Five more wins should see us safe.

A sorry sight. The 5-0 victory over West Ham on Wednesday evening was a good result, but before expectations start to rise again I feel it is only fair to point out that the win was only worth three points.

This has left us sitting in a very respectable 8th place in the table having played 21 matches and amassing 28 points in the process. This is arguably better than many of us had ever imagined, and it could have been better still had we managed to get our home form on track against the likes of Stoke, Blackburn, Wigan and Blackpool.

The main aim for any newly promoted team is generally trying to get to the magical fourty point barrier as soon as possible. That is generally enough to secure survival, unless you are really unlucky like West Ham and get relegated with over fourty points. That doesn’t happen often though, and law of averages suggests that the big 4-0 is what will be needed.

Of course, it could be more than that if the league continues in the same vein and teams continue to pick points up from each other. The unpredictable nature of the league so far means that there is no team that has been cut adrift at the bottom of the table as yet. Still that is of no concern to us, and hopefully won’t be at any point from now onwards.

I am starting to think that 15 points will make us pretty certain of assuring Premier League status for next season. Five wins, four wins and three draws or whatever, but that would give us a total of 43 points. A team would have to be desperately unlucky to be relegated on that amount of points, but this is Newcastle and you can never rule out the unlikely.

So where could we pick up those wins? What do our fitures look like for the remainder of the season? Well, broken down into months, they look a little bit like this:

January: Sunderland (a), Tottenham (h).
February: Fulham (a), Arsenal (h), Blackburn (a), Birmingham (a), Bolton (h).
March: Everton (h), Stoke (a).
April: Wolves (h), Aston Villa (a), Man Utd (h), Blackpool (a), Liverpool (a).
May: Birmingham (h), Chelsea (a), West Brom (h).

They are all tough fixtures and nothing is a given in the Premier League, especially this season. We have only two home games in the next two months, which is concerning, especially considering that they are against top four opposition in the form of Arsenal and Tottenham.

To me there is no real run of what you would call winnable games. There seems to be one or two, then a game against one of the top teams. This is a concern, but it is something that the players will have to deal with.

The big question is, can you see us getting 15 points from those fixtures?

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

148 thoughts on “Five more wins should see us safe.

  1. For me, Colo’s only problems have been his lack of pace and power. He has altered his all-round game so that those two aspects of his game are less important, but nonetheless it will always see him draw criticism from sets of fans and pundits alike. When it comes to intelligent defending (positioning, when to tackle, when to jockey) he is unmatched at our club. In my opinion, he is one of the top 5 intelligent defenders in the league, and I mean that.

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  2. There was one point where a striker was in on goal and he backheeled it to tiote before the guy could shoot, something like that. I’d never seen anything like it.

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  3. DJG I agree he is top notch mate but he did do the fancy stuff twice lastnight and once he was lucky to get away with it.
    As for Bentley who’s place is he going to take ?

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  4. agree but i think he is quite pacey nowadays and dus most things with ease m8 cant knock tiote apart from that 1 bad back pass

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  5. By the way, I have watched the West Ham game a few times now and Joey Barton produced around 7 or 8 pin-point, Xavi-esque type balls. Almost every pass he made was a beaut. He didn’t get much credit for it on MOTD, which is disappointing and just reinforces the belief that the BBC have their favourite teams/players.

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  6. Stuart he will never get the credit he deserves mate.
    Batty Nite mate i’m going mesel 😉
    Take it easy Lads

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  7. I have got a feeling Pardew may have been looking to sign a West Ham player. Maybe re-signing Scott Parker? In his latest interview he says,

    “I want a player, our board wants a player but that doesn’t mean the other club wants to sell. In some ways you don’t know if the result yesterday was a good thing or a bad thing. There’s a sort of clue thrown in there.”

    …hmmm?

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  8. What did strike me last night, from being at the match, is how big a difference there really is between some of the players. As fans we sometimes critisize players like Collo when they get beat in the air at a corner or something but that is just what happens in football to all teams. Players like Collo and Barton really are top, top players like even in this league. Then we say as fans get that Fergie on or get that Ranger on when its sometimes not going well and they are just young really and not quite there yet. Ranger just doesn’t look ready to me. He needs to go on loan and it might take him a while. This is what I have seen for a few games and not just going off last night. Best is a player that got a load of stick coz he came he and was on poor form at the time, then he has been injured. But once he stuck one in you could tell he was sorted and it wasn’t just that, his overall play was good and had some neat little touches and tricks ect. Honestly he should be who comes on after 70mins in a game not Ranger, he is just like a fully developed senior player. Ranger has potential but is out of his depth in the first team for now IMO.

