So many games, so few players for Roeder
Not content with getting past Birmingham at the first time of asking at St Andrews, Newcastle decided on doing things the hard way in the FA Cup third round.
And now the squad will be tested to the limit with a replay on Wednesday week as the walking wounded are asked to keep moving forward.
However, what a chance United have to reach the last 16 after drawing Burnley or Reading in the fourth round should they get past Birmingham.
If the draw continues to be this kind by the time fifth round day comes injuries may be gone, new signings may be on board and who knows?
Michael Owen might get an additional game he wasn't expecting before the season is out in May.
But let's not get carried away.
It has to be said that United are exceeding their own and fans' expectations at the moment due to the injury trouble at St James' Park which has merely exposed just how wafer thin the squad actually is.
But after giving themselves the perfect platform to see off Championship form side Birmingham they threw away a guaranteed fourth round place against Steve Bruce's side and earned an extra game nobody really wanted.
At one point the travelling Toon fans would have snapped your hand off if you'd offered them a draw following a great start from the home side that saw them 1-0 up through DJ Campbell before Fabrice Muamba almost doubled the lead.
The only reason that didn't happen was Steven Taylor who somehow cleared off the line in a moment that could be looked back on with relief if United make the latter stages.
Taylor of course then equalised against the 10 men of Birmingham who had Radhi Jaidi sent off later to swing the game into United's favour.
Taylor proved to be a real hero for United and even showed the compassion to lift the head of Paul Huntington in the first half with teenager enduring the worst of his games so far in the first team.
Kieron Dyer's goal then should have been the beginning of the end but failure to kill the game off let in Seb Larsson to equalise late on and force the replay.
Glenn Roeder - who took a training session last week with four senior players - must be wondering what he has done to deserve this with the replay swelling the fixture list even more.
With the transfer window coming up and players linked with moves in and out of the club the question is can United really afford to let players go right now?
Especially as one of the subs, Kazenga LuaLua at just 16, would have been the next man to step off the bench had anymore players went down with injury.
Have you ever known anything like it?
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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We should have been out of sight before the equaliser.
Why did Martins not pass to Dyer, instead of going for glory, when we were 2-1 up ?
Good second half display though.
" Newcastle United" will never be defeated.
In 45 years supporting the mags I've no recollection of a worse spell of injuries. There again in most of those past years we didn't have this silly transfer window.
However to retain a player just to warm the bench when he is being paid millions a season and will never be played (Luque) is comical. To sell him and get someone on a free to do the same thing seems just too sensible.
Injuries apart we did reasonably well on saturday but the match was very winnable. Wastefulness upfront and carelessness at the back threw away a victory. Though some wont like it we are missing Titus and we need him back quickly, partly because of our snail like ability to progress in the transfer market.
Can he do any worse this time than he did in the summer??????
I agree with oxboy, we need Bramble back asap.
On the subject of Luque have always been an admirer of him and feel he has been treated really badly by GR. there must be a reason behind the scenes we don't know about, to keep him on the bench, because if we ever need a ã10M striker on the pitch its now. The problem between the two of them must be severe because even GR. can see we need Luque.
The patched up team is holding its own but you can only tread water for so long before you inevitably sink.
Keep up the good work lads and get into the next round of the FA cup properly on the 17th.
Ian