Progression

Hangovers on a Tuesday, nowt worse.  Nothing like a good win and another three points to lift the fug though and that is exactly what we got at SJP last night against a Spurs side who seem to have a few headaches of their own of late.

With Viduka injured /knackered, Sam started with the distinctly un-long ball like Martins and Owen against the lumbering (in my opinion) Dawson but in fairness we didn't really get the ball on the deck enough to them for the bulk of the first half for them to test the Spurs' defence.  Chances were reasonably few and far between, with Newcastle edging things before Martins seized on a blunder by Dawson (total plank, I tell you!) and lashed the ball past Cerny.  The proverbial great time to score, right before the break.

Allardyce seems to be able to do what Roeder couldn't and give a decent team talk to send the lads out better rather than worse in the second half and we were soon 2-0 up when the majestic Cacapa bulleted a header home from a corner.  That woke Spurs up, they pulled one back through Keane and we wobbled a bit as they built some momentum before Milner, dropped to the bench for this game, stroked home a beauty at the second attempt as Jenas flapped around like a goldfish out of water.  Marvellous.

Spurs heads dropped at that point and although it's nothing to do with us, Jol looks finished which is a shame because he is a likeable chap.  The £16m on Bent looks a vast waste mind you and the players collective body language wasn't really that to save a managers bacon.

As for us, we gradually go from strength to strength.  Read this one in disbelief - we have a very solid defence here at NUFC (no, honestly) with strength in reserve and the two full backs finding their feet.  In midfield we look strong with Butt playing out of his skin and Barton returning to give some balance along with two very promising young wingers and we have two great, one decent and one infuriating forward at our disposal.  Not bad going in the early days of Allardyce's tenure.  We look a difficult side to beat at home aswell and if we can start to pick up a few points on the road, starting on Saturday at Reading then things really will be looking up. 

Check out www.true-faith.co.uk for all the latest thoughts and NUFC crack and of course Keep The Faith.  Now where's that bloody Nurofen?

Gareth Harrison

True Faith