In our last 10 league games we have played we have won six of them and lost 4. Analysing this further shows that when we have scored first we have won every time and when the opposition has scored first we have lost every time (and in each case by more than 1 goal). I am not sure what this means - it maybe just a statistical quirk - however if we look for good points from it - it shows that we are good at winning after going ahead (something we were not so good over recent years) but the negative point is we are bad at chasing the game - the fact that we have lost by more than one goal each time make me think that maybe we are chasing the game but with no real conviction?

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

Answers

any ponderings?

-- Anonymous, November 29, 2001

Mikey, With the likes of Solano and Robert in the same team IMHO that their game is more suited to Newcastle scoring first,it all boils down to confidence throughout the team,goal up you tend to be more relaxed, chasing a game at Premier level can suit individual players, but to get the whole team on that level is the trick . The media are beginning to label us a `counter attacking team`, due in no small measure to the pace of Bellamy and to a lesser extent Robert , this is absolute rot , our defence have not got or are unable to adopt a `Siege Mentality`, the fan`s dont want it, The simple truth is that although the Media.Pundits are unable to see it, we can!, our midfield are not good enough to dominate a game, to impose themselves and until this is rectified we will continue to labour the point , both in losing and winning matches

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

The other thing is, if we were continue this trend to the end of the season we would end up with 68 points - more than sufficient for a spot in Europe indeed even the possibility of the Champions League! It kind of makes me wonder how good a team we could be if we possessed a capable, strong, holding midfielder?

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

I know it's probably wishful thinking, being based only on one full game, but I was a lot happier with our defense with Distin in than I have been with just about any other combination we have. I'd love to see him given an extended run even if just to prove that I did see only what I wanted to see.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

I have notice that too. But what about Troyes? We were losing 4-1, didn't have a hope in hell of winning but they kept going which was great to watch. Ended up 4-4.

What the hell has happened since then?

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001