So far so good – now can new owners turn positive signs into reality?
WE ARE about to first-foot into a new year so what does 2022 hold for Newcastle United and their longtormented foot soldiers?
Well, it will surely be better than what has just gone ... Covid, lockdown, empty terraces, Ashley, Bruce, and a relentless relegation fight.
We are, of course, still suffering from the Covid effect and for that matter the awful legacy of the Terrible Twins.
However, there is significant light at the end of a long black tunnel of despair. It is called hope.
It arrived in the year we are about to confine to history but it is only now that its true significance will be felt.
Of course for hope to turn into more than merely a dream we require the new owners to pass the first real test of their regime.
They may have expertly launched a charm offensive draped in blackand-white scarves, appointed a new manager, ripped down the offensive Sports Direct signs, and doubled the money raised by the local foodbank.
However, the goodwill directed towards the Saudis, Amanda Staveley and Jamie Reubens was built mainly on the departure of Ashley heralding the arrival of serious money to be splashed in the restoration of a great club.
Now comes the opportunity to do it. January 1 is a red letter day – or it had better be!
Every day that passes is a day wasted.
Despite the stirring performance against Manchester United the Mags will sink into the Championship without significant help.
Facts remain facts – one win in 19
PL matches, a miserly 11 points gathered, and an embarrassing 42 goals conceded. No one has won less or let in more.
Plus there is a significant injury to Callum Wilson and to a lesser extent Allan Saint-Maximin. That has the word ‘relegation’ running through it like a lettered stick of rock. Speculation has gone into overdrive. United are going to sign every big name from England full-back Kieran Trippier as a statement of intent to another full-back, two central defenders, a sitting midfielder, and now a striker with Wilson lame. Rip-off merchants lurk round every corner. They see the tag ‘richest club in the world’ as a moneymaking machine with United’s desperation only adding to their assertion that there is serious cash to be made out of exploiting a perilous situation.
This particular window is traditionally difficult, of course. Clubs are often reluctant to sell because of the difficulty of finding replacements and players are concerned about buying into a desperate relegation fight.
Then there is the problem of new players having to hit the ground running. There is no bedding-in period like pre-season matches and training to get to know the style of those around you before the serious business commences. Games are coming thick and fast so impact has to be instant.
However, there is no given ... January 1 arrives, new signings arrive,
January 1 arrives, new signings arrive, salvation is secured. It is not as easy as that. Yet we hope for – and indeed expect – action
salvation is secured. It is not as easy as that.
Nevertheless Geordies wait and hope for action. Indeed expect it because that was the deal they saw on the table.
There is a train of thought in the North East that it would be grand for Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough to all be playing one another in league combat.
You know, derbies galore and stimulating rivalry to boost both gates and anticipation.
Except that if it is to happen in the nearest of futures it would be in the Championship!
That might make Boro happy as they are there all alone at the moment. Sunderland would be delirious because it would represent promotion from League One this season. But United and their followers would hate it given it would require re relegation to make it a reality. ality.
The last time ime it did was in 2008 when en Sunderland and Boro were relegated from the Premier mier League.
The current ent state of affairs saw w Christmas fayre serve up a real contrast – Sunderland underland played Doncaster Rovers on the same day that Newcaswcastle entertained ned Manchester ter United.
So let us not ot bother with h derbies just st yet eh? We prefer it the e way it is.