Newcastle's Fight to Stay in Premiership Too Tight

Wednesday night saw one of the rarest moments we have seen this season, Edwin Van Der Sar's ninth minute mistake leading to him conceding his first goal in 1,311 minutes. The goal coming against the team who were the first to score against him this season, Newcastle United. Something equally as rare is a Newcastle win.

The 2-1 defeat summed up everything about The Magpies this season—hard work, effort, graft, and no end product whatsoever. Not even the most fanatical fan saw a point coming against the world champions, never mind a goal. But the North Eastern club are in danger or collapsing just like the bank on the front of their shirts.

With Man United out of the way, most fans of most teams can be forgiven for thinking that this is now the time where they can put some points on the board. It's not like that for Newcastle. With 11 games left, the Toon Army still have to play European candidates Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Aston Villa, as well as bottom half strugglers Hull, Stoke, and Portsmouth.

Why are the Toon now hotly tipped to drop out of the greatest league in the world? It's simple. Injuries.

Forget the well documented management debacle and the managerial merry go round, with a fit squad, Newcastle wouldn't be in this situation. Owen, Martins, and Viduka—the clubs three best strikers—have rarely been fit at all this season. The last time Joe Kinnear was able to pick his strongest squad, the Toon Army won 2-0 at home to Villa. The last time Owen and Martins played together, Newcastle won away at Portsmouth 3-0. The two goalscorers have been sorely missed.

Then there is the defence. Kinnear used to lament the fact he could not name a settled back four, but recently the same four have been playing week in week out. Coloccini has played every minute of the season, Bassong has been a star at the back for the Magpies, Enrique has started to show some promise, and Steven Taylor has filled in for Habib Beye resolutely.

The answer to Newcastle staying up is to get players in the box, which is where new signings Peter Lovenkrands and Kevin Nolan come in.

Newcastle look abject as an attacking force at the moment. Whenever Jonas Gutierrez storms down the flank, he usually has only two options for him: the ineffective Shola Ameobi and the Danish attacker Lovenkrands.

What would Alan Shearer think of this? Had Kevin Nolan not laid siege on Victor Anichebe a fortnight ago to earn a three-match ban, Newcastle would have had some sort of creativity in the midfield against Bolton and some steel against Man United's free passing midfield.

Chris Hughton's unimpressive caretaker record of one win in eight stands no chance of improvement unless his underperforming side overcome their fear of the oppositions 18 yard box.