The worst possible thing happened today as Newcastle unbelievably went down to yet another home defeat against Fulham, this time by 1-0, and Hull City got a good 1-1 draw at Bolton.
This means that Newcastle are 3rd bottom again, with Hull one point clear, and now if Newcastle don’t get at least a point in their last game at Aston Villa a week tomorrow, we will be relegated. It also means that Monday’s performance against Middlesbrough was simply a flash in the pan.
Fulham are not a good away side, and would you believe this is only their 3rd away win of the season, their other wins being at Bolton and Manchester City.
This game also marks the 5th time in the 7 games Alan Shearer has been in charge of the team, that we’ve failed to score.
We’ve had only two away wins all season, the last one being eons ago, in fact 13 games ago to be exact. It was on February 7th, three months ago, when we beat WBA 3-2. But it looks like it’s only the sides beneath us that we are good enough to beat.
Our other away win was at Portsmouth so the chances of beating 5th placed Aston Villa next Sunday have to be slim indeed, although not impossible. And we’ll have to hope Hull City cannot beat the Red Devils, whose minds will be on the European Champions League Cup final. A Newcastle draw and a Hull defeat next Sunday would also save us – but if we get no points next Sunday we’re down – plain and simple.
In fact the chances of even getting a draw against Villa are not good, and a defeat at Villa Park next Sunday will see us definitely relegated. It’s hard to find excuses for a team that has amassed just 34 points in 37 games.
Hull’s last game is at home to Manchester United, but since the Red Devils won the title today, Alex Ferguson will field a weakened Manchester United side in the game, as they play the European Champions League Final against Barcelona the following Wednesday.
A win by Hull City next Sunday will doom Newcastle to the Championship next season.
And who has been our best player this season? Sebastien Bassong, right?
So would you believe he got himself sent off after 60 minutes and will now miss the last game of the season – talk about shooting yourself in the foot – this is more like shooting yourself in the head – just to be certain you’re dead.
Once again, rather than taking the advantage when we had it, we’ve thrown it all away again, and the truth is that if we do go down, we’ll surely deserve it, because we’ve had a multitude of chances to save ourselves this season, and we haven’t taken them. Now it’s out of our hands again.
It didn’t help today that Michael Owen cried off with a groin injury he picked up yesterday, and still hasn’t scored a goal for us since last January – so all that talk about how he would save us was just rubbish. And if we do get relegated Michael’s transfer to Newcastle will be the worst deal in Premier League history as every goal he has scored for us (only 30 over four seasons) has cost the club an amazing £1.3M.
Does any Newcastle fan out there think he’s been worth that money? If there is there’s a bridge in Brooklyn, NY we’d like to sell you.
When we talk about doom and gloom at the Toon, it cannot much worse than it is right now, unless of course we don’t catch Hull City in the last game of the season, a week tomorrow. If that happens the burial ceremony will need to take place.
Unfortunately, if we are to be real and down to earth, the likelihood is we will be relegated, so the club will have to move to Plan B – and whether that means Alan Shearer will stay at the club, we have no idea.
If we cannot win our games at home, we don’t deserve to stay up – that’s the simple – if brutal truth.
Comments welcome.
91 comments so far
Tom4Nufc
May 16, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Comment #1I dont blame the players today, they did their best. It was the ref & Schwarzer that made us lose. Goal should not have been disallowed and that was a sending off, Kamara tripped over himself, and we should hopefully get the red card rescinded… I hope. Its now make or break lads, lets get together and show everybody what the real NUFC is (what lacks in ability, makes up in spirit!). HOWAY THE LADS!
Tom4Nufc
May 16, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Comment #2wasnt a sending off*
Also Schwarzer was incredible today!
tripp
May 16, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Comment #3Gutted. Not the absolute worst result though. The important thing is to get at least a draw at Villa, which is very doable. They’re exhausted from europe, cups, and a champions league push. They have nowt to play for either at this point. The one thing that we have going for us is that fergie’s bairns will have a point to prove and will be hungry to make their mark. Even a rubbish MUFC side is a quite solid side so it’s really down to us getting something from the villa game. A draw might be good enough. I don’t see us winning down there though so we’re going to need yet another favour. sigh.
