So, another Messiah materialises and another defeat ensues. There are just seven matches left for Newcastle to rescue themselves, but again the clamour from the fans and the desire from the boardroom to appease them with populist measures have resulted in what appears to the outsider to be an attempt to fix a broken leg with a cream bun. Alan Shearer is the only one who cannot lose from this situation in the same way that Trevor Brooking will always remain a revered figure at West Ham despite being at the helm (even if only for 3 matches) when the club was relegated in 2003. Both men took charge at their respective clubs when the managers were taken seriously ill, but the vital difference is that West Ham had just a few days to react while Newcastle have had many weeks to replace Joe Kinnear, but appear to have delayed this decision far too long. Cynics would also indicate that the appointment of Shearer may have been a diversionary tactic to deflect criticism of the way the club has been run recently, as even if the club is relegated, the board can say that they were just giving the fans what they wanted. However capable a manager Shearer turns out to be, this weekend's fixture will be an enormous test for him, and will certainly not be for the faint hearted.
Saturday's action begins at lunchtime and may well
see the lead changing hands again:
1) Liverpool v Blackburn: As Federico Machena's tremendous winning goal for Man.U. hit the net last Sunday, I'm sure Rafa Benitez's contents' insurers swung straight into action as his television, sofa and cat probably took a right beating. We all know from experience, though, that when the fourth official's board goes up at Old Trafford, that is the time to start really worrying, but Liverpool themselves have proved on many occasions this season that they are more than capable of scoring winning goals deep into injury time themselves, including at Craven Cottage last weekend. Blackburn will have been buoyed by their late victory over Spurs last weekend, but I was left with the impression that the sending off of Wilson Palacios led to a fatal loss of discipline from Spurs' players, and Rovers are unlikely to face that sort of performance from their hosts at Anfield. Rovers haven't won at Liverpool in the League since 1993, and I don't see an end to that run here.
2) Chelsea v Bolton: Gone are the days when Bolton regularly upset the big boys, and they have lost all seven previous meetings with the top four this season. However, a look at their recent record at Stamford Bridge would certainly concern Guus Hiddink, as Bolton have lost just once in their last five visits. The hardest task for Hiddink this weekend will be to keep his players focussed on maintaining their faint title hopes as this fixture falls between the two legs of their Champions League quarter final, and just ahead of an FA Cup semi final with Arsenal. For that reason alone, this is not a game to get financially involved with.
3) Middlesbrough v Hull: After Boro's defeat at Bolton on Saturday, and for the first time this season, Gareth Southgate had the look of a man who had finally accepted his fate, and looking at the table, it will now take an exceptional effort for his players to save themselves. As I've said time and again, it is their strikers who have let them down, with just 13 goals at home all season, although when Southgate had the chance to revitalise his forward line in January, the choice of Marlon King was disappointing to say the least. Hull have been slowly adding a point here and there to their total in an almost agonizingly slow crawl towards survival, and although they were very fortunate to have beaten Middlesbrough in the reverse fixture last December, I'm sure they are capable of grabbing another point here.
4) Portsmouth v West Brom: This is no longer looking like a battle between two threatened sides, as West Brom now appear simply to have given up. It has always perplexed me how the promoted side who had won the Championship title the previous season often turn out to be the least capable of the three new boys of maintaining their Premiership place, but the Baggies have rarely shown an ability to match Hull and Stoke's determination this season. Portsmouth, on the other hand, have now lost just one of their last six matches, and a win here could well take them three or four places further away from danger. The two previous Premiership meetings at Fratton Park ended in home wins, and I think the hat-trick will be achieved.
5) Sunderland v Man.U.: The reverse fixture at Old Trafford was Ricky Sbragia's first match in charge, and his players put in an impressive, battling display only to succumb to an injury time winner from Nemanja Vidic (I told you we all had experience of that feeling). That spirit seems to have completely disappeared from Sunderland's players over the last few weeks, though, and it is now only the presence of West Brom that is preventing the complete annihilation of a North East presence in the Premiership. A run of no wins in the last six has put the Black Cats right in the firing line if either Newcastle or Middlesbrough decide to win a couple of games, and even if the players manage to put in a greater effort now that Man.U. are in town, it still may not be enough to prevent a repeat of the last couple of renewals of this fixture, which have resulted in heavy away wins.
6) Tottenham v West Ham: Just when Spurs appeared to be cruising to safety, the loss of discipline I described earlier took hold and three points were thrown away at Ewood Park. They are still well clear of danger, though, and this match can safely be described as a comfortable mid-table encounter. The Hammers have a poor recent record at White Hart Lane, not having won there for ten years, and with just one draw to shout about in their last five visits in League and Cup. However, with their good recent unbeaten run and the added incentive of facing their old manager, I think they may be able to take a point in what promises to be an entertaining match.
7) Wigan v Arsenal: I'm sure the Amr Zaki saga played its part in Wigan's capitulation at Everton on Sunday, but the fallout may not be over yet, as if he reappears at the training ground this week, there may well be some ugly encounters with one or two of his teammates. Not a good time, therefore, to be facing Arsenal unless Arsene Wenger decides to rest players ahead of a crucial second leg of the Champions League quarter final. For that reason, it would be wise to hold fire until the team line-ups are announced. If Arsenal name a strong side, I would favour an away win.
8) Stoke v Newcastle: We've heard much nonsense (mainly from themselves) about how Newcastle's fans are the most passionate and dedicated in the League, but I would agree with those pundits who credit much of Stoke's commendable home form to their following at the Britannia, who this season have encouraged rather than booed, roared rather than murmured and supported rather than criticised. Eight home wins is a tremendous effort from a side that has been near the bottom all season, and the astute signing of James Beattie (are you listening Gareth Southgate?) has also been a major factor in City's decent form. You may remember that a full strength Newcastle side were held to a 0-0 draw at the Britannia by the then Championship side Stoke nearly a year ago. With their new strength and belief, I think Stoke can add a 1 to that scoreline on Saturday. I don't think Newcastle can.
9) Aston Villa v Everton: Despite the promise earlier in the season, this is now just a battle for which order the likely Europa Cup qualifiers will finish in. Villa have now not won for over two months, although a creditable effort on Sunday at Old Trafford at least signalled an upturn in performance, if not results. Neither manager will be taking this match lightly, despite Everton having an impending FA Cup semi final on their minds, but David Moyes will have to contend with his side's terrible record at Villa Park of just one win in their last twenty visits. I fully expect an open, exciting game in the same vein as the reverse fixture earlier this season, which you may remember featured Everton equalising in injury time, only for Ashley Young to grab the winner almost immediately at the other end. Let's hope for as dramatic a game on Sunday.
10) Man.City v Fulham: Probably the last of this week's matches that I would have liked to see chosen for live coverage, but at least Fulham fans will have fond memories of this fixture last season, in which their relegation-threatened side came back from 2-0 down with twenty minutes to go to win 3-2 and go on to survive on goal difference. This season's encounter has nothing at all riding on it, least of all my cash. Avoid.
Last week's suggested accumulator was let down only by top of the table Cowdenbeath's inexplicable inability to claim a winning goal at home to a poor Elgin side, but why not have another go this weekend by backing Peterborough, Portsmouth, Man.U., Raith and Stirling in a £10 accumulator which would return £60.81 with Paddy Power if successful
Good luck!