Ben.

Matt Elliott

Spot on, good post. In some ways a comparable situation to that which Ranieri found himself in, profiting from the groundwork and foundations built by Pearson and staff in the years prior - one wouldn't have been possible without the other.

No chance. I’ve seen enough so far to know we’re capable of top 4 and at the end of the day UCL is where everyone really aspires to be. After Liverpool and Man City we’re as capable as anyone on our day - we just need to recognise and believe that, and I think we’re starting to. Also gives us best chance of retaining the likes of Maddison, Ricardo, Chilwell etc

Think Newcastle fans would snap your hands off for an 11th place finish in their current circumstances...

I think offering James that new 4-year deal was as bad as any decision the club has made over the last few years. Was such an unnecessary risk to take with his injury record.