We Are Top Of The League – But Is This A Potential Worry?

Following an excellent win against Derby, and the failures of those around them, Newcastle United now find themselves top of their division, which is not bad after what seems like a lot of recent setbacks.

They were by far the better side against Derby, playing some great football, especially in the first half.

However, one potential worry seems to be that the side, without Dwight Gayle in, take too many chances to score a goal.

Where Daryl Murphy had been largely ineffective against QPR in the previous game, Aleksandar Mitrovic was simply wasteful against Derby, just has he was against Oxford in his previous appearance.

Mitrovic again had some great chances to score goals, but failed to hit the target with the best of all of his chances.

Matt Ritchie however, added another goal to his tally, but the chances being wasted could well come back to bite Rafa Benitez’s side.

Dwight Gayle is said to be returning this weekend, and he will be needed, as away from home we will need to be much more clinical than we have been in the last two games.

103 thoughts on “We Are Top Of The League – But Is This A Potential Worry?

  1. Jake – I know this is a bit cliche, but I’d be more worried if we weren’t creating those chances.
    Diame had a good chance which the keeper saved well as well.

    I’d like to see Mitrovic keep getting his chances coz strikers need confidence and his must be low at the moment.

    So long as we keep creating, that’s the big thing for me mate.

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  2. Jake – apparently Gayle will miss the next two games. No surprise, Rafa says he’s not even training yet. I’m glad they’re not rushing him. Despite the fact we could really do with him.
    Let’s hope the good away form continues.

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  3. Feb is a real tough month,it will sort the men from the boys for all top six sides,if we are sitting in the top two come the end of this month we should be home and dry

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  4. Cracked the case re the site!

    “To: owner of https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/
    Beginning in January 2017, Chrome (version 56 and later) will mark pages that collect passwords or credit card details as “Not Secure” unless the pages are served over HTTPS.
    The following URLs include input fields for passwords or credit card details that will trigger the new Chrome warning. Review these examples to see where these warnings will appear, so that you can take action to help protect users’ data. The list is not exhaustive.
    https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2011/08/15/obertan-and-cabaye-feeling-at-home-already/

    https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2013/04/25/sack-pardew-but-who-do-you-replace-him-with/

    https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2017/01/19/rafa-explains-graham-carrs-role/

    The new warning is the first stage of a long-term plan to mark all pages served over the non-encrypted HTTP protocol as “Not Secure”.
    Here’s how to fix this problem:
    Use HTTPS pages to collect sensitive information
    To prevent the “Not Secure” notification from appearing when Chrome users visit your site, move collection of password and credit card input fields to pages served using the HTTPS protocol.”

    Have no idea how I’m meant to do this but will put on my computer nerd hat and have a go 😀

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  5. The 20 wins so far certainly look good on us. Another 10 wins and a couple of draws needed. We have the team to do it. 🙂

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  6. Andy The Magpie:
    Cracked the case re the site!

    “To: owner of https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/
    Beginning in January 2017, Chrome (version 56 and later) will mark pages that collect passwords or credit card details as “Not Secure” unless the pages are served over HTTPS.
    The following URLs include input fields for passwords or credit card details that will trigger the new Chrome warning. Review these examples to see where these warnings will appear, so that you can take action to help protect users’ data. The list is not exhaustive.
    https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2011/08/15/obertan-and-cabaye-feeling-at-home-already/

    https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2013/04/25/sack-pardew-but-who-do-you-replace-him-with/

    https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2017/01/19/rafa-explains-graham-carrs-role/

    The new warning is the first stage of a long-term plan to mark all pages served over the non-encrypted HTTP protocol as “Not Secure”.
    Here’s how to fix this problem:
    Use HTTPS pages to collect sensitive information
    To prevent the “Not Secure” notification from appearing when Chrome users visit your site, move collection of password and credit card input fields to pages served using the HTTPS protocol.”

    Have no idea how I’m meant to do this but will put on my computer nerd hat and have a go

    well done mate.

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  7. georgio:
    Jake – apparently Gayle will miss the next two games. No surprise, Rafa says he’s not even training yet. I’m glad they’re not rushing him. Despite the fact we could really do with him.
    Let’s hope the good away form continues.

    I thought Gayle had started training last week. I’ve clearly missed this bit of news. Certainly ham strings shouldn’t be rushed.

