Newcastle United ... Keep Calm and Carry On
November 23rd 2010 11:36
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
This poster became famous in 1939, used to keep morale high in Britain as World War Two began. The phrase has become infamous, and applied countlessly to situations ever since its introduction 70 years ago. After Saturday's 5-1 loss at Bolton, I feel there is no better phrase to use, to try and defuse any potential panic, at Newcastle United.
Just weeks ago, Magpies fans left the Emirates Stadium on an unbelievable high. After gaining promotion last season, we had just won 1-0 at Arsenal. This was a third win on the trot, after thrashing our biggest rivals, Sunderland, 5-1, and winning at West Ham. This left Newcastle in 5th place. Three league games later, and after taking one point from home games against Blackburn and Fulham, and getting embarrassed at Bolton, the picture has changed.
As a promoted club, you have to accept the fact that sometimes, you are going to get thrashed. Look at Blackpool. Despite winning at Liverpool (and at Newcastle for that matter), they leaked six at Arsenal, and four at Chelsea. West Brom let in six at Chelsea on the opening day. So us letting in five is not a disaster, it is just a reminder of where we currently are, as a club. Besides, after scoring 11 against Villa and Sunderland, we were probably due!
To add insult to injury, our 5-1 loss at Bolton also saw Coloccini sent off for a blatant elbow, meaning he will miss the next three league games. After video evidence of a challenge made by Mike Williamson was reviewed after the match, he has suffered the same fate. The way we targeted Elmander was not good to see, and to be honest, our two centre backs deserve their suspension.
But rather than getting down in the dumps about this, you have to be positive. Yes, Coloccini and Williamson have been excellent at the back this season. But Hughton has also been waiting to give opportunities to Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor, which he now can. Before the season began, some Toon fans would have argued that Taylor and Campbell would be our first choice pairing. So these two suspensions while not helpful, shouldn't be too hurtful.
We still sit 10th at the moment, but after struggling in winnable games recently, we now face a tough run in to the new year. Six matches left in 2010, and two must win matches at West Brom and Birmingham are to come. This is because, our other four fixtures are against Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City. Having said that, we have beaten a lot of good teams this season, and lost to lesser teams.
The fact is that this is has been the most unpredictable Premier League season ever so far. And Newcastle United, have arguably been the most unpredictable team in it. Wins at Arsenal, Everton, thrashing Aston Villa and Sunderland give evidence of European credentials. Two points from home games against Blackpool, Stoke, Blackburn, Wigan and Fulham, suggest a team doomed for the drop.
But despite our inconsistency, from what I have seen this season, we are just about too good to go down. Andy Carroll is the second top scorer in the league, and after making his England debut, is improving all the time. Ben Arfa is a big miss for us. The defeat at Bolton had two players obviously missing, the suspended duo of Tiote and Barton. Once these two are back in midfield, we will look a lot more solid again.
But I'm not ruling out beating Chelsea this weekend, knowing us this season, it should be an easy three points. But my message to Newcastle fans is not to panic. Hughton is doing a great job, and for a promoted side to be 10th after 14 games, we are doing well. We also have a nine point gap to the bottom two sides, West Ham and Wolves. So even if a few more defeats are on the horizon, Newcastle United need to just keep calm, and carry on!
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