Newcastle United So Close They Can Taste It
Newcastle United are so close to the promotion they can probably already taste the victory champagne, although Chris Hughton will have something to say if he finds anyone has actually been necking a bottle of the fizzy stuff before the weekend's trip to Peterborough.
That is rather more than he is doing on the Andy Carroll-Steven Taylor "incident" but for once you can understand why. Nothing can get in the way of promotion, not even two warring teammates.
I've written countless times before about how I worry about Carroll's future, but as nice as it would be for some people to see Hughton to spill the beans, condemn someone and publicly humiliate them, it's not going to happen.
Steven Taylor wants to move on - possibly away from Newcastle at the end of the season given he only has one year left on his contract - and hasn't pressed charges.
I'm in no way condoning what is alleged to have happened, but we can't ask for action to be taken as outsiders if the victim does not want to take the matter any further. Not a perfect situation by any means, but the reality of it anyway.
Newcastle were typically resilient against Forest from what I saw of the game on Al Jazerra Sport and they are clearly too good for this division. We have suspected as much for months, now we know it.
There is no way they can throw it away now which just leaves the title to wrap up. Promotion was the main objective, but they should want to go up as champions and I'm sure that is the feeling in the camp.
Then we will turn our attention to the next challenge and I just hope Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias do not make the mistake of thinking a squad which is brilliant by Championship standards is automatically good enough to survive in the top flight, let alone prosper.
New signings will be needed in every single department and that will take money. Ashley has bailed the club out this season, but he must allow a large slice of the extra revenue promotion brings to be invested in the side by Hughton.
All that can wait for now, however. There are far more bad days than good as a Newcastle supporter so this success should be enjoyed. It may only be the Championship, but promotion campaigns are still special, particularly for a younger generation of supporters who can't remember the Kevin Keegan years, and probably only have a vague recollection of those European nights under the greatly missed Sir Bobby Robson.
From a purely selfish point of view, I hope Newcastle don't secure promotion against Peterborough this weekend by winning and Forest losing. I hope they do it in front of their own supporters - and me - against Sheffield United on Monday night. These things are always better when they are done in front of your own.
Now back to the cricket.... and I've just missed a wicket writing this! Oops.
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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.
are you a mackem in disguise? stick to writing about cricket
It must be in the drinking water because nothing ever changes with respect to Newcastle having "bad boy" players. Carol is just the latest and will continue to be trouble off the field.
On the field not even Toon will be able to snatch snatch another year in the fizzy pop league from the present position. As Roy Keane said at Sunderland "what will their be to celebrate" in winning against such poor oposition.
In my humble opinion the team still plays exactly like it did last season and next season will be an almighty struggle to avoid coming straight back down. I hope fans do not believe NUFC is now anything other than WBA North -- too good for the championship and not good enough for the premiership.
The next interesting thing in going to be how long Chris Hughton lasts next season. My guess is about 8 games.
Brian, are you stupid or just unable to read properly? At what point is the above negative or anti-Newcastle? Oh dear, never mind!
Hi Luke,
Agree with your opinion, Carroll hopefully will be sorted out and become an effective EPL striker, but we will need to strengthen the midfield without WR and Jonas looks woefully short of pace and inventiveness and we need a strong RB.
I'm hoping Colo has settled to the English life and can play as well in the higher division because along with Williamson since Jan we have looked strong in the middle of the back four and Enrique is one we must keep.
Interested in your statement that Stephen Taylor wants to move on, I could understand this but haven't seen any other comments to that effect, is that opinion or have you heard something concrete?
Cheers
Mike