Coverage for the week of the 3rd - 9th October

Who says international weeks are boring?  Well aye ok then, though I did manage to find some paint to watch drying so it hasn’t all been doom and gloom.  For most clubs with many players away on international duty, these weeks see them down to a skeleton staff and not a lot to report.  Most clubs.  There’s still plenty to go through for us however and most of it emanating from the academy, training ground and treatment table.  Or should that be tables?  Or infirmary?  (To mend broken ribses/hamstrings)

Ongoing within the academy grounds this week was the 2nd of Sky One’s “Match” reality TV programmes. (Article)  You know the score by now, z list celebs vs. fat ex footballers and Peter Beardsley.  Loveable old SBR of course, not missing any further self-promotion opportunities (he’s available for kids parties, bah mitzvahs and football management) and the whole circus that travels with it.  Not exactly my cup of tea and you will have your own feelings on it.  My take, for what its worth, is that they couldn't do this anywhere else and if they tried it would look 2nd rate.  This at least gives us an opportunity to show off our facilities (and their hamstring busting pitches), which are impressive, and, of course, St James’ Park (with more through the gates than at some Premiership grounds not too far away, for example.)  Whilst being probably the most media friendly club in the country has its problems it is at least a double-edged sword.  Over the last 18 months or so we have generated so much negative press for ourselves that when we get positive promotion you almost go into a state of denial.  Do they mean us?  Well actually, yes.  Our at times too cosy relationship with Sky still concerns me but at the moment, we’ll take any additional income that is missing from Europe gladly.

Speaking of which, whilst the press have been out in numbers FFS had to eventually come out with something.  It’s like a form of Tourette’s I reckon.  We had to wait until the weekend but he’s banged the ball firmly back into our manager’s court demanding the return of European nights to St James’.  (Article) (Article)  Clearly we MUST improve on the pitch.

If we are going to climb the table we’ll be indebted yet again to our goalkeeper.  On the back of last week’s excellent display at Portsmouth (Article), Shay Given was worryingly attributed to quotes regarding contract talks and the lack thereof.  FFS (who else?) was quick to say they were on the way.  (Article)  By the weekend he was set for a “contract for life.”  (Article) Getting him tied down MUST be a priority.  And no matter how he puts it he is due a hell of a lot of the credit as opposed to our oft absent back 4.  (Article)

Speaking of absentees, Kieron Dyer is still out injured.  “Ordeal” (Article) or “nightmare” (Article) it’s appalling either way.  And how much is he getting a week to suffer?  Nightmare indeed.  They say now he’ll be in contention for the game against the unwashed.  (Article)  As long as he stays away from the well drained pitches of course.  Believe it when you see it.

The injury situation at St James’ has been well discussed this week.  The Chronicle ran an “injury special”.  (Article),  “Legend” Supermac warned how injuries may cost Souness his job (Article) (Article).  Well done you have just perpetuated the use of that particular excuse.  Kevin Sheedy (the obvious choice to talk to about injuries at St James’ of course!?!) meanwhile remained optimistic that our luck has to change.  (Article)  Some of it is luck perhaps but the fact that we suffer so many injuries so often there has to be more to it.  And it isn’t the pitches.  Or the colour of the grass, or a gypsy curse, or a Communist plot, or the roundness of the ball either. 

Meanwhile, in the midst of all this nonsense, 2 of our injured players are then forced to report for international duty!  First Emre (Article) then Craig Moore (Article) requested to report by their respective international federations.  Whilst both insisted that they would put NUFC first (I wish more players would!) (Article) (Article) it seems a nonsense that this situation can arise.  FIFA seem to be finding increasing ways to piss the clubs (i.e. those who pay the players’ wages) off with bizarre tournament scheduling and increasing over complication of what is, in essence, a simple game.  What price both returning fooked for another couple of weeks and our manager getting hit with a fine after the inevitable outburst?  Madness.

One of those left behind minding the “celebs” at the academy was Lee Clark who has said that this season will definitely be his last as a player.  (Article)  Had on we’ve heard this before haven’t we?  He also is quoted this week the he doesn’t want to let the club down.  (Article)  Clarkie lad if you do nowt else or play no further part on the pitch for me you’ve done MORE than any of us expected this season, anything else from here is a bonus!  Also this week Clarkie was one of the guests at the 40th Anniversary dinner for Wallsend Boys Club.  (Article)  A line up to be proud of from somewhere that is a very special place indeed.  Being from Wallsend I’m allowed to say that like. (Article)  But also a line up that begs so many questions about the ones that got away.  Here we are, millions spent on a new academy and showing it off on national TV whilst all the time we had one on our doorstep yet failed to use it properly.  We can’t let another Shearer slip through the net comes the cry form the manager.  (Article)  Let’s hope this truly proves to be the case.  And just a small hint, try not playing the next Shearer in goal at his trial game…

Well that about covers it for another week.  I have some more paint (in Crown “Dawn Mist” if you must know) to add to Wednesday night’s excitement and I’ll leave you the Sky Sports fixture list which worryingly seems to have us playing West Brom twice within 16 hours!  (Article)  TV companies have no consideration for travelling fans these days.

NM