It’s been awhile since the sun has shone on Newcastle United. Although last weekened’s 3-0 win over newly relegated Cardiff City saw a break in the clouds, they remained thick and black with the six game losing streak they snapped with victory over the Bluebirds still at the forefront of more than one supporter’s mind.
With a trip to Anfield on the cards for the weekend, it’s not looking likely that the Magpies will close the season out in winning ways. Liverpool have been formidable at home this season while Newcastle have been quite a bit less than that on the road. With a mere fifteen wins to their name and a -15 goal difference blighting the campaign, sections of the Newcastle support have started to vent their frustration at not only their old foe in owner Mike Ashley, but now manager Alan Pardew has a target on his back as well.
“I am frustrated a little bit, of course. Some of the criticism has been a little bit left-field and a little bit over the top, and that’s fuelled the anger here” said Pardew when questioned about the actions of some of the Newcastle faithful. “You have to accept that, unfortunately, when you lose six as a Newcastle manager – they are upset, they are angry – I understand that. I apologise to them for the last six games and hopefully, we have taken a very, very small step towards them.”
A number of supporters walked out at pre-determined points during the second half of the win over Cardiff City and they were sure to let the world know why they were leaving with less than supportive chants raining down from the stands. Pardew was rotundly booed every time he emerged from the dugout as the already hostile crowd began to exert there influence, leaving him to just gave up altogether. “Coming to the sideline, I was only antagonising them,” he said of the boo-boys, “and I don’t want to do that and make the atmosphere worse for the players, so it seemed a lot more sense to let [assistant manager] John [Carver] do that and take a seat.”
Although questions remain regarding Pardew’s future on Tyneside, there has been some good news for the gaffer this week with want-away defender Fabricio Coloccini pledging his commitment to the Magpies cause. The Argentine, who has been unsettled at Newcastle for quite some time now, has moved to clear speculation about his future by insisting that he’d be at St. James Park next season. Now, whether that’s a good or bad thing, it all depends on your view.
The 32-year old hasn’t exactly had the best season, but he’ll be around to try to fix that in the coming campaign.”For sure I’m going to be here,” Coloccini told the press with the last match of the season rapidly approaching. “I had personal problems. Sometimes it’s tough. You have to decide between the problems and the work.” The Argentine had asked for his contract to be terminated last January due to personal reasons, but it looks like the defender has put that behind him with a massive summer for the Tyneside outfit on the horizon. “Sometimes it’s too difficult. Now it’s finished, and next season I will be here” he continued. “I’m looking forward to improving. We want the best for Newcastle United.”
With any anxiety over his future now sorted, Coloccini will be looking to switch gears to a whole new level as he anxiously awaits a call from Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella to see if he’s heading to the World Cup this summer — something that team-mate Shola Ameobi believes he’s earned. The striker, who made the provisional draft of Nigeria’s squad, wants to see his buddy in South America this summer. “Colo is a very good friend who I have known for a few years now” said the 32-year old. “And it would be a real treat to be out there together. He’s a top, top player and deserves his chance in that Argentina squad.”
While the stats may tell a different story about the Argentine’s effectiveness this season, Ameobi remains hopeful that they’ll both be enjoying their football in Brazil this summer. “I have wished him all the best and hope that he does get picked and has done the same for me too” he continued. “We are both very excited and hopeful of being there and it could be a great moment for Newcastle as well.”
–Steven
