And we have.

Looks very strong, at least as much so as Lenihan, and a lot better with the ball at his feet than I was led to believe previously. Especially some of those turns and dribbles! As long as his legs aren't going yet, this should be a good signing. I do wonder if 3 years will prove a year too far as presumably one of our best paid players, but right now we simply need some quality there so I'm happy.

I fancy them to pack men behind the ball, hit us on the counter, and get a win or draw from us.

Think you're going to find yourself surprised we didn't win lots of games this season if we keep playing like this. I won't be though. Our penetrative play is poor. Whenever we dominate possession we lose, was like that all last season. We can't consistently find our way past a packed defence and are a much more effective threat on the counter.

Well, called the first part right, hopefully wrong about the second part...Holtby certainly looked dead on his feet though.

We just signed one tonight mate.

Ball was either snatched from his foot as he struck, or he was fouled. Couldn't tell for sure which.

Sexy with no end result is just cockteasing. If you don't finish you go home frustrated...

If you watch Newcastle's defensive shape when we are tippy tappying around the edge of the area, they barely need to change it. We don't make enough runs to pull their shape apart. Players move a bit, but only to receive a pass and keep it recycling around the edge. Too easy to defend against. (So far of course, could always change especially with subs)

Awful decision from the ref to give handball against Dolan there a minute ago. It was smashed against his upper arm/shoulder from a few yards away whilst momentum was carrying him forward. He would have had to have no arm to not 'handball' that.

That was fucking horrendous from Bell. Got a nosebleed being high up the pitch. Could have shot, could have played Holtby on, played a crap pass to the wing instead. Looked terrified with the ball.

Feel like defensive organisation could be the main benefit we get from Ayala. I dunno if we have a defensive coach but they're either shit or the players aren't listening.

I'm not blaming Mowbray for JRC having sloppy touches and looking sluggish, even if he is in goal. Wouldn't say he is massively out of position anyway, just on the wrong side.

Well they woke up. We have dominated play but shown no penetration. Can't just pass tidily outside the box and expect to score.

Nyambe's deliveries looking a lot better since Bournemouth. Hope that continues, he will be a serious weapon if he can put good crosses in consistently.

Kid is magic.

Newcastle don't look arsed at present. Which makes it a little concerning that we only have one proper effort on goal to show for it. If they wake up the tide could change. JRC looking poor, what's happened to him last two games?

Just crapping himself at the prospect of playing for the mighty blue and whites. Hopefully he's over that by the time he actually ends up sitting on the bench, or it's going to be messy.

Would you be able to ask if theres been any signs this season just gone of him slowing down? Age and injury issues concern me a little (more for next season than this probably but still).

As in done deal or confirming what we already heard?

Rovers players to give it their all to impress against a Premier League side, lose anyway (possibly on penalties) then have too little left in the tank for Wycombe and balls that one up to (loss or draw).

Absolutely get that it's just an example, and totally agree with the principle. But I sure hope we aren't paying anything like either of those wages for a backup keeper!

Uhh, plenty of harm? He's our top scorer and we need him a lot more than we need a bit of money for flogging him.

On anything like the paltry money he is probably on, I wouldn't mind. If his agent had billy big bollocks ideas, which is fairly likely, that's a different story and I'd agree with you. Bet he is on less than 1k per week at the mo, probably something like 600, 700.

That's good news, this really is a time to use him.