Doocey
May 16, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Comment #4Who thought it would come to this?
Doocey
May 16, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Comment #5SOME GOOD NEWS THOUGH.
ED AND NUFCBLOG HAVE REACHED HIS 18TH MILLION VIEW ON NUFCBLOG.COM
Hugh Jorgan
May 16, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Comment #6Jesus Christ, I am so so annoyed and so so sad.
After such a great performance last Monday, what a let down.
Just fancy losing to Fulham, can you believe it ?
Who would have thought that Newcastle United would be in such a pickle.
http://francis-rossi.mybrute.com/cellule
The club has stumbled all season long.
No that’s not true.
It has trodden in DOG SHIT and taken it home.
The pervading problems should have been rectified months ago, it’s not as if the club were not aware of the possible outcome.
When premiership survival comes down to the last day of the season, things must be REALLY bad.
Brutooon
May 16, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Comment #7The reason we are relegated are:
1)Mike Ashley
2)we miss chances- lot of chances to get point at home but we blew it all. including the so-called 3 home games that guarantee us premiership!
3)Overpaid players
4) Owen- we gave this guy too many chances but he only get minimum one chances per two games?
5) Changes of Managersss (well this happen every season)
6) Over-Optimistic
Relegation Positive-ness:
1)get rid of overpaid players
2) get rid of all management
3)New owner with a brain
4)Start from Scratch (like man utd in the 1950s and from there onwards there never look down)
5) even if we stay up, we will be relegation battler so its better we go down
6) we will be stronger
Toon_Factor
May 16, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Comment #8Hugh Jorgan
How many times do i have to tell you. NOBODY CARES ABOUT THAT CRAPPY GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugh de Payen
May 16, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Comment #9I really don’t think we played that bad today. It was one of those ‘either way’ matches that depended on who got the breaks. Unfortunately we didn’t get them.
Obviously we have played many games this season where we were dreadful and where the players didn’t show enough spirit.
I don’t think this was one of them though.
Then again, it counts for nothing. We simply have to get at least a point next week to survive and hope Hull screw up. That’s all there is to it.
Hugh Jorgan
May 16, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Comment #10Tom4Nufc mate, I have got to agree.
The ref should NOT have disallowed the goal.
http://francis-rossi.mybrute.com/cellule
Nobby_Long
May 16, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Comment #11Tom4Nufc
There’s a reason why we are down at the bottom, and that is mainly that the players are not good enough. They were poor again today. Any fool could see that.
Ed, Michael Owen has been very poor lately, but he is far from the worst signing. What about Luque, Boumsong……..Coloccini has been very poor. And for me, one of the worst is Kevin Nolan.
The way the club has been run from top to bottom for several years is why we will probably go down. But frankly, selling good players and replacing them with bad ones this year, and refusing to sign a creative player & back-up left backs have totally screwed things up. Its been utter madness.
You make your own luck in this game……….
Zangwill_Ho
May 16, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Comment #12Did very well today! Newcastle United! Don’t give up!!! Next time will win!!!!!!
Turkish Magpie
May 16, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Comment #13We lose today
Bassong gets sent off and misses last match
Back in the relegation zone
Have an arguement with GF
Broken me toe
CAN THIS DAY GET ANY WORSE?!?!?!?!?!
Turkish Magpie
May 16, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Comment #14BTW, who scored the dissaloud goal? I couldn’t see from the leazes
Hugh Jorgan
May 16, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Comment #15Toon Factor
Sorry if I have offended you in some small way.
Monica ORANGE TREE Naranjo !
That’s what naranjo means !
Don’t take offence !
