Getting November underway with consecutive 4-0 romps against Millwall and Portsmouth, Monday's hosts will be desperate to lay down another marker. Likewise, last seen in front of their own supporters storming their way to a 4-1 victory against Norwich, Davies' side have remarkably won all of their previous three Championship showdowns at St. Andrew's by an aggregate score of 12-1. In fact, the Blues have recorded a quartet of strikes in all of those four consecutive home wins.
It was a tough job, we knew that, and the team did really well from the very first minute. In the first half, we could have done a little better with our two strikers. We weren't aggressive enough for me. Then, in the second half, we upped it. Here at Leverkusen, you have to control the game so well. That's a compliment to us, I like that, and that's the kind of football we need.
Like I say, we have advantage in the away games, but we need to know how to finish the games in order to win, Amorim said in his pre-match press conference. The same things that we need to do to show to the players why we lost control of Forest, why we lost control against Tottenham. And if you look at those games, they were there to win. Sometimes a small detail can change everything.
"Fair criticism that they were our worst games [of the season] but it is my job to protect my players. I work for a club where everyone cares so much and is passionate. I want to be a shield. We go with positivity into the next game so we can be brave, press higher and play with more courage.They have delivered so many good performances, so I am finding it hard to criticise us. It will always be in our DNA to be pro-active, but we are playing in the best league in the world. We always have to perform at our top level. If we keep going we have a great chance of staying above the line and continuing to play in the Premier League."
Newcastle United have made a decision on the future of Eddie Howe with the Magpies just two points above the Premier League drop zone. Newcastle's poor away record in the league continued in west London as they lost to Brentford, despite leading 1-0 at half-time. They have failed to win on the road this season, drawing three and losing three on their travels so far, and with an extra two losses at home, Howe's credentials are being tested to the limit.
After four matchdays, Werder sit in mid-table with four points. The 4-0 away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach was outstanding, with the team impressively demonstrating their attacking potential. The 3-0 defeat to SC Freiburg, on the other hand, was anything but, with Bremen finding it all but impossible to break down the Breisgau side's tight defence. These inconsistencies have characterised the start to the season: Werder have shown they can be dangerous against any opponent,
