After Huddersfield left St James Park with three points, it seemed like it might be a long season. The script written before the start of the season wasn’t being followed. Instead of blowing the Championship away, we were 21st.
Six weeks later, two games without a win is now seen by some as a disaster; we’ve been that good in-between times.
The defeat to Wolves was a shock to the system and not taking three points at Villa Park was definitely a hangover in response to that. But both results were necessary for us if we’re going to win promotion.
We were confident, perhaps a little ****-sure, when we stepped onto the pitch against Wolves. They’d shipped four in the previous game, we’d just recorded our biggest away win since Noah started building the ark. What could possibly go wrong?
Everything.
We had an off-day – we couldn’t hit a cow’s **** with a banjo that afternoon. But it taught us an important lesson: how to handle defeat. You’d think we’d be quite good at it with all last years’ experience but it’s not about being gracious in the media afterwards, it’s about not letting the result get into your head.
We almost carried it off against Villa on Saturday. Almost but not quite. Stunned by a sucker-punch, we held on to take a point which is a start. It should have been three – lord knows we had enough chances – but avoiding defeat was a step forward.
This season is all about finding consistency; the good kind. The one where defeats become draws, draws become wins. If we’re going to get promotion, we will need to win ugly but more importantly, learn how not to lose games.
The top clubs get a hearty mix of wins and draws, more of the former as Brighton found to their cost. They only five times, almost half ‘Boro’s nine but they drew too many. We’ve already lost three games but thanks to five straight wins are flying higher than we maybe ought to be.
If we’re going to get an automatic promotion place, let alone win the division, we need to embark on a long unbeaten run. The way that the fixtures are falling, we could do that. It’s going to need consistency in our performances and a stable line-up.
Modern football lends itself to the devil that is rotation but when we’re winning, the only time to rotate at this stage of the season is injury or suspension. If we are to hit our stride, will Rafa need to temper his instincts and leave well alone?
Consistency is the key but it’s elusive. Every team knows, every team looks for it but only the ‘lucky’ few find it. We need to if we’re going to get out of this living hell.
Cheers Andy, good review of the latest goings on. That Wolves side had 5 changes to the one that got beat so we really shouldn’t of taken owt for granted. There was always the chance of after the lord mayors show happening. Gutted at the Villa result, should of had it done and dusted first half really with the chances we had. Norwich is massive now, even so early in the season, trouble is I’m not sure we are settled enough as they seem to be.
Re Fat Sam, what a plonker, finally gets his dream job then gets caught doing a silly thing like that. Got to be odds on for the boot now you’d think.
Kimtoon(Quote)
When’s Sam meant to have done these things like?
Sharpy17(Quote)
August Sharpy. It’s getting worse by the minute – discovered naming HMRC the most corrupt business in the UK. It may be true Sam but it’s not what an England manager should be saying you plonker.
georgio(Quote)
Cheers Andy. I think people are panicking for nothing. We were always going to be up and down for the first few months. I predicted us to be treading water in amongst the playoff positions until mid October before clicking I to gear Ince the players get to know each other and Rafa’s way of doing things – and so far we are exactly where I thought we would be. We have seen what the team can be capable of and I’m sure we will get there. Just wish our forwards were a bit more consistent, but that will come.
Re; Big Sam. He has to go. Can’t see how he can stay. The FA have made a.big song and dance out of how clean they are in the wake of the FIFA storm.and if they keep Allardyce’s in post then they are basically saying corruption is ok. They would lose all credibility, just can’t see how they can let that happen – but then nothing surprises me anymore about weird decisions being made by top bosses. sharpy I think he said those things only last month, what he was England manager. What a greedy cretin, not satisfied with having the dream job all English managers aspire to. It’s not like he needed the money.
Shamrock(Quote)
Sham , it also shows how devious he is, he said he had no idea Johnson was guilty or going to plead guilty but you have to wonder about that now don’t you. Playing him gave them an a better survival chance at the end of the day.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Very true Kim. It’s just as well he is getting the bullet anyway, he has been a huge disappointment so far as England boss. I thought he would have the cojones to make brave personnel decisions, but he bottled it from day 1 and sent out a really poor message.
Shamrock(Quote)
Agree, Sham, the likes of Rooney still calling the shots. It’s a bit like meet the new boss, same as the old boss. 🙄
Kimtoon(Quote)
its a evil greedy world,once money comes into any sport you wish to name thats the end of it for honest people,ive had a sample of crooks that really opened my eyes of what goes on
icedog(Quote)
It’s like Hoddle all over again, people may not think much of him but I backed him to do well with England given the chance.
Who the **** do we appoint now? Klinnsman?!
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Andy, it makes no sense, such a dumb thing to do considering how much he coveted the England job and finally got it. Has he never heard of the fake sheiks stunt by the press? the minute he knew he was meeting middle eastern business men it should of set alarm bells ringing.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Good article Andy mate. The club are still struggling with consistency for certain. To me we look more settled at the back than for a few previous seasons. Sels has struggled a bit but should come around and we have three fairly decent keepers once Elliot is completely fit. It’s up front I’m worried about now. There are obvious disappointments at the forward position, especially Perez who has not been effective at all.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Nigel Pearson bites the dust at Derby then.
Shamrock(Quote)
Yeah Sham, he had a massive row with the owner apparently
Kimtoon(Quote)
Where did you read that? Just said the club declined to comment any further on the BBC.
