Newcastle managers normally get off to a strong start

Maybe Alan Shearer won’t be a complete disaster after all

Newcastle are 11 points shy of the magic 40 points mark that has been enough to survive in all but one of the last 13 seasons. To help figure out what chance Alan Shearer has of achieving that total, chickendinner decided to look at how well the last few Magpies bosses have settled into the role:

The positive sign is that seven of the eight took at least ten points although it is notable that the one exception was the big hearts-over-head appointment heralded as the return of a messiah to St James’ Park. In terms of the betting, Newcastle are now 2.3 on Betfair to be relegated, having been 2.12 before rumours of Shearer’s impending appointment started to circulate.

Posted: April 2nd, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Newcastle are more likely to survive under Alan Shearer

So say Paddy Power, who have lengthened their relegation odds

Paddy Power believe that the appointment of inexperienced club legend Alan Shearer has boosted Newcastle’s chances of Premier League survival this season. The Magpies were 11/10 to be relegated at this point yesterday with the Irish bookmakers but have now gone out to 6/5.

The last man who stepped off the Match of the Day couch to replace an ill manager in a relegation battle was Trevor Brooking in 2002/03. “His club” West Ham ended the season unbeaten under him but still went down.

But while Brooking was successful in both of his stand-in spells despite lacking experience, Newcastle have got worse with every managerial appointment since Glenn Roeder, who had a win percentage of 45.83%. Sam Allardyce took over next and recorded 33.33%, Kevin Keegan then managed 28.57% before Joe Kinnear.

Click here to claim a free bet of up to £25 when opening a Paddy Power account

Posted: April 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Newcastle’s unbeaten run will be ended by Bolton

Bolton/Newcastle, Sunday 1pm, Setanta S1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Photo Credit: Dave Thompson/PA Wire

Three games without defeat might not impress Man United or Liverpool fans but for Newcastle a successful February has helped ease relegation fears significantly. However Bolton, who are 11/10 with 888sport and Ladbrokes, are likely to ensure a miserable start to March for the Magpies:

» Bolton have won five of their last six home games against Newcastle, with their only loss coming on the opening day of last season when they had Sammy Lee as manager.

» Gary Megson’s side have won their last two league home games against Tottenham and West Ham, who are both above Newcastle in the league.

» Wanderers are unbeaten in seven home games with teams outside the top eight - winning five and drawing two.

Posted: February 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

The world’s ultimate Second Season Syndrome sufferer has been affected again

Norwich sack Glenn Roeder after things go wrong in season two

Glenn Roeder is a manager who divides opinion. His supporters point to the fact he took both West Ham and Newcastle into the top seven during his first season with each as proof of his ability but the doubters will quickly point out that things turned sour after that.

The term Second Season Syndrome is commonly used to refer to teams like Ipswich and Reading who overachieved in their first Premier League season only to struggle the next but if the downturn was to be renamed in one man’s honour, it would almost certainly become known as Glenn Roeder Syndrome, as shown by the fortunes of his last three clubs:

West Ham

Season One:

Posted: January 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

The bottom three may be cast adrift by Watford tonight

Things will get even worse for Charlton and co if Norwich lose

Even though there are only two matches being played tonight in the Championship, both could prove pretty significant. Here are a few statistics about both fixtures:

Watford v Norwich
Fans of Doncaster, Nottingham Forest and Charlton will be hoping for a draw here when two of the three sides just above the bottom three collide at Vicarage Road. However, the stats suggest that Brendan Rodgers may pick up his first victory since taking charge of the Hornets. Watford are unbeaten in four meetings with Norwich, winning three of them and while Norwich won the “Old Farm” derby at the weekend, they have won consecutive Championship games just once since February and haven’t won away in London since April 2004. 888sport offer 23/10 on a home win.

Ipswich v Bristol City

Posted: December 10th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment