28 Dec 2025 11:56:19
Newcastle away was a game of two halves, yesterday's match was a game of two halves, we need to put together a full 90 minute display and the players need to have a look at themselves. Top 5 will get champions league and with the top 3 looking done and dusted it will be us, Liverpool and Man U fighting for those 2 places and each of those sides have issues so will go right to the wire.
Cucu was taken off as a precaution because he felt his hamstring and will have a scan today but that begs the question as to why we didn't recruit a left back or was Hato bought to cover that position? I can understand why Fofana didn't start as his return to fitness is being correctly managed but I have said many times before that BB is not good enough and Josh needs to cover for Fofana.
My other rant is what the feck does Delap offer? a truly terrible striker who should be nowhere near this club. Jackson was miles better than him. Anyway, on a positive note it was good to hear the supporters singing for Sanchez again.
28 Dec 2025 12:46:05
Greenaway, I’m assuming that Fofana is about game time management. To be fair Chalaboa and James snuffed out Roger’s yesterday.
I have given my opinion about the Jackson loan/sale many times but from what we have been told, albeit by the press, he didn’t fancy fighting for his place against Pedro and Delap. I wonder if true, if he regrets that decision.
28 Dec 2025 13:20:31
You are correct Tom, Fofana's fitness is being correctly managed so I had no issues with him not being involved and only a fool would risk his long term recovery by over playing him whilst he builds up his minutes, the problem we have is whenever BB or Tosin play we lose! they are both useless and along with Disasi need moving out as soon as possible.
Maresca pointed this out in the summer but was not backed and he has a point doesn't he? that said, I would play young Josh or even Hato when Fofana or Trev are not available.
28 Dec 2025 13:24:26
Greenaway way too early to dismiss Delap,
How and why we lost control of that game I am not sure players got tired lack of game awareness no reaction from the manager or all 3
One of the things that cost us in my eyes was the way Garnacho always cut inside with Cash on a booking should have taken him down the line, or at the very least should of swapped wings with Neto for a period, cannot afford to have so many one on ones and produce nothing.
28 Dec 2025 14:10:45
I personally would be playing Josh more frequently and in front of Tosin and generally in front of Badiashile.
Shame about that poor clearance by Badiashile because he hadn’t had a bad game up until then. Having said that, such was our dominance he didn’t have much to do.
28 Dec 2025 14:25:29
Not sure how players get tired as they team is rotated by 50% every blooming game.
28 Dec 2025 14:49:10
It wasn’t tiredness in my opinion. It was more us just running out of ideas and the Villa subs making them more physical.
28 Dec 2025 17:20:08
Greenaway. frankly I am bored with Fofana and his fitness levels Jeez, is he made of glass? You are right about Delap: who thought he could be a prolific striker; add to that his poor discipline, he is always a red card waiting to happen.
Tom, you are right about Josh, he has more composure than any of our available CBs- I would start him as much as possible.
28 Dec 2025 17:25:00
And that Tom is the difference between a coach and a good coach.
28 Dec 2025 17:26:01
Probably wasn't tiredness but we looked lethargic and the moment they scored I would have taken a draw, I am a keep Maresca guy but the changes he made were too little too late and reactive . and a quiet Palmer on the pitch is still a dangerous player and a match winner / saver.
28 Dec 2025 18:08:03
Seymns I agree 100% with your post.
28 Dec 2025 18:32:27
I know what you mean Jimbo about Fofana but I'm clinging to the hope that the medical people are doing the right thing and slowly building him up just as they have done with Reece James.
He is a class act when fully fit and a good asset to have. Next stop Lavia. TBF the change to the medical department the club made is starting to pay dividends.
28 Dec 2025 18:44:42
Lol the love for jackson cannot be real. The best description i've read of jackson was 'couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo'. whatever that means.
I miss the summer when posters on here were convinced we were going to sell him for 80m pounds. Not every club has SD's like ours unfortunately lol.
28 Dec 2025 19:33:29
I can’t remember what the loan fee was, maybe 16m ish. His value certainly wouldn’t have increased at BM but it might at the AFCON.
Whatever we sell him for, it will be for a substantial profit. Well done the SD’s.
28 Dec 2025 21:11:37
seymns2, yes you are right of course, all these young players need time but at the moment I can't quite see what Delap offers us? at least with Jackson we knew he could stretch teams and he linked up well with Palmer as well and his stats were better than Delap's. That said, I think both will be sold in the summer.
29 Dec 2025 08:13:20
I didn’t want Jackson to leave and I remember saying to some mates that you have to see Jackson play at the bridge not on TV to appreciate him as a player.
He was raw but his work rate was of the scale and he was a nightmare for most CH’s to mark.
He now plays for another club (apparently his choice) and I can’t see him coming back. So, goodbye.