I think times like these we have to give credit where it’s due to Ashley, we could’ve quite easily have ended up with him last season.
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Sham: you are exactly right about it being an easy decision to sack Fat Sam given all of the corruption scandals at FIFA. I am not sure if the FA know what they are doing though as they appointed Mr. Roy and Toad of Toad Hall in the first place.
Is ‘Arry the Bung and his dog Millie in the running for the job? He wasn’t innocent he just had good lawyers. Please, setting up an offshore account in the name of his dog!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A pint of wine!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Allardyce gone. Welcome Super Al? I wonder if The Telegraph have any dirt on him? Their investigation lasted 10 months and they say it uncovered widespread corruption. Is Toad of Toad Hall just the tip of the iceberg.
Waiter, I asked for a pint of red and this is rose.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://twitter.com/StanCollymore/status/780840208480829441
good watch if you have 10
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
great news mate,i hope he loses everything he has,hes lost the trust of everybody,i hate crooks
icedog(Quote)
Sam not so big now like, looks rather small actually.
Pards anyone? 😆
Kimtoon(Quote)
cheers mate loved it,about time people in the “know” speak out
icedog(Quote)
I’m not sure he will get a cameo on sky sports doing punditry either after slagging Neville off like that. What an idiot. He had it all and blew it. Mental!
Shamrock(Quote)
Not only that, but he will have lost a fee England coaches their dream job too when they get replaced by the new Gaffer. Well done you ‘kin idiot. That’s how you look after your staff and your mates.
Shamrock(Quote)
Just in case anybody didn’t read the full story, and don’t know what I am talking about with the “pint of wine” – Sam had this business meeting with the overseas investors, his Agent and his Lawyer. He ordered a PINT OF WINE to go with his meal. I picture them serving it to him in a pint glass but it was probably in a carafe with a normal glass. It just paints a better picture if he is sat there chugging a pint of wine.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh ****, i just googled it and he DID have a pint glass full of white wine in front of him at this business meeting. Wanted to save the waiters’ shoe leather I suppose. There are pictures of it on twitter and in the papers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
What an idiot. The biggest mistake of his professional career. How do you live that one down. I would retire to that villa you had built in Spain if I were you Sam.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
NUFC.com are saying the Telegraph have dirt on 6 other PL Managers. Maybe this is why they have put Southgate in charge for 4 matches; to see if there is anybody left to choose from. This could get very ugly.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
well Derby not effected by the shitstorm at the club tonight.
Huddersfield are getting on my tits now like
Villa couldn’t kill off the game yet again and finish 1.1
Kimtoon(Quote)
We’re 9th now with a game in hand. Absolutely ghastly results. Huddersfield wins again. Brentford wins, Bristol wins…. 👿
GeordieTwo(Quote)
So long as it isn’t Rafa I’m happy
Kimtoon(Quote)
Eric, the game is full of crooks mate, in truth it always has been, the big money just causes them to be even greedier that’s all.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Yep late goal for City, I heard the cheer from my dining room
Kimtoon(Quote)
Huddersfield have only scored 13 goals yet top the table, they are winning games 1.0 or by a 1 goal margin, they haven’t spanked anyone yet.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Barnsley have scored the most 20, but sit 10th
Kimtoon(Quote)
I’m feeling a bit cross now. Ninth….. Wasn’t expecting this. And with that nasty one to come. We’ve got to really get behind the lads and win it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Andy the Magpie: you should put the goalkeeper thread on here so at least people can see it.
I was in two minds of who should start but I think Darlow should start as another mistake from Selz will see his confidence shot. That is much better than a temporary blow to his ego and might allow him to settle a bit when he could be recalled later. I mentioned a few days ago that the coaches are trying to have him come and punch high balls so they recognize he needs work for the PL. I also mentioned what he himself had said, that the PL is much faster and he is finding it hard to keep pace.
Swap their roles and have Darlow in the PL and Selz in the cup for the time being. I hope I didn’t just jinx Darlow.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim – if that’s true then The Telegraph should be made to hand whatever they have over.
It’s wrong if they are keeping hold of it to realise at maximum impact.
Whether the manager is in work or not, England manager or Sunderland manager – the evidence should be used to prosecute not to sell papers.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bearing in mind how gullible Big Sham has been, do you think he will still be waiting by the phone for the ‘Far East Businessmen’ to call him and conclude the details of his £400k payment? ?
Shamrock(Quote)
Anyway, I say the only candidate for the job now (if it’s an Englishman) has to be Eddie Howe. Just look at what he’s done with Bournemouth. He plays progressive football and he knows how to develop young players. Give him a long term contract and a couple of tournaments to get his methods truly bedded in and watch him fly.
Shamrock(Quote)
Our Tom has send me a couple of articles about the old days. I’ll post the first one in a couple of days.
Shamrock(Quote)
Unless they elect to stick with Gareth South gate, who is presumably squeaky clean. He will probably win the qualifiers, because they are relatively easy – and then they will consider him a steady, safe pair of hands. But…. Would he have the balls to drop certain players that are out of form or undermine his influence?
Shamrock(Quote)
nothing to say another thread is up AGAIN,i give up 👿
icedog(Quote)
New thread up now by Shola’s Ghost covers the keeper situation…
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2016/09/28/5-key-battles-between-newcastle-and-norwich/
Andy The Magpie(Quote)