Hope we try to play football instead of just "run harder, jump faster" than the opposition. The moment we started to play derbies on their terms - ie. graft harder than the other side - was the moment we started losing them. We're absolute pish at grinding out games.
Will McClaren be the first manager since Hughton to focus on the football? Doubtful.
There are non-statistical issues too, though. Jon Walters is a much more positive influence on his teammates for example. Ben Arfa is a hated, poisonous cancer to all dressing rooms.
A game like Bears/Lions is perfect for -6 on each. I didn't bet on that particular game, but neither side was ever going to coast to a victory, so putting 5 or 10 on both (in similar games) has been profitable for me so far.
Yeh NFL I find much easier, despite knowing virtually nothing. Won £60 on the Patriots yesterday - which is what I lost on Bayern Munich 1.5+
Pretty similar teams now I think about it.