Last week I sat on the fence and decided that I would wait for a week or two of games to be played before I started thinking about any significant changes at Newcastle United. That’s why I was very happy to see us defeat resoundingly manchester united (with 10 men, no less). Another week where I don’t have to make decisions, I thought. Ideal. Let me live life like this. Let me float away.
Then, of course, Manchester City beat us and knocked us out of the FA Cup. Did we expect that? Yes, I guess, is the short answer. So now, without a cup and in the bottom half of the Premier League table, we look to the Champions League as our only possible source of joy. Good thing we have a nice easy opponent for next time… oh. Ah, it’s Barcelona. It is Barcelona that already enjoys the luxury of a spa hotel in the northeast.
Howe has called this game “the most important in the club’s history”, something that is difficult to agree with considering we won a national trophy, our first in almost 70 years, just a year ago. Furthermore, we have already played against Barcelona at home this season.
But, to read your words more kindly, I think I understand the general sentiment. To take advantage of this season, to show that we belong in these competitions, we have to take every game very seriously. It’s difficult. The squad is tired.
I remain uncomfortably hesitant, although the pressure sores are becoming unbearable. The season has not been what we wanted and there are no more titles on the way. It is right to take every game seriously and try to finish as strong as possible and recognize that we need changes in the summer, backed by better strategy and spending. It remains to be seen what that change will be, but we can’t have another season like this and expect to fight at the top of the league.
Find more from Charlotte Robson in the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external
