Stoke aftermath: The Judgement

As we look at the wreckage of this god-awful season you start to wonder where the next win is coming from. Currently NUFC have played West Brom, Stoke, Hull, Wigan and Bolton at home, games we`d have historically gained 15 points from and teams who are key relegation rivals. We`ve ended up with 8 points, near enough half of what we`d expect from games that our normally our meat and drink.

However it`s the manner of the games that have caused the most concern. Last minute equalisers from Wigan and Stoke have felt like defeats whilst we barely scraped past West Brom and Bolton. Hull positively bossed us and our one goal defeat could have been considerably bigger. The main factor in most of these games has been how we`ve gone into our shells after taking the lead and basically tried to cling to the points rather than playing our own game.

This has to be Kinnear`s responsibility. West Brom was a case in point. First half playing our own football saw the Baggies comprehensively bested. Second half we never got into their half as we decided, with our dubious defence, to try and defend for 45 minutes. In the end it nearly cost us and, with the Wigan and Stoke results, it has come back to haunt us.

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