10 Reasons Why Newcastle United Belong in the Championship

(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

After yesterday's shocking performance at Anfield, Newcastle United, so long thought of as one of the game's "big boys", are staring down at a desolate future in the Championship.

I have read many articles and comments that seem to suggest that the Georgie nation are too big, or too good to go down.

I have seen sympathy and distress at their plight from many neutrals.

In this article I would like to put down 10 reasons why I think this sympathy is undeserved.

1. The "Successful club" tag

It does make me laugh somewhat when I read about how a club as successful as Newcastle can not go down. What exactly is it that makes Newcastle so successful? The lack of trophies? The lack of recent European football?

When you look at the plight of two time European champions Nottingham Forest, or even Leeds United, you begin to see that Newcastle aren't even going to be that big a fish in their new smaller pond.

2. Their ownership

Mike Ashley is an idiot. An absolute oaf of a man. For a more specific reason, please see below.

3. Management

For me this starts at the very top of the pile, Dennis Wise, who had some non-specific, irrelevant job title similar to a director of football role. What exactly qualified Mr Wise for such an important role at a Premier League club?

Aside from one decent FA Cup run—five years ago—this man has had a managerial career that can be best described as non-descript.

Let's now look at the numerous managers that have sat on the St James' bench this season.

Kevin Keegan—Keegan, despite showing all the passion in the world, was found wanting when managing Newcastle in his previous spell. Despite a huge lead, and a fantastic side. Keegan lost his edge. His team followed.

Now fast forward 10 years. 10 years which have included an unsuccessful England role and five years not even watching football, and Keegan is expected to be successful with a team not even half as talented as his previous reign?

The fact he was undermined by Ashley and Wise at every turn didn't help, but Keegan was never going to be the "Messiah"

Joe Kinnear—Another shocking decision. Another man who had been out of football for so long, that people tend to have forgotten his last spell as a manager at Nottingham Forest, was absolutely awful.

Throw in the fact that Kinnear has long standing heart problems and was always going to be risking further health issues, and you feel even more perplexed about this decision.

Alan Shearer—For me, this is the most puzzling, and desperate appointment of the lot. Shearer is a man with zero coaching experience, and was often criticised for tactical naivety whilst sat on a sofa...Talking.

This was no doubt another desperate attempt by Ashley to pacify the Toon Army, but giving the reigns over to a novice when facing relegation is the act of a man who knows nothing about football.

Trevor Brooking was appointed West Ham manager under very similar circumstances a few years back, but at least Sir Trevor had a history of understanding coaching and tactics...West Ham were still relegated.

There is a place for sentiment and ex heros in football. A Premier league relegation dogfight is not that place.

4. Coaching

Looking beyond the numerous managers, various high profile coaches have sat on the bench. Again this reads as a list of failed managers and coaches.

What exact benefit do Newcastle see in bringing in names like Colin Calderwood and Iain Dowie on short term contracts? Haven't their previous records not shown they are maybe not the right person in a big job situation?

5. The fans

This is somewhat controversial I admit, but the fact is, the Toon Army have grown an almighty chip on their shoulder. I will ignore the drastically reduced attendances, when they were previously in the old Division 2, and talk about the last few seasons in particular.

Newcastle fans, in my humble opinion, have a huge illusion of grandeur problem. They have been told too many times that they have a given right to be successful. Buying 50 quid replica shirts does not give you the right to scream, "You don't know what your doing" at a man like Sam Allardyce, when 7th in the table.

This is a man who is by the way, easily guiding Blackburn to safety.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?