And Smith scores his first for Newcastle!
Right it's time to face the music!
It's Anfield tomorrow and unless something out of the ordinary happens, Newcastle will lose their clash with the team with Champions League ambitions.
The hope is that Liverpool will be distracted by their visit to the San Siro next week for the big one against Inter Milan (remember when we used to play teams like that?) and that perhaps Newcastle can just pluck something out of the fire.
Convinced?
No neither am I, but something has got to change at some stage, somewhere and the optimists out there may feel that place could be Anfield.
For that to happen United must combat their lack of confidence and go for the throats of Liverpool - what have they got to lose?
Sitting back at Anfield will only invite pressure and we all know what happened at Old Trafford when Nigel Pearson assembled a team that was prepared to soak up the pressure.
The element of surprise would also spark United into action and could that be the first goal from Alan Smith?
And on the ground where he shattered his leg and ankle in one go on the hallowed Anfield turf during his Man United days, it could spark the sort of scenes to revive Newcastle season.
Many Toon fans would doubt that but stranger things have certainly happened.
Now back to reality though.
And all eyes this weekend will be on the fixtures of Blackburn v Fulham, Reading v Man City and on Sunday, Sunderland v Everton and Wigan v Arsenal.
United need favours but whether they will get four favours is also unlikely.
It's about to get serious, don't you think?
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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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Now Lee, just you wait a minute- you could have said âÂÂWorld Peace declared at lastâ or âÂÂMiddlesbrough wins eco cleanliness awardâ or âÂÂPrince Charles nominated for worlds most attractive maleâ but âÂÂSmith scores first goal for Newcastleâ is just pushing the realms of believable journalism that bit too far donâÂÂt you think?
I have to admit- yesterday I went out for a few drinks âÂÂroond toon like, and came in and for a couple of seconds had to check exactly what I was reading.
Down at Anfield, we need a miracle, not just any miracle, but a miracle of such unbelievable proportions that feeding thousands with a loaf of bread and turning Northumbrian water into HardyâÂÂs best Australian red and even walking across the Tyne unaided by the modern science that is a well constructed bridge seems just ordinary.
This was never the game that we âÂÂneededâ to win, NewcastleâÂÂs fate this season isnâÂÂt going to be decided on a defeat at Anfield, unlike that now infamous defeat in 1996 when the title was at stake, but anything will make the difference as long as itâÂÂs not a defeat.
WouldnâÂÂt it be funny if we were to get a win at a ground we never do well at, or even get tonked every time we go there, in a season when we actually have probably the worst side weâÂÂve fielded in our Premier League history?
A goal from anyone will do- Smith, Owen, Martins, Steve HarperâÂÂs long goal-kick deflected in off a post, even a steward hoyying it in will do provided it stands.
The troublesome defence wonâÂÂt keep the score down, so we may need three or four, if we are to get anything from the game.
ItâÂÂs been a major gripe of mine, our problems start from a very, very substandard midfield engine room- the engine having long since packed in and the vehicle going nowhere.
Whilst âÂÂroond toon yesterday, a friend of mine pointed out our lack of strength in midfield, to which I asked him to name the starting midfield against Blackburn last weekend which he did (Duff, Butt, Barton and Milner) then I asked him to name the first choice midfield in 2002 under Sir Bobby Robson, heâÂÂd actually forgotten, so I politely reminded him,- Laurent Robert, Gary Speed, Keiron Dyer and Nolberto Solano.
After we repaired the chair we made our apologies and left.
Paul.
I am serious we can get something out of the game, probably a draw is the most we can think of but I remain confident we can win.
Yes, I'm not deranged or mentally challenged...We can win as long as that blackburn performance shows up again. Hopefully this time we get more sharpness off the goal post.
Although confident, I'm sure of one thing, Alan Smith will not score a goal against Liverpool. I'm not a fan of Smith but not an anti-Smith either but the way he showed, I don't think so...
If he really want to get a goal at Anfield, He'd start training extra and practice his passing so he could get something out of it. Personally, I think he will score this season but not against Liverpool for sure...What do you think?
Can't quite see it going well for us at Anfield Lee but strange things etc. I dearly hope that Carroll gets a crack though, in view of KK saying our attitude's got to be right. Kid Carroll has always had it yet Smith's fruitless endeavours are mysteriously preferred, why? Edgar showed nothing but professionalism against Man. U. for pete's sake. Kazenga against Stoke showed determination, speed, tricks and a natural ability as good as Theo Walcott's in my humble opinion. Is there a policy that million pound plus players MUST play to justify their wages or what Lee, please give me a short answer if you know cos it's mighty baffling. I actually like Smith as a bloke and a grafter but he'd do better as say, a boxer with his attributes. And Barton, despite his 3 good passes on Saturday might do alright in the octagon. But a huge clean-out is due in summer, Big Mike did it mercilessly upstairs, now with a potentially great partnership between him and Kev, we really have the best chance in the club's history to build something solid and lasting.
