By Bryan
December 28 2005

Its fair to say that 2005 was not a great year for Newcastle; poor performances, injuries, internal fueding and all sorts of shennagins. It's been difficult for everyone, none more so then Graeme Souness, who despite intense pressure, from media, fans etc has defiantly fought on against the odds. Well, its fair to say that 2005 was not a great year for Newcastle United, poor performances, countless injuries, internal fueding and all sorts of shennagins. It's been difficult for everyone, none more so then Graeme Souness, who despite intense pressure, from media, fans etc has defiantly fought on against the odds, a lesser man would have thrown in the towel, but he fights on. Let's look back at 2005 shall we?

We started the new year in 14th place on 22 points, coming off the back of a home defeat to Arsenal, we then beat Birmingham 2-1 and drew away to West Brom 0-0 in a dire game. We then overcame Yeading 2-0 at Loftus Road, relief rather then joy the dominant feeling after this game. An unconvincing home win over Southampton was next, followed by the infamous away defeat to Highbury. It will be remember, not for the game but for the antics of Craig Bellamy, we have discussed this countless times, and everyone has their own version, i'm not going to bother discussing it, as it is water under the bridge and we should focus on the players here now.

Next, came an easy win over Coventry, then 2 diabolical performances at Man City and at home to Charlton. Many were calling for Souness's head after these 2 games, but a corner was turned(or so we thought) with superb victories over Heerenven, that unforgettable victory over Chelsea(such a chaotic game, great stuff!), good wins over Bolton, Liverpool, Spurs and 2 excellent performances against Olymiakos. You would think, a corner had been turned but as is typical Newcastle, we shot ourselves in the foot with the infamous Bowyer-Dyer scrap. Villa already had the game won(thanks to Barry pr*ck Knight and O'Brien and Butt's ineptitude)but the bad press, and many dirty stories that came from this 'scrap' were long lasting and clearly damaged us beyond repair. We lost both players for a few games, and then the injuries came. Of course, when it rains it pours when nufc are involved. The hammerblow of Lisbon was bad enough, but the all too predictible hammering in Cardiff was a very bitter pill to swallow. Butt, Babayaros, Robert's and Kluivert's performances(or lack of them)won't be forgotten for a long time. Defeat at Norwich just rubbed salt into the wounds.

After these few weeks of madness, our season petered out into a non-event. None of the remaining games are worth commenting on. Serious rebulding was needed, and GS didn't waste any time(well he did, but more on that later).Kluivert, Butt, Bellend, Ambrose, Robert, O'Brien, Hughes and others were shipped out. In came Parker, Emre, Moore and belatedly Luque and of course Micheal Owen and Nobby. All top-notch signings(except Moore, is he dead?).However with so many players shipped out, it left the squad dangerously thin, and this has proved very costly. Injuries have hit us hard so far this season and we just have not been able to cope, when one player comes back, another one gets injured, it's gone far beyond a joke. Why is Dyer given an improved contract, when all he does is lie on the treatment table(and in various other positions, allegedly of course!).

Anyways, onto a new season, with renewed optimism, our stint in the Intertoto was quickly ended by Deportivio, beating us 2-1 home and away, I don't know what was more annoying, their perputual cheating, or that hideous green shirt. Anyways, a referee assisted defeat at Highbury(and a Ljungberg dive), was followed by awful performances at home to West Ham and a performance, from which words still fail me at the Reebok against Bolton bloody Wanderers. A home defeat by Man USA followed and not even the debut of Luque could help us even remotely threaten United's goal. However, light was at the end of the tunnel, when amazingly Micheal Owen signed for 16-17m. Let's not fool ourselves here, if the scousers really wanted him, he would have gone there, they didn't and we got lucky, simple as. The return of Nobby was very welcome too and at last exorcised the ghost that plauged Sir Bobby Robson. Even these 2 gifts from the heavens could not prevent a woeful performance at home to Fulham, where we defended as well as a French army collum at Dunkirk.

We got out act together with a undeserved 3-0 at Blackburn, aided by Owen's first for the club and a fantastic display by the emerging Charles N'Zogbia. This continued with a decent display at home to Man Citeh, where Owen scored the only goal, however normal service resumed with only a inspired Shay Given saved us from defeat against a clueless Pompey side under the even more clueless Alain Perrin. An undeserved defeat against Wigan, was followed by a magnificent(if unconvincing win)game against sunderland. Emre forever endeared himself to the toon faithful by scoring the winner(a fantastic free-kick).A win at Grimsby followed and despite some blokes attempt to claim fame by roughing up Shearer, Shearer had the last laugh by scoring the winner. A terrific display followed in a resounding 3-0 at West Brom with Owen bagging a superb brace. A fortunate win over Birmigham came next with Emre againing endearing himself to us with the winner. Despite a good effort(in the 1st half anyway)a 3-0 defeat was inflicted at Stamford Bridge, this followed with a totally inept display vs Everton and then a display the likes I have never seen against Wigan reserves, it is too depressing to comment on, so I will swiftly move on.

That horror show was followed by an improved display(that wouldn't have been hard tbh!)but ex-mackem McCann got a late equaliser. A terrific display and the herculian efforts of Scott Parker, who has been a titan every since arriving were rewarded with Solano's first goal since his return to SJP. The reaction and whining of Arsene Wenger made this a very sweet victory indeed. The Owen got his first hat-trick in B+W(first of many we hope)in a 4-2 win at West Ham and despite some optimism, we well and truly got hammered by Liverpool on Monday, we were second best in every department and only for the superhuman efforts of Shay Given, we were spared a hammering. Still, this game was a very worrying one indeed. Despite all the money we have spent, we are still a long way off the top-clubs, if(and it's a big if, believe me!)we can get our players back and fit, 4th place is still possible, however there is no more room for fook-ups, no more room for poor displays or excuses and we must, MUST sign 2-3 players(maybe more)to add to what is a thin squad. I'm standing by Souness for now, but he must get it right, now is the time to judge him, the mess SBR left is gone, it's a clean slate, now is the time to push on.Let's hope it's a great 2006!