Liverpool v Newcastle - Match Preview

Rafa’s return. If only that could be the story. Picture the scene: Newcastle sit 12th, nothing to play for, a new season to look forward to. The fans could make the trip to Anfield – a loss likely, but no disaster. We could celebrate having a manager of top pedigree. Then, we could celebrate even more after dispatching Palace the week after, fully relinquishing the memories of a stream of sub-par managers.

I don’t know about you, but these last few games (apart from Southampton: a non-event) have been about the most stressful I’ve witnessed as a Newcastle fan. The cliché that nobody likes watching their team play has become particularly apparent. This is in spite of Newcastle’s relative upturn in form. There’s no question, unlike before, of commitment or effort. But it was easier to watch when Newcastle didn’t try. There was a resignation of defeat – from those on the pitch and sofa alike. But now, with that horrible but wonderful thing: hope – watching Newcastle is excruciating. Every opposition attack could be a goal, could be our fate. Every missed opportunity from us the same. I look like someone subjected to PTSD after the game. Why do I do this to myself?

But, I’ll be watching tomorrow. And if Newcastle don’t get blown away in the first 15 minutes, it’ll be another stressful rollercoaster. As I’m sure everybody else is, I’m trying to find a balance between what I can hope for and what we need to have a chance of staying up. Is a point enough? Can we afford to lose? No doubt Rafa is having the same thoughts, and such thoughts will influence his tactics. From my view, we need to get something. Sunderland are having their typical end of season revival and look likely to score more points. We have to hope Arsenal turn up – if Sunderland win that one, it could be very difficult for the Toon. But I guess it’s the old adage: you can only affect the games you’re in. Beat Liverpool, unlikely but possible, and go from there.

Quick scans of the local papers suggests Rafa is considering dropping more senior players for this game too. I can’t think of who that might be given everybody played their part against Manchester City. Nevertheless it’s refreshing to have somebody not scared to make big decisions, and somebody who actually thinks about what team might be best suited for any particular match. There seemed to be no such consideration with Pardew, Carver or McClaren. Too often, under performance was rewarded. There’s a sentence that sums up Newcastle.

I don’t know what to hope for tomorrow. We can pray to meet a Liverpool side in a similar mindset to City – preoccupied with European commitments, tired after previous games. But Newcastle’s away form seems to neutralise that. The only thing we can hope for, is that finally, we have some confidence. Enough to scrape a win.

See you from behind the sofa.