By Simon Leyland
I actually feel quite confident that we might nick at least a point from the game against Newcastle United this evening.
My optimism is fuelled by the fact that we have seemed to have reverted back to a more compact set-up of late, given our desperate need for points, which has helped our five home game unbeaten run.
According to Opta, Eddie Howe’s side aren’t anywhere near as potent in attack on the road as they are at St. James’ Park, averaging 2.39 xGF per game when at home and only a 1.59 when away from home.
Slipping under the radar somewhat, we have seen Kehrer playing better at right-back as opposed to his original position as right-centre-back, the move was probably in the wake of poor old Ben Johnson’s nightmare outing in that position at Brighton.
Let us hope he will be able to keep tabs on one of the league’s trickiest wingers this evening, Allan Saint-Maximin.
No player in the Premier League attempts more dribbles per 90 minutes than the Frenchman’s 7.5, and also no player who has played more than 1000 minutes of football completes more dribbles per 90 as well.
I doubt that the game tonight will live long in the memory, but who cares….as long as we get something out of it!
COYI