Magpies are taking fans for granted

[Scottish Mag 3]

By Simon Rushworth, The Journal

 

 

Pre-season or pantomime season? Those Newcastle fans forced to endure this summer's farce have every right to wonder as the club prepares for tomorrow's Premiership opener at Arsenal.

 

There is never a good time to face the Gunners, but tackling Arsene Wenger's men after three months of upheaval, false dawns and broken promises could see United's campaign implode barely before it has even started.

 

Expecting anything more than a battling draw from a team lacking defensive experience, midfield cohesion and a proven foil for Alan Shearer is optimism bordering on the foolhardiness.

 

In the wake of last season's slide, the hordes of discontented Magpies supporters who did renew their season tickets are demanding much, much more than battling draws. If the good times don't roll, then heads surely must.

 

Twelve months ago the ignominy of a fifth-placed finish still hurt those beginning to question Sir Bobby Robson's management of his home-town club.

 

The former England coach's detractors feared United were on the cusp of a crisis induced by indiscipline and a lack of direction. A year on and their worst fears have been realised - only this time the crisis is real.

 

No European football, no significant strengthening of those positions most weakened and no hint that the likes of Everton, Bolton and Middlesbrough can be overhauled in the near future.

 

No wonder Graeme Souness is clinging to the hope midfield reinforcements Emre and Scott Parker can paper over the cracks of a panic-inducing pre-season.

 

"Like any manager I would have liked to have brought in more players at this stage," he said. "But I have eight or nine players who every Premiership manager would want in their squad." Worryingly, the majority of those players populate United's top-heavy midfield. If Parker, Emre, Jermaine Jenas and Kieron Dyer catch the eye then none of Souness' counterparts would want to travel to Highbury with one fit striker, an emergency left-back and a centre-half lacking match practice.

 

"We're short of firepower," said Newcastle's manager when presented with the argument that his stellar midfield means little if there is nobody to benefit from this season's collective creativity.

 

"You can have a team which is not playing well and which still nicks games if you have a proven goal-getter in your side."

 

Shearer stands alone in that role just 24 hours before this season's Premiership opener and it is nothing short of disgraceful that a club of United's stature, tradition and reputation has manoeuvred itself into such a parlous position.

 

Newcastle's powers that be have known since January that Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert would be gone come June and yet Michael Chopra is the only striker Souness has signed, or rather re-signed. United's boss said: "We are targeting top players at top clubs. That is the problem."

 

Souness' ambition is admirable and Michael Owen's capture would fully vindicate an aspirational, if risky, transfer strategy.

 

Failing to land Owen, Nicolas Anelka or any of the lesser lights linked with Newcastle this summer will reinforce the view United's pre-season plan was always flawed.

 

Freddie Shepherd could be forgiven for treading carefully in an inflated market after the Marcelino-esque mistakes of the past, but this is no time for too much caution.

 

If the Magpies' chairman must pay over the odds for his manager's chosen targets then he only has himself to blame - it is an open secret Newcastle need reinforcements fast and it is a problem of United's own making.

 

Off the field, the club's failure to sell its full complement of Premiership season tickets for the first time has created the headlines traditionally reserved for star strikers, classy centre-halves and pacy left wingers.

 

Whether watching primetime television advertisements flashing across their screens or listening to national radio shows basing "demise of the modern game" talk-ins on previously unthinkable Geordie apathy, it has been impossible to avoid the uncomfortable fact that true faith on Tyneside is waning.

 

Devotion to the St James's Park cause has always been the cornerstone upon which Shepherd and his board have built their grand plans for the future.

 

But even the most loyal fans in England cannot be taken for granted. Failure to qualify for Europe and a lack of progress in the transfer market are certainly causes for concern.

 

But losing the trust of supporters - however few - is the single biggest indictment of a sorry close season.

 

Bringing Owen back to England is proving difficult enough. Bringing disaffected fans back could prove even harder.

[Howaythelads 0]

I can't believe people get paid for writing such obvious stuff.

 

Here's the incorrect bit as well :

 

If the Magpies' chairman must pay over the odds for his manager's chosen targets then he only has himself to blame - it is an open secret Newcastle need reinforcements fast and it is a problem of United's own making.

FS is to blame only by the fact he appointed a shite manager. The reason other clubs know we are desperate for players lies solely with the decisions of Souness to boot out players before bringing in replacements.

Edited August 14, 2005 by Howaythelads

[Womblemaster 0]

lies solely with the decisions of Souness to boot out players before bringing in replacements.

 

 

Dont agree........infact thats rubbish.

 

What i do think souey has been SHITE for is spotting talent.

 

If you looks at big sams [bolton] signings hes picked quality from round the globe at bargain prices........ok these are a gamble, but so far many of sams gambles have paid off . Think he may have a gem, in the mexican hes signed.(u read it HERE!)

 

Souey seems to lack the balls to do this.....or maybe he realises hes not in a secure position like sam is. Most clubs are jealous of wengers ability to do this....and at nufc no manager has been adroit in doing this...and so it oosts the club a fortune.

 

Even thoi am pro soueness, even my patience is being stretched by the lack of signings.

 

imo i think he should take a gamble on some young raw talent from , but ultimately whatever route he takes, there will be too many numbskulls who will just bitch and whine.

 

ROllercoaster season here we come....

[Howaythelads 0]

lies solely with the decisions of Souness to boot out players before bringing in replacements.

 

 

Dont agree........infact thats rubbish.

 

So you think Sourness replaced Robert and Bellamy before letting them both go? That's interesting. Who are these replacements?