No excuses, Toon displays are an absolute disgrace

HERE we go again trying to tip-toe through a minefield without stepping on something which will blow up in our faces.

Next stop is Chelsea, who have already taken three points against Newcastle - as have so many at St James’ Park during this shock-tothe-system season.

The main hope is United are better away from home, though such thoughts are tempered by the fact playing the so-called elite clubs has brought no joy whatsoever.

The Magpies have done so seven times already and not gained a solitary point from the 21 on offer, so welcome to Stamford Bridge my hearties!

Defeat has followed defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United twice,and Liverpool.

All of which is very reassuring with Manchester City at home and Spurs at Wembley to follow in the coming weeks.

However, let us offer no excuses or travel with faint hearts because survival in the Premier League has to be earned by doing the hard miles.

If you do not beat the easier teams – and often United have not – then you must pick up something when the big boys come to bully.

There is hope because while

Chelsea’s home record shows six victories, four draws, and only one defeat, their last two Premier League matches in the smoke saw Leicester beat them 1-0 and Southampton claim a point in a goalless draw. Encouragement for Newcastle with not a home goal scored? Have United good enough players to do as well as the Foxes or Saints?

Or are Chelsea ominously going to be hell-bent on restoring normal service? We are about to find out. One name alone should strike fear into Geordie hearts.

Eden Hazard is miles better than anyone in black-and-white.

A real Hazard to all in the league, he has terrorised most top-flight teams and has always had the Mags on toast. In his own more limited way, the returning Salomon Rondon is United’s go-to player in their current emergency and he needs to both hold the ball up well and show his ability to finish if his team is to get any joy at all.

I know No 9 legends Alan Shearer and Malcolm Macdonald despaired sitting in the stands witnessing first hand Newcastle’s embarrassment in the recent home clashes with Manchester United and Blackburn and how humiliated they were on behalf of supporters, which tells us that this club is in freefall.

Oh how we could do with either of them today. United would not be in this mess then – unless moneyconscious Mike Ashley cashed in by selling, of course. Yeah, he probably would have done!

After Chelsea it is back home for a MUST-win match with fellow strugglers Cardiff. Everyone from Mike Ashley to Rafa Benitez and the players ought to be ashamed at what they have timidly served up to a loyal 50,000 game after game. It is about time blame was readily accepted instead of posturing and finger-pointing. Yes, some must carry more responsibility than others but no one is blameless. Accountability must start right now. No further opportunities can be wasted.

Everyone from Ashley to Benitez and the players ought to be ashamed at what they have timidly served up