I hope I dont have to see Keegan slumping like last time this weekend after another Late Liverpool winner.
Who am I kidding id love another 4-3 classic!! Because lets face it where not gunna get anything at Anfield, so a little entertainment wouldnt go a miss.
we will win if we belive ie players how likely is that not very. all our big money players got to play for black white shirt simple as that ie owen martins smith duff or we get stuffed and well in mix to go down! come on toon king kev terry mac
Our only chance against Liverpool, is them fielding a very weak side , with their forthcoming European commitment in mind.Liverpool Reserves, are better than our best side.A 5-1 defeat would be an achievement, we cant sit back and we cant attack; Keegan must be mortified of the thought of going to Anfield.I was pleased to learn of our new defensive signing; what a coup !!That just about sums up our ambition.
Sorry lads but we are going to get beat and hear the same excuses in the chronicle unfortunately.
Basically, if they all leave with their wallets it'l be a great result. Anything more is totally unrealistic.
"It's about to get serious" aye Lee?
No mate, it was rather serious a long time before our trip to Anfield.
But yes a win COULD (remember we're dealing with Newcastle United here) spark a good run and "revive" our season .... to errr stay in the Premier League.
YEAH ,we can win and upset the odds,but it hinges on a)LIVERPOOL fielding a weaker side,b)NZOG,MARTINS play,and c)ALAN SMITH doesnt.
Lee
Hate to do this but my crystal ball says Liverpool 3 -- NU 0. I would like nothing better than to smash that ball against a wall at Anfield.
Ah c'mon John Best, the Diatta signing is in no way any display of 'our ambition', it is incredibly fortuitous that we got ' anyone ' in at this time of the season, and an international defender to boot. He's played with two of our Africans and speaks their language, plus his pedigree clubwise isn't half bad. Keegan ' liked ' what he saw in a limited capacity last week so he could be our Kilcline in the critical matches to come. Our 'ambition' is to safely get through this season, have a big bonfire and buy half a team of top notch players for next. Then KK will try to mold them into as good a team as his last here. It might take another season to get it right, but with our loyalty and admiration for a manager who deeply loves the club and us, it will happen John. I know we hope for it every season, and thought that with the new board and Sam, it might have been our time, but as we now know Sam was a big mistake and Kevin's inherited a poor side without confidence. So let's be realistic mate, and optimistic.
had a dream last night liverpool 1-0 up in first half then toon made it 1-1 in begining of second half dont know how it finished because i woke in shock
As usual, another abject performance. We better just accept that this is N'Zogbia and a team of ten donkeys. I predict that Newcastle will not win another game this season. They might stay up if they draw enough games, but it won't make a difference whether they go down or not. The squad is a shambles and it will take at least 3 or 4 years to reassemble a squad capable of finishing in the top 1/3 of the table. The write offs from paying out contracts would be enough to end poverty in the North East, but as it is, it will be enough to cripple the team for a couple of seasons, since they won't be able to pay wages to attract good players.
Keegan is already finished as the manager. There is no way he will be allowed to manage the team next season. It's not really his fault. Between them Allardyce and Shepherd have managed to destroy the club. If only there was a well wide enough to throw either one down.
There is absolutely no cause for optimism. The team is essentially finished for the next few years. Anyone who thinks anything good will come out of this team soon is kidding themselves.
Ronnie, I applaud your optimism, regretably , I am a realist and no longer believe in Santa Claus.I cant remember anything as bad as this in 61 years, supporting the club. The problems start at the top and maintain equilibrium down through the ranks,KK has,nt got the belief to turn things around, just look at the mans face; he will be off within 3 weeks.PROMISE !!!
Have just watched the expected happen. For me the question for next week needs to be when people think Keegan will decide to resign. Once again he just sat there looking puzzled. It will not surprise me he goes before the end of the season and perhaps after next week if Toon lose again. Shearer will return very soon!
smith must be dropped before its to late dont want to have to go to everton to get a win last game of season
Unless he changes the team, we will go down. This is like flogging a dead horse; the same players playing every week with the same end results. How can anyone prefer Smith to Martins? Duff was awful as usual. No doubt the same team will play against Birmingham but with Barton in for Zogs. God help us.
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse. Reading pick up three points and because we were beaten by Liverpool our GD compared to Reading is 5 goals worse off! We are beaten by BlB yet they cannot beat Fulham! Of course the worst could happen tomorrow, ie Mackems and Wigan could go above us by simply drawing their games! There are only two teams in English football with a worse GD - Derby and Port Vale!!
KK said he would "give it a go at Anfield" so why did he play MO up front on his own? Why did he wait till it was 3-0 before bringing on OM? Why not half-time?
I thought we would be beaten by Liverpool but the manner has left me more gloomy than I had expected. Our next two games - B'ham and Fulham - are now MASSIVE. If we don't pickup 4 points minimum then I am afraid, though not mathematically, it is curtains for us. Who is going to score the goals we so desperately need?