Newcastle Have Given Up!

I admit I haven't seen the game, but I listened to the radio commentary and it sounded truly dire. Listening to Alan Green, Newcastle barely turned up, never mind competed. The difference in class sounded truly frightening.

I have already blogged in a mocking tone and, to be honest, I was surprised by the paucity of responses given it featured on the News Now page for the Barcodes. Had I written a similar article on Tottenham or Liverpool, I would have been inundated with responses, albeit most would consist simply of obscenities and Pikey taunts. Geordies are normally passionate about their football but it is beginning to seem that all the fight has been kicked out of them. The owner has been clever of course, he has given the fans what they wanted by appointing Big Al, so how can they complain? I mean, when the Messiah returns, it signals the Apocalypse doesn't it, so is relegation really a surprise?

Looking in on News Now, there is actually an article entitled "Newcastle Don't Deserve to Survive" and the author hasn't been crucified by his fellow Toons. There is a spooky resignation, an acceptance that relegation is not only inevitable but deserved.

Now Newcastle going down unquestionably suits West Ham, it is hard to imagine Hull or Miserableborough posing any sort of threat next season, but even with Shearer in charge and a bet riding on it, I can't say I really want it to happen. I hate Leeds but I don't want them in the old Third Division. I loath Roeder, but I didn't want Norwich to go down this season. As rubbish as Newcastle are and as much as I detest Shearer and this whole Geordie Messiah crap, I don't want the Newcastle fans to suffer the indignity of relegation. Why? In part because I have a sense of tradition. Newcastle belong in the top division. But I also have very fond memories of our 8-1 victory over the Geordies and of hearing the Toon Army chanting "We want ten!" in a wonderfully self deprecating way. Fans like that deserve a break!

Miserableborough come to Upton Park on the last day of the season. It may well be that Newcastle's destiny will lie in our hands. Cole should be back, so should a fully tuned Collison, ready to start. All is not lost - yet. But a defeat in the North East derby could put the Geordies beyond even Zola's salvation!