Why are players afraid at home?

I CANNOT understand why several of Newcastle United’s top players are seemingly intimidated by playing at St James’ Park, and subsequently producing below-par performances.

If the Magpies hadn’t lost a cluster of home matches they wouldn’t be stuttering at the top of the table, but nearly home and dry for the Premiership.

SJP has in the past been called a fortress for visiting teams. Currently, even the Toon Army are struggling to defend it!

When they are in full voice it must be worth a goal start.

With around 50,000 cheering supporters it surely should make any away team quake in their boots. For them, facing the Gallowgate end must be a nerve-wracking experience.

When former strikers Alan Shearer, Malcolm MacDonald, et al, were in full flight they found the vocal support invaluable, and it was a major factor in their goal-scoring feats.

Away from home, the Magpies have turned the formbook upside down with some superb results.

However, at St James’s Park their form must soon be solved, as the play-offs could loom larger. Huddersfield, in third place, are not a million miles away.

One final thought. Is Rafa tinkering too much with the team?

After successive victories, home or away, the formula must be pretty much spot on. So why, apart from the injuries, keep changing the team? Over to you, Rafa.

CHRIS ROBINSON

Gosforth