Slim margin for error – and deal is not working
GAMBLE ON UNFIT FORWARD BACKFIRING
DID you realise that the biggest upset of the season was orchestrated by a Geordie who is a Newcastle fan?
That’s right because when League One side Wigan defeated Premier League champions-elect Manchester City in the FA Cup, they were led by their skipper Dan Burn.
The gigantic centre-back was born in Blyth and learned his art playing for New Hartley Juniors and Blyth Spartans Juniors on a Sunday morning before embarking on an eventful career.
New Hartley official John Maley Jnr tells me: “Dan signed for Darlington where he caught the eye of Fulham and before you knew it he was in the first team.
“In fact there was a month when he had to face Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez at Liverpool with Man United’s Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie next up before Chelsea and Fernando Torres.
“Burn never gave another top-notch striker Sergio Aguero a kick this week when Wigan beat City I MEAN, how unlucky can you be? It’s like getting jabbed in the eye by a stick just when you think you can see clearly.
Rafa Benitez and the fans have been crying out for a decent centreforward to fire United to safety – then when he comes, it’s with a sick note that gets extended by the week!
We waited in vain all summer for quality and all January too until the very last day when, glory be, Islam Slimani arrived from Leicester City. Oh, the relief. All right, all right, Slimani couldn’t nail down a place in Leicester’s starting line up because of their rat-tat-tat runner Jamie Vardy, but he wasn’t a reserve in the same mould as Joselu at Stoke City.
The Algerian had commanded a £28m transfer fee and had a pedigree. He also had a thigh injury.
United needed goals like a lost soul in the desert needs water, but we haven’t even caught a glimpse of our hoped-for saviour. 1-0. Earlier in pre-season Wigan played Liverpool and he had to mark Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah. Another gem to slip the net!”
An avid United supporter, Dan
Slimani missed the Burnley game the night he signed, but this was disturbingly followed by his absence against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
Then yesterday Rafa dropped the bombshell that Slimani will be out for another two weeks, so write off Bournemouth and Liverpool.
Remember too he cannot play at Leicester as they are his parent club and you start to realise that matches are rapidly running out. idolised Alan Shearer but never got the chance to add him to his growing list of super strikers faced on the football field.
While at Fulham, Burn – who is only It was an obvious gamble to sign a player on transfer deadline day who was carrying an injury, and Newcastle reportedly paid £2m for the privilege. But this is your recurring nightmare, heightened by the fact that a relieved manager allowed Aleksandar Mitrovic to go out on loan because of the comfort of having a superior replacement. Indeed Mitro was rushed through the exit door even though a proposed deal back 25 and a towering 6ft 7in tall – played on loan for Birmingham City and Yeovil Town when he scored the winner for them at Wembley in the 2013 League One play-offs. to Anderlecht collapsed at the 11th hour.
Slimani’s injury delay is a crying shame for Rafa, the supporters, and the player himself who obviously wants to impress.
United are running out of time and cannot afford to wait too long for the cavalry.
Despite an unexpected victory over Manchester United last time out goals remain a huge problem and could come back to haunt them.
There is currently a massive lack of depth up top with Mitrovic, Adam Armstrong, and rookie Ivan Toney all out on loan.
That leaves us with Dwight Gayle, Joselu, and Ayoze Perez. After that it’s mix and match.
There used to be a saying that “someone up there likes me”. Well, maybe not right now! EDDIE Howe has warned his players they are facing a “dangerous” side in the shape of Newcastle United at the Vitality Stadium.
The AFC Bournemouth manager feels that the Magpies – who are still just two points above the drop zone – have been rejuvenated by their win over Manchester United a fortnight ago and will provide his side with a tough test.
Howe, the winner of the January manager of the month award, said today: “Newcastle will have a big lift from their last performance against Manchester United.
“Those results really can inspire you, so they’re a dangerous side.
“We’ve talked about the Huddersfield result and we’re very aware of how we felt afterwards.
“I want them to use that as a positive emotion that it was a blip.”
Bournemouth go into the game looking to complete a double over Newcastle after triumphing 1-0 at St James’ Park earlier in the campaign.
Howe said: “The reverse fixture was a big one for us.
“It was a late goal and a key moment in the season for us.
“It was a tight game – and we expect a tough game tomorrow.”
The Cherries’ run of seven games unbeaten came to an abrupt end in their last Premier League outing against Huddersfield Town when they were beaten 4-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Howe reflected: “It was a great run for us, especially when you look at who we played.
“We hope the Huddersfield game was a blip.
“To this point the season has been OK, but there’s some big games to come and we can’t be complacent.
“We still have a lot of work to do and we still have to deliver in the upcoming games.
“We wouldn’t have achieved what we have without the togetherness.
“I think you will see two teams equal in that respect.”