Where next Columbus?
Posted on February 7th, 2011 | 47 Comments |
So it was always gonna be interesting, to say the least, to see how the team dealt with it psychologically as well as physically, on the pitch.
To be fair, it didn’t look good as our week got worse still with our away defeat to Fulham on Wednesday. Especially as we capitulated to a ‘punt’ up field to one Damian Duff. In the meantime we lost yet another striker early in that game, in the shape of Shola Ameobi, to what looked like a nasty cheekbone fracture.
Aye, the fun was never ending it seemed. So, as the lads prepared themselves for the visit of Arsenal to SJP you could be forgiven for fearing the worst.
After a particularly awful week for your friend and humble narrator, compounded by the fact that I would be forced to miss the game because of family commitments, I was, at first, horrified and then kind of relieved as I left the house at about 6 minutes past 3 with the score already 0-2. As I trudged round to the above mentioned ‘commitment’, I toyed with the thought: ‘Ah! Well, I guess we’re in for a proper kicking?‘
Which turned to: ‘Well, there’s plenty of time … oh, pack it in‘, just get on with me commitment and forget about it. Little did I know what was going on.
When I got back at about 5:15, quickly, with heart in mouth, expecting a basketball score, checked for the result. Well you can imagine how my grey mood turned to bemused, amazement, with a touch of joy on the side. After seeing the highlights and reading a few reports, I understood even less.
So, where does this leave Newcastle?
A team that gave 4 points to Fulham (0-1, on aggregate). Took 4 points from Arsenal (5-4, on aggregate). Couldn’t score v Fulham, home or away. Then scored 4 v Arsenal, coming back from 4 down in one of the premier league games (definitely ‘comebacks’) of all time.
What ever Alan Pardew said during half time, bottle it!
Whatever resiliance, commitment, never say die attitude the lads found, patent it!
After a terrible week, where most feared the worst, an amazing end, that no one could have predicted. It’s hard to contemplate what comes next, other than, this team has learned to not give up despite all and terrible odds against it. That should stand us in good stead, teach us fans to expect the unexpected, including disappointment and glory.
Inconsistent, consistently inconsistent?
One thing is for sure though, whether it’s down to managers past or present, coaches, the loyal 50 odd thousand or the lads just rolling up their sleeves and getting on with it in the face of adversity …
… we can never write off the spirit of this team.
Where next Columbus?
Off topic,but sensational news.Louise Taylor of the Guardian praises and sticks up for Newcastle in her column!