Newcastle have scored 21 goals in their first 13 league games and conceded 16.
Tim Krul – in action yesterday against Cottagers
And in those 13 games Newcastle have only 4 clean sheets, but the lads have kept two clean sheets in their last three league games, so we have to hope that’s a trend, because we are conceding too many goals in the league.
22 year-old goalkeeper Tim Krul had a very good game yesterday, and seems to be getting better the more games he plays, and the Dutchman made some good saves, and although Newcastle probably deserved to take all 3 point yesterday, they just didn’t get any luck.
This is what Tim said after the game yesterday:
“Chris Hughton said he wanted a reaction from us after Wednesday, and I think we were better than Fulham, but sometimes you have to be happy with a draw,”
“Fulham are a good side and they have some great players and we must be happy. To be honest, we had our opportunities and we worked our socks off.”
“We showed the passion and we had our opportunities, but it wasn’t to be and I would rather take a point than lose, as we did on Wednesday.”
“We have to be happy with what we did. We have conceded some sloppy goals this season, so to get the first clean sheet at home is always a good thing.”
“The form we are in, we showed again on Saturday we are capable of competing with any team, and I am looking forward to going to Bolton.”
It wasn’t the first clean sheet at home – that came when we hammered Aston Villa 6-0 back in August – but it was Tim’s first clean sheet at St. James’ Park, which is quite possibly what he meant.
We have to believe we can get all 3 points at Bolton on Saturday afternoon, especially after just watching Sunderland outplay Chelsea and win 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
So it looks like Steve Bruce has had his worst day in management for Sunderland two weeks ago, when we hammered them 5-1, and his best day in management today – all in just two short weeks.
Chelsea may have some great players, but they showed no fight or spirit after that second Sunderland goal went in early in the second half, and it was a pathetic response from most of the Chelsea players today – maybe they just couldn’t be bothered – that’s certainly what it looked like.
And fight, passion and spirit is what this Newcastle side have in spades , and we can outfight any side in the league – including Bolton Wanderers – on their home ground this coming Saturday – and if we can play near our best then we could well end up with all 3 points.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
21 comments so far
davcon22
Nov 14, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Comment #1“Going in the right direction” we’ve dropped down 3 places in the past few days!!and now we’re below the “Unwashed”. :-/
jimiley
Nov 14, 2010 at 9:13 PM
Comment #2NO Ed you could not be more wrong. We are going in the wrong direction. We were 5th. We are now 7th. Have you seen the run up to Xmas and our injury and suspension situation. I bet you in six games time we will be in the bottom third.
Warwick Hunt
Nov 14, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Comment #3I haven’t had a clean sheet since I was 12!
ganiyu
Nov 14, 2010 at 10:19 PM
Comment #4Ha ha funny comments 1,2,3
Hatem Ben Arfa
Nov 14, 2010 at 10:28 PM
Comment #5Really can’t wait till Hughton get’s the win against Bolton and gonna shock comment 2 🙂 Stop being a hater.. Think positive or are you just like daffy a smb?
Toon XI
Nov 14, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Comment #6It’s difficult to see us in the top 10 by x-mas. Our schedule is difficult and we won’t have a full squad.
The rollercoaster ride continues!
CT
Nov 15, 2010 at 12:46 AM
Comment #7I`m not surprised Andy got a bloody groin srtain.
, it`s well reported he said Cheryl needs a good geordie lad,
oh bugga,I give up, he`s in London??
Trotter
Nov 15, 2010 at 12:51 AM
Comment #8So,3 points are as good as in the bag huh,against Bolton?
I would love to know how you think it will be “so easy”!!!
A.You NEVER beat us..and hardly ever DRAW at the Reebok.
B.I think saying you will outbattle us is a very bold statement to make.
Maybe you should show a little respect instead of looking at Bolton as a team that has just been promoted…oops sorry that you 😉
Still I will look forward to 5000 of you creating a great atmosphere down here…and of course to Kevin Nolan.Glad he is doing the business for you.He is a class act
Brutooon
Nov 15, 2010 at 3:15 AM
Comment #9i rather we win 3-2 or 4-3 or 7-6 or 2-1 or 9-8
as long as we are winning and picking points 🙂
brklyngeordie
Nov 15, 2010 at 7:40 AM
Comment #10I’m with HBA think positive mates cause this season has been great so far no need for the negativity… Saturday will be an interesting game wonder who we will put out there and what changes chris will make considering his hand will be forced with tiote and who knows about Carroll and the groin issue going into the weekend.. Bolton have a playing very well and will be a very good test between 2 surprise teams in the table
Lynxie
Nov 15, 2010 at 8:55 AM
Comment #11ToonXI,
So Aresenal and West Ham away are not ‘difficult’??? I think the lads are more than capable of picking up results and putting in performances in this league now. Man City got away with murder, and severall good performances have come away from home. We are gonna surprise a few people, and possibly even ourselves!!
