Four games unbeaten, character shown and a point gained. But all everyone seems to be talking about is the stats.
Not the two goals scored, a trend that runs through every single one of the Magpies’ first four encounters in all competitions this season. No, this is how many shots United are conceding. They are top of the league for shots faced in the Premier League.
And yes, while I flippantly try to look past all that in favour of what has been a ‘beyond expectations’ start to the season, the reality is, it’s a stat that cannot be absolutely ignored. It has to be put into some wider context, too, though.
Not all shots are of equal value. Some are speculative. It’s more about the quality of chances created. So let’s look at that one, too, and some others, to really deep dive into the numbers behind the Magpies’ points and league position under Matthias Jaissle.