LEE RYDER
UNITED CLOSING IN ON TOP FLIGHT AFTER SCRAPPY WIGAN WIN Att: 51,849. HT: 1-0 Referee: David Coote
Never mind quality, just get over line
HOW Newcastle United get back to the Premier League simply does not matter.
After eight gruelling months of watching their backs and fending off teams that are out to make a name for themselves, ugly victories have been more than welcome throughout a tough and at times, testing, campaign.
Opponents are desperate to record the type of win their fans will be talking about for years while TV pundits and rival supporters prowl the sidelines armed with cheap shots to fire in the direction of Newcastle if they fail.
It’s been a street fight for United since game one and Saturday suggested that’s how it will be until the end.
Newcastle may not be playing the type of football that laid the foundations for Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers in the 1992/93 season, and they will now have to win every single one of their last seven games to even level the 102-point tally of Chris Hughton’s title winners in 2010.
However, that won’t concern the 50,000 fans who turned up at St James’ Park and bought into Rafa Benitez’s strategic plans for the last leg of the Championship marathon.
Benitez called for a cool and calm approach from staff, players and fans during the run-in.
As Newcastle laboured their way through the game against Wigan, it was obvious that the fans are listening carefully to the words of the ex-Real Madrid and Liverpool boss.
The Magpies failed to set this game on fire in the first half as the stubborn Latics got men behind the ball frustrated Newcastle until the 36th minute when Dwight Gayle broke the deadlock.
The Latics’ lack of ambition in the first half was evident as they failed to register a single shot on target.
Newcastle fans headed for the concourses at half-time craving an early second half goal that would kill off Graham Barrow’s relegationhaunted tense second half. It allowed Wigan side. to grow in confidence, and when Yet Barrow Blyth lad Dan Burn’s header flew went for broke wide, it made for a concerning spell and after introducing as the visitors applied pressure. two substitutes But if there is one man who is epitomising in Alex Gilbey what Newcastle need right and Ryan now, it’s Matt Ritchie. Colclough, it seemed to catch The man of the match was absolutely United off guard. everywhere on Saturday as he Gilbey’s energetic run forward chased lost causes, put his body on resulted in the ball falling kindly for the line, fought for every decision Michael Jacobs who took his chance with referee David Coote and ultimately and tied the game up to set up a served up the defining moment of this contest. After latching on to a loose ball from Yoan Gouffran in the box, he refused to give up when smashing the ball against the post and promptly headed home.
His 57th minute winner lifted the crowd after Wigan’s spell of pressure and his celebrations suggested how passionate he is about wearing his black and white shirt.
Ritchie’s performance set the standard and Newcastle will need more of the same against Burton
In a madhouse division like the Championship, nobody is going to allow United to grab the glory easily
Albion. Three more points against the Brewers could mean that just two more victories are needed to hit the 90-point mark that usually assures teams of automatic promotion.
It’s so close Newcastle players can almost reach out and touch it, but in a madhouse division like the Championship, nobody is going to allow United to grab the glory easily.
Three more ugly wins will do just nicely.
Although to get them, they’ll have to fight like hell.