Newcastle United Fan View: Now is not the time for finger pointing

Now is not the time to point the finger of blame. Now is not the time to criticise individual players. Now is not the time for scapegoats.

If there is one thing Newcastle fans have in common – and I most definitely include myself in this – is we are quick to point the finger of blame as soon as things get tough. So far this season, we have been flying high, yes there have been some poor results along the way but we have earned the right to be in the top 2 and indeed topping the league for most of this season.

The result Saturday could have been so much worse, especially given the first half performance – a reminder of just how bad we can play. The second half was cracking though and we thoroughly deserved to come back and if anything, we should really have won the game by a couple of goals. We are now 10 games unbeaten in the league so yesterday was not a disaster by any means. But one thing is for certain, we must, we simply must, improve our performances over the next three games or this season could start to unravel very quickly!

Of course, the 2-2 draw against Bristol City was not the result Newcastle United needed; especially after Brighton’s comfortable victory over fellow promotion chasers Reading knocked us off the top spot later in the evening. We now face three incredibly hard away games against Brighton, Huddersfield and Reading and it is imperative that we don’t lose against any of them; three draws would not be the end of the world.

Was it a point salvaged or two points lost? I’d go with the latter especially given the two sides’ league placings but we must move on and we must stick together. The atmosphere at the ground in recent games has been good – I wouldn’t go as far as saying it has been fantastic, as it hasn’t, there is a lot of nerves in the air at the moment and whilst the fans want a good performance, they know the three points is all that matters. As we get to the business end of the season it is only right that the crowd is nervous but we can’t turn on the team, and especially not on individual players, now.

The main talk recently – and indeed in my articles – has been on Aleksandar Mitrovic and whether or not he is good enough to lead the line. He had another poor game yesterday and I think had Gayle been fit and able to play, he would have grabbed at least one goal. However, I certainly don’t think he was our worst performer – not by a long way. I also though Lascelles, Colback, Perez and Darlow had absolutely terrible games yesterday and the downturn in form that Lascelles and in particular Darlow are suffering right now is worrying.

The booing of the side at half time was surprising and I was a little annoyed by it if I’m being honest but don’t get me wrong, I have booed before. I have lost count at the times I have booed Newcastle United off the pitch under Allardyce, McClaren, Pardew and Carver and I have even booed Shola when he was substituted once after one of the worst professional football displays I have seen in my life. I am not anti-booing but I thought yesterday was unjustified. Yes, we were disappointed to be losing at half time to Bristol City but we’re top of the league for crying out loud!

However, as Rafa says, we need to stick together.

The transfer window has been and gone. Mistakes have been made – but it’s too late to dwell on this.

WE MUST STICK TOGETHER.

We know the squad and we have a few key players returning from injury – Dwight Gayle in particular is due back soon and in contention for a return to action against Brighton this Tuesday.

I have enjoyed this season immensely so far but I have to admit I am nervous now. I have confidence in the side and confidence in the manager but Brighton are a good side and it will be our toughest test of the season.