April 2009 Archives
SEBASTIEN Bassong has banished talk of his uncertain future until the end of Newcastle United's torrid campaign.
If United were to sink into the Championship they would face a fight to retain Bassong's services, with vultures ready to pounce on the classy, rock-steady defender.
The Frenchman, who is certain to be most fans' player of the season at United, still has another season on his current deal, but Newcastle always intended to reward the 22-year-old with an improved contract after originally signing Bassong as a back-up player last summer from Metz.
ALAN Shearer is contemplating another overhaul of his Newcastle United side for the trip to Liverpool this weekend - but he has hinted that Alan Smith has done enough to retain his place for the rest of the relegation run-in.
With the Reds in a rich vein of attacking form and needing a win to keep their Premier League title hopes alive, Shearer is likely to ditch the three-pronged attack at Anfield in favour of a four-man midfield that will offer protection to his defence.
Although Ryan Taylor and Kevin Nolan were left out of the match-day squad for the goalless draw against Portsmouth on Monday, Shearer has made it clear that both of them remain in his thinking for the final four games - and either of them may return to the starting line-up.
Another 'must win' has passed without three points but the Magpies must still insist that survival is possible. What is beginning to threaten more than relegation itself, is that Newcastle United will go down without even putting up a fight.
It is out of United's hands, yet, when looking at the fixtures of the other teams around the relegation zone, Middlesbrough, Hull City and Sunderland all have difficult run-ins. Theoretically, six points from the remaining four games could be enough. However, that means winning both your homes games, and that means having to win, which means having to score... So, Newcastle are still well and truly up against it.
Alan Shearer went with the three up front against Portsmouth, and Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen were all guilty of missing crucial chances. Owen is (again) telling the nation that if you give him 'the service, he will score,' and that one only has to take a 'look at his record' to see how much of a class act he is. Sounds impressive and his record certainly is, but on Monday night Owen looked distinctly average and like a striker who has failed to score in his last eight league appearances.
ALAN SHEARER could be ready to hand Joey Barton a mission on the Mersey for Newcastle United's daunting trip to Anfield on Sunday.
The Scouse midfield star has not appeared since breaking his metatarsal at Manchester City, but was back on the bench for the frustrating stalemate with Portsmouth on Monday night.
The Chronicle understands Barton is straining at the leash to be part of Newcastle's survival bid.
EMBARRASSED by Newcastle United's current plight, Danny Guthrie is determined to avoid adding a relegation to his footballing CV.
The Magpies remain in a parlous state at the bottom of the Premier League table after failing to beat Portsmouth on Monday night.
Until then, many considered the visit of Pompey, and forthcoming home games against Middlesbrough and Fulham, to be United's lifeline. Those encounters against Boro and the Cottagers may yet spare Alan Shearer's men, but Monday's draw has made survival that much trickier, with plenty now having given up the ghost. Not Guthrie, however.
OH, we can start contemplating it all right. Ordering the hearse and booking the wake.
We're about to enter a period of mourning.
What else are we supposed to think?
The body of a once fine football club lies still, the life pummeled out of it by those from the south who took over and maltreated a once-healthy specimen.
Last night we almost certainly witnessed its death. Alan Shearer called it a must-win situation, but United didn't win.
ALAN Shearer has pledged Newcastle United will carry on fighting for survival despite suffering another setback in their relegation battle.
United's boss saw his remodelled forward line of Michael Owen, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins miss a chance each as his side stuttered to a goalless draw against fellow strugglers Portsmouth last night in the first of three 'must-win' home games.
Shearer was desperately disappointed afterwards - but maintained that the point earned could turn out to be the difference between staying up and tumbling into the Championship if results fall in United's favour in the coming weeks.
JUDGEMENT Day is at hand. Within a few hours we'll know if Newcastle United have any chance of avoiding the catastrophe of relegation.
Portsmouth must be defeated at St James's Park tonight, as they were at Fratton Park, or hope will disappear across the Tyne Bridge with them.
It has been a wretched year, 2009. Not a solitary home win to pleasure faithfully loyal fans, and only one away at doomed West Brom. How the once mighty have fallen.
IT was Newcastle United's biggest game for almost 20 years, and I was reporting live from St James's Park for the visit of Portsmouth.
Despite being a must-win game, Newcastle United took away only a point from their no-score draw with Portsmouth.
Despite a great atmosphere served up by Newcastle fans, United just couldn't find that killer touch, and Pompey could consider themselves unlucky not to grab a win.
Click below to read my live report from the match and replay the banter with the fans, plus all the colour and drama from a tense St James's Park.
ALAN Shearer has appealed for Newcastle United's fans to play their part in ensuring the right sort of history is made against Portsmouth tonight as he urged them to transform St James's Park into a boiling cauldron of noise.
Shearer is well aware of the pain and frustration United's followers have had to endure this season, but he is adamant that has to be forgotten if the Magpies are going to win their three remaining home games and have any chance of avoiding the drop.
Although the atmosphere at St James's Park remains a famous one, it has rarely ignited this season as anger and frustration has soured so much of the campaign following the departure of Kevin Keegan, while several players have even complained about a negativity from the stands in recent years.
Recent Comments
"I dont mind Shearer staying as long as he has someone to work with him. With Dowie set to leave, wh..."
"this whole ongoing saga is making our club looking ridiculous, its about time it was sorted. The onl..."
"Keegan only stood his ground against the cockney Mafia. Alex Ferguson would NEVER be told how to man..."
"No surprise there then!Typical of the Ashley regime to drag things on as if there was all the time i..."
"at what point will people realise that a big part of this turmoil is down to KK. again didn`t like b..."
"When is this going to be over? Enough Already either sign him, sell the team but move on time is was..."
"get rid of butt,christ whata waste of space,hasnt created a chance,no shots on target.hes finished,..."
"Would rather rebuild in the championship and come back fighting than spend season after season in mi..."
"It IS Ashley's fault. If an owner makes a decision to sack a manager it is HIS decision! It just pro..."
"Which fans asked him to bring in Dennis Wise? The man who signed such great players as Xisco, Gonza..."