Another Newcastle Horror Show
There was an image I couldn't get out of my head as I left the Reebok Stadium retail park on Sunday following Newcastle United's dismal defeat - it was that classic horror movie shot of the victim being dragged, kicking and screaming into the abyss by some unseen evil beast set to condemn them to a slow and painful death.
The rank stench of relegation hangs heavy in the air again at St James's Park and there must be serious question marks regarding the suitability of a caretaker management team to get them out of trouble.
Chris Hughton looked to be struggling when he was left in charge of the mess left by Kevin Keegan's departure and he looks as though he is struggling following Joe Kinnear's heart problems.
Newcastle's team lacked drive and determination against Bolton, starting both halves poorly, which is never a good sign for a manager considering this is supposed to be the time when his motivational words in the dressing room are still ringing in their ears.
Against Bolton, whatever had been said to them, it looked as though most United players were either not listening, or not in the least bit interested in what they had heard.
The bottom line, though, is Hughton and Chris Calderwood have been left in charge until Kinnear is well enough to return.
It's all well and good blaming two managers who have never cut it in the top flight, but surely the players have to take some responsibility for their actions. In fact, they need to take a lot of responsibility for their actions.
For example, why was Mark Viduka chatting to a friend in the stand while Hughton and Calderwood chatted away about whether to make a long overdue substitution. And why was Alan Smith grinning and smiling on the bench with his tracksuit on as Nicky Butt limped towards the bench, clearly unable to continue.
Do the players have a complete and utter lack of respect for the caretaker managers or did Hughton and Calderwood simply freeze, allowing the players to use their lack of leadership as an excuse? Either way, it does not bode well does it?!
I didn't have a problem with Obafemi Martins being taken off against Bolton. I had a problem with the fact it took them so long to do it because he and Shola Ameobi were about as mobile as a cement mixer in the second-half at the Reebok!
Not that they were the only ones who should have a long hard look at themselves. Jonas Gutierrez was worryingly quiet for long periods and Peter Lovenkrands - a man who hopes to win a long term contract between now and May - seemed either unsure or unhappy about being asked to play out on the right wing.
In this situation the players have got to take more responsibility, they are the ones who have got Newcastle into this situation and they are the ones who can get them out. Alright, so failings in the transfer market have contributed to that as well, but do you believe a squad of Newcastle's ability should be losing at Bolton - or Blackburn and Wigan for that matter.
With Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea coming up at home, a repeat of these meek surrenders cannot and will not be tolerated at Hull City and Stoke.
By my reckoning, Newcastle will need to take at least seven points from their next five games to stay out of the bottom three. They may even need to collect nine if Blackburn and Middlesbrough's recoveries continue.
As I said, a slow and painful death.....
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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.
There just doesn't seem to be any direction! How can you start to build a team spirit and get some results together and then over the course of 2 weeks lose it all. I'm not saying Kinnear was a genius or anything but it has to be said that at least he had some sort of leadership. Chris Houghton is a coach, i believe a very good one, but he isn't a manager. I think its clear to everyone that this is getting serious now, surely even Ashley can see what is happening?!
It really wont get any better in this current situation and in all honesty i think we might struggle to get 4 points from our next 5 games never mind 9.
I really hope i'm wrong.
Agree with the sentiment of your piece Luke, the most worrying thing about this latest performance was the apparent complete lack of heart and desire.
We haven't got a great squad, but the first team we can put out now the injury crisis has eased somewhat should be more than capable of getting a point against a very mediocre Bolton side.
I don't think JFK is the answer, personally. But Houghton and Calderwood don't even know what the question is!
Good Piece Luke, I agree with most of your comments. Our end of season run in fills me with dread especially the thought of travelling to Villa Park on the last day of the season still needing points. Although many of us have differing opinions on the Ashley regime and I’ve made mine perfectly clear, I think that we all have serious reservations as to whether Houghton & Calderwood have the leadership qualities to steer us clear of the relegation mire..
I agree that the squad even without the investment that was required during the last few transfer windows should be more than capable of picking up results at places like Bolton & relegation theoretically should not be an issue.
However it seems inconceivable that there will be any major changes before the end of the season which I guess leaves us all hoping and praying that we can somehow preserve our Premiership status.
We had absolutely nothing to offer yesterday, or in my opinion at Everton. We never looked like scoring, or even passing the ball. It was shambolic. I have gone from a passionate supporter to a man in fear of what will happen to my beloved club next. The club is a laughing stock both on and off the pitch. I don't know the facts of what has gone on behind closed doors, so judgment of blame is difficult and I won't jump on the Ashley out campaign yet. But fundamentaly the club from top to bottom is a mess. Succesful clubs in the premiership are that way because of strong leadership, consistency & financial backing. We have none of these and the person to blame for the start of this slip is Fat Freddy for the disgracful way he got rid of SBR
True to form at Bolton then? no passion-no game plan and Shola . Well Ashley your investment is now going for a serious burton-serves you right for treating KK the way you did-who have we now ? a manager on his sick bed -two coaches who have not got a clue -Lovekrands on the right -I ask you -we are more shambolic in every game we play-escaping a six nil battering will be a miracle cum Wednesday-no matter how you pedal the marketting Mr. Ashley you will see come season ticket renewal time how your actions have ruined our club-we are indeed a laughing stock-on the evidence at Bolton -there is no way we will survive -even if our two esteemed coaches were clever enough to have a survival plan -which I doubt-cries of you dont know what you are doing I truly think are correct.
True to form at Bolton then? no passion-no game plan and Shola . Well Ashley your investment is now going for a serious burton-serves you right for treating KK the way you did-who have we now ? a manager on his sick bed -two coaches who have not got a clue -Lovekrands on the right -I ask you -we are more shambolic in every game we play-escaping a six nil battering will be a miracle cum Wednesday-no matter how you pedal the marketting Mr. Ashley you will see come season ticket renewal time how your actions have ruined our club-we are indeed a laughing stock-on the evidence at Bolton -there is no way we will survive -even if our two esteemed coaches were clever enough to have a survival plan -which I doubt-cries of you dont know what you are doing I truly think are correct.
True to form at Bolton then? no passion-no game plan and Shola . Well Ashley your investment is now going for a serious burton-serves you right for treating KK the way you did-who have we now ? a manager on his sick bed -two coaches who have not got a clue -Lovekrands on the right -I ask you -we are more shambolic in every game we play-escaping a six nil battering will be a miracle cum Wednesday-no matter how you pedal the marketting Mr. Ashley you will see come season ticket renewal time how your actions have ruined our club-we are indeed a laughing stock-on the evidence at Bolton -there is no way we will survive -even if our two esteemed coaches were clever enough to have a survival plan -which I doubt-cries of you dont know what you are doing I truly think are correct.
True to form at Bolton then? no passion-no game plan and Shola . Well Ashley your investment is now going for a serious burton-serves you right for treating KK the way you did-who have we now ? a manager on his sick bed -two coaches who have not got a clue -Lovekrands on the right -I ask you -we are more shambolic in every game we play-escaping a six nil battering will be a miracle cum Wednesday-no matter how you pedal the marketting Mr. Ashley you will see come season ticket renewal time how your actions have ruined our club-we are indeed a laughing stock-on the evidence at Bolton -there is no way we will survive -even if our two esteemed coaches were clever enough to have a survival plan -which I doubt-cries of you dont know what you are doing I truly think are correct.Catchpa needs correcting it is a joke -I have not submitted comments for at least a month -what is going on here are you all afraid?
Where is the ridiculous Martin Robson when you need him?