How are we doing?

[Deano 0]

5 games into what looked like a tricky start to our return to the Premiership, how do you think we are doing compaired to how you thought we would be doing at this point?

 

Yes, yes, yes its still VERY early days but i think the signs are encouraging for sure.

 

A spirited start against Man Utd before the inevitable and usual implosing and then defeat....did we really expect anything different? Even the top TOP sides go there and get pasted from time to time.

 

Then a very good, clinical and professional job done on Villa at home albeit slighty unexpected and against a poor brummy side on the day...all the same the signs were good at this point already.

 

Played the "Development Squad" against Accrington Stanley and maybe were fortunate to go through, but a good run out for the younguns and where still in it.

 

A battling point away to Wolves who on the day set out to rough us up...very happy with the draw.

 

The "Wake Up Call" last weekend was exactly that...we just had one of those days when it just wouldnt happen for us, over confidence? Maybe.

 

And now Everton away, them on the back of a good draw against Man Utd i thought we were in for a much tougher challenge...thankfully and deservedly for us WE were actually the better team throughout and were well worthy of the three points...finally that little bit of magic is back in our side!

 

So 5 games in, played 3 of the top sides two of which was away from home, played a fellow promoted team and a team whos always going to physically batter you away from home.

 

Won 2, lost 2 and drawn one...scored 8 and conceded 6.....7 points from 15 and sitting in 5th

 

Not bad at all really.

 

Il stick my neck out and say we will finish 10th. Comfortably.

[nortoon 0]

Considering the performances we were also the better team against wolves and blackpool. I think our team is more than good enough to stay in the prem, and if we can get another couple of transfer windows like this one we have potential to become a good side. Both Tiote and Ben Arfa seem to play far better than what their price-tags say, lets hope we can hang onto Ben Arfa. Hopefully we can start being a bit more clinical infront of goal, I think we will finish around 13-15.

[Christmas Tree 4841]

Have raised my expectations towards Europe after recent performances.

 

Even against Blackpool the attacking play was there we were just unlucky on the day. Now we look like a very pacy "entertainer" type team that will only grow in confidence as the season goes on.

 

The key ofcourse is being lucky on the injuty front and also managing to pull off a good January window that finds us another few gems to keep us on track.

 

Overall, Hughton will be the key. As long as he keeps his nerve and lets an attacking team attack both home and away.

 

There cant be many on here that having witnessed the last two seasons isnt very impressed with the team we are putting out and the way we are playing.

 

Also very pleased that the Boardroom is silent.

 

Finally, although unlucky for Harper, Kruls introduction imo will make a massive difference. A bit like Given did having him in goal.

[Guest]

We can't be a good side. Raul was available for 300k pw and we didn't sign him so have no ambition

[The Fish 10972]

Have raised my expectations towards Europe after recent performances.

 

 

You're the kind of Sky Sports Rent a Mong that gives us a bad name.

 

Europe? Of the back of 7 points from 5 games? Behave yourself man. Does that mean you'd not be surprised if Blackpool also made it into European competition?

 

fwiw I think we'll end up 14th, but I feel even that is being optimistic.

 

Even against Blackpool the attacking play was there we were just unlucky on the day. Now we look like a very pacy "entertainer" type team that will only grow in confidence as the season goes on.

 

The key ofcourse is being lucky on the injuty front and also managing to pull off a good January window that finds us another few gems to keep us on track.

 

Overall, Hughton will be the key. As long as he keeps his nerve and lets an attacking team attack both home and away.

 

There cant be many on here that having witnessed the last two seasons isnt very impressed with the team we are putting out and the way we are playing.

 

Also very pleased that the Boardroom is silent.

 

Finally, although unlucky for Harper, Kruls introduction imo will make a massive difference. A bit like Given did having him in goal.

[Rob W 0]

so far so good

 

but the Premiership is throwing up some odd results so far

 

often seems to happen after a World Cup - takes a month or two to settle down

 

that's what was so disappointing about Blackpool - we really should have taken those 3 points 10 from 5 would have us well on our way to safety

[Kitman 2207]

Early days, I'm pretty encouraged but let's see how we're doing after 10 or 15 games.

[Happy Face 29]

Premier league win ratio = 40%

 

Best since the mighty Roeder.

[Happy Face 29]

Early days, I'm pretty encouraged but let's see how we're doing after 10 or 15 games.

 

I agree, but I think it's remarkable how quickly the league has already fallen into shape (despite what Rob says).

 

Look how far teams are from where they finished last season...

 

1 Chelsea 0

2 Arsenal +1

3 Man Utd -1

4 Man City +1

5 Tottenham -1

6 Newcastle NA

7 Fulham +5

8 Aston Villa -2

9 Blackpool NA

10 West Brom NA

11 Sunderland +2

12 Birmingham -3

13 Bolton +1

14 Blackburn -4

15 Wolves 0

16 Liverpool -9

17 Stoke -6

18 Wigan -2

19 Everton -11

20 West Ham -3

 

Very few teams more than a few places from where they belong...only Liverpool and Everton REALLY out of place.

