JOHNGIBSON Swans’ fairytale demise a lesson we should heed
MAGPIES MUST SHOW NO MERCY AGAINST WELSHMEN
SWANSEA are a club threatening to descend into permanent decline after a glorious fairytale rise to the very pinnacle of football in our land.
Newcastle United, concerned with relegation themselves, must take ruthless advantage come tomorrow afternoon’s commencement of hostilities.
The Swans became the envy of most as they rose from fourth tier to a Premier spot in a decade and established themselves as the perfect example of how to defy the odds.
Under managers like Roberto Martinez, Brendan Rodgers, and Michael Laudrup the direction was only one way...upwards.
Now however the bubble has burst, its soul has been sold along with top players, Swansea stand rock bottom of the Premier League and, should Newcastle complete the double over them, will be pushed to the brink of demotion.
United themselves cannot be complacent, of course, which is why they must put Swansea to the sword.
They have been relegated twice on Mike Ashley’s watch and if he does not get out – and Rafa Benitez does instead – a third would become almost inevitable.
So the die is cast. It is the survival of the club less ravaged by careless owners.
Just as United fans point an accusing finger at Ashley, so do the Swans’ faithful at new American landlords.
The warning is there for all to see – but who takes heed and who goes down? There are shoots of survival within Newcastle, though their home top-flight record is in dire need of an overhaul. This is the time to do it. More potential exists on Geordie soil I would suggest through key factors like the manager, the fanbase and the potential new buyers. Hope has not deserted but every day of the transfer window which elapses without positive action is a danger sign. United need to find goals with three still the best individual total in the league, which entering a new year is scandalous.
That means the onus is not just on those at the sharp end but the creators like Jonjo Shelvey and Mikel Merino as well. They have to fashion the bullets.
There needs to be constant movement ahead of them if the delivery wagon is to get through.
Having actually scored himself in the FA Cup victory over Luton, perhaps the sight of his former club will inspire Shelvey to strike gold.
It is two eventful years to this very day since he joined from deepest Wales and it has been a see-saw ride -but when the wind is blowing in the right direction he is a force to be reckoned with.
Matt Ritchie has a good assist record but he too needs to start scoring, because he has the firepower to do so.
Swansea are a darned sight worse off than United when it comes to the art of finishing but that is their problem. We can only concentrate and try to rectify ours.
The lack of action in the transfer market greatly concerns me as January moves on apace because it has been somewhat camouflaged by a recent upturn in fortunes... three victories and a draw in United’s last five matches.
Yet to think all is well and the sun is shining permanently would be to con no one but yourself.
Hard times in tough matches still lie ahead as Benitez knows only too well though Ashley, having it seems lost all interest in the club apart from selling it, does not seem to care.
For everyone else three precious points against Swansea on our own patch for a change is so very important to Newcastle’s future well -being.