There isn't a thread that really conveys what I want to say - so here goes!!!! We’re undefeated in our last 3 games (with a bit more luck [or better refereeing decisions] could have beaten both QPR and Spurs) and have just achieved our first clean sheet of the season. From my calculations, we are 1 point behind where we were after the same number of games last season!! We have become much more solid defensively and have looked quite threatening going forward (apart from yesterday [damned international breaks]) and the midfield seemed to be ‘off colour’ compared to how they performed against Spurs. I fully expect to see some changes before we travel to SJP next Sunday and hope that Butterfield will be fully fit along with E Bennett and Pilks. Holt seems to be taking quite a while to get going this season, but to be fair, he hasn’t had much service and I guess defenders are more wary of the threat he poses and is being more closely marked. I dare say there will be some posters who don’t agree with my views, but this is a forum after all. 
For the record JR, we are 1 point better off than last season after 4 games. Last season, game 4 was home to West Brom, which we lost 0-1 (having previously drawn with Wigan and Stoke and lost to Chelsea). However, we then won our next two games (Bolton (a) and Sunderland (h)) taking us to 8 points after 6 games. Like you, I see plenty to be cheerful about. We are much more solid defensively and are creating chances. Goals will come. CH is still learning about the players, and is obviously more cautious than PL when it comes to his substitutions. The lack of goals makes it probable that we will see Fox or Hoolahan at some stage, but I would expect the same team to start next week, except Pilks if he is fit replacing Surman.
Playing the way we have last three games we should fear no one and just keep plugging away things will change on the goals for side thinking back on yesterday maybe when jacko went off he should have put Wes on would have been more creative option maybe
CH said afterwards that he "was tempted" to put Hoolahan on but decided against it. In the event we had opportunities to win the match with the players who did come on, so I think he was justified.
Good thread. I think lots of fans feel let down because we were tipped to win yesterday, and, (as with Spurs fans last game), they assume that it's a foregone conclusion. I enjoyed yesterday's game, (until I looked at the Pink Un messageboard when I got home.) It was end to end, full of commitment and i thought we were the more skilful team, although West Ham's muscle and Route One style of play meant they matched us over the course of the game. I thought our back five were strong again, with possibly one error per player, a couple of which could have conceded a goal. But generally, they didn't look like conceding; unlike last year when last ditch clearances were the rule. Our mid field weren't as inspired as they were against Spurs or QPR, but it's difficult to win possession and dazzle when the ball is twenty foot high. Despite that, Snodgrass did really well. He is looking like becoming a cult hero, and a good bet for POTS. Up front, Jackson was the better of the 2 starters; Holt may need to have a bit of time on the bench; Morison was good when he came on and could benefit from starting. It was really unfortunate that Kane missed that chance; I thought he looked promising and suspect that the miss yesterday will be forgotten once he gets into his stride. So I remain positive; we are roughly where we were last season, with a much tighter stronger defence, and with more goal scoring potential than we had last season at this time. We showed last season that our players don't fear anyone, so I'm not writing off the next difficult-on-paper fixtures any more that I assumed we would win yesterday.
The only 'gripe' I had with Snodgrass yesterday, was that I wish he would have a pop with his right foot. A few times I felt if he had just swung his right foot without thinking, he could have struck lucky and hit the back of the net, instead of a weaker effort with his favoured left. I remember being told/advised/bollocked to just hit the bloody thing and don't waste time thinking about it. Just my thoughts.
we are one point in front from last season. last year we lost 2 draw 2 so we where on 2 points but this year we lost 1 draw 3 so far with 3 points.
Surprisingly our back 4 look solid. I say surprisingly because I would have laughed at the beginning of the season if somebody had suggested a back 4 including Barnett. The midfield look very workmanlike with a lot of options available. I fear that defences have worked out how to isolate Holt and Jackson, for all his effort, is not happening. We have very difficult games coming up and I suspect that CH will play Kane on his own up top with Wes in the hole behind him with instructions for Wes to help out midfield when necessary and for other midfielders to get forward when possible.
Really hope I am wrong but my feeling is that we will struggle to get 30 goals this season.Just can't see where they are going to come from.
Think it would be a touch bold to play Kane up top on his own as he is such a novice to the prem? I would think Morison would have to be first choice for the lone striker role ? I hope Pilks is back for next week, doe's anybody know if his injury is a minnor one?
Sorry, can't agree about Snoddy. His first few touches were awful and he dithered on the edge of his own box and let them in. He didn't really help Russ too much in his defensive duties either. He improved a bit 2nd half but was clearly not the same player who did so well in his previous two games. Most of or possession was in front of of them and their very poor but battling midfield just retreated in front of their defence. It wasn't until the last frantic five minutes that their midfield scattered and the game opened up. Having said that, it was one game and I'm sure Newcastles midfield will not be as stifling and I'm sure Snoddy and Howson will be able to find space further up the pitch where they can do more damage. Lets hope Pilks is fit as well. Surman just doesn't quite do it for me and I thought Wezza should certainly have replaced him after an hour.
I agree with the sentiments of this thread. As has been said above we are actually a point ahead of this time last year but then we won twice. Defensively we look much better but our goal threat is pretty low currently and this is the area that maybe CH missed pre-season. I also wonder about Holt. During the Summer we had that big stand-off and although he had his way with the enhanced contract, it may have affected him psychologically, but I seem to recall that he has started slowly the last couple of seasons. currently Morison and Jackson look far sharper. It is a mixed bag currently but we do need a victory very soon - the one thing that has been very apparent in the league to date is the number of draws and I wonder if it is the case that there really is not that much between many teams and the odd goal will make a lot of difference this time around.
The lack of goals is certainly a concern, but on the flip side, it has only been inspired goalkeeping that has limited us to 2 goals. Holt needs better service and we didn't look as threatening in attack as we did against Spurs - maybe with the international break, we've lost some of the sharpness. We definitely need to create more goalscoring opportunities from midfield and I'm sure that CH is well aware of that fact, so expect to see some minor tweaks for the next few matches - not the wholesale changes that PL used to iindulge in. I'd like to see Tettey at least come on as sub, so we can see what he's capable of and I'm sure I've heard that Butterfield is close to returning to full fitness. I would imagine we'll have to wait till Friday to get an update on the injuries front!! Yes TC, there have been a lot more draws so far this season and i'd quite happily take another 2 out of our next 3 games!!
