Spurred on to Tot up a vital result

Nevertheless, tougher and more successful than before they may be, but Tottenham can still be rattled if the Magpies get after them. And they must because time waits for no man.

United must get back in the habit of scoring goals which means the emphasis not just on the strikers but those responsible for manufacturing the bullets.

Neither the midfield nor the front have been up to standard this 2009.

Skipper Michael Owen needs to have a much greater influence on matches than of late, regardless of scoring goals. They are an obvious bonus whereas work-rate is an essential commodity. He has been little more than a peripheral figure on the fringes of battle.

There's no question that Owen lacks the extra yard of pace which originally made him such an explosive finisher but, like United, he has to prove he still belongs in the top flight and not just on reputation. Both have their street cred on the line.

Andy Carroll has earned his spurs, of course, with his point- saver at Stoke being his third Premier League goal of the season. He has won the right to start this time in most eyes, ahead of Shola Ameobi and even Oba Martins considering how temperamental and wayward the Nigerian can be when blind support to the cause is required.

The Martins way of handling things at Stoke left much to be desired and, frankly, didn't portray him as a team player.

Unfortunately, United don't possess quick legs or a nimble creative brain in the centre of midfield. An unpicker of locks to open the door to victory.

If the one-paced Nicky Butt is to play as the destroyer then next to him ought to be a Tony Green, Gazza, or a deep-lying Peter Beardsley, but no-one of such a nature currently resides at St James's Park.

Therefore, pace becomes a necessary compensation and, again, that is not available outside of a naturally wide player, Jonas Gutierrez.

How was a squad like this also lacking full-back cover assembled at such a monumental cost! United have to match the firepower of Tottenham who can put Robbie Keane, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent in the shooting gallery, with Jermain Defoe on the verge of a return from injury. That's why they are now out of the relegation dogfight and Newcastle aren't.

If Spurs have to be dowsed then at least the classy Habib Beye and consistent Sebastien Bassong will confront any superiority. They are defenders of pedigree.

Newcastle will face a new challenge beneath the cockerel because Spurs by instinct will allow opponents the space in which to play, unlike recent opposition.

The Mags have done well on such a battleground, having won on their last two visits 4-1 and 3-2. If they return home once more with something in the kitbag then survival will become more of a reality.