Some belated thoughts on yesterday

1. First 20 i thought we looked slow and lethargic and we were in line for a real hiding. Thankfully after the goal we woke up a bit and played some half decent stuff although we were still indebted to ruddy for a couple of good saves.

2. Their goal. Absolutely shocking defending and remeniscent of the first part of the season. Bennett's attempt to stop the cross was pathetic but for me the main culprit was Ward who could have cleared it but appears to leave the ball. Whether someone behind him gave him a shout I don't know but if not then it was simply really poor defending. I remain uneasy about Ward at this level. He does sdome good stuff at times and makes some last minute blocks but we just appear more open at the back with this pairing than we did before and goals/chances are coming too easily.

3. Thought Howson looked decent enough. good engine and tidy on the ball. The only problem with the midfield for me was that one of the central three needed to push forward more and they are all a bit similar. if we are going to play that formation then still feel Wes needs to play.

4. Naughton had the worst game i've seen him have for us. To his credit that says as much about how good he has been the rest of the time as he still wasn't awful but I thought he was a bit sloppy and not up to his usual standards.

5. Was pleased to see Morison starting as thought he looked back to his previous level during his cameo against Wigan but it did not really work as he didn't have a great game. I am also convinced he had a great chance early in the second half (which they never showed any replays of) where he should have got on the end of a cross but didn't really jump for it. Holt and Jackson for me again next week.

6. To put it all into perspective I can remember games under Worthy in the prem where we would struggle to muster one decent attack. Yesterday, despite not playing at our best, we still created 4 or 5 really good chances in a tough away game and should really have got a point. Had Surman shown a bit more composure at the end of the first half or Zak's header been anywhere other than straight at Krul then we would have got one. That said i think Newcastle's league position flatters them. They are not that great and had we got at them a bit more I think we could have got something. To that end Lambert (again as at Stoke) made the changes too late.

7. Perfect chance to get back on track next saturday against a team on their knees. We really must get at them early though and not let them build confidence. If we get an early goal then i feel they look very fragile confidence wise. Holt and Simeon up front, two wingers and lets have them on the back foot from the off. Win that game and we really are all but safe. lose it and, whilst i don't think we will go down, the season will be in real danger of fizzling out. When we look back in hindsight a 16th place finish this season will be a decent effort but somehow right now it doesn't feel like it.

8. That f**king Leicester game!

Posted By: Jim, Mar 19, 09:40:53