Newcastle relegation fears continue following a 1-0 loss to Bolton at Reebok Stadium today. Coupled with both Middlesbrough and Blackburn's winning this weekend, the Magpies are situated only two points above the drop zone and have played an extra match. With a nasty schedule that includes Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in their upcoming month, the threat of relegation has never been more daunting for Newcastle.Clearly the patchwork lineup is showing strains of lacking creative imagination and service to strikers Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi laid at the core of a venom-less attack. Still below fitness, Alan Smith sat firmly on the bench in what is appear more and more like a lost campaign for himself and Mark Viduka, clearly not ready for a full ninety minutes only came on in the final twelve minutes.
From the start Gary Megson's side were in control in what was a statement match that their own relegation concerns need to end. However due to some dreadful finishing, particularly that of former Toulouse Johan Elmander, the match was deadlocked at the break. However that didn't last long after the restart as Ricardo Gardner, who had entered for Fabrice Muamba, accepted Matt Taylor's provision and quickly dispatched the ball behind Steve Harper, giving Bolton the 1-0 lead. Down by one only two minutes after the break, Newcastle lacked the creative punch to launch forward and Bolton maintained a hearty control of play. Finally with ten minutes remaining and the clock of desperation ticking down, the Magpies through caution to the wind and showed a morsel of fight. Late efforts by Geremi, Sébastien Bassong and Shola Ameobi possessed intent but the quality was slightly lacking and Newcastle fell 1-0.
Photo credit: UEFA.com (Getty Images)
