Are you happy with our start?

I am.

 

Definitely, we were all buzzing before the Brighton game so that defeat hasn't dampened my optimism and nor should it. There will be highs and lows but I'm confident we will be ok.

 

Yes I'm happy. Basically we look solid. Need a bit more cutting edge, like a lot of teams but the squad look like they are trying hard and want to be here. Players also seem to get that they need to play for their place. Not like the recent past where the same team will play regardless. That will do for now.

 

Pre-season was marred by the transfer window saga, and losing to Huddersfield before the close was deflating and made things much worse.

Since then things have panned out as I thought during pre-season. Quiet cause for optimism, with survival the main aim.

I'm not Rafa's biggest fan, and I think he has been infantile at points, but he is a good coach. He has put in place a decent structure with good worth-ethic, and he is getting the most out of players like Clark, Lascelles etc. I think we lack tactical flexibility, especially when we fall behind. This is not necessarily to say I think we lack the dreaded "plan B", because I despise that argument from fans, I just think Rafa should accept when we are losing that we should have more of a go and throw on a striker for a defender.

To do that, he must restore faith in Mitrovic. Now I don't rate him, much as Rafa does not, but he will score more than Joselu. Joselu is a better footballer, but he lacks composure and at his age, I don't see it improving. With either on the field, we rely on Ritchie and Atsu to chip in regularly, but Mitrovic should at the very least be an offensive option when we are losing.

Merino has been incredible, signing of the season. It's nice to see a talent like that play for Newcastle. Compare this with signings like Murphy, who is not even getting sub appearances when we are losing, and I feel like the limited resources we had could have been better spent.

It'll be a workman like season, and it'll be a hard slog at times. I am hoping we can get to January and strengthen, because we have now released a few players so we should have some capital. It may be a token effort, but you never know!

 

I didn't expect top 10. The way Rafa has us set up I cannot see us getting heavily beat at all. We will also nick some 1-0 wins I expect.

 

Defeats to Huddersfield and Brighton have been disappointing but I never expected wins against Stoke and Swansea. I'd say we have had a good start to the season.

 

It'll do - I like the squad workrate and the way everyone seems to know their role. Shame about the lack of a cutting edge - thanks for that MA. Losing to Huddersfield and Brighton though... Dangerous games to do poorly in.

 

Workrate has been outstanding.

 

Delighted. If we can take around 10-12 points from the next 8 games we will be in a good place. Looking at our fixtures I think it is doable.

Sunday 1st October
PREMIER LEAGUE

• Newcastle United16:30Liverpool

Sunday 15th October
PREMIER LEAGUE

• Southampton16:00Newcastle United

Saturday 21st October
PREMIER LEAGUE

• Newcastle United15:00Crystal Palace

Monday 30th October
PREMIER LEAGUE

• Burnley20:00Newcastle United

Saturday 4th November
PREMIER LEAGUE

• Newcastle United15:00AFC Bournemouth

Saturday 18th November
PREMIER LEAGUE

• Manchester United17:30Newcastle United

Saturday 25th November
PREMIER LEAGUE

• Newcastle United15:00Watford

Tuesday 28th November
PREMIER LEAGUE

• West Bromwich Albion20:00Newcastle United

 

15 points.

 

Superb post there, JPF.

Just imagine what we could've bought up front for £12.5m (Murphy) + £5m (Joselu) + Gayle (£16m).

 

We've got to perform vs. Scousers/Saints. We'll almost certainly be leaving those games with the same points, so when Palace turn up there's got to be enough about us to give hope we'll win.

 

Yes, transfer window was a disaster, but Rafa's showing jusy how good he is by still managing to have us in the top 10.

This looks like quite a weak Premiership this year, Crystal Palace and West Ham are having diabolical seasons so far, so this is one of the best chances there's been for all 3 promoted teams to stay up.

 

Someone who got crocked in the first game, leaving us with Mitro as our only fit striker?

 

Yes. Even though It was annoying to lose to two relegation rivals, but we still got 50% of possible points. That's fine.

We also haven't lost hard yet. We look defensively solid, we are just looking for some confidence in front of goal.

 

Yes and No - we should have got something against Huddersfield and Brighton but 9 points isn't bad. Beat Liverpool on Sunday and I will be very happy.
Its a lot better than ACS' polls.


So I voted for all three options.

 

3 wins and 3 losses will do me. I'd settle for our current position at season end.

 

Wanted 8 points and we got 9, never thought we would win at Brighton and Huddersfield. Think we'll finish 13th or 14th.