Toon Fixture Changes A Disadvantage To Toon?

Last updated : 11 May 2009 By Footy Mad - Editor
Sky Sports Mark Douglas reports: "This weekend was the third inactive Saturday since Alan Shearer took charge, and the fourth time in five weeks his team have kicked off later than most of their relegation rivals.

"An afternoon of frayed nerves and gnawed nails awaits as Shearer, his players and a legion of worried supporters await news from the North West and East Yorkshire, aware factors out of their control will have a massive bearing on their fate.

"How different it would be if Newcastle and Middlesbrough played out their tussle at 3pm today, unaware and unaffected by the results of others. But thanks to the increasing demands of the viewing public and the big television companies, that luxury has been ripped from United.

"Call it the viewing public's macabre fascination with Newcastle's desperate plight or the fact the team remains, despite its struggles, guaranteed box office - either way it has had a massive psychological impact over the last month.

"Think back to the Stoke away game, played out in early evening after Blackburn and Middlesbrough had secured crucial victories.

"Were the nerves that Newcastle displayed in the early parts of that game really unconnected to the urgency with which points were required?
Similarly, was Newcastle's more positive start against Portsmouth not related to the fact weekend results had gone for them that day?

"Cynics would quite rightly point to Newcastle's failings on the pitch as being more influential and they would have a point. But if timing of games is considered important enough for the league to make sure all the final games of the season kick off at the same time, the impact of all these staggered starts should not be dismissed so readily."

Iain Dowie: "Did it give us all a lift (seeing Hull lose to Stoke)? Very much so. We don't like to be relying on what everyone else is doing - we should be able to get ourselves out of trouble - but it is still a bonus.

"The Hull game was interesting because it put where we are into perspective."