Team with most losses on boxing day

[toonviking]

Congrats to the clowns on the pitch, FFS!

And hey, only Wolves have fewer points away this season.

Feckin disgrace to the shirt, thats what they are.

What about shooting? Can we please practise that, and maybe play the players with the best shot?

[Zippity]

And with no points after going a goal down, we need to admit we have a big problem.

No point hiding from it.

[Ragatino]

Another abject away performance.

At home it's a different story. Not perfect but night and day compared to the abysmal away form.

Among the worst from winning positions and the complete opposite of the team who first qualified for the UCL 3 yrs ago.

2022-2023 Away Statistics (Premier League)

Matches Played - 19
Wins - 8
Draws - 8
Losses - 3
Points Earned - 32
Final League Position 4th

With that squad back then, the difference was heart I guess. Everyone agreed the squad is improved but the one thing that can not be trained.

What I can't square in my mind is that with the core of the leadership group still intact those lads who fought tooth and nail, clawed for every yard, played every dark art trick all of a sudden are a bunch of fannies getting tucked up by all and sundry.

Is it Trippier not being in the side? His extended injury absence might be a reason why we're not as savvy or mean when it comes to managing and seeing out matches.

The manager can only do so much. When those 11 men cross that white line it is all up to them. Man for man this first team 11 is better than 15 of the 20 Prem starting 11s.

The psychology of this season is bizarre. I guess the departure of no.14 and his allies have caused a deeper wound than we thought.

Botman, apparently, is fit and ready to play but has had a fall out with Eddie. Again this is why he's not negotiating his contract.

If this is the case, it's very poor form from the player. A lad who should continue to create legacy on Tyneside.

I'm hopeful that it is just a rumour and that the Dutch man get back to his best soon enough. If it is true. Bin the prick.

[OwdBillCook]

I still wonder if it's a deliberate attempt to not over-exert ourselves in a packed fixture list, and therefore minimise injury risk.

[Ragatino]

I still wonder if it's a deliberate attempt to not over-exert ourselves in a packed fixture list, and therefore minimise injury risk.

We've heard constantly about 'managing the physical load' for the squad.

The injuries currently suffered:

William Osula Ankle/Foot Injury
Sven Botman Lower Back Injury
Emil Krafth Knee Injury
Kieran Trippier Thigh Injury
Anthony Elanga Other
Tino Livramento Knee Injury
Dan Burn Chest/Abdominal Injury

Tripz is age related.
Botman no idea what's happening.

The rest are not injuries based on over work. Knees, Ankles and chest injuries are all impact injuries to joints.

So you have point man. With the rest of the teams redlining their players and the injuries gathering among the contenders for the challenging teams.

With that in mind, we have to trust that the time management of the squad is reap the rewards by the end of the season.