I SUPPOSE the stalemate against Swansea which played out after the Speed tribute was almost inevitable.
As quick as I am to pour ordure on the heads of the regime in their many crass moments, it must be balanced with praise when they get it right.
The tribute was clearly appreciated and, as much as I am not an advocator of the minute’s applause, the genuine emotion for a revered ex-player was touching.
He was the type of player we could have done with on Saturday as we huffed and puffed and eventually ran of steam against a limited Swansea.
Cheick Tioté was off the pace and needs more games, just hopefully not for Chelsea in January.
Cabaye seemed strangely attracted to our penalty area rather than theirs and Obertan after a promising start, suffered footballing brewer’s droop.
On the plus side, good old Sideshow Bob enhances his reputation with every game and, while I would demure at acceding to the pleadings of the song sung in his honour, I still hope he signs a new contract.
The news Maïga has created history by failing a medical up here came as a complete surprise.
Douglas Bader could have sailed through a medical at St James’ Park in past years.
The cynic in me suggests this unusual adherence to medical opinion by us (remember Marveaux and Ba’s reputations on arrival? Even Marcelino, who made Kieron Dyer look positively Herculean in comparison, got our smiley badge) is part of a ploy to save two hundred quid.
I would like to think we will capitalise on this unexpected start, but I am not holding my breath.
I suspect many of us are waiting for Olivier Bernard to be wheeled in again, three hours before the transfer window closes.
Maybe we could get Carroll back on loan?
Finally, whatever stadium you worship in, whatever colour shirt you wear or whatever God you appeal to, a very merry Christmas/winterval/seasonal celebration to you.
