Greetings.
Just been looking at the league tables and its very interesting to read. From Everton in 8th place to ourselves in 16th, there is a mere 5 points. The next place up is Liverpool followed by the mags on 23 and 26 points respectively.
Now, in all honesty, clawing back the 15 points between us and 6th place (or even 7th to be fair) is going to be almost impossible. Thats 5 games we have to win and they have to lose. So, I think MoN's first task is to stabilise the ship and get us going as a team in the next 6 or 7 games, then hopefully in January recruit a striker and a creative left sided midfielder and then look to cement a top 10 finish. I truly believe this is possible now and I'm sure MoN having looked at it will think likewise.
On the subject of stats, there are some interesting ones when comparing the 2 NE clubs, separated by 15 points you'd imagine a huge gap in goals scored and conceded but thats far form the case.
P W D L F A Pts
Sunderland 13 2 5 6 15 15 11
Newcastle 14 7 5 2 19 15 26
They have played one more game and scored 4 more goals but conceded the same, yet they have 15 points more and have won 5 games more. Both have drawn 5.
So whats been the difference? For the first few games they have defended well and not conceded in games but managed to score the odd goal in 1 in tight games. They have a striker in Ba.
We have similarly done well defensively but havent had the benefit of a Demba Ba.
With the sad news about Taylor (and I do mean this as I dont like to see players injured long term, even total ****ers like him) and the potential loss of Ba for 6 to 7 weeks next month, I have a feeling that the tables have turned a little bit today bit and especially with us having announced the appointment of Martin O Neill. I think he will have a few bob to spend in 4 weeks time and will do so on a striker and a creative pacy left sided midfielder, which will help our problem area of winning goals in tight games.
As I said, 15 points is too much to catch up imo (or it certainly should be) but I look forward to narrowing the gap and giving it a go over the coming weeks and I'm sure that there will be a lot of Mags (even if they dont admit it) who will be a little concerned and looking to Ashley to recruit not sell in the January window. Will Coloccini be allowed to leave now or will a big bucks offer still loosen the hold on them? Will Tiote be allowed to leave as its no coincidence that they have now only won 1, lost 2 and drawn 1 of the 4 games he has been out. 4 points from 12.
It was always going to be a test of the strength of their squad that would determine newcastle's season and now losing Taylor for the rest of the campaign and Ba, Tiote to the ANC? I also noticed tonight how Pardew was flapping a little bit and grasping for excuses by blaming the ref about the Luiz non sending off, which was really amusing as he seems to have forgotten the piece of huge luck only last week over his own penalty decision at Old Trafford. 2 defeats in 3 games now. Key injuries and Pardew under a bit of pressure for the first real time this season.
Like I said, its going to be really interesting to see how the next 2 or 3 months pans out now. Our comeback starts tomorrow at Wolves but in earnest next Sunday v Blackburn. 2 wins would be too much to ask for but a draw and a win wouldnt.
Long season still to go yet and many twists and turns to go too.
Just been looking at the league tables and its very interesting to read. From Everton in 8th place to ourselves in 16th, there is a mere 5 points. The next place up is Liverpool followed by the mags on 23 and 26 points respectively.
Now, in all honesty, clawing back the 15 points between us and 6th place (or even 7th to be fair) is going to be almost impossible. Thats 5 games we have to win and they have to lose. So, I think MoN's first task is to stabilise the ship and get us going as a team in the next 6 or 7 games, then hopefully in January recruit a striker and a creative left sided midfielder and then look to cement a top 10 finish. I truly believe this is possible now and I'm sure MoN having looked at it will think likewise.
On the subject of stats, there are some interesting ones when comparing the 2 NE clubs, separated by 15 points you'd imagine a huge gap in goals scored and conceded but thats far form the case.
P W D L F A Pts
Sunderland 13 2 5 6 15 15 11
Newcastle 14 7 5 2 19 15 26
They have played one more game and scored 4 more goals but conceded the same, yet they have 15 points more and have won 5 games more. Both have drawn 5.
So whats been the difference? For the first few games they have defended well and not conceded in games but managed to score the odd goal in 1 in tight games. They have a striker in Ba.
We have similarly done well defensively but havent had the benefit of a Demba Ba.
With the sad news about Taylor (and I do mean this as I dont like to see players injured long term, even total ****ers like him) and the potential loss of Ba for 6 to 7 weeks next month, I have a feeling that the tables have turned a little bit today bit and especially with us having announced the appointment of Martin O Neill. I think he will have a few bob to spend in 4 weeks time and will do so on a striker and a creative pacy left sided midfielder, which will help our problem area of winning goals in tight games.
As I said, 15 points is too much to catch up imo (or it certainly should be) but I look forward to narrowing the gap and giving it a go over the coming weeks and I'm sure that there will be a lot of Mags (even if they dont admit it) who will be a little concerned and looking to Ashley to recruit not sell in the January window. Will Coloccini be allowed to leave now or will a big bucks offer still loosen the hold on them? Will Tiote be allowed to leave as its no coincidence that they have now only won 1, lost 2 and drawn 1 of the 4 games he has been out. 4 points from 12.
It was always going to be a test of the strength of their squad that would determine newcastle's season and now losing Taylor for the rest of the campaign and Ba, Tiote to the ANC? I also noticed tonight how Pardew was flapping a little bit and grasping for excuses by blaming the ref about the Luiz non sending off, which was really amusing as he seems to have forgotten the piece of huge luck only last week over his own penalty decision at Old Trafford. 2 defeats in 3 games now. Key injuries and Pardew under a bit of pressure for the first real time this season.
Like I said, its going to be really interesting to see how the next 2 or 3 months pans out now. Our comeback starts tomorrow at Wolves but in earnest next Sunday v Blackburn. 2 wins would be too much to ask for but a draw and a win wouldnt.
Long season still to go yet and many twists and turns to go too.
