Painful Coventry defeat will send shudder of fear through Newcastle

Newcastle United suffered a painful, chastening defeat, comprehensively beaten by Coventry City in a performance that should send a shudder of fear through Tyneside. It was a dreadful night for the visitors, who conceded four goals for the second successive away game. The manner in which they fell apart was damning. Whatever the supposed style of play, it is not good to watch: long balls are pumped forward for short strikers to chase or compete for in the air against far taller centre-backs. Away from home, it is becoming ineffective.