High-flying Geordies overcome turbulence
If at first you don’t succeed, then try and try again …
For all the huff about Mike Ashley and the way he runs Newcastle United, the discontent on the terraces, the boardroom struggles, Dennis Wise and the London “mafia”, Newcastle United are three points behind Arsenal and chasing a lucrative Champions League spot under the guidance of Alan Pardew.
Newcastle have had a glider-like experience under their present owner and it’s not been without a little turbulence so far. But all this seems to have been forgotten now that they are defying the odds and are hopeful of an unexpected top-four finish this season.
Massive credit must go to Pardew and his backroom staff of John Carver and former England midfielder Steve Stone, along with Ashley – firstly, for giving Pardew the job of carrying the club forward under difficult circumstances and, secondly, for giving the manager the funds to purchase players without getting the club in hock in the process.
After the dismissal of fans’ favourite Chris Hughton in December 2010, Pardew has done a sterling job – firstly, getting the fans onside and, secondly, transforming a side that had just come out of the Championship into possible European contenders. Without signing household names, Newcastle have been transformed into a free-flowing attacking side with signings such as Demba Ba and his fellow Senegalese Papiss Cisse, who have plundered 27 goals between them.
And with midfield talent such as Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote backed by the able Tim Krul in goal and captain Fabricio Coloccini, the vultures are circling to dismantle this high-flying Newcastle team. Ashley, though, has other ideas. His club are close to being solvent and will resist any big-money offers from Chelsea to steal Tiote away from the North-East.
With the £35 million from the Andy Carroll sale to Liverpool not all being spent and more to come with the new shirt sponsorship deal from Virgin Money coming into play next season, Newcastle look like a club on the up. Not many would have thought this would be the case as little as 12 months ago.
With three games remaining against Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton, it’s going to be touch and go whether they can remain in that coveted fourth spot. All will ride on the Chelsea game and whether Chelsea have reached the Champions League final. Will they have the same spirit to chase down this current Newcastle side?
Alot of credit has to go to the chief scout Graham Carr, he truly has plucked a few diamonds for unbelievable prices. Look at the spine of the team Collocini has been immense as captain and is a true leader. Tiote has been the destroyer in there to let the outstanding Cabaye pull the strings to feed the exceptional Demba Ba and Cisse. When people were rightly questioning Hughton’s dismissal and shaking their heads at Pardew’s hiring the powers above like Ashley obviously knew things that us mere mortals didn’t. Now Pardew has managed to create an unwavering believe and team spirit that has also pulled the fans back on board.
At the end of last season when a lot of the main players were sold and fans were up in arms never in the geordies wildest dreams would anyone of thought the players that came in would have the effect they have? For me Pardew is manager of the year and Ashley deserves alot of credit which even his most ardent protesters must accept.
Can’t help but feel the Geordie revival is a bit of a one-off … and that, next season, it will be the same old, same old … bitching, in-fighting, Ashley PR gaffes, etc … especially if some of their best players are poached during the summer … still, it’s good to see and has added an extra dimension to the Champions League qualification battle … four into two won’t go so, with Tottenham choking miserably and Chelsea unconvincing, Arsenal and Newcastle cd join the Manc boys at Europe’s top table next season … haway the lads!