The Pain of Underachievement

If somebody told me at the end of February 2006 that the Toon will secure qualification for Europe’s second tier competition, I would ask him to go fly a kite. Such was the abject state of the Magpies when that luckless Souness was gratefully executed that we were literally staring into the abyss of playing our football in the Championship for season 2006-2007. At that point, we were 15th place with only a paltry 27 points from 22 games. The situation has definitely become dire enough for that dimwit Shepherd to wield his executioner’s blade. I don’t think many tears were shed at Tyneside that day, except perhaps Souness himself and his hangers-on.
In came the director of the Academy Glenn Roeder, in his heyday a no nonsense defender for Newcastle to pick up the pieces of an increasingly bleak Premiership campaign. Although the chairman demanded a minimum goal of securing European football, for one reason or another, the team under Souness never got going. There was no clear direction or instructions as to where a player’s rightful position was. There was so much tinkering and playing players out of position that I tremble whenever the Toon games were telecast live in Singapore. Chances are the Toon would either get whacked big time when they meet the big guns or they will shoot themselves in the foot with the calamitous defending that has made our club a laughing stock for the last few years. Under Souness, it was really a tight race to see who was the biggest clown in the back four but this unwanted accolade would definitely go to Souness’s prized buy the overpriced 8 million pound sterling waste of space Jean Alain Boumsong. Throughout this campaign, his constant slipping and failure to keep up with opposing players have cost us many soft goals. Was it then a coincidence that when Roeder dropped him and put in Craig Moore, our defence has looked less suicidal. We even managed to keep a large number of clean sheets in the last 16 games of the season. If Souness was in charge and persisted with playing with that sad excuse for a French international, God knows how many goals we are going to ship.
If there is one player who I hold in the highest regard, then it’s our goalie Given. He has been with the club for almost a decade and like Wor Al has tasted more woe than joy. Losing a FA Cup final and getting booted out at the UEFA Cup quarter finals won’t be his best moments but this season he once again proved his worth and value to the team. Who could forget all those acrobatic saves he made over the season. It would do us a lot of good to tie him down to a new contract.
Our midfield has a season of mixed fortune. Solano, the perennial crowd favourite has weighed in with some goals, and N’Zogbia is really a revelation with his direct running and improved crossing and shooting. At only 19, we will see the best of him yet. For our Turkish wizard Emre, the sentiment would be he was seen too little over the season being hampered by injury. But when he’s fit, his crosses and passes are a joy to watch. Hopefully, having secured European football next season, we will see the best of him too.
Big Al finally ended his career this season albeit on a sad note. At least he has the NUFC scoring record with him. Thanks really for all the precious memories, the Toon Army will never forget the sterling service he rendered. Working together with Roeder, Shearer has also shown an ability to co-manage a team and the results under the Roeder-Shearer partnership don’t lie. A 69 percent win percentage in the games Roeder has taken the team. This compares favourably to Jose the sore loser and Alex at Manure. But for the red tape at the EPL, Roeder has shown himself to be manager calibre. He has learnt the lessons of West Ham and I know the Toon will be in safe hands.
After Titus scored a beauty of a goal to condemn Chelsea to back to back defeats for the first time since Jose the sore loser took over, the Toon Army can dream again. Owen remains a source of worry but with all our players fit and getting in at least another defender and striker, we can mix it with the big boys next season. Howay the lads and to Shearer happy retirement, you earned it.

The Toon’s UEFA Cup hopes were dealt a blow when a dogged Birmingham refused to roll over and die last Saturday when they themselves had to fight to win to protect their Premiership status. Earlier, Chelsea popped the champagne as they ruthlessly crushed Manure 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. But worse news was to follow when it was revealed that Roo the Wonder Boy had broken his foot and might not make it in time to the World Cup. Anyway, after Saturday, Pompey did another Houdini as they came back from behind to beat Wigan 2-1 and when Blackburn beat Charlton 2-0, our aim to get 6th place became even harder.
Now our and England’s hopes rest on Owen coming in and doing the business this Sunday against the champions and hoping that Blackburn mess up its final two matches, one of which is against the Russian bought team. On the issue of the new manager, it appears that there are some going-ons behind the scenes between the Shepherd and the higher ups running the game to give Roeder some time to take his licence. More red-tape. Seriously I don’t know if he will be an inspired choice as permanent manager, though he really got the team playing again. From only 28 points and 15th place in Feb to 55 points and 7 th place in May, I cannot really complain, just shows how inept Souness is, even with the talent available to him.
Onward to Sunday and let’s make Chelsea pay for a season of play-acting and bullying.