All,
for those of you unable to attend games at Gallowgate for whatever reason here is another of my match accounts for this season, including personal thoughts as a Newcastle supporter as the day’s events unfolded both outside and inside St James Park.
When it comes to attending football at the cathedral on the hill I'm a bit of a traditionalist and openly admit I hate Monday night league games moved for TV. I just about get away with the
rearranged Saturday and Sunday games. Don't get me wrong here it's great if you are an armchair fan or abroad and can't get to the ground or in some cases can't be arsed to go. The gripe I have is that it's another example of where the supporter is just taken for granted. Take two of the guys I meet on match day that travel up from London. As soon as the game was moved it becomes a nightmare to sort travel plans and possibly days off. You can hardly blame them for not attending. Even more so given the current run of form shown by The Toon.
Pre match training was a family affair and not at my usual watering hole. What made it even better was the venue, Newcastle Labour Club, and being in the company of some great blokes and supporters of unquestionable faith, no talk of relegation here. The thing is no matter how bad it looks at the moment, Newcastle have actually been in a worse mess in the past. It just takes someone
to remind you that's all. Any doubts I had before the game we would lose to Wigan were quickly disposed of, along with several bottles of Dog. Those doubts didn't go simply because I thought The Toon have a better side than the pie-men. No it was because I was reminded of what it is to be a Mag. It's about being a supporter in every sense of the word so there's just no room for doubt when it comes to a game. If you don't understand where I'm coming from look the word support up in a dictionary. Of course not
everyone looks at following The Toon in that way and given the Clubs lack of success since The Fairs Cup win even the most die hard can hardly be blamed for having a pessimistic streak. The thing is deep down if there's no belief why bother going in the first place or continue to put yourself through the pain. Got to be other things in life more worthwhile giving your time and money up for. I will also post on the Forum a video involving some of the guys I was training with. It was made during last season and should
give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Certainly made me laugh quite a bit when being told what actually went on rather than what you see in the finished article.
With a great pre match training session over we made our way up to the ground. I never quite get over the fact you can walk out of somewhere like the Labour Club, go a couple of hundred metres (or Yards) and get in the ground. Being a Monday Night televised game I expected a decent sized crowd, but nowhere near a full house and as it was Wigan any visitors would be few in numbers.
Once inside I immediately checked the team details being shown on the monitors. As expected Perch was missing due to his one game suspension. The gap filled by Marveaux with the Frenchman picking up a slot in midfield. The bench providing a mix of experience and youth with Harps, Stroller, Sameobi, Fergie, Bigirimana, Tavernier
and Ranger.
The first half kicked off with The Toon attacking the Gallowgate End. It was pretty clear from the off that APee didn't want Wigan to settle and get their passing game going. Tiote being very influential in the opening five minutes or so, however always running the risk of a rash tackle or early card. Yet Wigan under Martinez play some very attractive football and are confident enough to pass it among themselves. Two corners coming in quick succession from that approach. That said, their defence didn't appear comfortable marking Ba and Cisse with the Senegalese pair looking to take advantage of any opportunity presented. The opening goal on twelve minutes coming from a slick exchange that released Cisse into the box only for him to be barged down by a defender. Referee Mike Jones ultimately deciding it was a clear penalty and that the
offender Figueroa was also the last man and duly showed him a Red card. From where I was it was hard to tell and possibly
harsh, but given some of our red cards this season I was in no mood to look a gift horse in the mouth. Demba Ba ending any
debate by scoring past Al Habsi. The opening goal lifting both team and crowd as well as lowering the level of early tension around the ground. Newcastle were now playing some very tidy football with Marveaux and Anita getting to grips in midfield.
The main outlet coming down the left hand side through Jonas and Santon. On twenty minutes it was Santon who made a surging run
forward down the left flank and with The Wigan defence parting like the Red Sea unleashed a terrific right foot shot.
I was in line with it all the way and thought he would definitely score only for Al Habsi to pull off an amazing stop.
Unfortunately for the keeper, but much to the delight of the Toon Army the ball came out to Ba who calmly
put it past the Wigan stopper for his second goal of the game. Already down to ten men and losing two nil Caldwell appeared to
me to be lucky to also still be on the pitch. In fairness though his attack minded colleagues were still making a good fist of
trying to claw themselves back into the game. Meantime Marveaux and Anita continued to drive The Toon forward in search of a third.
The Frenchman bringing out a decent stop from the Wigan Keeper with a low drive. Confidence was growing although the Newcastle
back four, excepting Santon, still appear out of sorts for me. Despite that they worked hard enough when put under pressure to
prevent their opponents getting a toehold back into the game. So at the break The Toon went in two nil to the good.
There were two changes made by the respective managers at half time, Bigirimana coming on for Tiote and Lopez for Caldwell.
Probably just as well for the Wigan man as the ref may well have decided to give him no option had he continued to try and kick
lumps out of Newcastle players. Yet surprisingly it was Santon who left the field barely four minutes into the half following what
appeared to me to a late challenge. Not that it looked that bad but none the less on came Ferguson. The game now went through one
of those periods where teams cancel each other out. No idea what was said at half time regarding who was to play where, but the
Newcastle trio in midfield appeared confused. Anita and Marveaux playing deep with Bigi often left on his own to support the front
two. Despite that Newcastle continued to work hard and look to create openings. Marveaux making a couple of good runs past a static Wigan defence only for him to waste the opportunities when in a position to score. He also set up a chance for Bigi to test the
keeper with a stinging drive, however Al Habsi again did his job. That effort however was totally overshadowed on the seventy minute mark. The young midfielder receiving the ball from Marveaux twenty five yards from goal as The Toon countered on the break. This time he cut inside from the right and unleashed a superb left foot shot that had Al Habsi clutching thin air. The young Mags first goal and one all of us that were there along with Bigi himself will remember. At three nil the fight had finally gone out of the Wigan side. Shortly after that Sameobi came on for Jonas and in what appeared to me to be less than thirty seconds was booked by the ref. If the red card had been harsh that one just left me shaking my head. The game by now was effectively over although when it comes to The Toon there's always something and so it was as following another attack Ba went down and eventually limped off. With both sides now with ten men it was just a matter of getting to the final whistle without anyone else suffering injury.
Positives: A much needed win and without conceding. Albeit against ten men this side can play attacking football and achieve results. We aren't relegated yet and much improved performances against both Stoke and Wigan will help confidence to grow.
Negatives: More injuries, just not sure how bad. Games coming hard and fast during Xmas period. Lose Ba to injury, no goal threat up front and the boo boys will be back.
Next up another Monday night special this time away to Fulham at Craven Cottage on December 10th.
WL
Can breathe easy now 
