Source: Daily_Mail
NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Calamity Coloccini sums up Newcastle's woes on Shearer's sinking ship
The watch on Mike Riley's wrist was edging towards the third and final minute of added time when Newcastle United were presented with a free-kick near the Portsmouth penalty area.[LNB]Danny Guthrie stood over the ball, players in black and white and blue shirts piled in to the penalty area, David James had his fists ready. This was it. The final chance of a must-win game for the home side.[LNB]The Newcastle substitute's cross pinged around the area and then it looped up invitingly and found a Newcastle player. Unfortunately that man was Fabricio Coloccini.No surprise then that he volleyed the ball high in to the home supporters, or those who had not headed home and abandoned their team for the night.[LNB] [LNB]Nightmare: Fabricio Coloccini trudges off against Portsmouth last night[LNB]As he had all on several occasions, from his permanent spot in thetechnical area, in one swift movement, Alan Shearer turned on hisheels, looked at the bench and Iain Dowie and then high in to mainstand. He closed his eyes and shook his sorry head.[LNB] More from Colin Young... NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Sofa so bad for Newcastle boss Shearer21/04/09 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: I'd love to admit I'm wrong, Ali, but Middlesbrough are doomed - and it's no surprise with Alves leading the charge14/04/09 The shadow of Keane still looms large over Sunderland's scrap for survival07/04/09 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Another day, another surprise in the never-ending Toon circus01/04/09 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Sunderland need uncertain Cisse to fire them to safety31/03/09 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Only West Brom's demise can prevent the lights going out for Newcastle, Sunderland and Boro25/03/09 Newcastle 1 Arsenal 3: Wenger backs Newcastle to beat the drop22/03/09 Owen shock as Hughton drops Newcastle striker for key battle20/03/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE In his defence, Coloccini was not signed as a striker but such a thoughtless conclusion to the game says so much about the £10million Argentina international who was signed without Kevin Keegan's knowledge on the eve of the new season.[LNB]Coloccini had an outstanding debut at Manchester United, in a team performance which earned a deserved draw and gave the club, its supporters and even its then manager a glimmer of optimism about the months ahead. His form and that hope lasted about a week.[LNB]Shearer watched an allegedly world class centre-half gift Newcastle's opponents goal every week in his Match of the Day role. After one particularly horrific performance at West Brom, he took the unusual step of singling him out for criticism. One of his first acts after the Chelsea defeat in his opening match was to drop Coloccini.[LNB]And but for injuries, Coloccini would not have returned against Portsmouth, when he kept up his record of making at least one daft error to keep his keeper on his toes.[LNB]His slack passing twice allowed Portsmouth to create chances whichSteve Harper kept out and the defender with the flowing but soddenlocks was fortunate referee Mike Riley deemed his risky second halfslide tackle on Peter Crouch was legal. Crouch, Paul Hart and 300Portsmouth fans certainly felt differently.[LNB] Goal drought: Michael Owen desperately needs a breakthrough[LNB]Steven Taylor's absence keeps him in the side, and Shearer knows he heads to Anfield on Sunday without Jose Enrique, his one recognised left-back, who hobbled off with a hamstring injury which will be scanned today. His season could be over.[LNB]All too predictably, the folly of Mike Ashley's infrastructure and his initial support of Dennis Wise, Tony Jimenez and their roles has returned to bite him, the club, and, whether he likes it or not, Alan Shearer on their backsides.[LNB]Hope: Gareth Southgate[LNB]How on earth did they expect any manager to survive the season with just one left-back, particularly one who has never looked like a £6m player? I've got four players who can play in that position in my team and they're Under-12s.[LNB]So Damien Duff will probably have to fill in again, unless former Anfield season ticket holder Ryan Taylor is asked to play out of position on Saturday and regain the form which made Joe Kinnear sign him in January. [LNB]Like Taylor, Kinnear's other transfer window cash addition Kevin Nolan did not even make the bench last night, such has been their joint impact.[LNB]One man who did, and who played pass of the night - although it only confirmed Sylvain Distin's superiority over Obafemi Martins - was Jonas Gutierrez whose messy transfer was finally concluded before the game.[LNB]If, like most Newcastle followers, you were under the impression Gutierrez was signed on a free transfer, you will have been mistaken. Mike Ashley may have been under that impression too, but in fact Real Mallorca and Velez Sarsfeld had other ideas and have successfully secured £2.5m each following a hearing. [LNB]It may be more than £8m less than they wanted, but Mallorca in particular were always confident they would be compensated for the loss of Gutierrez.[LNB]Shearer and every Newcastle fan will recall that Liverpool's December win at St James' Park was confirmation they were heading for trouble. It was the day Shay Given made enough saves to keep the score from reaching double figures and when he finally realised he had to get out of Newcastle.[LNB] Spotlight: Alan Shearer is under pressure at St James' Park[LNB]Steven Gerrard, who is expected to return at the weekend, was inspirational in the 5-1 drubbing, but then Newcastle did give him the freedom of Tyneside for the afternoon.[LNB]No one expects Newcastle to win on their travels - they must also go to Aston Villa - but their manager said last week he did expect them to win all three remaining home games. [LNB]So last night's draw is another blow to Shearer, who is now without a win in four games, but he remains optimism he can still pull off the great escape.[LNB]One satisfied spectator last night was Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate whose side are now level on points with Newcastle, but a costly eight goals behind.[LNB]The Tyne-Tees derby with Middlesbrough hits your screens a week on Monday and it is difficult to imagine a clash between these two rivals which has had so much at stake. [LNB]A win for either side may still not be enough save them. A draw would be joint suicide.[LNB] [LNB]
