We were fairly unanimous at the start of the season with saying that if Newcastle could survive in the Premier League this season, that would be all we ask, and that the club could then press on from there.
Chris Hughton – still doing great job on Tyneside
But those low expectations are not helped at all when Newcastle have the audacity to thrash last season’s 6th placed side Aston Villa 6-0 at home, and then the second team, a bunch of young kids, goes to Stamford Bridge and beats Chelsea’s second team 4-3 in a terrific game to watch in the Carling Cup.
And then would you believe we beat both Everton (for the first time in 9 years at Goodison Park) and West Ham away from home, and then we thrashed Sunderland 5-1 in our biggest win against the local enemy in 55 years. And then in the very next game just to show the Sunderland result was no fluke we beat Arsenal at the Emirates 1-0 and were 5th in the league.
And staying in the Premier League is the goal this season – you have to be kidding.
But then we managed to lose home games to Blackpool, Stoke and Blackburn – all sides we would have been expected to beat at St. James’ Park, and we nearly ended up on the wrong side of the score-line against Wigan, but managed to save a point right at the death.
And then we got hammered on Saturday 5-1 at Bolton – not exactly one of the top sides in England, but yes – they are playing very well this season under new manager Owen Coyle.
So this has hardly been a normal season on Tyneside, in that Newcastle lose to teams they should lose to, and have won against sides we are expected to beat – in fact it’s been almost the opposite.
And even after the Bolton thrashing Newcastle are still in a lofty 10th position in the league.
The only discontent with Newcastle fans, is at times the lads look like a very very good side, and to say the goal is just to stay up seems ridiculous, given some of our excellent performances this season.
And then again after watching Newcastle against Man United, Blackburn, Stoke, Wigan and Bolton we look like a relegation side at best.
Whatever team Newcastle are – a very good looking side – or a side that seem like they cannot defend if their lives depended on it – we have no idea.
But let’s not raise the bar too high this season – and we’ll still be very happy if we start next August in the Premier League – that’s all we ask.
Now we have to beat Chelsea at home – and that would keep our inconsistency this season – consistent. 😀
Comments welcome.
1 comment so far
ganiyu
Nov 26, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Comment #1Point of correction a win would be suprising wether terry or essien is missing.lets hope for a good result