Newcastle United Can't Afford To Be Peacocks
There were a few things which worried me about Newcastle United's defeat at Bolton Wanderers and I'm not even talking about the result because that was, ultimately, due to the things that worry me!
There was an air of arrogance and complacency about the Magpies at the Reebok Stadium.
There were plenty of players walking around with their chests puffed out at the weekend with that unique, peacock strut professional footballers have, but there was nothing to back it up.
It was, and I've not had to say this about this group of players before, all swagger and strut over substance. It was, as Chris Hughton conceded in a slightly stumbling post-match press conference, a massive reality check.
For me, United went to the Reebok thinking and acting like a big club again. They behaved like they did in that miserable relegation season, expecting to get something from a game rather than concentrating on how to get it.
They forget the things that have served them so well over the last 15-18 months. Hardwork, honesty and endeavour. They did not look like a team, they looked like a group of individuals.
They thought they would be too good for Wanderers and they thought they were good enough to get something out of the game because, by and large, that is what they have done away from home this season.
For the first time in over a year, for the first time since that loss at Scunthorpe in the Championship last October, they had the rug pulled from underneath them and their arrogance exposed in rather embarrassing fashion.
It was a surprise to be honest. I thought those days were behind us and it is sad to say that the worst culprits were those who have generally been so important to everything that has been good about the team.
Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith, Jose Enrique, Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson, Danny Guthrie and Danny Simpson were all, in my opinion, worth three out of ten for their performances on Saturday and there isn't a team in football that will do anything other than lose if so many players play so badly on the day.
It is important we do not start to panic, but this was a reminder that relegation is something Newcastle still need to worry about. It was a defeat which should re-focus minds and attention on the challenges ahead.
It also shows how fragile the Newcastle squad is. Hughton does not have an alternative to Enrique at left-back, but he isn't playing well at the moment, while the loss of Joey Barton and Cheik Tiote has been acutely felt.
The lack of pace in midfield when Guthrie joins Smith and Nolan is frightening and this area of the pitch was utterly dominated by Bolton, which allowed them to batter a shell-shocked defence into submission.
It might get worse before it gets better too, Chelsea are the next visitors to St James's Park at the weekend and while Newcastle have generally played better when they are expected to struggle this season, it is difficult to see the reigning champions losing three league games on the trot..... let alone twice to Newcastle in the same season!
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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.
Jose Enrique was one of our best players vs Bolton. What are you on about? He never got beaten by any Bolton player defensively! And when we were down to 10 men, he was fantastic going forward and created some of our best chances to get back into the game.
Did you even watch the match?
Erm, lost the ball in a dangerous position directly before first penalty, repeatedly lost the ball inside his own half which put team under pressure and the vast majority of attacks came down that side through Lee because he was out of position. Also, gave away second penalty, although that was a little harsh.
Judging by your username you were also one of those people who also felt Obafemi Martins could do no wrong either even though he rarely gave more than 50%, shot from all over the pitch and missed loads of simple chances as Newcastle were relegated. Sometimes you need to look beyond hero worship to do my job!
Well said Luke! Enrique had the worst game yet this year on Saturday... But you should have also made a comment on the 'headless-legless' act from Smudger! What a waste of space!!
For goodness sake. Enrique was our biggest attacking threat in the Bolton match, and most likely to create a goal (did that escape you when watching the game). It's not Enrique's fault Nolan decided to play basket ball! Or Coloccini's weak challenge for the 50/50 with Lee. Enrique received pass from Colo, turned around and Lee was already in his face. Perhaps Colo did him no favors. However Enrique was at fault for trying to cut inside Lee when he should have cleared. The 2nd penalty was not Enriques fault he got the ball, can't believe you are on his back for that. Yes he lost the ball a few times going forward, but what player doesn't when attacking the opposition?
I'm a fan of Martins yes, why cos he was an exciting player. but I'm not blind to his flaws. He's never heard of using his sidefoot to place a shot rather than blasting it over. His first touch fluctuated from 1st class to Non-League in games. As for rarely giving 50% in games, you are wrong and obviously have something against him.
I bet you are one of those wanted Owen to remain in the team during our relegation run in, even though he should have been dropped for a good few games, based solely on his "name" and PAST "record" while remaining blind to the fact that he was in pathetic form and offered nowt to team play when he wasn't scoring & missing 1 on 1's vs Portsmouth.
I don’t think Enrique looks fully fit; problem is we can’t really rest him.
In addition, while I can see that Hughton wanted to stay loyal to players who have got some good results, I would have liked to have seen Campbell eased into the team before now. I know we didn’t conceded at Arsenal but we’ve looked increasing jittery at centre half – in fact, we’ve never actually looked that comfortable if you look back at the games. The defending for Blackburn’s winner was particularly awful.
we're missing barton big time. the players and maybe the manager are listening to the hype. hype is created by the press etc., so they have a story when the team falls from their high tower. we've now lost 2 players to similar fouls and we may lose a 3rd in williams. all have been really good for us so far this season. we're in trouble now. how long will it take for taylor and sol to form a partnership? not what you want just before christmas. I agree with you luke, old habits die hard and to many times have i seen newcastle strut around the park in 1st gear while the games flashes by them...
sorry and tiote...
I could not agree with you more Luke.
I posted something on another blog that originates from the same building as yours to the effect that your oppo might also wish to show some pre-match humility in future.
Needless to say it was removed, as is every post that dares to challenge his myopic, cerebrally-challenged, syophantic tripe.
Thank God you're there to prove fans don't have to park their brains at the turnstile.
Luke said "United went to the Reebok thinking and acting like a big club again" but I'm a bit sceptical of that. By my calculation it is highly unlikely that any of the current crop of players have parents who are old enough to remember the era of Wor Jackie. The more relevant question is whether the current lot actually think because from what I watched if the referee last week had not had his sightline blocked at critical times. The Loony Toons could have been down to 8 rather than 10 men before the end. The Williamson up and under butt was actually better than the Coloccini throat chop. Both were better than the missed Rodeo Rider brutality but Nolan but they all should have got sent off.
All in all I think Headless Chickens is a better analogy than Peacocks.
I'm rather concerned that a stoked up Chelsea might end up inflicting a test match score on Sunday!
M S T ... I LOVE IT when you predict we're going to get battered because then we never do.
Keep up the good work Mackem.