Edited September 19, 2010 by Happy Face

[Andrew 4865]

I thought by this point we'd be on 6 points having been beaten by united, villa and everton but picking up wins against wolves and blackpool

 

we're yet to put in a performance that would make me think we can go down, even the loss to blackpool seemed more freakish than anything to me, we didnt lack chances just couldnt take them

 

tiote and benarfa look to be good buys (i know only based on one match) hopefully they can keep it up

[Kevin S. Assilleekunt 1]

Think we can stay up comfortably pending injuries, losing Carroll would be a major blow and if Tiote/Arfa/Enrique get injured we start to look considerably weaker. Optimistic though about staying up, and we've been good value for entertainment this season, some cracking games.

[JawD 99]

Over the last few seasons teams were relegated on 33~39 points (in 18th). I'd say 40 was a reasonable target to aim for firstly. With that in mind there are 38 games so you are almost looking at a point game. At the moment we are 7 from 5. So long as we have more points than games played we're doing "ok". At least enough to stay up which is the priority.

 

Before the season started I'd have expected us so far to be on 5 by now (Villa 1, Wolves 1, Blackpool 3).

 

So, all considered I think we're doing better than I thought. Early days like.

[Ketsbaia 0]

I still wouldn't to guess where we'd finish but I'm happy with both the number of points we've managed to gather and the performances we've put out. The latter inparticular has been really heartening.

[Ayatollah Hermione 14060]

We got six points more than I thought out of Villa and Everton, I know that much. I've been pleased with how the players have performed with the step-up, the workrate but there's still a long way to go with a pretty thin squad.

[Dr Gloom 22179]

doing much better than expected. in this form we should finish comfortably in mid-table. i still think it'll be a long hard season. tiote and ben arfa look like good buys but we're still light up front and at full back. a few bad injuries and we'll struggle. basically, hughton has done well to strengthen the squad well on a shoestring and foster a good team spirit. still a long way to go.

[Howmanheyman 33877]

I thought by this point we'd be on 6 points having been beaten by united, villa and everton but picking up wins against wolves and blackpool

 

we're yet to put in a performance that would make me think we can go down, even the loss to blackpool seemed more freakish than anything to me, we didnt lack chances just couldnt take them

 

tiote and benarfa look to be good buys (i know only based on one match) hopefully they can keep it up

Fucking hell, man! If you can't change it in your real life at least have the courtesy not to do it on a Newcastle UNITED forum where it'll most irritate most Mags, I'd guess.

 

[Andrew 4865]

I thought by this point we'd be on 6 points having been beaten by united, villa and everton but picking up wins against wolves and blackpool

 

we're yet to put in a performance that would make me think we can go down, even the loss to blackpool seemed more freakish than anything to me, we didnt lack chances just couldnt take them

 

tiote and benarfa look to be good buys (i know only based on one match) hopefully they can keep it up

Fucking hell, man! If you can't change it in your real life at least have the courtesy not to do it on a Newcastle UNITED forum where it'll most irritate most Mags, I'd guess.

 

 

oh, didnt even realise i'd done it then

[Howmanheyman 33877]

I thought by this point we'd be on 6 points having been beaten by united, villa and everton but picking up wins against wolves and blackpool

 

we're yet to put in a performance that would make me think we can go down, even the loss to blackpool seemed more freakish than anything to me, we didnt lack chances just couldnt take them

 

tiote and benarfa look to be good buys (i know only based on one match) hopefully they can keep it up

Fucking hell, man! If you can't change it in your real life at least have the courtesy not to do it on a Newcastle UNITED forum where it'll most irritate most Mags, I'd guess.

 

 

oh, didnt even realise i'd done it then

Honestly, Andrew, it's a bad habit you need to get out of, especially if you take a few games in.

[Andrew 4865]

I thought by this point we'd be on 6 points having been beaten by united, villa and everton but picking up wins against wolves and blackpool

 

we're yet to put in a performance that would make me think we can go down, even the loss to blackpool seemed more freakish than anything to me, we didnt lack chances just couldnt take them

 

tiote and benarfa look to be good buys (i know only based on one match) hopefully they can keep it up

Fucking hell, man! If you can't change it in your real life at least have the courtesy not to do it on a Newcastle UNITED forum where it'll most irritate most Mags, I'd guess.

 

 

oh, didnt even realise i'd done it then

Honestly, Andrew, it's a bad habit you need to get out of, especially if you take a few games in.

 

not really a habit at all, ive never done it before

[Howmanheyman 33877]

I thought by this point we'd be on 6 points having been beaten by united, villa and everton but picking up wins against wolves and blackpool

 

we're yet to put in a performance that would make me think we can go down, even the loss to blackpool seemed more freakish than anything to me, we didnt lack chances just couldnt take them

 

tiote and benarfa look to be good buys (i know only based on one match) hopefully they can keep it up

Fucking hell, man! If you can't change it in your real life at least have the courtesy not to do it on a Newcastle UNITED forum where it'll most irritate most Mags, I'd guess.

 

 

oh, didnt even realise i'd done it then

Honestly, Andrew, it's a bad habit you need to get out of, especially if you take a few games in.

 

not really a habit at all, ive never done it before.

You and Kevin should get together then, kill two birds with one stone and all that.

[Kevin 1]

What do you say Andrew? Me and you?

[tinofbeans 91]

I'd rather wait until we are safe. anything better is a bonus...

[Howmanheyman 33877]

What do you say Andrew? Me and you?

 

Kev, you're like shit off'a stick!

 

(That means you're quick to reply!)

[Kevin 1]

What do you say Andrew? Me and you?

 

Kev, you're like shit off'a stick!

 

(That means you're quick to reply!)

 

Not too quick this time, was in the shower