Only thing that worries me is that teams around us are strengthening to a higher level than us,that could hurt us if we get some injuries/suspensions.

[HughieG]

Agree with both of you. Also, it seems our squad is getting quite thin. The right players are leaving, but if they're not replaced we're worse off than before.

[Ragatino]

Dubravka, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett, Shelvey, Diamé and Ritchie are all players that I'm happy to see starting for us at the moment. If Ayoze continues his form from the end of last season you can count him in there too.

Kenedy is quality on top of that.

Added to that we have some trusted squad players that can do a job when called upon in Elliot, Darlow, Clark, Murphy and Atsu

Yeung seems like he can do a job too.

Sels, Hayden, Saivet, Manquillo and Aarons are players that I'd be happy to see leave (if somehow replaced properly). Armstrong and Sterry I'd like to see more of, but if Rafa doesn't reckon they have the level, then that's that.

I have hope for DeYedlin but at the minute I don't think he's quite good enough to be the starting RB, though he's the best we've got.

With the striker position, it all depends on whether or not we're bringing someone in. Rafa doesn't seem to rate Mitrovic at all, and so we should get shot of him for decent cash. Gayle and Joselu are both fighters and for that they deserve respect, but they're not good enough for this level. Still, we know that bringing in three new strikers is unrealistic so if we bring in a new main one then I can accept having these two for backup.

We have some challenges in our squad, but the core of the team I'm personally very happy with. Not only do I rate them as players, but they all seem to have the right attitute towards wearing the shirt. Some of the not-so-good players we have brought in have been down to Rafa, but he is also responsible for either bringing in the good players in our side or letting us see the best of them (Shelvey, Perez, Lascelles etc.).

The core is there, we just need to build on it with two-three top signings. A shame that it has to be so difficult for Rafa getting a bit more quality into the side as it could improve immensely from it.

Thoughts?

Areet HughieG.

Good post man, balanced, decent and calm.

No hysteria.

Canny work mate!

Hopefully in the next few days a gem will become available on loan or in a fire sale else where n Rafa will be able to notice the lad to Tyneside.

I hope we can land the lad from Bristol for left back, he would be a class addition to the team & could strike up a great partnership with Kennedy.

Fingers cross lads, wahay we can!

[HughieG]

Areet HughieG.

Good post man, balanced, decent and calm.

No hysteria.

Canny work mate!

Hopefully in the next few days a gem will become available on loan or in a fire sale else where n Rafa will be able to notice the lad to Tyneside.

I hope we can land the lad from Bristol for left back, he would be a class addition to the team & could strike up a great partnership with Kennedy.

Fingers cross lads, wahay we can!

Cheers man! I must have had a big cup of clarity this morning

Yes, if we could get that Joe Bryan I'd be happy with the LB spot. Still need someone to compete with Yedlin!

[ashingtoon62]

Dubravka, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett, Shelvey, Diamé and Ritchie are all players that I'm happy to see starting for us at the moment. If Ayoze continues his form from the end of last season you can count him in there too.

Kenedy is quality on top of that.

Added to that we have some trusted squad players that can do a job when called upon in Elliot, Darlow, Clark, Murphy and Atsu

Yeung seems like he can do a job too.

Sels, Hayden, Saivet, Manquillo and Aarons are players that I'd be happy to see leave (if somehow replaced properly). Armstrong and Sterry I'd like to see more of, but if Rafa doesn't reckon they have the level, then that's that.

I have hope for DeYedlin but at the minute I don't think he's quite good enough to be the starting RB, though he's the best we've got.

With the striker position, it all depends on whether or not we're bringing someone in. Rafa doesn't seem to rate Mitrovic at all, and so we should get shot of him for decent cash. Gayle and Joselu are both fighters and for that they deserve respect, but they're not good enough for this level. Still, we know that bringing in three new strikers is unrealistic so if we bring in a new main one then I can accept having these two for backup.

We have some challenges in our squad, but the core of the team I'm personally very happy with. Not only do I rate them as players, but they all seem to have the right attitute towards wearing the shirt. Some of the not-so-good players we have brought in have been down to Rafa, but he is also responsible for either bringing in the good players in our side or letting us see the best of them (Shelvey, Perez, Lascelles etc.).

The core is there, we just need to build on it with two-three top signings. A shame that it has to be so difficult for Rafa getting a bit more quality into the side as it could improve immensely from it.

Thoughts?

Very balanced and well thought out post,and totally agree..
Now then as for my thoughts....
My thoughts are if we don't get shot of this parasitic owner(cos that's what he is,he's very calmly and assiduously bleeding this club dry) we will be in the same boat every season till he fu cks off.

[TheBigSausage]

Dubravka, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett, Shelvey, Diamé and Ritchie are all players that I'm happy to see starting for us at the moment. If Ayoze continues his form from the end of last season you can count him in there too.

Kenedy is quality on top of that.

Added to that we have some trusted squad players that can do a job when called upon in Elliot, Darlow, Clark, Murphy and Atsu

Yeung seems like he can do a job too.

Sels, Hayden, Saivet, Manquillo and Aarons are players that I'd be happy to see leave (if somehow replaced properly). Armstrong and Sterry I'd like to see more of, but if Rafa doesn't reckon they have the level, then that's that.

I have hope for DeYedlin but at the minute I don't think he's quite good enough to be the starting RB, though he's the best we've got.

With the striker position, it all depends on whether or not we're bringing someone in. Rafa doesn't seem to rate Mitrovic at all, and so we should get shot of him for decent cash. Gayle and Joselu are both fighters and for that they deserve respect, but they're not good enough for this level. Still, we know that bringing in three new strikers is unrealistic so if we bring in a new main one then I can accept having these two for backup.

We have some challenges in our squad, but the core of the team I'm personally very happy with. Not only do I rate them as players, but they all seem to have the right attitute towards wearing the shirt. Some of the not-so-good players we have brought in have been down to Rafa, but he is also responsible for either bringing in the good players in our side or letting us see the best of them (Shelvey, Perez, Lascelles etc.).

The core is there, we just need to build on it with two-three top signings. A shame that it has to be so difficult for Rafa getting a bit more quality into the side as it could improve immensely from it.

Thoughts?

Got relegation struggle written all over it . Can't see us scaling the heady heights of 10th this season.

[Jammy89]

Very balanced and well thought out post,and totally agree..
Now then as for my thoughts....
My thoughts are if we don't get shot of this parasitic owner(cos that's what he is,he's very calmly and assiduously bleeding this club dry) we will be in the same boat every season till he fu cks off.

Yup.

Just from next season, no Rafa and i can't see us getting somebody as good as him.

[Geordie1974]

Yup.

Just from next season, no Rafa and i can't see us getting somebody as good as him.

Not a chance.No self respecting manager of any use will come here.Rafa came to rebuild his career and fell in love with the place.With him being tied here until next year,I just hope when he shuts the door behind him next year he doesn't hold back and lets everyone know the truth.We probably know most of it but there's always a few bits more that will shock us.And that is saying something after what we have had to put up with.