Toon_Factor
May 16, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Comment #16Turkish Magpie
It was Viduka
mcvicar
May 16, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Comment #17i think it was one of those days were nowt whent our way im gutted but dont blame the players as much as i usualy do. i think alan got it wrong taking off guthrie but its done now and i pray we have better luck next sunday. villa arent playing well just i dont think we have a good record for winning the last game of the season bv dont hold me to that
Nobby_Long
May 16, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Comment #18Nicky Butt couldn’t pass wind either…….
Ah well, here’s hoping for a miracle !!!
Villa 0- 1 Toon, James Milner own goal ……
Howay the Lads.
tdt
May 16, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Comment #19How depressing.
All is not lost, but it will be a tough game on sunday. Villa drew 2 boro 2day, so they cant be that good.
Fulham were very lucky the ref was kind 2 them 2day, could have relegated us by disallowing that goal u no.
I blame Graeme Poll, hyping up the Nolan blocking stuff, so the ref gave it, even though it wasnt a foul!
Nonetheless – I bet hull wont beat man u, so, either a draw or a win will save our bacon, probably a draw.
If mackems loss monday and against chelsea on last day, and we beat villa, wont we be above mackems? food 4 thought.
Need a massive performance on sunday, batter villa. they have had a string of poor results, they are half the team they were 4-5 months ago.
Its not over yet.
Toon_Factor
May 16, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Comment #20Hugh Jorgan
Please dont insult the worlds sexist woman.
Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Clito Ruiz y Picasso
May 16, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Comment #21We need a miracle against Villa!
Hull could nick a point against a weak Utd side, and that could be enough to keep them up.
People say that Villa are playing rubbish but they are nowhere near as bad as us!
We have no creativity, no pace and cannot defend to save our lives, and our best player Bassong isn’t going to be playing.
I repeat, WE NEED A MIRACLE!!
Alanmc09
May 16, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Comment #22Hugh jordan-
Wat a quere link u just put up!!
I have lost faith,at half time 2day i said the rosary in hope of a result,if god cannot grant me 1 wish in my traumatic life to say the least we are doomed!!
Hugh Jorgan
May 16, 2009 at 6:31 PM
Comment #23Toon Factor
I speak spanish.
Do you ?
mcvicar
May 16, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Comment #24ive got a feeling we will make it and if im right how happy will all nufc fans be i honestly thought we were unlucky today with decions against us and it deflaited me so must of been worse for the players and im usualy the 1st to lash out at them when they play rubbish but today i dont think they did
johnnyr77
May 16, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Comment #25Went to the game today as i normally do having been giving renewed hope after the boro result on monday night, and like many games this season came away disappointed with our performance. We did not move the ball anywhere near quick enough. Our midfield has to be one of the weakest in this division, that is why we are in the position we’re in. Nolan, championship player and over weight. Butt, to old and always looks long for a pass. Jonas, adjusting to life in the prem but no end product. Guthrie, another championship player and unfortunatley has know one to learn from to improve his game.
toooooonfan
May 16, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Comment #26didnt see the game 2day
why was the goal dissallowed
Alanmc09
May 16, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Comment #27Toooonfan-
Apparently nolan ‘blocked’
Scwarcher!!very soft!
tdt
May 16, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Comment #28disallowed for an apparent block on the keeper by nolan, which was nowhere near a foul, in fact it was their own player getting in the keepers way if anything. travisty. then not long after bassomg gets red, that goal was the pivit point that destroyed us 2day, i think we could well have gone on 2 win it if it stood, which it should have.
Toon_Factor
May 16, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Comment #29Hugh Jorgan
Yes- you like Monica?
Ashley Hole
May 16, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Comment #30…fight till the end.
OHurley
May 16, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Comment #31Okay, this is from a Yank’s viewpoint here, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY think that football needs INSTANT REPLAY like we have in American football. Seriously, for professional sports, it’s a MUST. ’nuff said.
johnnyr77
May 16, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Comment #32Apparently nolan fouled the fulham keeper somehow. As Shearer said in his interveiw, S.Taylors goal against boro has been highlighted so much all week in the media regarding Nolans blocking tactics. I really fear now for my clubs prem status as i have done for 3 months now. Simple fact is the league does not lie. We’re in this position because we derserve to be, it pains me to say that.
