(10 Mar 2016, 5:02 pm)Tom wrote Looks like Rafa is more or less confirmed - and according to Sky Sports Transfer Centre he is going to be the manager not head coach so great to see that we are scrapping that system. Hopefully he will keep us up though - the Bournemouth game was pretty embarrassing and the effort from the players was awful - also I don't think it's all Mcclaren's fault because Lee Charnley and Graham Carr have to take there fair share of the blame for not bothering to sign a striker or defender in the January transfer window.

Sunderland look to be improving though just not getting results! Very unlucky v Southampton the other day.

(10 Mar 2016, 5:40 pm)MrFozz wrote If someone offered me the draw against Southampton at 3pm on Saturday, I would have taken the point, but to blow it like they did was typical Sunderland and it was 2 points lost rather than 1 good point gained as So'ton were down to 10 with Sunderland conceding in the 93rd or 94th minute

(11 Mar 2016, 11:38 am)Michael wrote Steve McClaren sacked by Newcastle with Rafa Benitez lined up as successor at St James' Park
By Sky Sports News HQ

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/10200426/steve-mcclaren-sacked-by-newcastle-with-rafa-benitez-lined-up-as-successor-at-st-james-park

(11 Mar 2016, 11:46 am)MrFozz wrote Is he still a director?

Bringing Benitez in I suspect means there will be no #7inarow, that appointment may just be enough to spur them on and win the fight for survival

(11 Mar 2016, 4:22 pm)DanPicken wrote Already is #7inarow iirc.

(11 Mar 2016, 6:57 pm)Andreos1 wrote An interesting one.
The whole McClaren thing has dragged on all week but when it emerged this morning Ashley had flown back to the UK, something was going to happen.

Why Charnley hadn't achieved anything prior to today, is anyones guess.

Most of the backroom team have gone. Including Steve Black, who was part of the Keegan backroom team and who worked with the Falcons and Jonny Wilkinson at their peak.
I remember flying to Majorca on easyjet one year from Newcastle and Black accompanying Wilkinson for warm weather injury rehabilitation.

Ian Cathro is staying. Highly rated after his spell coaching in Spain?
I presume Graham Carr is staying too, despite Benitez getting a 'Manager' name badge, rather than Head Coach.

(11 Mar 2016, 9:57 pm)MrFozz wrote D'ya know if McClaren is still on the board or has he lost that position as well?

(13 Mar 2016, 3:27 pm)Adrian wrote Arsenal knocked out the FA cup at home to Watford. 1-2 final score.

Decent game I had thought. A nervous last 6 minutes or so for Watford as it turned out, given that Welbeck pulled one back right at the end. Arsenal also hit the post in injury time.

PSG also won Ligue 1 with 8 games to go, as they beat bottom of the league Troyes 9-0 at home. Ibrahimovic got 4.

(13 Mar 2016, 3:48 pm)Michael wrote Aston Villa and Spurs also on today but for the league.

I can see Spurs winning by 4 goals, i thought they were live but it seems they aren't.

(13 Mar 2016, 4:36 pm)Davie wrote I thought it was on Sky Sports?

(14 Mar 2016, 5:27 pm)Michael wrote So my mate reckons Newcastle will get in the Champions League next season if they stop up... i mean you have Rafa but come on, be realistic!

(14 Mar 2016, 8:27 pm)Tom wrote We've been better in this 25 minutes than we have been in 25+ games under Mcclaren!!

Disappointing to be behind but encouraging signs what a acrobatic goal by Okazaki though. Great game so far.

(14 Mar 2016, 8:29 pm)Michael wrote Maybe, lets judge after the game ends haha

(14 Mar 2016, 8:33 pm)Tom wrote Hopefully we don't fall apart like we do normally going 1-0 down. Should try 3 at the back and get rid of Taylor who is shocking.

(14 Mar 2016, 9:53 pm)LeeCalder wrote Don't agree with that point, he's been thrown in at the deep end, far from match fit and always shows desire.

He was fantastic tonight, threw himself in front of everything. His ball distribution was excellent, also.

(14 Mar 2016, 10:07 pm)Tom wrote If we do stay up I doubt he'll be here next year and neither will Colo. I thought Shelvey was poor tonight as well.

Kante was fantastic again has to be called up to the France squad I think. Drinkwater should be called up to England squad too but can't see it happening with Roy.

(14 Mar 2016, 10:22 pm)Michael wrote Drinkwater was rubbish tonight but i'm expecting the same rubbish team as normal for England....

Can't wait for the derby now.. Its going to be close... I'm expecting our 6 in a row will end...