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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.

As well as football, Luke also regularly takes a wry look at the biggest sports stories from across the North-East and beyond. From cricket to rugby and basketball to boxing, some are criticised and some are praised.

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Bitter And Twisted But Thanks For The Three Points

Posted by Luke on August 13, 2007 12:33 PM | 

Do you know what the favourite drink in Bolton is? Lemon juice, the bitter the better apparently! I might have made that up, but there was certainly plenty of bitterness at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday, which only made Newcastle's comprehensive victory even sweeter for Sam Allardyce.

Quite why football fans feel the need to boo and jeer former managers/players/ballboys I don't know. Sometimes it is justified - I present Robbie Savage as Exhibit A for the prosecution - because sometimes players and managers do dump on clubs.

However, when you have achieved as much for a club as Sam Allardyce did for Bolton as a player and a manager, surely it is just better to remember the good times than become consumed with anger and hate just because the guy decided to leave for a new challenge?

But oh no, Allardyce has become public enemy number one in Bolton because he had the audacity to leave. Chairman Phil Gartside and his replacement as manager Sammy Lee all had a pop at him in the pre-match build up and tried to belittle his achievements and then of course there were the more predictable boos from "betrayed" supporters.

I suppose the way Sam left might have been done a little smoother - he did say he wanted a break from football only to become Newcastle's new manager a few weeks later.

I suppose he could have remained loyal, stayed there for the rest of his life and had a statue erected in the car park, but sportsmen and women want different challenges in their careers and seven years is a long time to stay in one place.

Not that any of this will have mattered to Sam and his players as they travelled back to the North-West. Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me, particularly when you've just been stuffed 3-1 at home on the opening day of the season!

You will notice in my pre-season predictions entry that I tipped Sammy Lee to become the first manager to be relieved of his duties in the Premier League this season and now you can see why. The guy has no real managerial credentials and is trying to succeed a manager who consistently exceeded expectations - a thankless task.

But, who cares about Lee's problems? Didn't think so. Of far more significance is what the result means for Newcastle, a result which, no matter how briefly, put the Magpies top of the table.

I'd still argue that the squad is a little short on defenders, most notably a left and a right back, but there is plenty of cause for optimism after the first 90 minutes.

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Comments (9)

Paul Patterson wrote...

What makes the result look even better is the fact that it was done minus, Owen, Cacapa, Ameobi, Given, Enrique, Duff etc.

Yes the play was most positive, certainly no-one can level the tag boring, boring Newcastle, like was touted when Big Sam took over, and if you’ve witnessed play over the last 12 months then we’ve had our fill of Boring, Boring Newcastle already.

I agree Luke, a left and right back are priority, as Carr is still poor and the admirable N’Zogbia is only makeshift, but if we can get these aboard, then we can skyrocket.

Shouldn’t we have killed two birds with one stone and got Aaron Hughes back for a mere million or so?

Paul.

Note From Luke
I would have loved to have seen Aaron Hughes back at SJP. He would have provided fantastic cover across the back four and he was a wonderful professional as well. Wow, I don't think I've ever given anyone such a glowing endorsement before!

Posted by: Paul Patterson  | August 14, 2007 9:52 AM

True Mag wrote...

A very encouraging result and it was especially nice to see Bolton wiping egg off their face. I couldn't care less if they are upset about Sam leaving, that's just the way the cookie crumbles if you ask me. He's given them seven years of excellent service.

I think the Newcastle team has a nice balance to it at the moment and if we can get a couple of defenders in before the close of the transfer window I reckon we're good enough to qualify for the Uefa Cup this season, even if Sam wants to keep expectations down.

Posted by: True Mag  | August 14, 2007 12:58 PM

Commulus wrote...

I’ll do my Jury verdict here if it’s okay Luke!

Having missed the game at first hand due to the feckless nature of the NUFC ticket office, I’ve had time to study the 10 minutes or so of Match of the day highlights, and come to the conclusion that we won.

Proof of victory: The ball appears to enter the Bolton net three times, and the United net once and this was ratified by the match official.

Were the goals any good? Yes! In the light of my own experience having witnessed several games over the duration of numerous years, this was subsequently corroborated by the Match of the day pundits (men of good character with the exception of Alan Hansen) who also thought them (the goals) worthy of note.