HWTL!!!!
geoff777
Nov 15, 2010 at 9:09 AM
Comment #12The team look good.
Okay the last two results haven’t been great but all season the team’s performance has been excellent.
The team are really trying and you can’t ask more than that.
Passing is excellent all is needed is someone to break open the defence when teams come to SJP.
I guess we bought Hatem Ben Arfa to do that.
17th or above will do this season.
Improve the squad again in the summer.
Gosling and Ben Arfa still to come …
Howay The Lads
munch27
Nov 15, 2010 at 9:36 AM
Comment #13FFS chillax you gloom merchants so we drew with the PL’s bore draw specialists and on saturday we go to Bolton who are no longer the hoof and hope team Fat Head used to play , lets start panicking around april eh?
geordielad880
Nov 15, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Comment #14I think hughton is doing a brilliant job with the resources he has available to him, we will be ok, my only worry is our lack our squad depth, especially out wide, we only have routledge and jonas, and neither is brilliant at crossing, we need someone like seb larrsen or stephen hunt to play wide right, we should have got pennant on loan, would have given us more options, we could really do with gosling been fit soon, he will give us more options in midfield, and he can play wide right, but is best through the middle, I think the injuries and suspensions are showing just how frail our squad is, i still cant get my head round joey barton, he is getting himself back in everyones good books, then he goes and does something else stupid, he will never learn, im sick of sticking up for him, i think he is a lost cause now, shame, because he is a such a talented footballer
Rotonda heights
Nov 15, 2010 at 9:48 AM
Comment #15I think the frustration is what is the good of beating arsenal away, then lose sully points at home to blackpool Blackburn, wigan, stoke and fulham, all bottom 8 teams.
Teams have worked out, especially at home that our only tactic is route 1 to Carroll and while he may still score a few goals, we are not hurting teams with any through balls or cut backs. Tragic that ben Arfa got injured. Our one truly creative player.
Rotonda heights
Nov 15, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Comment #16I don’t know why people say finishing 17 is a result.
Our squad and players salaries are still vastly more expensive than the likes of blackpool Blackburn, wigan, stoke, Wolves, WBA and Fulham. What’s wrong with a bit of ambition? We’ve got smith as a sub on 60k a week and people like Colo on 90K a week !
geordielad880
Nov 15, 2010 at 9:55 AM
Comment #17agreed rotonda heights, I have been saying that for over a year now, our wage bill is in the top 8 in the premiership, yet the side arent, so something isnt right surely, we need to get rid of ryan taylor, smith, xisco, lovo, and get some new players, i also dont think collo is worth his wages, but he is having a good season.
Howay The Lads
Nov 15, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Comment #18Colo’s only on 60k a week I thought.
Anyway, you can’t play through balls in the EPL. When 90% of teams lose the ball, they drop to the 18 yard line. It reduces through balls and means that ‘tiki taki’ (?) football is vital.
There’s only three ways to play at the minute: long ball & crosses; ‘tiki taki’ football; counter attack.
We’re not quick enough on the counter. Only Routledge, Ranger & Lovenkrands could play like that and none of them are known for their finishing.
Which leaves ‘tiki taki’ football and crossing.
Which we’re doing
Sav
Nov 15, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Comment #19I thought ‘tiki taki’ is what Pete Seeger made his little boxes out of?
WTF is it when referring to football???!!!
shearermania
Nov 15, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Comment #20there are 3 teams in the league that plays awful ugly disgusting longball hoof style route one football:
Blackburn: very negative
Stoke: bullying but very effective
Newcastle: the jury still out –
but it aint pretty
and its frustating when bloggers comment (especially Ed) about how negative long ball other teams are playing when we are exact the same.
Rotonda heights
Nov 15, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Comment #21HTL
I don’t see Manu, chelsea, arsenal, blackpool, wigan, wba, etc banging it long.