At times, supporting Newcastle United can seem like you are suffering from permanent Seasonal Adjustment Disorder - or SAD for short..
You know what I mean, all dark clouds of depression, dreary forecasts and the shivers of foreboding. Well, I think it’s only fair to suggest that, after an awful start to the season, there are some welcome rays of sunshine to brighten things up and provide a little warm feeling as we had into the Festive season.
I’ve certainly had my misgivings about this campaign, as regular readers of this blog will know. The small size of the squad, the major blunders in the summer in terms of transfers and the nagging suspicion that a few injuries would send Newcastle sliding towards relegation.
In fact, my bout of SAD started before the leaves on the trees starting turning brown and long before anyone had to clear any ice off their windscreens.
To slip off on a slight tangent, has anyone had any ice on their cars in the morning yet? No, I haven’t either. It’s global warming you know, we’re killing the planet with our SUVs - Premiership footballers please take note - fossil fuels, car emissions etc etc. The polar ice caps are going to melt and we’ll all die.
Right, back on to more positive matters. As I mentioned in yesterday’s entry, the 1-0 win over Portsmouth was long overdue, but it was, overall, a highly impressive performance from Glenn Roeder’s side.
The defence, with Nolberto Solano making light of his lack of pace at right back, Steven Taylor and Titus Bramble superb in the centre and Peter Ramage proving that homegrown players always have a better understanding of what it means to wear the shirt, it is an understated statistic this season, but United actually have one of the Premiership’s best defensive records so far this season.
In their last 11 games, the Newcastle defence has conceded just six goals. We are all guilty of taking a pop at Magpie defenders, it’s a bit like making jokes about Heather McCartney - soon to be plain old Mills - all too easy, but credit where credit is due.
Newcastle’s midfield has always been competitive and the return of Kieron Dyer has added some vital pace and creative spark. As long as he stays fit.....
I’d also like to make a special mention to two players who looked as though they had played their last games for the club when they returned to pre-season training with their expensively-attained suntans - Nicky Butt and James Milner.
The treatment of Milner on transfer deadline day, when he was told he could leave for Aston Villa, travelled down, agreed personal terms and than had the move cancelled because Mark - I don’t like playing in the winter when it’s cold - (honestly, look at his appearance record since he came to England) Viduka decided to stay with the Smoggies, was shoddy to say the least.
But not once has he sulked, far from it, he has actually stepped up a level. He is a dedicated professional, desperate to learn and, at 20-years-old, he can only get better. I just hope Roeder isn’t planning to sell him in January to raise funds to strengthen elsewhere in the squad because I’m pretty certain Villa will make another bid when the transfer window opens.
As for Butt, he was a disgrace in his first season at St James’s Park. A big-time Charlie struggling to motivate himself now that he wasn’t challenging for silverware.
He wasn’t much better on loan at Birmingham City apparently, but he has been a minor miracle this season whenever he has been called upon. After two years of unprecedented criticism, it looks like Butt has got his hunger back.
As for Antoine Sibierski, the former member of Right Said Fred has been a revelation. I’m sure that expression has religious connotations, but I don’t think anyone thought the Manchester City no mark had a pray of succeeding at Newcastle.
Joint top goalscorer, European dangerman and all on a free transfer. Alright, so he’s limited and, long term he isn’t the answer, but Super Sib has been, well, super so far.
Goals, though, are still the major problem - just nine in 14 Premiership games so far - but as long as Roeder can keep this momentum - unbeaten in four since the Sheffield United defeat - Newcastle can get to January, strengthen where needed and, well, the future’s bright! You hope...
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