One last chance for Newcastle

By: j | May 11th, 2009

On Monday evening St James’ Park is the backdrop for Newcastle and Middlesbrough fight for Premier League survival. With both clubs locked in the final three points below Hull City a victory could provide them the needed spur in the “great escape”. To call the campaign “difficult” for both side is a terrible understatement to say the least. Few would have expected Newcastle’s fortune to have fallen so fast and the same should be said of ‘Boro, led by the superb young manager Gareth Southgate. However as these things often go, fortunes have turned and both clubs are faced with very dark days without a victory.

For Newcastle, the hazy lazy days of August brought a fine start to the campaign but as the clubs financial underpinnings began to shake the spiral down accelerated. The loss of James Milner to Aston Villa heralded the on-going problems and soon Kevin Keegan handed his resignation. A whirlwind of discontent followed, a near mutiny by supporters but all the while the simple fact that the club lacked the financial capabilities to make the needed moves sat at the root of the problem. While Joe Kinnear did a fine job resurrecting a bit of “fight” to the side, the sad truth was financial misfortune limited moves during the January transfer effectively, effectively forcing them to simply reshuffle the deck for the last half of the campaign. Time, this dreaded foe that awaits us all, played a nasty turn on Mr Kinnear and as heart grew weak it was time to adjourn his managerial role. Stumbling through the caretaker leadership of Chris Hughton, Newcastle made one last-ditch effort with hopes pinned on number 9 riding-in from the horizon to save the day.

It has been a rough ride for Mr. Shearer as he has learned that Newcastle’s cupboard is bare and as much as it pains me to say it, the grit and determination that teems through is claret with is a rare breed in today’s game. Now with three match-days remaining in the campaign, somehow the Magpies must dig within their hearts, play above themselves or should I say, summon up how number 9 did for over three-hundred times for Newcastle, lest they face relegation.

There are naturally ups and downs of this installment of the Tyne-Tees derby with players lost to injury and suspension but make no mistake, this is a battle that will be won on the measure of heart and soul. It is a battle where injuries must be shook off and every blade of grass is fought for and no ball left unchallenged as you fight for the honour of the crest. Sing out with pride today Toon Army, every voice must be heard.