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  9. He has be exactly what we have been needing, this season is the first he has been fully fit and getting a good run of games. I was dissapointed with motd too, but in fairness Leon Best stole the show and got the air time. And being Hansen and Dixon I’m their notes where everything defense!!!! 🙂

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  10. He might also be meaning that we just won 5-0 and the board might say, ‘you have a good squad already use that’.

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  11. Howa man El Toro – Pace? Did you see him at the weekend?

    He is a lot faster than you give him credit for – you dont have to look like a sprinter to be fast. Michael Johnson for example, Jonathan Woodgate looked slow but wasnt, Collo is very quick in a straight line sprint.

    Also I dont think he has altered anything, just he hasnt been playing with Steven blumin Taylor 😉 (sell him now he has a contract value 😆 ).

    He was players player of the year last year I believe (was CHs too)

    I just love watching him play, a class above so many players, our game starts from the back instead of being hoofed.

    One of my fave players, no doubt about it.

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  12. What was the game where he over-cooked everything? Spurs? Imagine if his crosses had been like last night. The result could have been totally different.

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  13. Maybe, but why would he then say, “There’s a clue sort of thrown in there”. That’s what makes it all so confusing. :S

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  14. DJG

    I liked the positions Best was taking, he offers something different whereas Shola and Andy take up the same space.

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  15. Best is our only typical, modern striker. A striker with a bit of everything. I like him and hope he can keep the form up.

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  16. Looks like another “useless cheap signing by Chris Hughton” 🙁

    Chris looks like the best judge of player I have seen at NUFC for a long time.

    I know I know – he’s gone 🙁

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  17. Given that extra split second on the ball he is able to produce his best, very smart movement and great awareness, big character in the dressing room too from what we are told! Spurs are a level above West Ham therefore limited Barton. Good midfield we have. Jonas was even pulling out a few great crosses and sweeping past players last night. But again quality of west ham is poor.

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  18. I was impressed by how two-footed he is aswell. There’s not many who can hit is as good and score a hat-trick on their weaker foot and that really is true.

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  19. Anyone think Leon Best looks like a young Lionel Richie? Just an observation………..

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  20. jay jay,

    Am still up watching the cricket!

    What do you want to talk about fella?

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  21. TGS

    I was watching it when we were down to low order battsmen Swann? or someone and he was still thumping them. 😆

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  22. Aye DJG,

    NUFC 1st love then England cricket.

    How do you think the relegation will pan out? I think it is fascinating any team including us from 8th top!! Weird.

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  23. Jay Jay – Get creative if you’re bored. I’m sure the masses would enjoy flicking through another one of your posts. The next one might not get invaded by one of Batty’s many admirers either 😉

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  24. I’m glad I’ve got out the workplace till Sunday toonsy, but I’ll have another blog soon mate.

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  25. I thought Wolves would become cut off at the bottom when you look at their next 7-8 fixture and no way back, but they just beat Chelsea. Still might drop though. West Ham bottom again and by last nights showing I’d be suprised if they didn’t go down. Has their new owner even spent any money, what happen to Boa Morte and co. they used to be nowt special but enough to stay up but now they just look dead and buried. After those 2 it really could be anyone including even Fulham or Villa or a team like that so im not even gonna try to predict.

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  26. Guys, apparently we have had a bid accepted by Birmingham for Seb Larsson. It makes sense as Birmingham have been looking at Bentley and Larsson has refused to sign a contract extension with them. I will be happier with this than Bentley simply because the figures being mooted about are around 1.5million. Not to mention he can play across the whole midfield. Works bloody hard for an attacking player too.

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  27. I still dislike Pardew, probably because of the thousand seeds Worky planted. Hopefully he will grow on me in time.

    To add to the debate… We seem to lose every game Barton does not play in or play well in. Obviously it is a team game and only a complete spaz would ignore the effect Tiote has had, or the sheer power and hunger of Carroll. But for me Barton is the top man at the club. I also feel vindicated for supporting him on the blogs when the whole world seemed to hate him. Despite his previous conduct he always seems like a really nice bloke in interviews etc.

    Would people rather we signed another striker in this window or should we be giving Best more time on the pitch? He took his goals so well last night it surely couldn’t have been a fluke????

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  28. Same. I would prefer a pacey player, but to be honest I’m just glad we aren’t going to spend around 5million for another RM with no pace…

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  29. Jay – I know an ambulance just went into your place of work 😉

    TGS – The avatar stays until we survive 😀

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  30. Can’t agree with you there. Larsson developed in the Arsenal philosophy and has fantastic technical ability. I like him, but as you said earlier, he doesn’t offer pace. Still, at 1.5million that is good business.

