Away goals are scary!
Well perhaps they aren't that scary.
But away goals are certainly a cause for concern and that has to be the biggest concern following Newcastle United's UEFA Cup first leg win over AZ Alkmaar.
We'll take a 4-2 lead to Holland next week - thanks to another Euro own goal, two from Oba Martins and one from Kieron Dyer - but is that going to be enough?
In fairness to United last night they were sparkling at times, first 3-0 then 4-1 up and everybody would have been happy with that as a first leg score.
But isn't 4-2 just so different? AZ's goals are worrying.
And it could make all of the difference in the away leg, if AZ win 2-0, they're through and that's going to be enough. Even though they'd get into the last eight without ever building up a lead as big or as high as United did at any point of the tie!
That's the way it works but hey let's be positive for a minute.
What if we keep a clean sheet, that'll be the Geordies a step closer to Hampden Park.
Or dare I say it what if we pierce through the AZ defence again, twice please boys and then that would put this away goals phobia to bed!
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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Well 2 days ago I forecast an exit from the UEFA cup. I had previously said it would be this round or the 1/4 finals.Being the eternal NUFC pessimist I still think either / or will come true. Last night was back to the good old days --well at least the 1st half was,which is OK in the League (we'll score more than you will)but fatal in Europe at home. Next week is going to be a cliffhanger and because of the way both sides play, it'll be no place for nervous dispositions. I can see it now, 1-0 to AZ in the 1st 20 mins then a grim 70mins wondering if we can either score ourselves or stop them scoring again.The reality last night was AZ seemed to have come to terms with our attacking threat in the 2nd half but we never seemed to come to terms with theirs.Over the years we've learnt to sometimes back the lads when they're up against it and we're definitely up against it from the 1st kick next week.Heres hoping, but don't watch it if you've got a nervous disposition.
4-2 from the homematch will be enough in Holland if Roeder leaves Carr at home :-)
At least we are still in the tie. Many people thought we would be dead and burried after the first leg and the second leg would have been a formality for AZ,but Newcastle being Newcastle they ripped up the form book and put it through the shredder.
We have given ourselves the perfect platform to go through if we can be strong at the back. Carr might not have had a good game but he's not a left back either.
Lets get behind the lads for Thursday and after a week of training we shoul be in the next round.
Smashing performance ruined by a harsh penalty decision but where was Carr for the cross that created their first goal? He was watching Duff who was standing watching their player cross the ball.
So, if we are to go through we need to secure our left wing me thinks.
Exciting times though. Imagine if we just had the league games to dread, sorry, look forward to.
Absolutely brilliant. I do not want to harp on about the Keegan years, but for the first time in years we played the fast attacking football that at that time made us the team that everyone wanted to watch.
The two goals against were unfortunate but we should not lose with the start we have. If by any chance they do win then at least let us go out with pride in our team. Pride in the way they play and not just pride in winning. Who would anyone prefer to watch, a Bolton or a Man Utd?
Away with the negatives, we are going to win this tie and then go on to win the Trophy.
I am still warm at the shear excitement of the play and amazed they could play like that. I cannot wait for the return game - that is the game we are going to win, right?
Just like to say great first half, we all would have taken a 2 goal lead before the game kicked off.
ItâÂÂs a shame about the away goals but we will score away, letâÂÂs not forget we have been better away from home.
I would say we will be attacked from the off and get a couple on the break.
Come on Toon give us fans something to shout about.
Bring on Spurs!
4-2 wiull be enough providing we are more positive than we were in the last round at home
All this bickering about how strong the Dutch are is making New Castle believe that they can lose. New Castle has gotten this far. The tournament structure makes the team play better and now that they are acquiring the, us against the world mentality, they have to finish off AZ.
omg you got it spot on......