by Panos Bletsos

As the English season fast approaches its one-third mark, it’s hardly a surprise to anyone that mega-rich, free-scoring Manchester City are earning most of the attention. Fans and media alike are wondering whether their established cross-town rivals United have what it takes to rise to the challenge, whereas Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are all in danger of sinking into mediocrity. However, up in the North East something seems to be going right.

With the exception of early 20th century and also shortly after the end of World War II, Newcastle United have hardly ever placed themselves among the constant title contenders of the English game. Although they will be celebrating 120 years since their foundation next September, their trophy cabinet isn’t exactly loaded with silverware – just 11 major trophies, with their last league success dating all the way back to 1927.

Although the Toon Army, United’s loyal supporters, is especially proud of its favourite team winning the 1968-’69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, that defunct competition is not recognized by UEFA. Actually, the Magpies have not won anything for a long 56 years, ever since their sixth – and last to date - FA Cup victory in the distant 1955. And in fact they had to endure Football League Championship football as recently as 18 months ago.

So, how is it that this club is still widely considered as one of the “Big” in the country? And how is it that they stand third in the Premiership table, still unbeaten after 11 rounds of matches and boasting the best defensive record in the top-flight?

A special club

To begin with, Newcastle United isn’t just any club. It draws its fan-base not only from the city of Newcastle upon Tyne itself, but from almost the whole of the North East (with the notable exceptions of Sunderland and Middlesbrough, of course), as well. Although it hardly competes with Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal in terms of recognition abroad, the Magpies faithful have set up fan clubs in the US, Russia, Scandinavia, even Singapore and Hong Kong. Recent polls also suggested that Newcastle United fans are the ones most willing to make sacrifices just to watch their beloved team play and indeed the ones who have to pay the most and travel the longest to cheer United away from home.

Persona non grata

The Toon Army loves its heroes and cherishes its footballing tradition. But (or, perhaps, that’s why) they never really got along with controversial club owner Mike Ashley. The 46-year-old businessman, who bought the club from John Hall and former chairman Freddy Shepperd in June 2007, used to watch home games among fans from the stands of St. James’ Park in the early days. But a string of dubious decisions has not exactly helped his popularity. For example, his latest call to rebrand the famous football ground after his own group of retail companies into the Sports Direct Arena.

Ashley did not do himself much good by sacking head coaches either, especially firm fan favourites, such as Kevin Keegan and - more recently - Chris Hughton. However, he did hit the jack pot with the latter’s replacement. United’s followers were hardly overwhelmed when Alan Pardew came in last December. But now, almost a year later, the mood has changed rapidly.

Silencing the critics

With United forced to sell three of its best players (Spanish left back José Enrique Sánchez to Liverpool, captain Kevin Nolan to relegated West Ham United and right winger Wayne Routledge to Premier League newcomers Swansea City, while Joey Barton left for free) for a combined fee of $20.2 million USD and Ashley eager to cut down club debts (the operating loss for the ’09-’10 season rose to $74.5 million), Pardew had to buy cheap and buy smart. And he did it in style, investing even less than that, a total of 19.4 million to bring in five players and transform his team rapidly.

Capped eight times by France since August 2010, Yohan Cabaye was arguably one of the buys of the summer anywhere. An all-round midfielder, who had just helped Lille claim the Ligue 1 and Coupe double at just 25, was brought in for a fee thought to be under 7 million. Together with Ivory Coast international defensive midfielder Cheikh Ismael Tioté, fellow Frenchman Gabriel Obertan (who only managed 28 appearances in two years with Manchester United, but has already 12 under his belt this campaign) and Argentine international Jonás Gutiérrez they have formed the backbone of Pardew’s 4-4-2. Having moved to England in the summer of 2008, Gutiérrez’s compatriot Fabricio Coloccini has adapted so well that even took up the armband after Nolan’s departure and is leading Danny Simpson, Ryan Taylor and namesake Steven Taylor in the back four, in front of 23-year-old Dutch goalie Tim Krul, who even featured twice for the Oranje last June. And up front the England-born Ireland international Leon Best is making a name for
himself next to Senegal international striker Demba Ba, who was drafted for free from West Ham and has hit eight goals in 12 outings, including two hat tricks!

But Pardew still hides an ace or two under his sleeve. Only 20 years old, but already capped seven times by Italy, left back Davide Santon was bought from Internazionale for $7.8 million USD, while in midfield two more French imports are also expected to fight for their places: Sylvain Marveux and 24-year-old playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa, who’s at last regained full fitness and singlehandedly switches the formation to 4-5-1 when present.

Bumpy ride ahead

Whoever makes the line-up and although they were recently knocked out of the League Cup by Blackburn Rovers, United have managed to remain unbeaten in the Premiership for the first three months of the season, conceding just eight goals in 11 games. However, their ability to challenge for a European berth is still questioned. The Magpies failed to win their two hardest home games so far, drawing both Arsenal (0-0) and Tottenham (2-2) - and their next three fixtures are as tough as they get. In the space of eight days they will travel to Manchester twice, as they take on leaders City and second-placed United, the only sides higher in the standings, before they host fourth-placed Chelsea on December 3. Besides their awful record in Manchester, with a single win in a combined 45 visits to the city, they have failed to beat the Blues at St. James’ Park since May 2006.

So, can they do it? Is it possible a squad worth a mere 142 million compete on equal terms against clubs that have invested more than four times as much? They say that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. And they don’t come much tougher than the Geordie lads.

HAVE YOUR SAY...Can Newcaslte hold on to their third place spot or even push higher by the end of the season?  Or will the team falter in 2012 and end up mid-table, where many pundits predicted prior to the season?  Add you comments via facebook below.