Sorry if this is a bit negative after the euphoria of the Arsenal match (which is still having it's effect on my facial muscles from time to time :) ) but I've got this dreadful feeling that our inconsistency curse is about to rear it's ugly head once again.

5 games unbeaten in the league isn't like us, and I fear a big defeat at Leeds with Lee Bowyer out to win an England place.

Anyone feeling a little bit nervous? I don't want to build up to the game too confidently only to be shot straight back down again.

Sorry for the negatives, but I'm only speaking my pessimistic mind :(

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Answers

Arsenal (sent) Packing

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Paul, I understand where you are coming from, really I do, it's all set top of the table, bowyer back, he'll probably score too, our lack of consistancy. All the ingredients are in place. However, i feel we are more suited and better equipped to play leeds than arsenal. I am really looking forward to it, I don't see us losing, I really don't. Besides, it's live on TV in the states, the only times we have been on TV live on a Saturday morning is when we've played Manure and Villa....................the fix is in.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I'm looking forward to it, don't get me wrong, should be a good match, but I'm also preparing myself for a possible fall.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I've got that feeling, too, but let'sme face it, if we have to lose a game, let's lose to Leeds and Boro at home, which we did last season. Leeds don't concede many (although 4 in two games is quite a lot) and I can't see us keeping them out: it's another one of those games where we really need players like Robert to be out to show what he can do.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

What's all the fuss about?? We can take leeds, they've demonstrated that they ship goals to lesser teams than us

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Chelsea ship goals to lesser teams, but turn it on against the big boys. A defeat at Sunderland suggests that they can't handle a physical game which is why having Rob Lee is vital if we are going to win. Without a huge bit of luck, a midfield of Dyer and Speed is unlikely to stand up to Leeds.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

We stood up to Viera, Parlour and pires. Much better than what leeds have to offer. Watched the everton game last night, leeds goals were down to shocking defending, non existant marking and an inability to put in a challenge on fowler. We are up for this, we haven't played that well for at least 2 or 3 games. Time has come for us to put in a solid performance. Of course we'll get tonked at manure though.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I actually fancy us more at Man Utd than at Leeds.

O'Dreary's kids have more to prove after getting nowt for Christmas off us last season. Man Utd however are still a cocky arrogant bunch - "we can still win the league" "we are the best" blah blah blah and could be caught by surprise.

Either way, a win at Man Utd and a defeat at Leeds is probably better than a couple of draws.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I disagree that we stood up to Parlour, Pires and Vieira - particularly Parlour though. Although our defence was fairly comfortable, the midfield was working it's arse off and not getting anywhere really. It was only when we got the ball wide right where Pires had gone missing in the middle that we got any attacks when Parlour was on.

Van Bronckhorst was poor in comparison and was no match for Gary Speed who had a fantastic second half - he's really made me look at him in a different light recently.

Dacourt and Batty with Kewell darting about has me somewhat worried.

If we score early we could snatch it, but an early goal against and that's it as far as I'm concerned. Leeds can't make the same mistake three games in a row can they?

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Leeds only beat Everton 3-2 yesterday and were lucky that Everton didn't get a 3rd. We beat Everton comfortabley away from home. I think we will outplay Leeds but get unluck and the result will be 1- 1.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

You're right about our midfield getting their arses handed to them, but dacourt, batty and kewell for some reason don't worry me. I think they'll be more concerned about a reinvigerated Robert and a pacy dyer.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Pointless debating - we are still top of the league as I write, and we'll win on Saturday or Sunday or any other day that teams want to play us.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I know, but if I predict that we will win we're bound to lose.

I don't mind being pessimistic if we keep winning!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Just wondering, did we also break our Sky jinx on Tuesday?

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I nearly knackered the telly. does that count?

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Hopefully!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Watch my hips

THERE IS NO NORTH YORKSHIRE JINX

Cos I could be taakin thru me rrrr. :-))

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Not the least bit worried about Saturday. We could win, we may well draw, and could even lose but I'm still too busy enjoying the end of the London curse and being top of the league to care. :-D

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Agree with Syme re Leeds midfield, apart from Kewell creativity is not their strongest point, Batty is a competetive version of Ray Wilkins, Seth Johnson, strong yes, guile mm, whoever plays wide right will always be a danger to Newcastle due to Roberts non tracking back. The danger to Newcastle will be set pieces outside the box and Ian Harte,

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

I reckon Danny Mills will get sent off for flattening Robert.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

At least we're facing Leeds with the comfort of knowing we've picked up a decent points haul already in the last few games. It's another low pressure game for us - For Leeds it's another story.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

James said
". We beat Everton comfortabley away from home. I think we will outplay Leeds but get unluck and the result will be 1- 1. "
Were you watching the same match , Everton played us off the park , we were soooo lucky to come away with anything at all from that match.
Id play Speed Dyer in middle Nobby and Bernard on the wings as berni can defend, bring robert on as the arsenal match.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

Leeds will be looking for revenge after we did the league double over them last year. But I fancy our chances. I don't think Leeds are anything special, and in this bizarre season I don't think they would relish a game against us.

I thought after taking Arsenal to the cleaners we might be shown some respect by commentators and other fans. Obviously we're going to have to do this the hard way and hammer Leeds.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

WE WERE NOT LUCKY AT EVERTON (Sorry, Gav).

Goalkeeping is a legitimate part of football. Finishing is a legitimate part of football. Possession alone doesn't win matches.

As experts at not taking our chances and subsequently getting tonked by twockers, we should know this.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

In truth we can beat any team in the PL, but if we aren't up for it and on our game we can also be beaten by virtually any team in the PL. So, imo it all depends how we mentally approach the game.

We have discovered a resilience that has been missing, and that makes us hard to beat - but, of course, we can still be beaten.

We don't need to fear Leeds, as they have been as inconsistent as we have over the season so far, and they are certainly not as good as Arsenal.

If we approach the game correctly we can reasonably expect a result: I would be satisfied with a draw from a difficult fixture.

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001