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  8. Jake, Gayle or no Gayle Wolves will be a bloody hard game imo. They have already beaten us and showed Liverpool the door of the cup recently too, albeit Pool had a weakened side. Don’t see a win for us , possibly a draw if we take our chances. Regarding Mitro, his confidence will be pretty low I would imagine but his hold up play and creating of chances has been very good. He does need to score though.

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  9. Groucho: I thought Gayle had started training last week. I’ve clearly missed this bit of news. Certainly ham strings shouldn’t be rushed.

    He was light jogging from pictures I saw in last weeks tweets from Douglass

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  10. dont think Rafa would say when Gayle will return,why should he, keep them guessing on the day would be my ploy like

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  11. Ibrahimovic oldest player in PL to score 15 goals in a season. Good effort for his first ? season.

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  12. Mitro would be better judged if he got a decent run in the team.

    Agree with Sharpy – would be concerned if we weren’t creating chances. We’ve scored a load this season – many more than most.

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  13. at bloody last Tiote signs for club in China,money grabbing git,maybe he will find another wife there to go along with his others

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  14. He probably thought after breaking the bank for Rafa himself that he didn’t have to spend owt in January.

    6 points ahead of Reading and a game in hand – I don’t want to tempt fate but with players coming back from injury I think we’ll be absolutely fine.

    kimtoon:
    http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-transfers-who-fares-better-12564212?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

    Lets hope Ashley reads this

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  15. Andy – after a couple of good days the site’s playing up again for me. Stalling, waiting for this or that, mostly the ads. Not good mate

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  16. georgio:
    In fact it’s now a waste of time – I’m off.

    its a pain mate but you will be a miss with other bloggers,plus ill miss taking the water out of you 😆 😆 give it a bit more time

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  17. georgio:
    In fact it’s now a waste of time – I’m off.

    Not another dramatic exit?! ???

    Speaking of which, Tiotes deals gone through so he’s off as well.

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  18. I’ve even disabled ads on this article so I don’t know what the issue is – I explained above there was an issue with google chrome viewers.

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  19. Andy The Magpie:
    I’ve even disabled ads on this article so I don’t know what the issue is – I explained above there was an issue with google chrome viewers.

    i use chrome it only happens a odd time,still a pain

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  20. If he wants to leave that’s his decision, I don’t see how saying ‘fair enough’ is any mistreatment? I’m doing my best to rectify any issues with the site even though me personally have never experienced any problems.

    icedog: nice way to treat blogger imo NOT

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  21. I’m doing all I can to make the site run as flawlessly as possible but if people still aren’t happy then I guess it’s up to them.

    It’s also worth mentioning the site runs a lot quicker than any other nufc fan site. I ran a speed test on the site and compared it to Ed’s Blog and the Mag. It’s not even a close fight, see below…

    https://s23.postimg.org/mo6v4qg4r/page_speed.jpg

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  22. Hi Andy,

    Just to let you know, I’ve been having problems past 2 days when using my mobile and it’s network, keeps closing down, going to some sort of ad then going back, Ed’s site does the same. But when attached to wifi or using my laptop, it’s fine. So not sure if the problem is mobile related and if there is anything you can do about it apart from shutting down ads, though know that may cause income problems. I’ll just keep reading though and know when home and not skiving to read and post I’ll be fine

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  23. Thanks for the info Simon. I will try the site on 4g then and see what happens. If it’s an ad that is bringing you away from the site, then this isn’t good and if this is the problem lots of people are having then we need to get rid of it.

    Simon:
    Hi Andy,

    Just to let you know, I’ve been having problems past 2 days when using my mobile and it’s network, keeps closing down, going to some sort of ad then going back, Ed’s site does the same. But when attached to wifi or using my laptop, it’s fine. So not sure if the problem is mobile related and if there is anything you can do about it apart from shutting down ads, though know that may cause income problems.I’ll just keep reading though and know when home and not skiving to read and post I’ll be fine

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  24. Very odd that Ed’s blog is doing the same thing as well.

    Andy The Magpie:
    Thanks for the info Simon. I will try the site on 4g then and see what happens. If it’s an ad that is bringing you away from the site, then this isn’t good and if this is the problem lots of people are having then we need to get rid of it.