Are the fans happy though? Seemingly from the chants of ‘Big Sam's black and white army’, although one could never mistake the travelling fans for a bunch of puerile steaming malcontents, more like a bunch of low life clowns with all the guile and foresight of a dog with a particularly nice stick!

Jury Verdict…case proven…we won!

Note From Luke
Indisputable I'd say!

Posted by: Commulus  | August 14, 2007 2:07 PM

Toonrooster wrote...

A great result of course, and it sets us up for a good crack at some honours this season. However.......... and I'm not wanting to be a sad cynical pessimist here, Bolton were truly awful. Just as Man City's win at WH has flattered them I think the win at Bolton has flatterd us. One swallow doesn't make a summer and I'm sure BSA knows this. Yes it was a really good preformance by the lads and the season can only be miles better than what has been served up to us recently.

The most impressive aspect is the steel in midfield. When I was playing we always said that most games are won and lost in midfield. Although only the CNZ goal involved a midfielder, (OK a defender who nrmally plays midfield) I thought the midfield "won" the game for us in the second half by assisting and protecting the back four and stifling Bolton out of the game.

The game also proved what those of us who watch the Toon closely have known for ages......Carr's legs have gone. He was never that fast anyway and I never knew what SBR saw in him in the first place. Solano showed what playing right back is all about last season and I for one would keep him for cover as well as signing somone as a long term replacement for Carr.

Note From Luke
I think they definitely need a right back, although it looks as though the next signing will be another centre back, Faye from Bolton.

Posted by: Toonrooster  | August 14, 2007 4:15 PM

Boltonandy wrote...

Can't think why we'd be unhappy.Apart from maybe ripping apart the foundations he put in place to take with him to Newcastle( by this I mean key components of his back room staff) Personally I was disappointed Big Sam was given the bird by a small section of our fans. However lets ignore the fact that it was only a minority because that doesn't make a good story does it? Big Sam ahieved miracles and I as a season ticket holder am eternally grateful. The fact that we know deep down we're going back to where we came from is not a nice thought so maybe you can understand some fans being upset. But thats life isn't it? I've enjoyed stuffing you at the Reebok for many a season now and even managed it at SJP for the first time in 50 years or so last season...so I'll take that. A club which averages 23,000 has no right to mix it with the mighty Newcastle right? Mind, we've won as many trophies as you over the last 30 odd years haven't we?

Note From Luke
I suspect there maybe some comeback from some irrate Newcastle fans for this Andy, but you're right about the trophy thing!

Posted by: Boltonandy  | August 14, 2007 9:50 PM

Rod wrote...

Luke,

I agree with you that we need a right back but I also think we should be preparing two of our young reserve players to be specialists in the right and left back positions. Last year was an example where we had to put right footed centre halfs in the left back position the results of which were poor defending and poor attacking and supporting the left winger. All the other positions in the team are now adequately covered.

Posted by: Rod  | August 15, 2007 9:43 AM

RG wrote...

The way Sam left us was so crap, i think you'll find that is why most Bolton fans are angry. Nobody is arguing with his past record.

"But, who cares about Lee's problems? Didn't think so." - what a silly comment but right i didnt give a crap about NUFC when it was all going tats up under souness and roedent.

Get over yourselves boys.

Posted by: RG  | August 15, 2007 10:35 AM

Luke wrote...

I've just thought, there hasn't been any contact with Andrew From Perth for a while. Are you ok? Perhaps you've just stopped reading, but hope you're not sulking just because I took mickey out of you for telling me the blog was rubbish! Hope you're back in touch soon, presuming you haven't headed into the bush and aren't anywhere near a computer.

Posted by: Luke  | August 15, 2007 6:34 PM

M. Green wrote...

Let's see I have Gouda, brie, Gorgonzola and a bit of mature cheddar.

I just thought some of the Bolton contributers might like a bit of cheese with their wine. =)

Someone ought to give Newcastle the name of a good garage as we never get the most out of our Carr's. The way Anelka walked past him on Saturday makes me wonder if I'd do a swap to get Franz back. :p

Posted by: M. Green  | August 16, 2007 12:14 PM

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