Jimbo 175 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 FABRICIO COLOCCINI thought he was heading for a Champions League side in waiting when he quit Spain in the summer. The Argie ace, who had AC Milan and Deportivo La Coruna on his CV, was ready to fight countryman Carlos Tevez and England’s elite. He could not have been much more wrong. Today he will step into the bearpit of North East tribalism with Newcastle’s very future in doubt. Unrest has never been so great. Defeat to fierce rivals Sunderland, for the second time in three months, would plunge Tyneside into anarchy. And Mike Ashley will be there. He was once accused of driving tanks on to rival businesses’ lawns when his sports store empire was on the up. Being bullish made him a billionaire. But Ashley will need one to get out of Newcastle if the club he bought 19 months ago lose with the full wrath of a city in turmoil waiting to explode. Higher Coloccini was supposed to be the wow signing that appeased the fans. Instead, the defender has been left battered, bemused and bewildered by the constant struggle. He was signed largely without Kevin Keegan’s knowledge but that was the least of the surprises that awaited him, as he readily admits: “I thought we would be higher up the table and going for either the Champions League or the UEFA Cup. My thoughts have had to change. We are down the table. “I thought we would be higher in the league. I did not think when I joined that we would be at the bottom. “The change of manager made it more difficult. I was surprised Keegan left because at that moment the team was doing good, we had good results in the league and the Carling Cup. It was a major surprise when he left the club. “What has gone on has made it more difficult but we cannot think about what has happened to the club. We have to think about the football. That is more important. Challenge “Have I considered relegation? We are near the relegation zone. I am aware of that. We have to win the next match to get away from it. It is very important we are getting new players. We have needed them. They will come in and they will help the team. I have played every game. I have not hidden from the challenge.” And there will certainly be no hiding place today. Forget Ruud Gullitt getting his dreadlocks drenched and being booted out for dropping Alan Shearer when Sunderland sang in the rain at St James’ a decade ago. Forget the pitch invasions that followed a play-off defeat in 1990. Ashley back in Toon today could ignite a revolt unprecedented in the Toon Army’s recent history. Tyneside has felt its fair share of despair over the years. But not like this. Not like the swell of fury threatening to explode all over an already powder-keg derby with their fierce rivals as both clubs scrap for their Premier League lives. Trouble Newcastle fans have waited as the transfer clock has ticked — first with anticipation, then with bemusement and now with anger. Only at the death has there been movement, with Kevin Nolan arriving. Even that was sprung after a through-the-night meeting with boss Joe Kinnear that went something along the lines of, ‘Please, please, please, please . . . ’ A senior dressing room figure admitted: “Everyone was put up for sale in August. That caused mistrust. Nobody knew what the future was after that. People started looking for a way out after that. You would though, wouldn’t you?” Two words hang in the Tyneside air like acid rain. Leeds United. Mismanagement and overpaid players were part of their dramatic demise. That is what Newcastle fans now fear. Pressure Kinnear wrestles with the hand he has been dealt with, just as Keegan did before. No Newcastle manager has had the double done over them by Sunderland in more than 40 years. “I might look relaxed on the outside but that’s not how I feel on the inside,” he said. “I’m anything but. It’s tough. The pressure is on me. It’s make-or-break time for me. We’re under-strength. They’ll fancy their chances. “This is the one game I really want to win. It could do my future the world of good. This is the most turmoil I have worked in. I won't deny that, but I want to be a winner. Whatever comes, I have to take it.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 “The change of manager made it more difficult. I was surprised Keegan left because at that moment the team was doing good, we had good results in the league and the Carling Cup. It was a major surprise when he left the club. That one 2-1 defeat against Spurs post Keegan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM4 0 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 The Coventry game surely... still not something to be overly enthusiastic about. Anyway, join the club Colo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 The Coventry game should have been sewed up before extra time was required, hardly a good result Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1280 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 (edited) I would assume it's more the 3-2 win against Coventry? Edit, too late! Edited February 1, 2009 by David Kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman02uk 0 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 “This is the one game I really want to win. It could do my future the world of good. This is the most turmoil I have worked in. I won't deny that, but I want to be a winner. Whatever comes, I have to take it.” Good to see your thinking of the team you obnoxious piece of shit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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