 Saturday, 22nd Dec 2007 12:28 The first chance of a double this season – and it’s not a double defeat! Newcastle United v Derby County Newcastle still remains the only team from whom we’ve taken three points. Should Derby fans be optimistic? The statistics say probably not. Since Kenny Miller scored the winner against the Geordies back in September, we’ve scored twice. Newcastle have scored 18. We’ve managed just two points since, Newcastle have taken 17. We’ve lost our last 7 games, Newcastle are looking for a third straight win, we’re looking for any sort of result. In the preview of the game back in September, I looked at how the Toon had started the season well under Allardyce, and that maybe his quest for silverware would be answered. Since then, Newcastle have reverted to their more usual form. Good results followed by dismal defeats. The victories over Fulham & Birmingham come after a dismal run of six games without a victory – including heavy home defeats by Liverpool & Portsmouth. The game against Fulham was described by the BBC as “shocking game that was devoid of any creativity or quality. “ Allardyce himself conceded it was a poor game but said; “It was a crucial, crucial victory, it wasn't pretty, we didn't play well but we were very resilient and nullified them. “ There have already been some rumblings from the terraces about Allardyce. The notoriously fickle Geordie fans were castigated for their impatience by Midfielder Joey Barton, while Shay Given and Steve Harper had to go on record denying a player revolt. It’s never straightforward at St. James’ park. What Barton has to realise is that – as at Derby – the fans have seen many a false dawn and that they have been patient for many years. With all the money invested at St. James’ and with the support and infrastructure, the Geordies should be a force in the English game. That they are not is a sign of how they have been mismanaged over the years. The fans deserve better. Current Newcastle Squad No. Position Player Last 5 games Newcastle 0-3 Liverpool Danger Men One player we won’t be facing is Michael Owen. Despite targeting this game for his comeback, his thigh injury is proving longer the clear up than expected. Also injured are Shola Ameobi, Damien Duff and Abdoulaye Faye. Steve Taylor has a hamstring injury but may be fit to play. The Toon’s leading scorer is Obafemi Martins with seven goals. Despite being relatively short, he’s actually quite good in the air. The big problem for the Derby defence however will be his pace. He’s very quick off the mark and a very good finisher when given space. Nicky Butt is likely to feature in midfield for Newcastle. He’s exactly the sort of defensive midfielder we don’t have at Derby. Solid and unspectacular, Butt is a key part of any team he plays in. Joey Barton should also be playing. He’s very much a box to box midfielder as Pearson should be for the Rams and our players could learn a lot from him. He’s prone to the occasional rash tackle and can often find himself in trouble with referee’s. The Rams Realism says that Derby are as good as down. We’re going to be bottom on Christmas day and only one team has ever recovered from that position to stay up and they had twice as many points as us. That’s if you listen to reason of course. And when have Derby fans ever done that? If we listened to reason or had truck with reality we’d all be watching Manchester United or Chelsea – We wouldn’t be wasting our time following a team that’s so obviously doomed. So how do we pull off the great escape? Paul Jewell thinks it’s down to getting the players heads right. The players have struggled this season and visibly lack the confidence required to really compete. Jewell told the official DCFC site; “ What we need is to start showing more belief in the final third. "It's easy for me to tell the players not to play with any fear because they are human beings - but that's where they need to get their heads right.” He’s right of course and if you don’t shoot you don’t score. What was perplexing last week however was that we again played 4-5-1 with Kenny Miller up front – Exactly what Billy Davies would have done and exactly what hasn’t worked before. Miller is not a target man – he plays off the chances created by a target man. If we’re going to play 4-5-1 then Steve Howard should start up front. Howard is looking forward to the game. Growing up in the North-East big Steve was a Newcastle fan. He told the official site; “I'm looking forward to it, this was a fixture I looked for a long time ago and I can't wait. It's an intimidating ground, you'll have 50,000 Geordies screaming at you and it's not an easy place to play but we'll go there and do our best.” Steve hasn’t given up on the Premiership yet and having scored at Old Trafford he’s hopeful of scoring against his boyhood heroes, he went on; “We all believe that we can get out of this, if you don't you're dead and buried, so we are all fully focused and will give it a good go.” As long as they do. Going down is one thing, going down without a fight is another. Paul Jewell has several injury concerns. Andy Griffin and Stephen Pearson are doubtful while somehow Rob Earnshaw and Dave Jones have managed to pick up injuries. Even worse however is the news that Matt Oakley faces a late fitness test. I may take my boots. Mick’s team: Bywater, Mears, Moore, Leacock, Davis, McEveley, Oakley, Barnes, Teale, Howard, Miller What the bookies think William Hill think revenge will be exacted by the Geordies and have them 1/3. You can get 17/2 on the Rams to break their away duck. The draw is at 19/5. You can get 4/1 on Steve Howard to score against his boyhood heroes while you can also get 6/5 on Michael Owen scoring – presumably from the stands! Information for travelling fans Driving: It’s about 170 miles to Newcastle and the route is fairly straightforward. Take the M1 north to the M18 then join the A1. Follow the A1 until J65 where the A1(M) ends. Stay on the A1 to the junction with the A184. Follow this road and bear left onto the A189 which crosses the Tyne. The ground is easily visible from here. Follow the dual carriageway to the Gallowgate End. Parking: The ground is right in the City centre and there are plenty of places to park. That being said, this is Christmas weekend and it’s likely to be busy getting in and out of Newcastle. Having been stuck for hours trying to get out of Newcastle on a bust weekend before, I’d go with the suggestion from Footballgroundguides.co.uk and park ay Heworth Metro Station near Gateshead and get the Train into the City centre. You should find it easier to get back on the A1 after the game as well Drinking: As the stadium is in the city centre, there are literally hundreds of places to drink. They do tend to have a downer on away colours however so cover up. Mick’s Prediction Tough game. We won at Derby by putting up a fight and with a speculative wonder goal. Maybe we can do the same again? Stranger things have happened!
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