Alan Shearer and Iain Dowie must negotiate a difficult run-in
Yesterday, we told you how Newcastle managers usually enjoy a successful start, which is why the folks at Sky Bet are offering a rather long 16/1 on Alan Shearer not winning another league match this season.
While it’s very unlikely, here are eight statistical reasons why Newcastle will struggle to improve their points tally:
1. Chelsea (h)
Newcastle haven’t scored in their last three home matches against the Blues and have lost to them at least once in each of the last eleven seasons.
2. Stoke (a)
The Potters haven’t lost a home game to a side outside the top six.
3. Tottenham (a)
Spurs have lost just one of their 17 home games under Harry Redknapp.
4. Portsmouth (h)
Pompey won 4-1 at St James’ Park last season and are unbeaten away to the bottom eight.
5. Liverpool (a)
The Reds last lost a home league game in December 2007. Newcastle have taken two points from their last 14 trips to Anfield.
6. Middlesbrough (h)
Newcastle have drawn their last four home games with Boro.
7. Fulham (h)
Despite the Cottagers’ woeful away record, they have lost just one of their last four at St James’ Park.
8. Aston Villa (a)
Newcastle have won just one of their last five there, losing the last two.
Spoiler bonus: Do you think Newcastle can beat the drop? Play with our super special Interactive Relegation Predictor and find out!
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5 responses so far
1 David Allison // Apr 3, 2009 at 11:36 am
As a Newcastle fan, prior to this article it was hard enough to swallow. This has brought to light some interesting facts, but perhaps it may be relevant to find out when was the last time Newcastle failed to win any of their last 8 games. This is the only factor which provides me with a glimmer of hope…!
2 David Allison // Apr 3, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I took the pleasure (sic) of finding out and here’s how it panned out:
07/08 - W4 D2 L2
06/07 - W1 D3 L4
05/06 - W6 D1 L1
04/05 - W1 D3 L4
03/04 - W2 D5 L1
02/03 - W3 D2 L3
01/02 - W4 D3 L1
00/01 - W3 D3 L2
While there are two seasons when we won only 1 of the last 8, from the list above we have never lost more than 4. Interestingly, last season, where we won 4 of last 8, those teams included Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham and Portsmouth…
3 Carlton Goal // Apr 3, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I looked into this myself and Newcastle won just one of their final eleven games two seasons ago. As that win came against Sheffield United it must have been Carlos Tevez’s fault and therefore should be stricken from history!
4 Ryan Failey // Apr 3, 2009 at 5:40 pm
problem with that list is it doesn’t factor that newcastle are worse now than they have ever been over the 9 year period you’re covering.
That’s a tricky run-in based on the current form of the teams newcastle are playing.
5 David Allison // Apr 3, 2009 at 6:49 pm
“problem with that list is it doesn’t factor that newcastle are worse now than they have ever been over the 9 year period you’re covering.”
And I think that’s my ultimate concern; lest we see a change with the introduction of Shearer. This time tomorrow, I think we’ll all know… (most know now, thought, I should expect… :P)