Too little, too late from United?
NEWCASTLE United left it late to throw the kitchen sink at Leicester City.
So late, in fact, that by the time they belatedly got stuck into their opponents – who went a man down with just half an hour played – they outcome was all but decided.
And the frustration among the 3,200 travelling fans was palpable.
As the second half wore on at the Walkers Stadium, they implored their yellow-shirted team to "attack, attack, attack", Nigel Pearson's side having been the better side for much of the game, despite Richie Wellens's early bath.
Caution away from home is one thing, not least against a side as bright and capable as Leicester.
But there was more than a sense of a lost opportunity as the away corner emptied, the game having ended goalless.
Chris Hughton – whose dogged side's opportunism has seen them win games at Sheffield United and Preston North End by a solitary goal when they've not been at their best – had understandably set up his team to frustrate their hosts.
Captain Nicky Butt and Alan Smith sat deep in the centre of midfield, with Kevin Nolan the link man between them and lone striker Andy Carroll.
This approach, however, didn't change after Wellens's dismissal for a second yellow card, and Leicester gamely bossed rest of the first half, and on another day, striker Matty Fryatt would have had a hat-trick, such were the opportunities they created, despite Newcastle's numerical advantage.
It wasn't until the hour mark that Hughton sent on Nile Ranger for Smith, with United adopting a more orthodox 4-4-2 formation for the last half hour.
They slowly cranked up the pressure, but the feeling was that it was too little, too late.
Of course, the point they claimed could yet prove an invaluable one, and the result extended their lead over second-placed Nottingham Forest, earlier beaten by local rivals Derby County, to four points with a game in hand.
It was no disaster, and Hughton's new signings showed promise.
Centre-half Mike Williamson was again commanding alongside Fabricio Coloccini, while on-loan left-back Patrick van Aanholt – who had Newcastle's best chance in the first half moments after stopping a goal-bound Fryatt effort at the other end – grew stronger as the game went on.
On the right wing, Wayne Routledge, on his full debut, was bright when he had the ball. It was just a shame he didn't see more of it.
United, back at St James's Park on Friday night, will certainly be more positive against Cardiff City, who are among a cluster of teams putting pressure on West Bromwich Albion in third.
Newcastle's advantage over Forest is a slender one, but a decent run of results this month could see them put one foot in the Premier League, and Hughton, after a hectic week in the transfer market, looks to have the personnel to achieve that aim.
However, at least once in a while, he might have to throw caution to one side away from home.
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
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