3 games and 3 late goals to take points off us. Things could have been so much better.
For the change and upheaval I don't think we've started off badly. Compare us to Liverpool, they are all over the place. We have looked generally solid at the back apart from 30 minutes when Lukaku dominated Gallas. The only thing that has disappointed me is not learning from the previous week and sitting deeper against Norwich like we did against WBA. Give the opposition some credit on both occasions, good finishes, but we should not have been in this position.
Part of this is obviously down to nerves while we're chasing that first win, no idea if its coming from the manager's instructions or if its just the players natural reaction to try and hold on to the lead. The substitutions made have me thinking its down to AVB, but I think he's doing the right thing. Getting another midfielder on the pitch to try and retain possession and run down the clock. I'd be more worried if he was throwing on a defender and we were conceding late goals still.
Newcastle away wasn't down to either of this, was just one moment of madness from Lennon and VDV combined with a bit of skill from Ben Arfa. It is disappointing to lose to a penalty in any circumstances let alone when we deserved at least a point from that.
I really hope we can beat Reading and get that first win on the board, preferably being more than 1 goal ahead going into the end of the game. I don't think this team will concede a bucket load of goals and we've proved that. We just need confidence in our ability to see games out. Teams are sensing the nervousness right now and capitalising on it. The supporters at the game need to help and get behind the team, the players need to show mental strength.
It will come, stay with the lads and the manager. COYS.
For the change and upheaval I don't think we've started off badly. Compare us to Liverpool, they are all over the place. We have looked generally solid at the back apart from 30 minutes when Lukaku dominated Gallas. The only thing that has disappointed me is not learning from the previous week and sitting deeper against Norwich like we did against WBA. Give the opposition some credit on both occasions, good finishes, but we should not have been in this position.
Part of this is obviously down to nerves while we're chasing that first win, no idea if its coming from the manager's instructions or if its just the players natural reaction to try and hold on to the lead. The substitutions made have me thinking its down to AVB, but I think he's doing the right thing. Getting another midfielder on the pitch to try and retain possession and run down the clock. I'd be more worried if he was throwing on a defender and we were conceding late goals still.
Newcastle away wasn't down to either of this, was just one moment of madness from Lennon and VDV combined with a bit of skill from Ben Arfa. It is disappointing to lose to a penalty in any circumstances let alone when we deserved at least a point from that.
I really hope we can beat Reading and get that first win on the board, preferably being more than 1 goal ahead going into the end of the game. I don't think this team will concede a bucket load of goals and we've proved that. We just need confidence in our ability to see games out. Teams are sensing the nervousness right now and capitalising on it. The supporters at the game need to help and get behind the team, the players need to show mental strength.
It will come, stay with the lads and the manager. COYS.