Source: Northern_Echo
Nolan calls for a dose of realism
CONSECUTIVE home defeats have sparked Kevin Nolan to admit that Newcastle United have to be realistic in their first season back in the Premier League.[LNB] Having followed up defeat to Blackpool at St James' Park with a second home loss against Stoke City on Sunday, Newcastle head to Man City next weekend just two points off the bottom three.[LNB] But having performed well at both Everton and Chelsea in the last ten days, the Magpies have also shown plenty to suggest they can stay clear of the relegation zone.[LNB] Just 24 hours after manager Chris Hughton conceded his team will lose more than it wins this season, Nolan thinks supporters, players and the coaching staff have to keep it real.[LNB] We're back where we belong in the Premier League.[LNB] We have set our targets and we know what we want to achieve this season, he said.[LNB] There is a lot of disappointment around after the Stoke defeat, but if you defend set-pieces badly you will get punished in this league.[LNB] We have to keep looking at the bigger picture. We're in a new league and we're a new Newcastle if you like and we will keep working towards our aims.[LNB] We know we could have had more points on the table and we probably should have more points on the table if you look at the games we have lost at home, but that's what this league does to you.[LNB] I'm sure we will win games we probably don't deserve to along the way. We've already lost games we should have won, but that's why the Premier League is so punishing.[LNB] We've got to look forward now and get on with it.[LNB] Nolan had been starting behind Andy Carroll in attack despite the arrival of Hatem Ben Arfa, who has been used in his less preferred left-sided role.[LNB] But the Newcastle captain has defended the decision to play with Carroll up front on his own this season, suggesting poor decision making defensively was their downfall against Stoke and Blackpool.[LNB] Manchester United and Chelsea play like it at home, so why can't Newcastle play it at home he asked. Why are we always a 4-4-2 side I've never understood why Newcastle have to play two up front.[LNB] We've got two wingers who ran riot in the first half. We've got to be adaptable and I think we are. We can play different formations, but we're living in an era and a league of 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 if you like.[LNB] The formation wasn't the problem, the little mistakes at set-pieces were the problem.[LNB] They were costly.[LNB]
