already two points down on OP's predictions. i don't know why everybody is content, if we can't win when we play well AT HOME, how the hell are we going to win when we don't play so well? think about it.
Having got ourselves a bit adrift, so that one win isn't enough to get out of bottom three, we may have to accept it could take a few games before we escape. There will be ups and downs and results going against us, but we are playing well and must be patient. If we had lost yesterday I would have lost all hope, but I'm now backing us to get those important points that we need. Very proud of how we played yesterday.
I agree with everything Fran stated. I now have renewed hope that we can turn things around. Newcastle were poor yesterday and have been off form for a few weeks. We need to capitalise on that and take all 3. Norwich are a funny side. They really raise their game against the big teams but seemingly struggle for motivation against the lower placed teams. That game is a must win in my eyes. Liverpool are just plain unpredictable. I think we can cause them problems but we need Cork or Schneiderlin to sacrifice themselves and play the game trying to cut out the supply to Suarez. Our defenders will not be able to cope with him otherwise but we are capable of winning or drawing that game. I'm reckon we can realistically expect 7 points from the next 3 games but just as easily only pick up 1.
We can and should beat Newcastle next week. They are having a terrible time, and without Coloccini Rickie should dominate their CB's. They also have goalkeeper problems.
so 4 points out of the possible 9 pretty good Newcastle - I'm going to go for the win. 3-1 (one will be a penalty) Norwich - i'm also going to go for the win. 2-0 10 points out of the possible 15 would be brilliant But i am hugely optimistic. but i have a feeling we will draw one :/ well 1 point is still better than none.
That's the spirit, I wish you were representative of the rest of the fanbase who will be present at SMS! There's no reason why we can't beat Newcastle and Norwich. We should expect at least 4 points from these next two.
A draw and a win out of the next two with no more than 2 goals conceded would do me beautifully. Unbeaten in four games would be huge for us, so would a clean sheet, and the Norwich game will be a big opportunity for one of them.
Don't get why youre saying Newcastle were bad, Tremmel made the most saves in the league yesterday with 11, and Newcastle has a further 11 shots off target. If we let them have 22 shots I suspect they will score more than 5! (Stats from the Sun...) If Coloccini and Krul are out then I think it will be a very open game, as both teams are much better going forwards. We should beat Norwich, they have a had a few good games of late, but have looked very very ordinary before that. They defended with there lives in all those games and they won't do that against us, which is why i think we will put atleast 2/3 past them. 4 points i reckon!
Newcastle are there for the taking next weekend, if their injury problems continue. Cisse I imagine will be back, but I have no idea what the situation is with Cabaye or Gutierrez. And of course Coloccini is injured. With a due respect, I don't rate what they have in reserve, the likes of Obertan, Ferguson and the Ameobi's. If the two of them are still injured, then not only is that in itself a great thing for us, but it also gives Newcastle fewer options in their Europa League match this week - thus potentially forcing Pardew to field players against us who he has played in europe just three days earlier. Two sets of back-to-back home games coming up, either side of Liverpool away. We really have to be looking at four points from each. Even with a defeat at Anfield, that will see us go to Fulham on Boxing Day with 16 points from 17 games, which I would be happy with. And if we could get another point or two from these games, then all the better. (Liverpool away isn't as scary as it used to be, and Norwich, Sunderland and Reading at home are all more than winnable).
If they are without both Coloccini and Cabaye the game will be there for the taking. No disrespect to them because I think they are a very strong team and quite like them, but without Cabaye their play is frequently one dimensional, and without Colo their defence is lacklustre and can be very weak at times. And without the two of them through the spine of the team they are quite simply not the dangerous top-four contending team that they were last season or anything near it bar a one-man show from Cisse or Ben Arfa. Unfortunately though I think Cabaye will be back for the game, would imagine he'll be rested in the week and then play at the week-end.
Gary Neville referred to getting something from the Newcastle and Liverpool games as bonus points. I think he's right, although I can see us maybe getting a point against both teams, a win against Newcastle with a bit of luck. If we don't beat both Norwich and Reading I'd be disappointed, these are six pointers.
