August 2010 Archives

As impressive and as enjoyable as Newcastle's thrashing of Aston Villa was last weekend, it would be foolish to get carried away with one result, just as it was stupid to write the team off after the 3-0 reverse at Manchester United.

Having spent the last few days being chucked around various rides at Alton Towers, I'm afraid it's time to draw the old rollercoaster analogy ahead of the trip to Accrington Stanley in the Carling Cup.

There are going to be plenty of ups and downs this season and, while the win over Aston Villa was, as Chris Hughton would say, "er, very much a high" for "this group of lads", there will be some nasty little dips along the way to turn the stomach.

It is something Newcastle United fans are going to have to get used to this season if they want to preserve their sanity. Trawling for positives in an ocean of apparent disappointments.

Newcastle were well-beaten and, at times, out-classed by Manchester United. However, they will not be the last team to have their pants pulled down at Old Trafford this season and I have seen plenty of United sides - far better ones than this on paper as well - given an equally torrid time at the Theatre of Nightmares, sorry dreams.

It was, as returns to the top flight go, a baptism of fire which scolded plenty of Newcastle fingers, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really mean anything in terms of what the Magpies are trying to achieve.

Despite all the public displays of support, the confused looks in front of the camera when asked whether Kenwyne Jones would be leaving, the striker's departure has looked likely for months not weeks.

If Sunderland had received a decent bid back in January, Jones would have been sold then. For all of his raw talent, physical presence and aerial power, Jones simply does not do it well enough, often enough.

Bruce has tried everything to coax the best out of him on a regular basis. There have been friendly chats and far from friendly bollockings, but Jones simply did not respond, whether it was the carrot or the stick.

The resignation of Martin O'Neill does not immediately have any ramifications for North-East football, but the departure of such a high-profile and respected Premier League manager will eventually influence some major decisions this season.

When a manager as good as he sits at home, waiting for the next job opportunity, Premier League chairman are far more willing to push the button on the manager's ejector seat at their own clubs.

While most supporters at this time of year are more concerned with who is coming into their clubs, Steve Bruce is fretting more about who he can get out of Sunderland.

Although Bruce is still looking to strengthen the squad on the left flank and in both full-back positions once the loan signing of John Mensah has been completed, he is still under orders to slash the wage bill.

Indeed, it is the struggle to get players shifted which is causing the Black Cats boss restless nights. He has already moved on an incredible 22 players in just 14 months in charge, but probably needs to move on another four before the transfer window closes.

I have just been asked by someone in the makeshift press tent in Basingstoke where it has all gone wrong for Durham. My initial reaction was to blame injuries at the start of the season, but the problems probably run a little deeper than that.

The harsh reality is, if Durham lose to Hampshire over the next four days - I doubt the game will last that long, they don't tend to at club grounds like the wonderfully named May's Bounty - they are going to be in relegation trouble.