Newcastle United back in action.
Wolves on Sunday.
Things can change very quickly, especially with so many competitions, so many matches.
In my life as a Newcastle United supporter, I have never seen my team still fighting on four fronts as we head into February, even though one of them is now hanging by a thread.
The result was a big blow against Manchester City, but Newcastle United is not broken.
They just have to pick themselves up and go again.
I’m sure in the last five games in two terms we’d all had, if we were honest, four wins and a defeat, just not that defeat…
But in the end, or rather at the end of those fortnights, the fact is that Manchester City always looked like the toughest test of the five games.
The reality is that Newcastle United could have won all five of these games, but the reality is also that in a parallel universe they might not have won any of the five.
A heady mix of commitment, character, quality, fine margins and yes, some luck, brought us victories over Burnley, Palace, Leeds and Bournemouth, which put United in the top six of the Premier League and into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Even though we weren’t at our best for much of the last two wins, the character, dedication and never giving up were extraordinary.
Against Manchester City the scales simply tipped the other way when it came to fine margins and luck, but also finishing. The woodwork denied Newcastle twice and fatigue clearly had an impact as the match progressed, following the previous games, but our players continued to give it their all… and more.
This is a team that plays for the manager, the club, their teammates and of course the fans.
Manchester City were lucky in many ways, Leeds and Bournemouth were not. That’s football.
A very tough and intense period of five games in quick succession and Newcastle United took a clear lead overall.
Newcastle United are not broken, they lost a game they didn’t deserve.
A convincing performance and win against Wolves will leave Newcastle United sixth at worst, most likely fifth, possibly fourth after this weekend’s games.
Everything still to play for and that will continue on Sunday.
#Newcastle #United #broken