The favourite to become the first Premier League manager to be sacked stood on the touchline with his legs and arms crossed.
Frankly, it was as good a plan as any.
You wondered what, other than the word “help”, was written on the pad on which Alan Pardew made entries throughout Newcastle’s long, dreadful night.
Nobody on Tyneside imagined anything else.
There are many things that separate Geordies from Mackems and one of them is that on Wearside they expect things to go wrong and are seldom disappointed.
The Toon Army was always an organisation that marched on blind optimism.
That optimism was there in the massed banners and costumes that accompanied Newcastle to successive FA Cup finals under Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit.
It was there in the cars that circled St James’ Park with scarves fluttering out of windows and horns blaring as if Newcastle were suddenly Buenos Aires on the night Mike Ashley brought back Kevin Keegan.
It was there when they massed in front of the Milburn Stand as Shearer returned in vain attempt to save the club he loved from relegation,
But you know what - that optimism has been entirely extinguished.
Never have I known a build up to a season with supporters so low.
Mike Ashley is squeezing the soul out of this club, and along with his doormat (Pardew) and some nutter who wandered in off the street (Kinnear), we are on the the rocky road to hell!
That optimism is being drained away by the Cockney Mafia, and where do we turn?
Pardew "thanks God we are not in Europe" and last night's defeat was down to Arsene Wenger, unless he wants to blame his players being too tired after the friendly against Braga.
Ashley wants Pardew out but he won't pay up the ridiculous eight-year contract he handed him last season ... but when he DOES go ... and let's hope it's soon ... we know it will go from bad to worse because the Womble Of Wimbledon Common will be next in the hot seat.
We sat through torture last night, and we knew it was going to happen.
Pardew said we "gave a good account of ourselves" ... and that was simply pulling the piss.
Newcastle’s record in Manchester is a dismal one.
In the last 54 league fixtures there we have won twice, both at Maine Road, but Toon fans could never have travelled there so certain of defeat.
Last night they sang: “There’s only one Bobby Robson.”
And Bobby ... we miss you.
RIP my good fellow.
Newcastle United Fixtures ...
Saturday August 24
15:00 Premier League Newcastle United v West Ham United
Wednesday August 28
19:45 League Cup - 2nd Rnd Morecambe v Newcastle United *Sky Sports
Saturday August 31
15:00 Premier League Newcastle United v Fulham
Saturday September 14
15:00 Premier League Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Saturday September 21
15:00 Premier League Newcastle United v
Hull City
Monday September 30
20:00 Premier League Everton v Newcastle United *Sky Sports
NU-MAD - WE TELL IT AS IT IS!
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