Geordies facing meltdown

I WON’T be swayed in my conviction that the destination of the title is already decided. Who goes down is another matter altogether and a horrible scenario for a football-besotted region is on the horizon: all three north-east clubs could be relegated.

I don’t have any confidence that Middlesbrough, Newcastle or Sunderland will be safe.

Boro can’t survive on an unexpected victory against Liverpool nor a late equaliser against Portsmouth. Sunderland flattered for a while after the departure of Roy Keane but losing at home to Wigan triggers alarm bells. And Newcastle’s fixture list is simply horrendous.

Next up they play Arsenal and Chelsea and amongst the games that follow are away trips to Stoke, Tottenham, Liverpool and Villa. Would you be confident that the Geordies will take any points from those matches?

I never really considered the thought that Newcastle could go down but I do now. Worse, given the uncertainty of the ownership, — would you place any trust in the appalling Mike Ashley? — relegation might easily lead to a path previously trod by another former great: Leeds United.