Newcastle United fans tend to see their own team's problems more clearly than neutral observers.
So even though the boys in black and white sit 10th in the Premier League table and six points above the bottom three with six games to go — beginning with today's match against Manchester United at St. James' Park — most Toon fans are leery of a late slide that might make the end of the season a bit nervy.
It's important to remember, though, that fans of every team below Newcastle in the table are feeling that same way — or worse. Just take a look at the 10 teams behind United (39 points, +1 goal difference):
West Brom (39, -15) has been in good form since Roy Hodgson took over, but the Baggies play three of their last five matches on the road (at Spurs, Wolves and Newcastle). Plus, the home games are against in-form Everton and Aston Villa, which finally seems to be playing near its talent level.
Fulham (38, +1) has three winnable away games (at Wolves, Sunderland and Birmingham), but the Cottagers have only won once on the road all season. Their home games, meanwhile, are against three top-eight sides: Bolton, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Stoke City (38, -3) has only one league win since Feb. 5: the 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle on March 19. The Potters also have matches remaining against Wolves, Blackpool and Wigan — so if they fare well, it will be at the expense of those teams.
Birmingham (38, -10) has taken seven points from its last three matches, but has four tricky away games remaining: Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Spurs.
Sunderland (38, -12) has what would appear to be an easy run-in: vs. Wigan, vs. Fulham, at Bolton, vs. Wolves and at West Ham. But can anything be considered easy for a team that has gone nine games without a win? The Black Cats, whose last win came Jan. 22 at Blackpool, have just one point during that stretch and also have severe injury problems in the backline.
Blackburn (35, -14) is only playing a little bit better than Sunderland, with its last win coming Jan. 23 against West Brom and only four points in the nine games since. Rovers' three remaining home games are tough: Manchester City, Bolton and Manchester United.
Wigan (34, -21) has taken seven points from its last four games, but hasn't posted back-to-back league wins all season. The Latics also failed to beat any of their remaining opponents in the reverse fixtures earlier this season.
Blackpool (33, -22) has the worst goal difference in the league and has picked up only five points in its last 13 matches. The Tangerines are looking shakier at the back as the season wears on, too — they've conceded 18 goals in their last six games.
West Ham (32, -19) has lost three straight after a brief upturn in form and has two daunting fixtures up next: at Chelsea and at Manchester City. The Hammers then host Blackburn, travel to Wigan and host Sunderland.
Wolves (32, -20) have a somewhat encouraging-looking run-in: vs. Fulham, at Stoke, at Birmingham, vs. West Brom, at Sunderland and vs. Blackburn. But, like Wigan, they've yet to post back-to-back league wins this season. It's also worth noting they have the worst away points tally in the league (eight).