Paul Dummett’s barnstorming performance at the heart of the Newcastle defence on Saturday to secure a vital point against West Bromwich Albion was almost eclipsed by Sammy Ameobi’s Pele-esque overhead kick that flashed over the bar in the dying seconds which would have truly sealed Newcastle’s ‘Escape to Victory.’
Along with Killingworth-born Jack Colback’s typically impassioned display, the sight of Geordies straining every sinew for their team brought to mind former Newcastle Chairman Freddie Shepherd’s assertion that “a Geordie chip” in the DNA of local players gave them an edge for the club.
Fate has been against Newcastle of late in the shape of injuries, choice refereeing decisions and suspensions, yet their Premier League Destiny is still very much in their own hands as the 2014/5 season draws to a close.
John Carver’s men head into their penultimate game of the season at Loftus Road knowing defeating already-relegated Queens Park Rangers will assuredly keep Newcastle safe from relegation.
Captain Fabricio Coloccini’s stirring letter to the Geordie public for their continued support as the season enters “squeaky-bum time” was heeded by a full stadium of fans in better voice.
After a tumultuous 8-game losing streak, Dummett’s defending stiffened The Magpies resolve against West Bromwich Albion to earn a hard-fought point and together with Jack Colback, its the local lads who know what playing for the black and whites means that are showing the way for their team-mates.
Interestingly, Newcastle are the only club to have beaten new Champions Chelsea and last year’s Champions Man City this season and defeated both Premier League winners with a clutch of Geordies in their line-up.
Against Chelsea at St James’ Park in December, there were four Geordies in the starting line-up in the shape of Steven Taylor, Dummett, Colback and Sammy Ameobi and a fifth came on when Jak Alnwick replaced Robbie Elliot in goal and memorably floored Diego Costa with a big punch.
At The Etihad in The League Cup, Colback, Dummett and Geordie prodigy Adam Armstrong started the game and Sammy Ameobi featured as a second half substitute to see off the defending Capital One Cup champions.
Geordies are renowned for their football ability; from Jackie Milburn through to Peter Beardsley, Paul Gascoigne to Alan Shearer. Add to that a battling spirit and refusal to lose and that tenacity comes across on the pitch in Jack Colback’s industrious performances.
The club are actively seeking to bring more local youngsters through the ranks and Dummett’s MOM display on Saturday reminded Newcastle what they have been missing of late in his absence through injury. Another big miss is Steven Taylor, whose twelve appearances before injury brought only three defeats and was a key component of the win over Crystal Palace in the League Cup and four straight League wins.
After starting the season on the bench, Sammy Ameobi was also crucial in that fantastic winning streak in October and November: his goal after eight seconds against Spurs helped turned the corner for The Magpies and kept momentum up as he featured in wins against Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers.
Of course John Carver himself is a Geordie, though this has proved a curse more than a blessing as he is so close to the emotional heartbeat of the city and its incumbent pressures. However, knowing what it means to Newcastle and its people will give him the do or die mentality to succeed in the final days.
QPR as a club have come in for some serious criticism from all quarters since their relegation from owner to players after their 6-0 defeat at Manchester City confirmed their relegation. Newcastle will be on their guard against a team who will have licked their wounds and might use Saturday as a platform to restore professional pride or, for those out of contract, to try to win a move elsewhere
Newcastle old boy Joey Barton, who completed an unwanted personal hat-trick of relegations last weekend, could fall into that category having dubbed his team-mates “bad eggs” or might further enhance his own hero status among fans on Tyneside in some way as Kevin Nolan did by missing an open goal for West Ham and winking to Newcastle fans behind the goal at the end of a relegation-threatened 2012/13.
The Newcastle fans who have rallied to their club’s cause in their hour of the need still have a big part to play.
The travelling Toon Army will be at Loftus Road to roar on their team to their first away win since Hull at the end of January when a rousing display from Remy Cabella and a first (allowed) goal for the club meant a 3-0 win, the last time the Magpies have won on the road and the only time under Carver.
John Carver’s normally extensive 3-page match programme notes were succinctly replaced against West Brom by the following statement:
“The time for talking is over. Actions speak louder than words and we have to start delivering on the pitch. Get behind the team this afternoon and roar us onto three huge points.”
The same applies again on Saturday at Loftus Road in order to edge the Magpies to safety.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends…
