It's Not Over Until The Fat Lady Does Her Stuff

Posted by Luke on March 9, 2007 3:49 PM | Permalink

I didn't see a fat lady at St James's Park, a couple of mildly overweight ones stuffing their faces with over-priced pies and pints of warm lager, but not a really fat one and certainly not a fat one singing, so I can only assume Newcastle United's Uefa Cup tie against AZ Alkmaar isn't over just yet.

Of course, we all knew that as soon as the referee - the same one incidentally who was in charge of England World Cup game against Sweden when Michael Owen's knee buckled - decided to give a dubious second-half penalty which Alkmaar converted at the third attempt.

With two away goals Louis van Gaal's side will still feel they have a chance of progressing with a 2-0 win in Holland, but given the ease with which the Magpies sliced through their defence on Thursday night, Glenn Roeder is understandably convinced they will be able to score in the away leg as well. I would tend to agree with him.

Regular readers will know I labelled the game against Alkmaar the pivotal match in Newcastle's season. Lose and the season was over and would, whatever the mitigating circumstances of the injury excuse Roeder never uses but just likes talking about a lot, have been failure.

Win and reach the quarter finals and Roeder would, with some justification, be able to say he has brought a smidgeon of success in his first full season at St James's Park given the injuries he never uses as an excuse, but likes talking about a lot!

The Newcastle coach was in confident mood after the game, but let's just hope they don't blow it Sporting Lisbon style in the second leg. If you need reminding, Newcastle were two goals up at half time and, with Kieron Dyer's away goal, Lisbon needed to score three in the second half. They did it with ease as Dyer, Jermaine Jenas and Titus Bramble all limped off and Andy O'Brien gave one final disastrous performance at centre back!

Ah memories, memories....

But let's not live in the past and for all of the mistakes and poor performances at Newcastle this season, one thing is certain, the signing of Obafemi Martins was not one of them.

The Nigerian is raw and his approach play sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, but when he can score goals like he did against Alkmaar who cares?

His double makes it 16 for the season and he looks almost certain to reach the landmark 20 goals for the season mark. There aren't many foreign strikers in their first season who have managed that, so well done Glenn for spotting him and well done Oba (I'll refrain from using any Oba The Moon references as they are copyright The Chronicle) for doing what you are so well paid for - putting the ball in the back of the net.

I'd also like to make a special mention to Nicky Butt and Scott Parker, who were magnificent in midfield and never allowed Alkmaar to settle, Antoine Sibierski for getting his head up quickly in dangerous situations, Nolberto Solano for proving that pace isn't everything in the modern game and Kieron Dyer for learning to finish.

As for Titus Bramble, he continues to show he can string a series of consistent performances together at centre back. His and Steven Taylor's big test, though, will come next week in Alkmaar. Keep a clean sheet there and Freddie Shepherd will probably arrive in the dressing room, out of breath, with a new contract and an expensive pen in his hand!