NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Horror reality check will hit Boro and Newcastle hard on fixtures day

16 June 2009 15:06
Northern Exposure - The Daily Mail's North-East football reporter, Colin Young (right), provides expert analysis and behind-the-scenes insight into the affairs of a footballing heartland. This Tuesday, he explores the harsh realities that await Newcastle and Middlesbrough when they discover their Championship fixtures on Wednesday. The full reality of the horror of relegation will hit Newcastle United and Middlesbrough supporters on Wednesday. It is the release of the fixture lists and no longer will Geordies and Smoggies be scouring through them to check out the dates for visits to Old Trafford, the Emirates or Anfield. They can't even look out for their games against Sunderland next season. Doncaster, Blackpool and Scunthorpe await instead. The letter sent out by Newcastle United last weekend was a stark reminder that boxes full of season tickets remain unsold at St James's Park and the current owners, who could be in charge for another month at least, have every right to be worried. Thousands of fed up fans are holding on to their valuable cash before tying themselves to another season at St James's Park. And unless Alan Shearer does take over, they will be holding on to it and choosing their games on a week-to-week basis. The prospect of a half full St James' is hardly a mouth-watering prospect for any of the five buyers trying to put together a £100 million package which will end Mike Ashley's turbulent reign on Tyneside. But, because Ashley is refusing to make the appointment now, the first act for the new owners will be to contact Shearer, cave into his cash and transfer demands and appoint him manager. It cannot happen quickly enough and Newcastle supporters will be hoping it is not too late. The alternative, a return for Joe Kinnear, or even the very likeable Chris Hughton, does not bear thinking about. Newcastle have still not arranged their pre-season programme and the only thing the players know is that they are expected back on July 1 and they have been ordered to keep to a strict fitness regime during their break. They know this because on his final day in charge, Shearer gave them the instructions. He then went straight to see Ashley, and handed a list of equally forthright demands, hoping to get the green light to continue as the permanent manager. He was then told any plans were on hold while the billionaire flogged the club on a first-come-first-serve basis. Although several groups have emerged and started to putting together the finances, a deal is still some way from completion. And Shearer sits waiting by his phone in the meantime. As do the Newcastle squad. Despite the public pronouncements from Obafemi Martins and Alan Smith, claiming they want to fight for Newcastle's future in the Football League (yeah, right lads), we all know the entire team is up for grabs. And Ashley could flog the lot before a new board takes over. Like Newcastle, Middlesbrough face a fight getting the fans in and holding on to their big names and higher earners, and like Newcastle, they will not shed tears at every departure. They can't get some of them off the wage bill soon enough. But like the majority of clubs still in the Barclays Premier League, the Teesside club face the prospect of paying their players' wages for another month at least as their rivals refuse to fork out enormous salaries for players who will not be playing competitive football until early August. The rumours that Steve Gibson wants to sell the club have persisted for several months in this region, but thankfully one of the game's finest chairmen remains committed to his team and keen to fund Gareth Southgate's bid to return to the top flight at the first attempt. His presence is essential if Middlesbrough are to bounce back. Sacrifices will have to be made, but the loss of Tuncay Sanli, Robert Huth and Stewart Downing can be off-set with good players with experience of this level. And, with the uncertainty surrounding Newcastle, Southgate can strengthen while his North East rivals' hands are tied. Newcastle can't even pick up the phone to arrange a friendly at the moment, never mind sign new players. Some people at Middlesbrough will never accept that Newcastle are regarded as a bigger club by the rest of the country, in fact by anyone outside Middlesbrough. But playing the region's silent partner and dealing under the radar while their 'neighbours' go through such public turmoil means Middlesbrough could have a serious head-start by the time they play their first Championship game

Source: Daily_Mail