As my beloved Newcastle United released their new kit for the 2009 to 2011 seasons the one obvious omission was that of the Premier League logo on the sleeve. Perhaps including Michael Owen and Argentinean international Jonas Gutiérrez in the press release was somewhat optimistic as well.
The game next week when Newcastle host Portsmouth at St. James’ Park on Monday evening is quite simply a must win game for Newcastle. Anything else means they then need to take points off Liverpool and Aston Villa away to avoid relegation, no mean feat. With other home games to come against Fulham and Middlesbrough, Newcastle at least have games that look winnable. It is possible that they could win all those games and still go down, indeed if relegation is avoided it will be because of the inadequacies of other teams, rather than their quality.
As we approach the final throws of what has been a torturous season for all three major north-east clubs each game becomes make or break. The Tyne-Tees derby looks to be a vital fixture for both clubs hopes now, a win would move either closer to safety, a loss would almost certainly condemn them to Championship football.
So how have one of the best supported teams in Britain come to this, 17th highest turnover of any club in Europe, yet 19th in the Premier League. In the here and now, playing a team that would have been good four or five years ago is useless. The reliance on players that have forged reputations at other clubs and then moved north for a hefty pay cheque is a major factor. There appears to be little hunger or desire within the team.
Most Newcastle fans are realists, despite contrary reports in the press, how could they not be having won nothing since 1969. The vast majority of fans are completely aware of the poor quality of the team and can see the absolute dearth of creative talent in midfield in particular. They do manage to play some decent football, but the lack of penetration and end product has been telling, as indicated by the paltry return of 37 goals from 33 games.
This raises two thoughts. Firstly, what can Newcastle do in the remaining games to try and secure Premier League status? It would be fantastic to see attacking football in the remaining games, just going for a win at all costs, making things happen and entertaining the crowd. Naturally a draw is better than a defeat, but wins are vital now at this stage. If the powerful and dangerous Andy Carroll plays and with Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen alongside, the front line looks useful if the midfield can create chances. A big if but trying to not concede has always been a pointless exercise for Newcastle United, a byword for defensive errors.
Gutiérrez has been the stand out midfielder in many Newcastle games this season, yet his lack of end product has been endemic of the entire squad. His qualities lay with his ability to run with the ball, and his amazing lungpower. That his end product is often lacking would matter little if there were any contribution from the rest of the midfield. Unfortunately there is not, there are no players with the imagination or verve to have a go and make something happen. The loan signing from Valencia of Ignacio González looked to bridge that gap until after a few flashes of talent an Achilles tendon injury sidelined him until May.
The appointment of Newcastle born legend Alan Shearer as interim boss has buoyed the fans just in time for the sale of season tickets and new kits but has it lifted the players? The performances have been slightly better but the coming home games are the big test. To me the players attitude is key, ruthless efficiency in front of goal is needed, and a never say die attitude, chasing everything down, attacking relentlessly. To motivate the players in this way is Shearer’s task at hand, hopefully he has it in him. If you were in charge, how would you play, what would you change? Would you even take the job in the first place? If anyone can motivate the fans and players at Newcastle, it is Alan Shearer.
The second thought is what do you think makes a successful team in the Premier League? Power, pace, guile, intelligence? All would be nice, but what is vital? How is this different in other leagues across Europe? It seems that there are very few Premier League successes without pace, very few in La Liga with poor technique and very few in Serie A with poor tactical awareness or intelligence. There are always exceptions of course, it would be interesting to know what your thoughts are.
To answer one of your questions, I’m not sure that Shearer HAS lifted the dressing room. There is little evidence of that on the pitch in the snippets I’ve been able to catch on Match of the Day. Undoubtedly the fans have been lifted but that doesn’t really seem to have filtered down to the players. This is a pretty big cause for concern. Nevertheless, Shearer’s appointment is a shrewd one by Mike Ashley. To an outsider it seems to me that Newcastle supporters don’t really mind failure too much as long as a legend is at the helm. It’s almost like commitment and passion for the Toon (something which could never be called into question with regards to Shearer) is valued above everything else, even results. The sight of Ashley signing autographs outside the ground in the aftermath of Shearer’s appointment just boggles the mind given the vitriol that spewed forth against him in the wake of Keegan’s departure. Now, I am not suggesting that Newcastle fans are particularly fickle, just that it seems they will put up with a team of donkeys as long as they are led by one of their heroes.
All of this, of course, doesn’t address any of the issues on the pitch itself. On that, I really don’t have any answers…
Posted by Jodie Gardiner | 24 April, 2009, 09:11Thought I’d leave my comments until the eve of the first big match.
On point #1 – I know this isn’t directly related with what Newcastle can do in the future but I do believe that had Allardyce been in charge then he’d have kept you up and added some stability to the team. I know it’s not pretty football from him but I think Newcastle’s priorities should have changed with the times – I think it’s short sighted to think you can always play Keegan-esque football – get some stability and build from there.
What can they do now? Well results haven’t really been going their way so they’re going to have to win the three home games. On paper it looks doable but they’ve only won 4 at home all year, the crowd are really going to have to get behind them tonight and they MUST take their chances in the first 30 minutes against these teams. They didn’t against Man U and to an extent Arsenal/Chelsea and they were punished.
Point #2 – A very hard question and one that deserves more attention than a paragraph but I feel that what makes a good team is to have a good squad with a good mix of youth and experience. Physical abilities again has to be a mix, but I think the Premiership requires that a player is fit, strong, quick and highly motiviated – players that get stuck in game after game are normally rewarded sometimes despite the gulf in technical ability.
Posted by Steven Jones | 27 April, 2009, 10:09To me there seemed to be a bit more effort from some players but not all. Jodie is right in some ways, obviously success is important but if someone who loves the club and understands the fans is in charge, they will be backed to the hilt.
Saying Allardyce would have kept us up is all well and good but he hasn’t been involved this year. When he was in charge we looked flat and one dimensional, much like this season. He may have taken us down last year, we sank like a stone before he was sacked. This year I think Keegan would have kept us top half probably, we started promisingly. How do you think he would have done?
We have missed too many chances and that I think is key, like you Steve. We need to make things happen though and create chances, hopefully Martins, Owen and Viduka will all play in the coming weeks.
It makes me happy to see players like Danny Murphy playing well this year. A rarity in the UK, a footballer first then athlete second where most are the opposite.
Posted by Steve Atkinson | 27 April, 2009, 13:15Spurned chances again cost you dearly last night.
Posted by Jodie Gardiner | 28 April, 2009, 09:42They certainly did, that the three absolute sitters were missed by Martins, Viduka and Owen just goes to show the low ebb we have reached. I’d like to think if all three chances fell to me I’d have scored at least 2 of them, though I’d probably be wheezing on the halfway line given my current state of fitness. We spurned all three and quite frankly deserved nothing from the game.
What happens next? An away win at Liverpool to compensate? Would be nice if we could just score some goals for a change.
Posted by Steve Atkinson | 28 April, 2009, 14:21