Match Thread: Newcastle v Liverpool

[Bodacious Benny]

I assume that we're all expecting Liverpool to respond following their 1-1 draw against WBA?

If it's not a defeat by at least 3 goals I'll be very surprised. their pressing and speed in attack will destroy us.

But on the upside, it's the last game we have to watch us play this year

Can't even switch over to another match as we're the only ones on

You never know, maybe we'll be surprised and actually turn up.

[originallad]

No injuries or suspensions and somehow only lose by one goal is the best we can hope for. Can't see anything but a loss. To play better than we have done recently with more attacking threat would be an added bonus but I'm probably asking for too much there.

[Bodacious Benny]

Yeah I don’t mind if we put up a decent fight and lose, but taking to the pitch with the sole intention of only losing by a goal or two like we did v Man C is a joke.

[Crouching Shola Hidden Talent]

Yeah I don’t mind if we put up a decent fight and lose, but taking to the pitch with the sole intention of only losing by a goal or two like we did v Man C is a joke.

I'm surprised you think that isn't exactly what Bruce is going to - I can't see us showing a jot of ambition in this game. I hope I am wrong.

[Bodacious Benny]

Yeah I don’t mind if we put up a decent fight and lose, but taking to the pitch with the sole intention of only losing by a goal or two like we did v Man C is a joke.

I'm surprised you think that isn't exactly what Bruce is going to - I can't see us showing a jot of ambition in this game. I hope I am wrong.

Haha no. He said in his post match press conference following the city game that the hysteria is OTT and we should just accept that we’re s***.

[UlversToon]

So, what's the remit for tonight then?

[Crouching Shola Hidden Talent]

Ah yes the hysteria. The same line he peddled when he was at both Sunderland and Villa. Seem to be a lot of hysterical fans that follow old Brucey around.

[ALF]

3-1. Joelinton hat trick.

[Bodacious Benny]

Yedlin v Mané

[CIH]

Yeah I don’t mind if we put up a decent fight and lose, but taking to the pitch with the sole intention of only losing by a goal or two like we did v Man C is a joke.

That's literally the game plan. People, myself included, spoke out against Benitez setting up to protect the goal difference, but this is something else. I've never seen a top flight manager seemingly happy to play for a 1-0 loss at best, regardless of opposition.

[Beatski]

Yedlin v Mané

dont forget about Robertson. Salah and TAA vs Ritchie as well (at least its not Lewis)

[ALF]

Yeah I don’t mind if we put up a decent fight and lose, but taking to the pitch with the sole intention of only losing by a goal or two like we did v Man C is a joke.

That's literally the game plan. People, myself included, spoke out against Benitez setting up to protect the goal difference, but this is something else. I've never seen a top flight manager seemingly happy to play for a 1-0 loss at best, regardless of opposition.

I mean, Benitez literally did this against Man City.

[ALF]

Yedlin v Mané

dont forget about Robertson. Salah and TAA vs Ritchie as well (at least its not Lewis)

I'd rather Lewis, at least he's never scored an own goal by being hit in the face by a slowly travelling ball.

[Colly]

That's literally the game plan. People, myself included, spoke out against Benitez setting up to protect the goal difference, but this is something else. I've never seen a top flight manager seemingly happy to play for a 1-0 loss at best, regardless of opposition.

I mean, Benitez literally did this against Man City.

Rafa's was often a flat back 5 too, at least with Ritchie and Yedlin you'd expect them to be wing backs. It'll still be awful, but it's exactly the same as Rafa's approach.

As far as the selection goes I'm fairly happy with the personnel. Gives Matty a run out with the classic Champ Man "no pressure, go out and enjoy yourself" approach, Murphy is on to stretch things a bit and for his vastly underrated setpieces, and Joe is behind Wilson again. I'm not remotely confident, but if we were to get a result this is a side that could do it.

[Bodacious Benny]

I like Murphy - against City he was literally the only player who tried to get forward.

[Bodacious Benny]

[Speedo]

I tell you what. This game might be awful and embarrassing. But an evening fixture with Jon Champion commentating... it’s the 2002 Champions League second group stage in my mind

[Toondes]

Stupid early booking for Clark

[Colly]

I tell you what. This game might be awful and embarrassing. But an evening fixture with Jon Champion commentating... it’s the 2002 Champions League second group stage in my mind

I really like Ally McCoist too, unusual to have a cheerful commentator for once.

[Donkey Toon]

we've actually started quite brightly. Which i'm taking as a cruel joke to give us some hope before we capitulate to an embarrassing thrashing.