Royle homes in on cagey game

"We might have to be a little more careful at home because it is our home form that is letting us down. The make-up of the squad also lends itself to those tactics.

'As we showed against Newcastle we can be very solid in defence, while in Goater, Huckerby and Kanchelskis we have three forwards who are lightning fast. They always offer a threat. They have pace that is dangerous to opposition teams.'

The statistics back up Royle's argument that caution, not gung-ho action, will save City. Their first win at St. James' since the day City clinched the First Division championship in 1968 means they have now gathered 14 away points, the same number as third-placed Liverpool.

Goater's winner was deserved, the striker steering his shot home in the 61st minute as City produced a consummate tactical performance while Newcastle, for all their bluster, paid not only for the injuries they are carrying but also in terms of their soulless, sometimes clueless, approach.

Keiron Dyer's lucklustre display was explained later by Robson. He had withdrawn his most influential player from the England squad so he can have a further scan on a recurring shin splint problem.

Others had no such excuse and if Robson is truly to build a team of which his club's vast army of fans can be proud, he must instil extra heart as well as extra talent.

The return of Alan Shearer was a success only in the fact that he enjoyed some match practice. Given the injuries he has suffered, he cannot be expected to handle the brunt of scoring duties as Newcastle attempt to rescue a UEFA Cup place.

The most disturbing aspect of Newcastle's performance was the failure to show a recovery from the defeat at Charlton a fortnight earlier. Since then they have have been on a training trip to La Manga but the Spanish experience made them neither more cohesive nor more spirited.