We needed that

[Ragatino]

They were dreadful in every position. Conte won't last much longer if there's much more of this. No doubt we'll hear him in the media in the next few days moaning about needing signings but I think he needs to look at himself.

Indeed. On all points I agree.

The general consensus is that we would steam roller everyone from here until the end of the season. When we finished 5th every game we won was a surprise. When we had Ba then Cisse slamming in goal after goal I had the feeling going into each match that if Cabaye, Tiote, Ba, Ben Arfa & Cisse were fit we had a good chance to win.

However with the way Howe has turned us around. The way we have battered some teams, the Arsenal win last season & Spurs this season, the 3-3 with City are all awesome result and inflated the perception of our squads ability.

At every opportunity Howe has made it clear we are no where near where we need to be in the reality of squad depth and quality.

Us lot, who pop in for a pint and a bit of banter to our favourite digital NUFC supports pub "Dan's Domain" generally keep our feet on the ground. However the hype surrounding the team has lead to a lot of folks thinking our advanced position in the league is a good mark of where we are in terms of progression.

Whilst I agree that we are 3rd because we deserve to be, we've collected the points by beating teams which has enabled us to achieve what we have this season. We have had some fortune but unlike Pardew or other managers Howe doesn't leave anything to luck or chance. We grind and work hard for our results.

Howe is getting the credit for the work he and his team have done to get a tune out of a squad that was destined for the Championship 14 months ago. Howe-ever (couldn't resist) all realistic NUFC fans are clear in their understanding that we are punching above our weight.

Leeds fought hard and matched us in the Sh!tHousery stakes. The Ref was not the best but we had several chances to win the match. We didn't take them.

It's clear to all we are a work in progress. Last season we would have lost to Leeds but we took a point. It was a decent result when we factor in the weather and the fact that our squad is still indeed of better quality additions.

Isn't it nice to be grumbling over a draw rather than after taking yet another 4 or 5 nil mauling from Leeds.

My point after all the rambling above.

We deserve to be where we are, our squad is punching above it's weight, we don't have European football which is a benefit and will assist us, we absolutely need to bring in 2-3 top quality players to ensure we maintain our top 4 position and finish the job.

16/17 games in we have shown the league what we are capable. We have 21 games to go to achieve our goal.

Keep the faith, in Howe & the board we trust!

[Sclox]

I think we are a year ahead of the curve in terms of position and points.

We are well over acheiving and its great, but We definately need more quality in the door to reasonably be considered a top 4 contender.

The media talk about us like we are the finished article and challenging for cups now but in reality are nowhere near it and the squad is wafer thin for injuries and poor form - the big teams hit their stride about now and money teams begin to rise up the table.

Dunno about you men but I for one need to see something soon from our 70 million forward.

[Ragatino]

I think we are a year ahead of the curve in terms of position and points.

We are well over acheiving and its great, but We definately need more quality in the door to reasonably be considered a top 4 contender.

The media talk about us like we are the finished article and challenging for cups now but in reality are nowhere near it and the squad is wafer thin for injuries and poor form - the big teams hit their stride about now and money teams begin to rise up the table.

Dunno about you men but I for one need to see something soon from our 70 million forward.

This is what I was trying to say in my ramble above

The media are doing what they always too. After 14 yrs of mockery, now they are building us up beyond our level so they can return to pour scorn on us when we don't hit [I]their[I] deluded standards! Merson et al are the worst.

We've added well but it's clear we need many more players of that Botman, Bruno standard to truly establish ourselves at a title contending club.

[Zippity]

Dunno about you men .

We're just innocent men.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_vl62JblQ

[Sclox]

We're just innocent men.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_vl62JblQ

😁 I worry about you sometimes Zip.