All the talk's about Chadwick

By Chris Kirwan
April 3 2003

Of course it's not. Poor Nick must be feeling like an old man nowadays. It was about this time last year that he was the bright hope for the Blues, now some young scamp's stolen his thunder. But i have no doubts that Chadwick and Rooney will be a cracking pairing in future seasons.

The Newcastle game is another one that the Blues must get something out of. To come so close to getting a much-needed point at Highbury was frustrating and Moyes will be determined to go that little bit further than they did against Arsenal, or indeed than they did when the teams met earlier in the season.

Of course the main focus of the game will be on the conflict between the young and the old, Rooney and Shearer, but both sides have plenty of attacking threats. Newcastle are an exceptionally quick side, with Jenas, Dyer and Bellamy in their side the Blues will have to be careful not to get caught in possession. Li Tie had better tighten up that aspect of his game, as losing the ball in key areas in one of his vices.

Dyer has been exceptional for Newcastle this season, and is unrecognisable from the Dyer that turns out for the national side. This is largely because he is given a lot more freedom within the formation. His running is tireless. Watch him at Goodison on Sunday and you will be astounded by the sheer number of runs beyond the front two that he makes. But with so many attack minded players in their midst Newcastle need a solid midfield player, and they have got one in ex-Blue Gary Speed.

Speed has had a remarkable season, succeeding both at club and international level. He has adapted his game with age. Whereas at Elland Road and Goodison he was a typical ‘box to box’ player racking up an impressive goal tally, his forays into enemy territory are now largely restricted to set pieces, where he still remains a danger. But crucially for Newcastle he sits in front of the back four, and prompts play while providing protection in a similar role to that played by David Batty and Dietmar Hamman in previous seasons at St. James’.

But the reason that many choose to rule Newcastle out of the title race is their defence, which has leaked a fair few goals on their travels. Sir Bobby has attempted to address this problem with the acquisition of Jonathan Woodgate, a shrewd buy who could well prove to be one of the finest captures of the old man’s tenure in the North-East. Woodgate was tipped to be the cornerstone of England’s defence for years to come, but events transpired to put his career on hold for a few seasons. He needed a move, and chose well by opting for Newcastle. Nonetheless the Blues will target the centre of Newcastle defence, with Campbell and Ferguson aiming to ruffle their centre backs.

But the man who could hold the key to Sunday’s game is a man who’s black and white to the bone, Steve Watson. If Watson can get forward in tandem with Yobo, or whoever is filling the right back berth, they can exploit the defensive frailties of Olivier Bernard. Bernard, while superb when going forward, is not the best defensive left back in the league, nor is he helped by the lack of support he gets from Laurent Robert. So if Watson, or Rooney running into the channels, can get at Bernard then the Blues may get the three points that were tantalisingly close when the teams met earlier in the season.

It’s going to be close, but the Blues desperately need something to maintain the gap to Blackburn, and to catch the R-S.