Thank Goodness For That
I don't know which has come as more of a relief for Newcastle United, the hard-fought, slightly fortutious victory over Aston Villa or the arrival of February and the close of the January transfer window!
First off, I've got to come clean, I wasn't at St James's Park on Wednesday night, I was at my parents house enjoying some well-earned rest and recuperation, fine dining and fine wine.
As a result I was forced to endure the mindless drivel spouted by pundits on Sky Sports News to keep me up-to-date with what was happening against Villa followed by a surprisingly anti-Newcastle report on Match of the Day.
It seems strange to hear Alan Shearer suggesting that Villa were unlucky and should have got a draw when, as a Newcastle player, he would have choked on the words after a similar sort of game.
Perhaps the BBC have brainwashed him or replaced the real Alan Shearer with a robot - the same one they use for Mark Lawrenson but with a different head and shirt and tie combination!
Mind you, at least Shearer and company have some sort of kudos and, generally speaking, know what they are talking about because it amazes me how the guests on Sky Sports News get to be called experts.
I'm sick and tired of saying it, but, just because they used to play football, it doesn't automatically make them a good football pundit.
Apart from the fact these former pros are invading the media industry with their sharp suits and dreary football banter, I resent their presence mainly because being a pundit surely requires you to be able to offer an insight into the game and it also requires the ability to string a meaningful sentence together! Two qualities all too often lacking from those who jump aboard the Sky Sports gravy train.
Anyway, after a bright start, I was told Newcastle faded and were hanging on to their lead for a long spell after Ashley "overpriced" Young pulled one back following a poor clearance by Paul Huntington.
I was also told, in between manic laughter, confused looks and barely audible descriptions of match action, that Steve Harper had to make some excellent saves after James Milner and Kieron Dyer had given the Magpies the lead, before Antoine Sibierski killed the game off in injury time.
Oh well, three points and into the top half of the table for the first time since September. Can't be bad.
Better than that, though, there will be no more frantic transfer speculation, leaked interest in top players and then the inevitable deflation when nothing happens - at least not until the summer anyway!
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Luke Edwards - is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.
I was disappointed with the MOTD review too. I thought it was biased toward Villa (who did play well and probably deserved a draw) but that's the second time Shearer seems to have deliberateley avoided giving the 'Newcastle' viewpoint. Whether it's him or a directive from the producer we don't know. no mention of our injury hit defence to add some balance and we didn't even get to see our goals again!
the biggest dissapointmnt last night was the crowd, even winning 2-0 there was still no real atmosphere,villa and west ham fans both sang about how bad our support is something im not use to hearing,at 2-0 up st james should have been rocking it wasnt and the team ended up rocking!!lets get the cauldron back on the pitch and in the stands, in the past winning losing or drawing we would create a great atmosphere and be the 12th man so come on lads lets get back to that and not turn into one of these grounds where all you hear is the away support.
With Carr in our defense, Villa should have murdered us!
On the subject of the transfer window, am I the only one who finds it strange that Owens "I might not play this season" statement comes out AFTER the closing of the window? One word sums it up - Incompetence.
I've just written a comment on earlier entry by Luke, but the window has closed and once again we have been lied to by the club. They said they would strengthen and we get one player on loan.
Mind you, I'm listening to the match now and Gooch seems to be playing well on his debut so maybe he won't be a stop-gap measure after all.