Derby clash will be a fight to a likely death
May 9 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
It promises to be the most dramatic North East derby in almost 20 years, but who has the edge heading into Monday night’s relegation decider? Chief Sports Writer Luke Edwards reports.
Shearer has done much to improve things behind the scenes and, even if his triumphant return to the club has not brought the instantaneous improvement in results owner Mike Ashley hoped for, it is surely only a matter of time until a win comes. That time, though, has to be now.
Against Portsmouth, St James’s Park roared, but still the Magpies were unable to win the game, a series of missed chances serving to heighten the sense of dread and foreboding ahead of Middlesbrough’s arrival.
Newcastle’s supporters have taken such a battering since the departure of Sir Bobby Robson five years ago that optimism has been thumped out of them. They need something to cling to. Victory over Middlesbrough would be ideal.
On paper, Newcastle’s team is a stronger one than Boro’s. Given results this season, however, that argument isn’t really worth the paper it is written on.
Gareth Southgate will insist the pressure is all on United, and to an extent he is right. They are expected to win, while relegation would be more catastrophic for United than their rivals from Teesside. With over-paid, ageing stars littering the squad, and with no clauses inserted into their contracts to ensure their failure in the Premier League means they are forced to take a pay cut in the Championship, there will be a fire sale at Newcastle.
The entire squad will have to be rebuilt by Shearer should, as is expected, he turns his temporary tenure into a permanent one.
While Boro will likely lose big stars like Tuncay and Stewart Downing, there is a core of young, local talent to try and return the club to the top flight at the first opportunity.
Not since Newcastle entertained Sunderland in the the old Second division play-offs in 1990 has so much ridden on a North East derby. History must not repeat itself because United fans will not need to be reminded they lost that game 2-0.
