Could Sir Bobby Robson Have Saved Newcastle This Year?

The tragedy of human existence is that we're all destined to relive history over and over, regardless of how bad the mistakes or the disasters. At Newcastle United, the repetition comes a lot quicker. Back in 1999/2000, Newcastle failed to win in their first seven games of the season, before finally winning against a team expected to be relegated. The team was being led by a man who seemed badly out of his depth, who had pushed out players he had personal problems with, and nobody was really scoring. Fast forward to this season, and the exact same issues are being relived, only this time, the manager who over-saw the first 7 losses hasn't had the good grace to walk away, as Ruud Gullit did in 1999. When the Dutchman did that, he paved the way for the triumphant arrival of Sir Bobby Robson who guided the team to an 8-0 victory and assured safety in the Premier league. Now, we are still faced with Alan Pardew, and that 8th game victory was a far less enthusiasm building 1-0 win over Leicester City. We're not yet doomed, but it doesn't look good if this is all we can expect. Since the situations are very similar, and in the interest of reinforcing exactly how wrong Freddy Shepherd was in sacking Sir Bobby, it's interesting to ponder whether the Geordie Knight would be able to steer Newcastle's current crop to safety as a platform for something even better. As Kieron Dyer said of Robson's arrival, his impact just on the changing room was massive:

€œThe changing room at Newcastle at the time needed a lift. We were bottom of the league and he gave everybody a lift. It was no coincidence that in our first game we won 8-0 against Sheff Wed. He just had that impact on the dressing room.€

Clearly Robson's value was more than his man-management skills, but Alan Pardew's issues could be glossed over right now if his ability to get the best out of his players was remotely any good. The problem at Newcastle now is that the players think they are giving their all, that they are fighting to make it to their level (which they're relentlessly told is only mid-table) and that the manager is getting everything out of them. The great tragedy of that particular situation is that the poor devils don't have any idea that there could be something a lot better. If they had a superb man manager like Robson putting an arm round them and telling them they're world beaters, they could transform from relegation fodder to the European contenders Alan Pardew occasionally says we are. That is what is missing from the Newcastle set up: along with good coaches, a strong tactician and answers to the holes in the squad.