United can’t afford any more bumps on the road

IT’S NOW OR NEVER IN BID TO BANISH AWAY-DAY BLUES

RIGHT, this is it. Crunch time. Whenever Newcastle United venture over the Tyne Bridge they are in grave danger of suffering a nose bleed.

Ten Premier League defeats in 16 days out is a record more akin to a team fending off the fear of a relegation punch-up rather than chasing European qualification. Yet facts are facts and it is the reason a visit to Turf Moor, often this season viewed as an open invitation, instead takes on a cloak of apprehension.

It is ridiculous really with Burnley still entombed in the PL dungeon second from bottom but then any fear factor on Tyneside is heightened by the fact that United’s destiny is about to be decided on the road with three of their remaining four fixtures away.

Having just sent Sheffield United back from whence they came, a second hero manager is facing the same rough treatment at the hands of the Magpies.

Vincent Kompany, touted as a super boss of the future after Burnley strode imperiously to the Championship title, could follow Chris Wilder, a legend around Bramall Lane who was dispatched down the chute by United last Saturday.

However the Mags were at home then. Now they are about to travel. What is the difference? Attitude. Application. Courage. Defiance. Determination. Concentration. All of those things and more, most of which are in the mind.

United will need to find every single one of those attributes because Kompany will believe his Clarets can still get out of a mess they have found themselves in all campaign after winning two and drawing five

Fabian Schar is one of many players who also featured last term, but away form has been very diferent this season