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  25. Strange this. I occasionally have the odd connection problem. It lasts a minute or 2 and that is it. Seems to get fixed quickly. I have never really had a problem with the ads either. I get sent pictures of hot women that want to marry me. I never click on them because I figure it is some sort of cyber scam but they are OK to look at as I wait for Stuart’s next ode to Maggie Thatcher.

    Don’t go Georgio, Georgio where for will thou be Georgio. Let Andy the Magpie fix the connection issues. You are always pretty funny so I would miss your posts.

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  26. Guys, guys! When I said “I’m off” it was just for lunch. Having said that the site was pissing me off this morning with the same problems as last week. Coming back on and the site’s perfect again although I did notice there were no ads.
    I think the problems as Aussie tried to point out is the ads are carrying a lot of their own info, which unlike in the past, are now overloaded with all kinds of stuff.
    There is a problem that none of us have experienced before. It does need sorting somehow though or blog users will disappear.
    Good luck Andy mate.

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  27. Oh thank you Eric. So sweet 😆

    While you’re on though tell me, is this right? I heard somewhere there had been over 200 shootings in Chicago in January alone. 200! And Trump wants to stop Muslims coming in. He needs to get rid of an awful lot of Americans first.

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  28. haha! I must admit I thought you meant off for good, hope you had a nice lunch anyway!

    Yeah I understand that, I think the best way is to just disable ads after maybe 12 hours of the thread being up so then for the next 2 days before a new thread it runs more smoothly.

    georgio:
    Guys, guys! When I said “I’m off” it was just for lunch. Having said that the site was pissing me off this morning with the same problems as last week. Coming back on and the site’s perfect again although I did notice there were no ads.
    I think the problems as Aussie tried to point out is the ads are carrying a lot of their own info, which unlike in the past, are now overloaded with all kinds of stuff.
    There is a problem that none of us have experienced before.It does need sorting somehow though or blog users will disappear.
    Good luck Andy mate.

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  29. Georgio: all of the violence in Chicago is on the south side with the gang stuff. I have lived here for 27 years and have never even seen a bar fight. Last time I was back in London I saw 2 in 1 night.

    It is all gang related. The normal Yanks just tend to run their mouth’s and that’s about it.

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  30. Hi guys, Just want to let you know that I have always use desktop and never came across any issues with this website. So yes maybe it is related to mobile.

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  31. Basically the thinking behind this is that after 12 hours, no one except the regulars will stay on the main thread – lots of people just read the news piece and then move onto something else.

    Therefore meaning that after 12 hours when it’s just us, there will be no ads slowing anything down.

    Tbf a 5pm thread then disabling the following morning could work.

    georgio:
    Is that 12 hours a time limit for you to get paid Andy? Is there a time limit?

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  32. Thanks mate. I mainly view the site on desktop so have no problems. Am I right in assuming everyone except Eric, dubaitoon and Aussie are in the Uk or Ireland? (Sorry if I’ve missed anyone ;))

    funrafa:
    Hi guys, Just want to let you know that I have always use desktop and never came across any issues with this website. So yes maybe it is related to mobile.

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  33. Yeah UK for me, South Shields, centre of the universe, though bit too close to Sunderland but all have to put up with something

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  34. Andy, I don’t have a modern phone, old clam shell lol, so I am always on my desk top pc. not even a lap top. I’m Bristol based, virgin super fast broadband customer. My problems have been Error 520 page coming up, Security alerts re the site and freezing, slow typing and an age to see post load. In between it runs fine .

    Georgio, glad you didn’t go permanently mate.

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  35. Andy Magpie:
    Thanks mate. I mainly view the site on desktop so have no problems. Am I right in assuming everyone except Eric, dubaitoon and Aussie are in the Uk or Ireland? (Sorry if I’ve missed anyone ;))

    I am in Canada.

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  36. kimtoon:
    Andy, I don’t have a modern phone, old clam shell lol, so I am always on my desk top pc. not even a lap top. I’m Bristol based, virgin super fast broadband customer. My problems have been Error 520 page coming up, Security alerts re the site and freezing, slow typing and an age to see post load. In between it runs fine .

    Georgio, glad you didn’t go permanently mate.

    thats what i get mate error 520

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  37. I have had the 520’s a few times in recent days, usually on smart phone running off WiFi.

    The slow site loading speed seems to have calmed down since ads got disabled.

    In UK, close to south coast.

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  38. I’m in Canada as well Andy and I’ve been having no problems lately viewing on an older desktop.