Toon_Factor
May 16, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Comment #33johnnyr77
The league table DOES lie
http://soccerlens.com/right-result/
amir7
May 16, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Comment #34very depressing. obviously the goal should have counted, but its to late now, we cant look back. Villa have been terrible lately, hopefully we can get something from there. I dont think hull will get anything against Manure, Their second squad is still much better than Hull.
I know its difficult, but keep the faith lads, remember, we beat Villa earlier this year
darrowb1
May 16, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Comment #35Ed u say if Hull win then we are defienatly down, that is not the case becuase sunderland can still go down if pompy win against them on monday, then chelsea beat them on the last day. Man utd will play a weak team but a weak team to man utd is a team good enough for the premiership and will more than likely include fletcher,berbatov and other big stars becuase fergie will not want to lose. The game against villa is a must win and villa arent in very good form recnetly so it is possible to take all 3 points there
Obafan
May 16, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Comment #36Harper: can we blame him for the goal? No absolutely not.
Beye: average, as others mentionned he looks nervous when he is on the ball (running straight to his opponent and very bad crosses)
Bassong: red card? I think it was harsch, but his positioning was awful today.
Taylor: bad game. Positioning not good at all, esp with their goal.
Duff: good, but I would love to see him in midfield.
Guthrie: average game; should be more able to create something
Butt: cannot pass a ball, and I really cannot believe he played at ManUtd.
Nolan: is a fighter, but we should never bought him to get out of the relegation zone
Gutierrez: really starts to annoy me; runs like a chikcen. Every time he does something you know that he will not finish cause he hasn’t got an end product.
Martins: just unlucky today, very unlucky (nothing to blame at all)/
Viduka: good to hold the ball, but he was tired today.
Shearer: should have made his subs earlier (and why did he use R. Taylor)
R. Taylor: garbage; go away as far as possible, caue you are worth sh*t
Lovenkrands: not too much time today; should be brought around the 60 minute mark
Carroll: one goood assist but what a safe Schwarzer made.
Webb: scandalous to be a referee in such a strong football league.
Toon_Factor
May 16, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Comment #37We often blame Coloccini when he makes mistakes but Bassong has been awful for about 6 games now, yes he is a good defender but still not as good as some people reckon he is. His position is his biggest weakness by far. I hope his recent form will put off potential buyers because I think he needs a lot of training.
Toon_Factor
May 16, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Comment #38How about putting S.Taylor upfront ??
My team 4 villa
_______________Harper_____________
Beye_____Coloccini_____Edgar____Duff
_____Nolan______Butt______Jonas_____
_________S.Taylor____Viduka________
______________Martins______________
Who knows
tdt
May 16, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Comment #39……………….Harper…………………..
Beye…S.Taylor..Collo…The Bull (if fit by then?)
Jonas…Nolan…Butt…Duff
….Viduka…Martins….
Toon Graeme
May 16, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Comment #40Evening lads,
Well we are Sky Sports Game of the day in 6 mins. Not that I am gonna watch it.
Im not gonna waste more time slagging of our team as Im sick of doing it.
Yes the anticipation and pre match nerves and the pre match atmosphere was worth it – they the whistle.
We were crap. Crap that we lost, our mid was crap, Ryan Taylor was crap, the ref was crap and that goal was just a catalogue of crap.
The walk back up Barrack road was the longest ever.
Justin Lockwood – what a d*ck head!
Spoke to the kids on the cross bar like they were thick idiots and to us the crowd like we were sh*t on his shoe. Who the hell is he to tell me sing and get behind the lads!!!!
I stayed until the steward kicked me out the leazes corner. Call me staying behind a last chance to chat to the people around me for a few months – if ever I see them again – will the corner re open etc. Like saying goodbye to a friend.
I am thoroughly depressed.
Im in Spain for the Villa match and will find a tele that broadcasts the match and don the black and white for what will probably be the last premiership match.
This is one very peeeed off toon fan.