Positives in defeat for Red Bulls chief

FANS TURN OUT IN NUMBERS ONCE AGAIN

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NEWCASTLE Red Bulls suffered a sixth straight defeat as they went down 39-15 at home to Leicester Tigers on Friday night - but there were encouraging signs for head coach Alan Dickens.

The result means Newcastle have now gone a calendar year without a victory in the Gallagher Prem.

However, a third consecutive 10,000-plus attendance at Kingston Park, allied to the Red Bull takeover, continues to give hope to Dickens that there are happier times ahead for the Geordies, who have finished bottom of the pile in England three seasons in a row.

“Since I've been at Newcastle, the support has been brilliant)’ he said.

“They have been through a tough, tough period the last four or five years.