Newcastle United - end-of-season report
Monday, 02 Jun 2008 19:02
Newcastle United - fan's 2007/08 end-of-season report
Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2007/08 season.
Same old, same old of late - bad.
Another saviour - and lest we forget hotly-tipped candidate for England manager - fell on his long-ball sword by January, while by the end of a dismal campaign, even eternal optimist Kevin Keegan seemed to unable to conjure up the belief that Newcastle will be back at the business end of the table any time soon.
As usual, Newcastle's campaign started with so much promise. New boss Sam Allardyce splashed out on Alan Smith, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton, brought in Mark Viduka from Middlesbrough then masterminded an opening-day victory over his old club Bolton.
However, Big Sam's tactics hit a brick wall in the winter - a dismal run of form saw them pick up just two points from a possible 18 and they were humbled 4-1 at home by Portsmouth.
The team staggered on but after 24 games, a goalless draw with Stoke City in the FA Cup saw Allardyce depart by "mutual consent".
Caretaker boss Nigel Pearson saw a despondent squad mauled 6-0 by Manchester United before everything, briefly, changed.
King Kev's return to the throne sent the St James Park giddy-ometer off the chart but the miracle march up the table did not materialise and it took nine games - including thumpings from Aston Villa and United again - before Keegan recorded a win.
Save a derby victory over Sunderland, the end of the season could not come quick enough for fans and players alike.
Grade: E
High Point
The hour before kick-off in Keegan's first match back in charge at Bolton would probably be it. However, unlike Take That and the Spice Girls, Keegan's mid-1990s revival would fall flat before it even got going.
There was the odd glimmer of hope - a derby win always keeps the punters happy and there was a thriller of a 4-1 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane - but many at Newcastle might just feel the final whistle of the campaign, signalling a chance to rebuild yet again, ended up being the most welcome point of the whole season.
Low Point
A hotly-contested category.
Allardyce's stultifying football? Being trounced by Manchester United (twice), Aston Villa and Portsmouth? Taking just one point from league whipping boys Derby County? Joey Barton?
In the end, despite the blast of Geordie euphoria that greeted Keegan's appointment, Newcastle hit rock bottom after his arrival with February's 5-1 home defeat by Manchester United.
A team Newcastle had once led by ten points at the summit of the Premier League destroyed the Magpies at a stroll - worst of all Keegan's powers of motivation apparently went AWOL as players devoid of determination, belief or fight surrendered meekly.
The manager
Rarely has a managerial appointment - especially of someone who has been out of the game for nearly three years following an inglorious exit from Manchester City - been met with such unbridled delirium.
However, the team's patchy (at best) form since the return of King Kev has already sparked rumblings that perhaps he has spent too long in exile - and the curious appointment of Dennis Wise as executive director of football only cast more doubt on how much faith owner Mike Ashley really has in his coach.
There is unlikely to be a sequel to the shooting of Bambi at St James' just yet but with Keegan's track record of emotional decisions, don't bet on him walking away again either.
Fan's Player of the Year
- Michael Owen -
Along with Shay Given, one of Newcastle's few consistent performers. However, also like Shay Given, one plagued by injury all season.
Nevertheless, the run-in saw Owen bag seven goals in the last ten league games to secure Newcastle's Premier League status.
Keegan also awarded Owen the captain's armband and the Magpies supremo has already declared that his first priority before looking at new signings is to secure his star hitman's services for at least another year.
Needs for Next Season
Keegan reportedly has a hefty war chest for next season and just as well - Newcastle's small, injury-prone squad needs reinforcements in every department.
With Stephen Carr already released from the club's leaky backline, defence - never one of Keegan's fortes - will be a concern. Rangers' Carlos Cuellar and the ample frame of Manchester City's Richard Dunne have so far been tipped for hole-plugging duties.
Keegan being Keegan though, he also craves some midfield magic and is reported to have set his sights on Blackburn's David Bentley as the man Newcastle need to supply Owen with his ammunition.
Andy Jowett