After the pre-season work-out of the Intertoto Cup, the ridiculously convoluted group stage and the run-out against a part-time team from Belgium, Newcastle face their first real test in the Uefa Cup this week.
AZ Alkmaar may be half Newcastle’s size in terms of turnover, support and stadium, but they are a proven and highly dangerous European outfit who, like the Magpies, have become consistent participants in the latter stages of European football’s Champions League consolation prize.
Having fought so hard to qualify last season, the Uefa Cup always looked like it was going to be pivotal in Newcastle’s season and this two-leg tie will define Glenn Roeder’s first full campaign as manager.
It is not only Newcastle’s last chance of silverware, it is their last chance for excitement and the last opportunity to take a place in the national spotlight.
Triumph over Alkmaar and Roeder can argue he has largely succeeded in difficult circumstances, matching the quarter-final place secured by predecessor Graeme Souness and prolonging interest in the campaign into April. Whisper it – or you might not want to talk about it at all – but the former Newcastle skipper might even take them to the final and I hear Glasgow is nice (well, less wet than usual) in May!
Lose and the season looks like it will be over other than for a brief sighting of Michael Owen before he heads off to play for England again in the summer. Best not to think about what colour Freddie Shepherd’s face will turn if he comes back injured again, but somebody should probably get in touch with a doctor and a lawyer just in case!
You will not hear anybody saying it at St James’s Park of course, but Newcastle must be considered as outsiders for European qualification in the Premiership after taking just one point from the last six on offer.
They have fallen back to 11th in the table and, unless there is a dramatic improvement from the tired, tepid performances against Wigan and Middlesbrough, Newcastle will be entrenched in mid-table mediocrity.
As they have faltered, Tottenham and Blackburn have found some form and, with just four home games left – two of which are against Arsenal and Chelsea – the odds are against Roeder’s men.
Not that they can’t do it of course – they overcame similar adversity to qualify for the Intertoto Cup last season – but a gambling man would put his money elsewhere.
Mid-table finishes are unacceptable, but at least it’s better than the relegation fight which appeared to be on the cards a few months ago and, if the Uefa Cup run continues . . .
Look, I know it’s not good enough, but stop shouting at your computer screen, I’m just trying to put things into a little bit of perspective for you and I haven’t mentioned injuries once – oops, sorry!
So then lads, no pressure against Alkmaar, no pressure at all!
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