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  31. toonsy,
    Fair do’s.

    Spyro,
    Where did you get the info about Larsson? If true a decent player who will graft and is way better than Guthrie.

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  32. He does look good on the wing, but what you must remember is that is his secondary position. He is far more comfortable centrally and will be of greater use to us there. He will be our Scott Parker.

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  33. The story started in The Daily Mirror, but the way it’s written isn’t like your typical rumour.

    http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Newcastle-have-had-a-1-5million-bid-accepted-for-Birmingham-winger-Seb-Larsson-after-their-chase-for-Tottenham-midfielder-David-Bentley-faltered-article665875.html

    I know a lot of people have trouble believing The Mirror, and with good reason too.
    However, I said before Pardew arrived that I write for a friends website and that a journalist had confirmed to us days before he was appointed that Pardew was nailed on to be manager and it was already tied up. That journalist writes for The Daily Mirror, they do sometimes genuinely get the early news.

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  34. The Mirror have it as an exclusive. I know they are a garbage paper, but the way it’s written it doesn’t sound like your everyday rumour.

    Plus, the journalist that told me and a friend Pardew was definitely the new manager days before he was appointed writes for The Mirror.

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  35. Spyro,
    Chee m8, it’s all over Ed’s blog as well.
    Bentley 5mish or Larsson 1.5m Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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  36. Grt In another Aussie oot.

    One more wicket to win 3 – 1…………

    Sorry guys, I also love cricket

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  37. Proper smashed The Aussies there like. Well done England.

    Think Larsson is the better out of him and Bentley, especially given the rumoured difference in fees.

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  38. Probably because he doesn’t want to be there, mate. Hence why he is refusing to sign a contract

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  39. From all the quotes from pardew lately, it feels like someone is coming in this week. Could be seb. Could be gradel, with either smith or best going the other way to help seal that deal. If both deals are done, that would hardly empty out the coffers so you’d think a striker would still be in the cards. It has the same feel of last january when Ashley opened up the wallet for that final push.

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  40. Larsson would kill two birds with one stone. He would add some much needed crossing ability and also give us a proper left winger so we could move Jonas to the right where he belongs.

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  41. Aye I always thought Larsson was a right sided player??

    I guess that would allow Barton to move inside again. Mist importantly it would give us options I suppose.

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  42. Think he often plays there. Don’t know if he prefers it. Do know he can cross and can play across the middle so put him out wide left. I think the reason Jonas has been playing on the left is because we haven’t had left footers to play there. Benny’s first start was for Jonas on the left side.
    I think Jonas prefers to play on the left so he can cut inside and run at goal. But he hasn’t been effective in doing that in 3 years with the toon. Now he’s asked to cross more and he’s lacked quality and confidence crossing with his left foot. That’s evident by the fact that in resent months he’s been looking more to cut back and cross with his right. Move him to the right where he can run to the end line and cross with his right and we might yet see the best of him. Having larsson’s left foot opens that path.

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  43. Think Larsson usually plays right mid, and tbh with Joeys form at that side I just can’t see the point moving him infield-Joey has nailed that spot down and performs superbly there now. I agree it gives us options, and obviously Joey will get injured or suspended again at some point, but it seems a shame not to be bringing in first teamers. Larrson could go in the middle-but it can’t be at the expense of tiote thats a fact, and I think despite his crtics nobody can leave Nolan out-just look at his goals. As for the left side, I wasn’t aware he’d ever played there but if i’m honest I rarely pay attention to how other teams set up…still seems pointles though as that would be Arfa’s default position, and I think we all know he’ll be back in the first team when he’s fit..

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  44. Goood moaning. Hope we get Larsson would be a great signing imo, top international. Alan Pardew’s black and white army.

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  45. Stardust
    Posted January 6, 2011 at 11:25 PM
    Looks like another “useless cheap signing by Chris Hughton”

    Chris looks like the best judge of player I have seen at NUFC for a long time.<<<<< aye since the days of king kev 🙂 and you know it

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  46. Hey I am really exited right now, with a ok winger signed and maybe a striker or a solid defender we will be in for the battle for 7th or 6th, I have to say i did not like sacking Hughton at all, but maybe Pardew is more set for a team like Nufc. And i think we will at least take one more big cap, maybe Arsenal. I think Arsenal home is a 3 pointer because tehy are not that good in the air space. Its important for us to use our strength against a team like Arsenal.

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