Wobbly Wheels on the Title Wagon

By: Daryl | May 14th, 2009

That image might be a bit dramatic, but the wheels on my possible title wagon have definitely gone a bit wobbly.

Last time I posted my Newcastle team was sitting pretty at the top of the Prem, with 53% of those who voted believing my team had the necessaries to go for a title.

Three games later and I’m sitting in third, behind both Man City and Arsenal. Here’s what happened:

Damn the English Christmas and New Year fixture list. After playing Spurs on Boxing Day (26th December for non-UK readers), I faced Liverpool two days later. Then a couple days off for New Years before playing Birmingham away on Jan 2nd (2012 in case you were wondering) and Bolton at home on the 4th. Busy busy busy.

vs Liverpool (away)

I decided to be a smart arse by going 4-5-1 and playing narrow. And it very nearly worked.

Miguel Veloso scored a 21st minute free kick for us from at least twenty five yards out, and with my narrow formation and defenders playing deep Liverpool couldn’t get in behind. If the Bolton job is ever up for grabs, I am now fully qualified.

Make that nearly fully qualified. Because Torres poked a 77th minute goal from a Gerrard corner and I had to settle for a point. Still, not a bad result at Anfield. Only downside was that the in-form Robert Lewandowski damaged his elbow (out for 10 days) and Frederico Laurito was absolutely useless when replacing him as a lone striker. A little worried about Laurito, he seems to have gone off the boil.

Result: 1-1

Ins & Outs & Contract renewals

Things went a bit wrong over new year, as I was suddenly faced with about 25 staff members who’s contracts were running out. Idiot that I am, I’d completely forgotten to check up on who needed renewing. Some of them – Belletti, N’Zogbia etctera – it didn’t matter. But Shay Given and The Pog. We need those guys. And Sneijder and Wijnaldum? They’ve got futures here (well, maybe ust Wijnaldum). Hasty contract offers were made and I’m still waiting on answers.

There was some brief transfer business done though. Habib Beye was shipped off to Marseille for £250,000, and I signed two more Scandinavian youngsters (they’re the future).

18 year old Norwegian right back Arild Ingebritsen cost £100,000 and looks like he’ll develop into a solid right back. While 17 year old Danish striker Thomas Knudsen was out of contract and worth a gamble, given his raw ingredients: acceleration, pace, technique and dribbling, with finishing and composure that can be worked on.

With just £1.8m in the transfer piggy bank, I’m not planning on making any big signings this January.

vs Birmingham (away)

Back to normal for the game against Blues, although Marquinhos and Jonas were both a little tired so I sat them on the bench. Big mistake.

It all started very nicely with Laurito setting up a back in favour Pog to give us a 1-0 lead. But when I made three substitions on the hour mark it all started going wrong. Blues Chris McCann (currently with Burnley in the world outside my computer) did us in. First he smashed home a 60th minute equalizer, and then in the 80th minute he won a penalty when Maggio backed into him in the area.

A humiliating defeat, and not the sort you suffer if you want a title challenge. Poor Maggio looked ready to cry during the full time team talk.

Result: L 2-1

vs Bolton (home)

A home game against 14th placed Bolton was probably just what I needed, even if they did bring the 4-1-4-1 to St James’ and I was missing most of my strikers. Laurito has a groin strain (joining Lewandowski and Bo in the treatment room) and Marquinhos has been called up by the Brazilian U-23 team. Even young Thomas Kudsen was just recovering from a knock and only at 73% fitness. But at least I got to pair The Pog and the Arsh in a big-man little-man all-blonde-Russian strikeforce.

Arshavin gave us a 42nd minute lead when he tapped in a low Jonas cross at the far post. Good work little man. But we couldn’t find a second goal, and in the 75th minute Jonas was sent off after picking up a second yellow. So the final 15 minutes we played like this: