With a week's break in domestic football for our North-East clubs, it gives us a chance to address exactly where our teams are heading this season.
Perhaps the biggest surprise so far this season, is how Newcastle have performed in the Premiership. After an early start, taking part in the much talked about Intertoto Cup, Newcastle have been the surprise package in the Premiership. The Geordies currently lie in fourth position and are even above the Champions, Manchester United. Bobby Robson seems to have finally got himself a settled team. The additions of Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert in the summer have of-course been a major plus. In Robert, Newcastle have finally found a replacement for Ginola. The French B International has a fantastic left foot. He is an old fashioned winger who is strong and can get to the by-line and deliver super crosses. Much to the delight of Alan Shearer who returned two months into the season. Shearer finally seems to be greedy again for the ball and the game. He is back to what he does best, scoring goals. This is again thanks mostly to Robert and Bellamy.
Bellamy's pace has been another factor in Newcastle's early success. At £7 Million he looked over priced at Coventry. Many thought Robson had payed way too much. He always had potential, but at Newcastle he finally seems to be delivering the goods. Don't get me wrong he still has a lot to improve on, but he's certainly altered my opinion of him. Credit must go to Robson. A lot of Newcastle fans thought he was showing his age when he splashed out £17 Million on the pair of Robert and Bellamy in the summer, now it looks like a bargain.
The only real problem Newcastle have is their home form. While they have been superb on their travels this season, their home form has been surprisingly poor. When the team is away, it seems to play without fear, but at home, sometimes you feel the burden of the 50,000 screaming home support is too much. If Newcastle can sort their home form out, then surely they will qualify for Europe. Its worth remembering as well, that 4th place this season carries with it a Champions League place. It may be worth Mr Fletcher and the board gambling some money on this and improving the team some more, especially at the back.
Onto Middlesbrough who have just over-taken Sunderland in the Premiership. What can you say about Middlesbrough? As usual the Riverside faithful have endured a mixed start, but it finally seems to be coming together for them. After losing their opening four games, new boss Steve McClaren finally seems to influencing his side with his fresh ideas. He has certainly already improved the discipline of the squad, that is clear. It will take McClaren at least a season to make the side his own. Everyone knows he inherited a very poor squad from Bryan Robson, and you can't get rid of that amount of deadwood so quickly. His first season should not be judged too much. Obviously Boro need to survive, but a managerial transitional period in a club is never easy, especially when the whole set-up has changed. Season one for McClaren will be about changing the roster of players and survival in the Premiership.
One decision McClaren has certainly got correct, is Carlos Marinelli. You just can't ignore talent like that. He maybe young, but the Argentine U21 International is magic. Against Derby recently, the Riverside was treated to its best exhibition of football from the home side in nearly three seasons'. This was all down to Marinelli. I look forward to seeing more of him.
Finally we come to Sunderland. It seems the bubble on Wearside is starting to burst. The Wearsiders' are in the middle of an awful spell. Reid finally seems to be paying the price for not spending money. For too long he has mixed and matched, relying on team spirit. This is fine for a while, but eventually team spirit isn't always enough. This is what Sunderland are currently experiencing. Don't get me wrong, I think Reid is an excellent manager. Doing what he has done for Sunderland, on the budget he has used, is amazing. The only problem I have, as with a lot of Sunderland supporters is that he won't spend any money. Last season when the Black Cats' were in second position in the Premiership, Reid could have brought some quality players in and guaranteed the club a European spot. In the end he decided not too, believing his squad was 'strong enough' to remain in the European positions. The end of the season proved the squad was not strong enough, but he still hasn't really brought anyone in.
Sunderland are also clearly missing the presence of Don Hutchinson. The decision to sell him may go down as one of Reid's biggest mistakes. Obviously the two didn't see eye to eye, but the fact is, Sunderland have missed Hutchy, and he hasn't been replaced. Sunderland are losing most of their games in the midfield area. The Black Cats' are no longer strong, like they use to be in this area. Really it is down to Reid and the board. They can either spend some money and give themselves a chance of some success this season or they can do what they usually do, nothing, leaving the club to plummet down the league.
Visit our Fans' Forum and agree or disagree with the above column
