[Jacko The Flopsy Piglet]

Have to agree with A57, there hasn't been a standout home performance this season. My brother thinks it resembles two years ago, Gray's last season, but with slightly better players. We dominate possession and create a handful of good chances but our strikers keep missing them. We also get in some great positions but waste so many crosses with poor delivery. Last season Joao looked like a decent finisher, this season he can't buy a goal. He either snatches it first time, usually wide, or takes his time and lets defenders do their jobs. Like many I'm underwhelmed with the way the season is panning out so far but I'm hoping we can kick on in the New Year.

Yesterday epitomised what has been happening a lot so far this season. Rotherham were by far the most defensive team I've seen in a long time but understandably so given their current plight. We were just not incisive enough and wasted the few good chances we had. I can't say I have any idea why the Rotherham "goal" was disallowed but I will point out that the whistle went very quickly and it wasn't the first or last time it went for a Rotherham set piece. At the time I thought it was a clear penalty and wasn't surprised to see Wood get sent off for denying a goal. However, having seen it on telly I'm not sure it was either. I've seen them given but it was by no means a certainty.

All in all, not a great game but it's nice to beat Rotherham at our place for a change. I'm sure we've been on the wrong end of decisions aplenty, especially when we were struggling at the bottom, so I won't shed too many tears for Rotherham.

I'm not sure we'll get much in Geordieland but I'm not sure we'll get battered unless we have a monumental off day.

P.S. had a thought for MS at the minute's applause. Hope his family are bearing up, especially at this time of year.