The outcome Glenn Roeder wanted at St. James’ Park today was a win and a good performance from his almost full-strength team - the very last thing he needed was a defeat and a poor performance.
Unfortunately Newcastle delivered another insipid below par performance and were defeated in their last home league game of the season for the first time in 16 years.
Glenn Roeder
Blackburn Rovers - whose team manager Mark Hughes has put together on a shoestring (compared to the transfer fees Newcastle dished out for the players on show) were simply the better side and deserved to win.
The end of this season is now almost the mirror image of the end of last season - as Newcatle have now gone 10 games with only a single win (against Sheffield United) - and have amassed a meager 6 points while failing to score in 8 of those games - a poor record to say the least.
The fact that Roeder has nearly all his players back from injury does not help his cause of remaining Newcastle’s manager for next season.
The performance simply wasn’t good enough and Blackburn in the end won quite comfortably with goals from Benni McCarthy after 14 minutes - when he got the benefit of a possible offside - and Jason Roberts after 73 minutes.
Benni McCarthy
A Kieron Dyer header forced a good save from big American keeper Brad Friedel, who later also turned away a James Milner free-kick.
After 34 minutes goalkeeper Steve Harper was forced into a good save to keep out a shot from Norwegian Morten Gamst Pedersen - and then Michael Owen had a chance and fired just over the bar - on the stroke of half-time.
After 68 minutes it looked as though Owen would get a penalty after a trip by Christopher Samba - but that wasn’t given - and then Owen had another chance moments later when he rounded Friedel - shot from an awkward angle - but Samba got back to head off the line.
Owen’s miss proved costly when David Bentley crossed - and Jason Roberts got on the end of it to head home on 73 minutes.
The goal demoralized Newcastle and they went down limply to a 2-0 defeat.
There will undoubtedly be renewed pressure on manager Glenn Roeder - who has failed to get the best out of his squad over the last 10 games.
If he had - we would have easily qualified for Europe - since it is the last 10 games that has made the season a dreadful one for Newcastle - not the injury ravaged time we endured before that.
With Big Sam Allardyce presumably only too willing to accept the massive challenge at Newcastle - it is left to Chairman Freddy Shepherd and the Newcastle board to make a decision within the next couple of weeks.
Sam Allardyce
Also on their minds will be the unbelievable success Roy Keane and Niall Quinn have brought to rivals Sunderland in a short eight months - and it is not beyond the realms of possibility they could finish higher (in the league) than Newcastle next season.
It is difficult to see how Roeder can hold onto his position with such a poor run of form - at a vital time for the club - certainly the team did nothing today to suggest he should be retained for next season.
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16 responses so far ↓
1 W // May 5, 2007 at 18:12
Phone up rentokill please…
2 CJ // May 5, 2007 at 18:19
Agree with everything written above, Roeder has had two transfer windows to add to his depleted squad and whilst Martins looks a good player, he did not address the defence in any serious way. The season we have had to endure under Roeder, and at times it has seemed like some cruel endurance test for us, is unnacceptable the spirit and team ethic has been sapped from our team. The team aren’t motivated, organized or together. We are playing a rigid, bundling, ugly style of football that can only be matched in its hideous appearance and inneffective product by Wigan. Yes we have had injuries but we have also had opportunities to bring in players and Roeder simply hasnt done it. His performance is not good enough and at the end of the day the buck stops with him, Souness was sacked for achieving a similar position. People have called for stability and continuity at St James’ but finsihing outside of the top 10 isnt stable and I can not see anything at present that I would want to continue through to the next campaign. Roeder out, Big Sam in with Big Al in a coachin or assistants role.
3 Ed Harrison // May 5, 2007 at 18:20
I just cannot seeing Roeder surviving this - in last 10 games we have failed to score in 8 - and the defense is not too good either.
4 W // May 5, 2007 at 18:23
I’m afraid he might just be saved by the bell, with the season ending soon.
