Win over Middlesbrough must be consolidated

May 16 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

IT was greeted as joyously as a cup final win, but Newcastle United’s 3-1 win over Middlesbrough this week will count for nothing unless it is followed up in their final two games.

With less than a fortnight of the season left, the Magpies’ escape from the relegation zone was well timed, but they will be back tonight if Hull City get more points at Bolton Wanderers than they do at home to Fulham. After watching the DVD of the Trotters against Sunderland last week, Hull will fancy their chances. And the odds are in Fulham’s favour at St James’s Park. Since mid-March, the Cottagers have lost to all of the top three sides, but no one else.

They are seventh in the table and although lukewarm on the Europa League place that comes with it, recording the club’s highest league placing is motivating them.

So United can not afford to fall below the standards set on Monday. “It just won’t happen against Fulham,” manager Alan Shearer warned. “We have to make it happen again. We have to force the pace. If they go out with same hunger, desire and application there won’t be any complaints from me. But we are playing a very good Fulham side who are tough to beat and well organised.

“Fulham are flying at the minute so it will be a lot tougher than the other evening. They are a good side and are trying to get into Europe, although whether they want to is a different matter because of the size of their squad. But they have had an excellent season and will come here nice and relaxed. There is no point us winning the other evening and then throwing it away today.”

Shearer will decide whether Alan Smith returns from a thigh injury as late as possible today.

Obafemi Martins missed Thursday’s training, and the extent of his involvement is to be decided. Jose Enrique’s hamstring will again keep him out, but Mark Viduka suffered no reaction to Monday’s man-of-the-match performance and will play.