OCTOBER 2004

Alreet there lads n’ lasses. Here we go again. Souey is now firmly in charge and it’s got to be a case of “so far so good”. After all, since he was appointed, it’s 5 wins and 2 draws in all competitions. Alright, so the critics say we haven’t exactly played any of the top teams yet, but you can only beat what’s infront of you at the end of the day. And I’m sure I can’t be the only Toon fan who thinks that the last two away games in particular (at Charlton and Birmingham) would not have produced a continuation of our unbeaten run under the previous manager.

I want to take this opportunity to detail what has impressed me most about our new manager. In his reign so far, he has wielded an imaginary checklist, as it were, of issues that always get raised and hyped by the media as traditional Newcastle problems, and tackled them head on, ticking them off as he has gone.

Bare with me. Firstly, “Can Shearer, Kluivert and Bellamy play in the same team?”. Robson had so far shied away from that one. Souey’s response? Play Shearer and Kluivert up front, ask Bellamy to play on the wing. Result? Goals from all three of them. (Although, admittedly, Bellers hasn’t been all that delighted with that situation. However, he has said he is willing to play there for the good of the team. Are you reading this Kieron Dyer?…)

Next, “Why can’t Newcastle win at Southampton?”. Souey’s response? Crack this one at the first attempt by having at least three players out of position, but all completing their given tasks to the best of their ability. Unexpected tactics and player positions, but a result none the less.

“Newcastle haven’t won away in nearly a year”. See above…

“Newcastle haven’t got anyone other than Shearer and Bellamy to score goals”. Kluivert, Carr, O’Brien. Butt, Milner all on target already.

“Newcastle can’t string a run of unbeaten games together”. It’s 7 and counting…

“Newcastle’s defence is always shaky”. 2 cleans sheets in seven, only Birmingham have scored twice. And that’s considering we’ve got a full back who thought his career was over playing at centre half. Spend that Woodgate cash in January and we can surely only approve.

Now here’s another one that may have passed you by. When was the last time any of you can remember Newcastle using 3-5-2 and getting a result? I can’t. It NEVER happens. It became Robson’s nemesis. Any time he tried it, it always ended in disaster. Souey’s response? Newcastle losing 2-1 at Birmingham after an exhausting trip back from Israel 48 hours previously. Souey switches things around to 3-5-2. Result? Butt scores a belter, we switch back to 4-4-2 and get a result. Frankly friends, that’s been one of Souness’ strongest points so far. He isn’t afraid to change things when they aren’t working. Early second half substitutions, formation changes etc have all come aplenty. Not like our recent past where we religiously stuck to Plan A till the last ten minutes when the cavalry charge started in the form of 3 substitutes at the same time.

“Does he dare drop Shearer or Robert?” He’s done both already and the results have kept coming.

In short, people, I am not trying to convince you all that we are playing scintillating football, or that had we been playing Arsenal et al so far that we would have had a similar set of results. Nor am I trying to convince you that Souness is some kind of manager supreme. But, the Toon have certainly been displaying a more convincing shape, sense of tactical awareness, commitment to the cause, and above all, adaptability. Not only the manager, but the players as well seem able to change things around, to come up with alternatives. It’s hardly going to be plain sailing from here on in. But I, for one, am encouraged as to what lies ahead this season. Given some wise spending in January (Duff continues to be linked, but despite the obvious appeal of that move, I can’t see him coming), a top four finish and a cup of some description should continue to be realistic aims. You may remember where you read that here first. I am still convinced this is the year for the cup hoodoo to be broken.

All that is left now is for Souness to mastermind a Toon win in white shorts….

Till next time

Keep the faith

Mark

Do you enjoy Mark's columns?
PLEASE E-Mail Mark Deeks with your views! (deekazoid@yahoo.co.uk!)

Previous columns:
- September 2004 - What a month this was! Dyer refusing to play on the wing for his club, Woodgate sold to Real Madrid, bids for Wayne Rooney, and Sir Bobby Robson sacked - with Graeme Souness appointed to replace him!
- August 2004 - Mark's first column of the 2004/05 season, highlighting his views on our summer spending and the season ahead.

Related Links:
- Mark's Columns - 2002/03
- Mark's Columns - 2003/04

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