United have to keep home fires burning

Being above Sunderland is absolutely no cause for merriment when a place is still occupied in the dreaded bottom three.

While Joe Kinnear has only lost twice in his half-dozen matches, the trouble is that three points were gifted to both Fulham and Sunderland, partners in distress.

Wigan fall into that category and simply must be put to the sword, not once but twice if possible, with the return fixture coming up quickly on Boxing Day.

Further surrender is not an option because it penalises the guilty twice.

Hence the tired cliche about a six-pointer.

The Magpies have never failed to score under Kinnear, but nevertheless the expected return of skipper and top marksman Michael Owen will warm hearts and reassure those thrown back into a world of the nervous twitch after defeat at Craven Cottage.

Trouble is, however, Owen (below) normally takes a short while to shed his rust after an injury lay-off.

Something he has to do and go on a long uninterrupted run to force England boss Fabio Capello to take notice again.

If warnings are there to be heeded, let us remember that Wigan are more dangerous away than at home.

Digest the following figures: they have won only one at home but two away, have secured more points on their travels, and scored 10 goals compared to just three on their own patch, though no less than five came in one amazing game at Hull.

In some ways, Wigan's struggle is a surprise considering the array of attacking options they possess.

There's Emile Heskey, the born-again England centre-forward, and his Egyptian partner Amr Zaki, who has scored nine times already, backed up by Luis Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios, both of whom can excite on a good day.

All four are admired in many a manager's office, even though collective good days have faded of late.

However, it's ironic perhaps that a hamstring injury should have sidelined Heskey this week just as Owen, who loved to play up top with him for England, is coming back.

Ah, but if Wigan have offensive clout they also have Titus Bramble, haven't they?

Although given it's his return to St James's Park, where he has dropped many a clanger, he'll probably be man of the match!

Bramble v Ameobi holds out all sorts of possibilities for two guys who knew where the doghouse was at Newcastle.

Shola has reinvented himself recently, but Titus will meet him square on physically. Ameobi will need to trade blow for blow.

Bruce has won up here in front of family and friends, both in the red shirt of Man U and manager's tracksuit of Birmingham, but sentiment cannot be allowed to colour necessity.

A mate he may be, but Steve must be sent away with nothing but a frown and shake of the head.