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  39. some tough games coming up Wolves & Norwich away, Villa & Bristol at home… then Brighton Huddersfield, Reading all away 😯 better be on our game…

    sites ok for me on my desktop and tablet do you not need to allow trusted locations on my network and on your android devices

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  40. Okay, error 520 means (I think) there’s an issue with the server. Let me speak to the hosting company and see what they say.

    The saga continues…

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  41. Wolves still have their problems to iron out, as do Villa evidently. Looked at the table the other day though and was surprised to see Norwich back up to 7th.

    Brighton, Huddersfield and Reading however is a mental run of games we have! 3 of the top 6 all away, all in a row.

    Gashley:
    some tough games coming up Wolves & Norwich away,Villa & Bristol at home… then Brighton Huddersfield,Reading all awaybetter be on our game…

    sites ok for me on my desktop and tablet do you not need to allow trusted locations on my network and on your android devices

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  42. I’m a northumberland desktop Andy – all is fine again today.

    These are very testing games but I expect us to come though especially if Gayle comes back.
    Ice suggested Rafa might be playing mind games. He could be right. Last week he said he was training. This week he wasn’t and wouldn’t be fit for the next two. Now he’s pictured training.

    Ice – never had any water in me mate, all b/w sweet blood!

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  43. georgio:
    I’m a northumberland desktop Andy – all is fine again today.

    These are very testing games but I expect us to come though especially if Gayle comes back.
    Ice suggested Rafa might be playing mind games. He could be right. Last week he said he was training. This week he wasn’t and wouldn’t be fit for the next two. Now he’s pictured training.

    Ice – never had any water in me mate, all b/w sweet blood!

    Aye but is it red or blue blood,mines blue of coarse 😆

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  44. Phil “the power” Taylor is retiring from playing darts. Can you retire from playing darts?

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  45. I mean. I sort of get what he is saying. That he is on the road and things like that. But if Jocky Wilson could do it on 15 pints a night then there is not much to retire from, is there?

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  46. And Jocky Wilson was the only person who ever worked up a sweat like Red Rum on a hot date by playing darts.

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  47. Oh, come on? How can you retire from something that is not really a job anyway? It would be like me retiring from wanking.

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  48. Give them me arrows of desire!!!! Sid Waddell said it once (quoting William Blake at the darts 🙂 ), but…

    Bring me my Bow of Burning gold
    Bring me my arrows of desire
    Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold
    Bring me my Chariot of fire.

    I will not cease from mental fight
    Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
    till we have built Jerusalem
    In England’s green and pleasant land.

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  49. Well, I am off to Madrid is 2 weeks. Going to see a real soccer team. Football. Royal.

    Against Las Palmas.

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  50. Andy, I’m in Germany and the site runs great on my Samsung tablet. Seldomly get the 520 server error

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  51. 5.30 Kim.

    Where is everyone this morning? .com reporting Gayle’s chances of playing on Sat are receding. Maybe he’ll give Mitro a confidence boost and another go.

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  52. Toon, Villa and Leeds must have had 40% of all their games on TV this season! One of the upsides to relegation

    kimtoon:
    The villa and Brighton games are also on Sky

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  53. Greetings everybody…….it’s been a while 😳
    Glad to see you’re all still up and running anyways.
    I’ve had a good de-tox from all things NUFC for nearly a year now, but it’s not something you can ever totally escape from is it. 😉
    Glad to see the Rafalution is still in full flow and we are on track for promotion.
    Hope yous are all keeping well.
    Howay the Lads

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  54. Beardsleys Boots:
    Greetings everybody…….it’s been a while
    Glad to see you’re all still up and running anyways.
    I’ve had a good de-tox from all things NUFC for nearly a year now, but it’s not something you can ever totally escape from is it.
    Glad to see the Rafalution is still in full flow and we are on track for promotion.
    Hope yous are all keeping well.
    Howay the Lads

    glad to see you back mate,keep it up

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  55. Boots – where you been you hound?. Great to see you back on mate & hope it’s a frequent thing!!.
    Hope you’re keeping well mate ?

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  56. Lots of negativity around the transfer window and rightly so.

    But a very positive move by the club to freeze season ticket prices for holders next season.

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  57. Rafa saying he doesn’t know about Gayle,the physical side seems ok but Gayle is worried mentally about his injury so imo Rafa will give him another week

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