Carroll And Kadar Could Be Conflict Diamonds

Personally, I don't think Newcastle have played well for an entire 90 minutes since the 4-0 win at Ipswich Town at the end of the September. They made that win look easy and even I began to believe promotion could become a formality.

Since then, they have wobbled badly at the top of the table, the rest of the pack has closed the gap on them and, for a while, it looked as though all of the squad's weaknesses would be exposed and a slide down the table would follow.

That it hasn't owes much to the effort and commitment of these players. They were hurt by the criticism which followed the away defeats at Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe and have complained about it to journalists like me.

I've no problem with that but I, like you, expect a reaction and they have responded with two back-to-back victories.

Neither were achieved by playing good football, neither was secured by out-passing the opposition or battering them into submission with wave after wave of attack. That is disappointing, but we can't be overly critical in these circumstances.

Newcastle remain a club in turmoil. This weekend should see the return of organised protests against Mike Ashley, understandable given his latest horrific blunder in trying to sell the name of St James's Park to the highest bidder, but not exactly helpful to those one the pitch.

In the meantime, while the fractious and divisive atmosphere escalates in the stands, the players must continue to get on with their promotion task, ignore the distractions and continue to grind out victories any and which way they can.

Indeed, having seen far too many go through the motions in recent weeks, the most impressive thing about the win at Sheffield United was the collective determination not to buckle under the home side's pressure.

Newcastle have perhaps been guilty of having more style than substance in the past, but I don't think you can accuse this team of that.

It isn't particularly enjoyable to watch, but for once should we care? Promotion, promotion, promotion. I can't say it enough, that's all that matters this season. That and the hope Ashley will eventually find a buyer and disappear for good.

And there are some positives to cling to. Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan are finally justifying the reputations they arrived on Tyneside with and in Tamas Kadar and Andy Carroll, Newcastle have two exciting young players who could go on to achieve big things.

Kadar was a little shaky on his debut against Doncaster, but he hardly put a foot wrong against a physical Blades outfit. He is good on the ball, strong in the air and quick on the ground. He certainly looks good enough to play regularly at this level if needed.

As for Carroll, his decision making isn't always great and he needs to curb his wilder behaviour off the pitch, but the raw talent is there for him to become a fantastic target man.

He more than held his own against bully boy centre half Chris Morgan on Monday night and was Newcastle's best player.

He is gaining priceless experience this season and if he keeps his listening and learning, Newcastle might have unearthed a precious jewel from their Academy - not something we've been able to say for far too long.