Findings: Man United (H)

As John Carver’s side once again conceded a last minute goal to throw away more points, here are 5 things I learnt about Newcastle going through March & beyond.

1. Spitting is the most disgusting gesture in all forms of sport.

Forget swearing, punching, kicking, two footed tackles or even biting, spitting is undoubtedly the most vile & disrespectful gesture any footballer can do to a fellow professional.

Ultimately, the whole incident was handbags at dawn, triggered by a genuinely accidentally flailing leg catching Evans whilst challenging for the ball. Legs eventually tangled, & Evans appeared to spit downwards.

Now, whether this was towards Cisse or not, we won’t know. However, even he wanted to empty saliva from his mouth, he should know better than to spit near a someone on the ground. To his left, right, behind him, just not near a fellow professional. It’s asking for trouble.

Bottom line, both have landed saliva on each other. It’s disgusting, children are watching their role models in action – ban them both.

This will be Papiss Cisse’s 2nd charge in 3 months from The FA. You’d have thought he’d learnt his by now.

2. Newcastle aren’t fit enough.

For the 6th time in 14 home league matches, Newcastle have conceded a late goal & thrown away 8 points in the process (Palace, Sunderland, Burnley, Stoke & Man Utd). Those 8 points wouldn’t make an entirely significant difference, potentially placing Newcastle in 8th place with points in hand against Stoke who’d be just behind them, but this lack of concentration, composure & professionalism to see games out from Newcastle could’ve easily caught up with them & put them in serious trouble had they not gone on their unbeaten run last autumn.

The fact of the matter is, Newcastle should be training as if they’re about to enter extra time, with more energy & fitness help either defend a lead or push for a winner. These last minute unnecessary goals will ultimately catch up with Newcastle if they continue to make these mistakes next season.

2. Rivière will come good!

It’s harsh to judge his goal scoring ability over two games, one of which up against a Goalkeeper tipped to potentially join El Galacticos this summer & replace Iker Casillas.

Against Villa, Rivière sacrificed himself for much of the game for his teammates, putting in an honest, grafting shift much to the fans’ appreciation.

Against Manchester United, he was undoubtedly robbed of a penalty & linked up well with Sissoko on a few occasions. After his point blank range effort in the second half, it was obviously not going to be his night.

However, with Cisse set to miss almost the rest of the season through suspension, this run of games could be the perfect opportunity to break his Premier League Duck.

4. Jack Colback & Remy Cabella can’t return soon enough.

Sissoko just doesn’t seem to have as much offensive freedom when he’s shackled alongside the likes of Vurnon Anita, or setting the defensive standard for Mehdi Abeid’s.

He’s the talisman, the midfield engine & should be the main driving force through each attack. With Colback’s suspension complete & Cabella getting another week & a half to hopefully rest up for our trip to Goodison Park, Sissoko will once again be able to supply through balls for Rivière & Perez, or even to bulldoze 60 + yards alone – one of my favourite sights watching Newcastle United today.

5. Jonas returns.

What a sight. After almost 18 months away from the first team, being banished from Tyneside by Alan Pardew, loaned out to Norwich, diagnosed with testicular cancer, going through chemotherapy, beating cancer, recovering, training in Argentina, returning to the U21’s, returning to the first team fold, making the bench & finally replacing Ryan Taylor in a Premier League fixture, 50,000 Geordies & many football fans across the world welcomed back the sight of Jonas Gutierrez on the pitch – Fabricio Coloccini even giving him the captain’s armband, a heartwarming gesture.

No amount of points could ever top a moment like that. Welcome back, Wor Jonas.