The Official Newcastle United Thread

The Official Newcastle United Thread

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Discussion

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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I'm not from the area so I'm not technically a Mackem - you sure you won't reconsider? blah

1-0 Gunners today me thinks.

ray von

2,912 posts

251 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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https://www.facebook.com/AllNewcastleUnitedFCFans/...

biggrinbiggrin you cringe worthy saddos. Read the comments biggrin
Thanks for the abuse Mr ellroy. I used to think you were just joking I'm not so sure now thumbup

ellroy

7,000 posts

224 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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You know I love you really Ray, I've not had waivered in my affections due to the strumpet AK fluttering his eyelashes.

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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frown

skahigh

2,023 posts

130 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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A couple of articles have caught my attention just now that back up the thoughts I already had about how injuries and the balance of refereeing decisions affect a teams performance over the course of a season.

Conventional wisdom is that refereeing decisions balance out over a season but this really doesn't seem to be the case.

One of the reasons I don't find myself wishing for Leicester City to win the title like most people seem to is that it seems to involve such a large slice of luck with both injuries and refereeing decisions which, in turn, affect confidence and future performances/results. It seems to me that the luck involved with these things can produce a situation that can elevate an upper mid-table team to premier league champions or a lower mid-table team to relegation, it just feels false.

Some of this is obviously quite subjective and to be taken with a pinch of salt but I believe it is interesting nonetheless.

Injuries:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premie...

Refereeing decisions:

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/ref-review-the-contro...

Unsurprisingly Newcastle find themselves low down on the luck lists for both injuries and refereeing decisions this season.

Please don't infer from this post that I'm suggesting we don't deserve our current league position, I'm not, just pointing out that things could have been a little less bleak but for a few key decisions/events.

uk66fastback

16,451 posts

270 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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Even though the injuries articles mentions 'luck' - that is an easy word with which ti explain away unusual occurrences - it's never that simple. One team will get more injuries compared to any other - but that could be down to any number of factors - not luck. The fact Leicester have only played extra games in the domestic Cup comps (and went out early to Spurs ironically in the FA Cup) was a blessing so it seems with hindsight. But that isn't luck.

They weren't in European competitions so again have been spared the extra games and travel that their competitors this season have - but that isn't luck - it is what it is.

The fact Arsenal's Jack Wheelchair is made of glass is why he gets injured - not with the fact he is 'unlucky' ... also he likes to put his foot in where it hurts and usually comes off hurt - own worst enemy. Take Mahrez for example, legs like matchsticks in comparison and you won't see him getting involved in too many 50-50s ... and why should he. He can't help the team sat in the treatment room.

We don't KNOW why Leicester haven't had many injuries, it is probably down to fewer games and good between-match management of recovery and routines ... we don't know. When they have won the title, as I'm sure they will now, it would be interesting to ask and I'm sure it'll be among the thousands that are asked as people discover HOW they won the Prem.

It's not luck that has got them this far this year. You can't rely on 'luck' over 38 games. Circumstances maybe, but not luck. That's pandering to the North London (yes both of them) conspiracy theorists ....

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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A clubs training regime surely has to come under scrutiny when looking at injuries though - look at Liverpool, they had rakes and rakes of players out with hamstring problems at one point, that surely isn't coincidental.

ellroy

7,000 posts

224 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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A very valid point and one I've wondered about for years.

They changed the training pitches a few years back as a result of that thinking, but I'm still not convinced it's all correct in this regard.

skahigh

2,023 posts

130 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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Axionknight said:
A clubs training regime surely has to come under scrutiny when looking at injuries though - look at Liverpool, they had rakes and rakes of players out with hamstring problems at one point, that surely isn't coincidental.
Absolutely, I'm not suggesting for a minute that it is all luck, it does play a part though and has indirect effects on things like a teams confidence.

ray von

2,912 posts

251 months

Friday 29th April 2016
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ellroy said:
A very valid point and one I've wondered about for years.

They changed the training pitches a few years back as a result of that thinking, but I'm still not convinced it's all correct in this regard.
It was one of the reasons Bobby Robson fell out with Hall/Shepherd all those years ago You had spent nothing on your training ground for years.
However he's still looking out for you biggrin
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/fac...

ellroy

7,000 posts

224 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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Honestly, the mentalness of the general populace.

Anyway, back on topic a big day today I reckon. Loose this one and we're done, in fact a draw isn't enough anymore.

JNW1

7,707 posts

193 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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ellroy said:
Anyway, back on topic a big day today I reckon. Loose this one and we're done, in fact a draw isn't enough anymore.
With your recent improvement in form I think you stand a reasonable chance of winning all your remaining games and if you do I think you'll stay up; I hope that turns out to be the case but you're right, a defeat at home today will make life difficult....

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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I can see you taking it to Palace and Villa - that's bad news for us of course.

Norwich are doomed I'd say, so we are just sorting out the third member of the drop club. I can't see them getting anything meaningful from United or the Gunners.

ellroy

7,000 posts

224 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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AK while you've got Defoe, you've got a chance, as was proved the case today.

Why he's not been given a shout in the national side, given the goals he's scored this season in a poor side is beyond my reckoning.

RedWhiteMonkey

6,806 posts

181 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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This is getting very tight, not sure my heart can take it. I think it really is between us two, I can't see Norwich getting out of it.

Cabaye did you a massive favour today.

fathomfive

9,876 posts

189 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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A massive win today but upstaged by Defoe.

I didn't give us any chance of taking it this far after the defeat at Norwich.

I hate hope.

HWTLs!

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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Cracking result for your mob, Rafa is some guy, really has the team working, the difference between him and The Wally is night and day, I'm glad he didn't turn up 3/4 games earlier or this seaaon would be over already!

We didn't deserve even a point - woeful bds.

tali1

5,265 posts

200 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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Norwich are def down - and i think Newcastle are aswell.Oddly , Arsenal screwing up at Crystal Palace -could be the killer -as Palace would have been dragged into it, and i reckon Newcastle would have overtaken them.As it is that point against the dopey Gooners has saved Palace and see Toon go down.

Chicken Chaser

7,744 posts

223 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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tali1 said:
Norwich are def down - and i think Newcastle are aswell.Oddly , Arsenal screwing up at Crystal Palace -could be the killer -as Palace would have been dragged into it, and i reckon Newcastle would have overtaken them.As it is that point against the dopey Gooners has saved Palace and see Toon go down.
?? Palace are as good as safe. Its between Newcastle Sunderland and Norwich for the 2 spots! Sunderland have a game in hand but have a couple of tough fixtures. Ours aren't guaranteed wins either so it will probably go down to the last day!

RedWhiteMonkey

6,806 posts

181 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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Chicken Chaser said:
?? Palace are as good as safe. Its between Newcastle Sunderland and Norwich for the 2 spots! Sunderland have a game in hand but have a couple of tough fixtures. Ours aren't guaranteed wins either so it will probably go down to the last day!
Looking at the remaining fixtures I can see it coming down to goal difference. I reckon you'll beat Villa but lose to Spurs, thereby finish on 36 points. I have us down as losing to Chelsea, beating Everton and drawing with Watford, thereby also finishing on 36 points.