5 The Kung Fu Jews // May 5, 2007 at 18:25
If Roeder stays, then we’re down next season - of that I have no doubt. How can the man continue losing games, churn out bilge every week, show no tactical awareness, consistently fail to get the best out of his players, constantly blame injuries and still have the balls to say he “won’t lose any sleep.”? The man is killing our club! If a three times convicted paedophille asked to look after your children, would you say yes? Shepherd, you must act NOW! The man has already destroyed three clubs in his career…must we be the forth before he finally realises that he’s poo? This is clearly not the type of management experience we need and if the fat man doesn’t act now, then we’re doomed.
6 W // May 5, 2007 at 18:39
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hAcMg1ZkIX0 (Faubert from Bordeaux)
the story from skysports about faubert but the newcastle linkage wasn’t about this guy a funny article that one. What do you think of the guy? He looks well better than Carr. 23 yrs old and hungry to get everywhere including the French national team
7 Ed Harrison // May 5, 2007 at 18:53
Don’t be surprised if everything comes to the boil on Roeder on Monday. Expect the Sunday papers to be all over Roeder tomorrow with headlines saying he should - and will be - sacked.
If Shepherd sees that Roeder has lost the confidence of the fans - look for him to sack Roeder Monday.
8 Ed Harrison // May 5, 2007 at 18:54
Then I assume Shepherd will introduce Big Sam as new manager on Tuesday - and it will then be up to Sam who he brings in and who he lets go.
9 The Kung Fu Jews // May 5, 2007 at 18:54
Agree entirely with W, Faubert looks a far better player than Carr. But what chance of Roeder attracting him to Newcastle? He’s more likely to sign for a manager who has some charisma, or indeed a reputation. Phone up Rentokill..LoL
10 W // May 5, 2007 at 19:01
Ed- I’m praying and hoping that will be the case.
11 Graham Lishman // May 5, 2007 at 21:45
If and when Roeder does go - and iuf Sam Allardyce is the man to replace him it will not happen before the end of the season as Allaryce has clauss in hihs contract. so he wont be in positin on tuesday.
but please remember that we sacked our assistant manager for far less alleged crimes thatn mr allardyce was accused of in recent investigations. not that scandal has ever bothered our chairman!
12 W // May 5, 2007 at 22:28
Wow, i did some reading on Faubert from wiki of course, he is frequently compared to zizu. I see him more of being a lilian thuram though. Faubert playing for newcastle will only be wishful thinking i bet. sigh.
Btw i had a look at Coloccini just now, he had a solid game, depor seems to be putting him a RB consistently, doesn’t look like it’s his best position because simply he isn’t quick enough, but somehow he managed to play solid unike carr. His passing was solid, he surely makes up for his lack of pace. But note what i mean by lack of pace is not slow and sluggish. Want to see him in the center winning headers and organizing the defence. Not sure if he’s playing there because they have no right back or his team mate is better playing center.
13 W // May 5, 2007 at 23:16
accused and the exonerated i think.
14 Ed Harrison // May 5, 2007 at 23:17
Graham - good point - I know that - and Kevin Bond is currently suing Newcastle. That does make it more difficult for Shepherd - it’s not an easy decision as to what to do.
15 W // May 6, 2007 at 0:21
Faubert broke his nose without knowing but still continued on playing and scored a winning goal. my god how i wish i can see such commitment from newcastle. what you see in newcastle is
Oops u triped me now you twist my ankle now i have to go off…
sighs
16 W // May 6, 2007 at 0:43
I think i know why the Zog is upset. He almost made it to U21, now he has no hope. No wonder he’s way down the pecking order, the talent in that young French team is amazing. He should’ve carried on with his momentum from last year. With no europe next year, i doubt we will be able to attract any new talent from overseas, sigh. Bordeaux has a couple, just found out Man yoo were interested as well with Mavuba. Milan and Valencia with Faurbet. Tsktsk sigh my dream can only be satisfied in a computer football game.
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