It's tough at the bottom

However, should the gods set their countenance against Geordies and vital points are harvested on bloodied battlefields across the country, then United's plight could be severely worse than four points by kick-off on Monday evening.

The North East trio of United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough are all in the mire to shame the area, and of necessity neighbour must devour neighbour to survive.

Who will go down with already-doomed West Brom? My belief is if Newcastle are to somehow escape like a latter-day Houdini from a position of dire consequence then it'll probably be Boro and Hull.

Both, thank goodness, have tough asks this weekend - Hull at home to championship-chasing Liverpool and Boro at Arsenal.

Hull are dropping quicker than a lift in a tower block since manager Phil Brown exposed his players to ridicule by sitting them on the pitch in full view of their fans at Manchester City and verbally slaughtering them.

Hull were a heady sixth-top on that fateful Boxing Day - now they are 16th, only three points above the drop zone after a shocking run of two wins in their last 24 top-flight matches.

How have Newcastle played such losers four times this dreadful season and not won once?

After Liverpool, the toothless Tigers must go to Aston Villa, face Stoke on their own patch, go to Bolton and finish up playing Manchester United on the final day of the season when Fergie will want to nail the title. That's why I'm looking for Newcastle to overtake them.

A Tynesider he may be, but Brown was not only a Sunderland fan but Big Sam's right-hand man, which means as far as black-and-whites are concerned he can go from whence he came.

Equally tough, Boro must stagger from the Emirates to play Man U at home, Newcastle away, Aston Villa at home and finish with West Ham away.

That derby at St James's Park will be a monumental battle to find the bravest of the weak.

Gareth Southgate has had the haunted look of a man standing blindfolded on the gallows for weeks now. He's a thoroughly decent sort but survival demands others be put to the blade - and Southgate is the obvious victim.

Boro, like United, have sold their best players and bought inferior ones, and so deserve to pay the ultimate price.

They cannot score goals but when a club replaces Yakubu with Afonso Alves what do they expect. Again, would you wish for Mark Schwarzer or Brad Jones? Ask Boro fans after Schwarzer denied them two points against Fulham.

How high expectations can come crashing down around your ears. When United drew 1-1 with champions Man U at Old Trafford on the opening day we never expected this did we? But then Hull beat Fulham 2-1 for openers and famously when on to win 2-1 at Newcastle and Arsenal, and 1-0 at Spurs.

All right, others outside of Boro and Hull could yet rescue United. So who do those others play before Pompey, still in a little trouble themselves, arrive here?

Well, Sunderland have as good an opportunity as they'll get to gain their fourth away win at West Brom, while Blackburn could also pick up crucial points at home to Wigan. So the pressure is well and truly on.

Of course, all this only matters if Newcastle start winning games. Four victories at home all season and we want three on the bounce!

However, it's essential others don't run away from the Mags in the meantime and therefore they must be kept in check.

That's what those of Toon persuasion will be praying for tomorrow and Sunday.