We must improve at SJP
Posted on June 6th, 2011 | 15 Comments |
Steven Taylor wants to turn St James’ Park into a fortress. He’s not talking about a drawbridge, some cannons and a couple of Rottweilers, but rather our ability to remain undefeated on the pitch during home games.
We were second bottom of the home wins table this season, equal with Birmingham, with only West Ham, Wigan and Blackpool having won fewer games at home than us. In total we won 6, drew 8 and lost 5 at St James’ Park in the league this season.
Many folk feel one of the secrets to Premier league success is to be virtually unbeatable at home and Steven Taylor tends to agree.
“It’s something we’re definitely looking to improve on.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better year in the Championship when we managed to stay unbeaten at home throughout the season.
“And last summer the main aim was to continue that in our home games to give us some solid foundations for the season.
“But it didn’t turn out that way, and it’s something we need to address.“
Commenting upon our home losses to ‘lesser’ (no offence intended) Premier League sides such as Blackpool, Stoke and Blackburn, Taylor said:
“Those are the type of games we need to improve in.
“We can beat anybody on our day.”
I think a home crowd can work both ways. A team at the top of their game can be buoyed on by them, but I think being in front of home supporters can sometimes add to the pressure of a team who are lacking in confidence or a bit off their game.
Mind you, even if you win every home game and draw every away game that’s still only 76 points, which wouldn’t have been enough to win the league this season, although it’ll do for starters!
Incidentally, I recommend Sainsbury’s Toffee and Honeycomb ice cream. I was just going to have a few spoons of it but it was so nice I ate the entire tub.
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110606/uniteds-hospitality-is-top-of-the-league_2281670_2372230?
Top of the league!
:)