Newcastle have got to find their killer instinct and quickly. They are about to play the bottom two teams in the Premier League, Sheffield United and Burnley, and they need six points to get themselves back on track for Europe.
No ifs or buts. They have been handed the perfect incentive after the surprise defeat at Crystal Palace where they were nothing short of disgraceful.
If Newcastle don’t put Sheff U to the buck and then go to Turf Moor and do the same to Burnley they won’t be in Europe and won’t deserve to be. I was shocked by what happened at Selhurst Park. It wasn’t just the defeat but the manner of the defeat.
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United’s attitude left an awful lot to be desired and I haven’t said that too often this season. They looked as though it was a game with nothing at stake when in fact everything was riding on it. I just hope that in private Eddie Howe has given them a right rollicking because what we saw was unacceptable. Do they want to play in Europe or not?
Perform like that once more in the five remaining games and European qualification is a goner. Sheffield United are where they are for good reason. They have conceded the most goals and scored the least. That tells you everything. If the Magpies beat them they are officially relegated. Well let us put them out of their misery.
If there was the slightest possibility of Newcastle being complacent after slaughtering them 8-0 at their place surely it ended with the defeat at Palace. The reaction of the manager and the fans ought to have shook them to the core and guaranteed they will go out for redemption on Saturday.
That and the fact that they are at home of course. United are okay at home but poor away and that is the worry at Burnley not to mention Manchester United and Brentford. The Blades have leaked 92 PL goals already this season which is truly embarrassing. A record in fact. It can be 100 by the close of hostilities for another season.
United’s front three are among the quickest and most talented in the top division and they should be licking their lips at the thought of the Sheff U back line. Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes may not have turned up at Palace for some unknown reason but they should be chomping at the bit for this one.
I know I would have been one-eyed, looking for a hat-trick and that ought to be Isak’s target. He has to be ruthless. He has 21 so far and can make this a personal season to remember. He’s had a few two’s but now let him aim to claim the match ball.
If United get the job done – surely when they get it done – then the bigger test is at Burnley not because they are much better but because we are a lot worse away from home. Ten defeats in 16 matches is the poorest of returns and suggests their is something wrong with their mental approach. It is no good hiding behind king words. It is what is holding this club back.
However first things first. United owe the fans and owe themselves. Let them stand tall after failing to do so in London.
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