A Tale of Two Tynes

Whoa. Just watched the Newcastle-Arsenal game and I am stunned. Not only one of the biggest come-backs ever but what a completely bifurcated game. Arsenal was up three goals in the first ten minutes and took a 4-0 lead into the locker-room at the half then coughed it up in the second. There is plenty to talk about with this one, especially as it relates to Arsenal's title chances. Diaby's red will keep him off the pitch for a few games, the two dropped points as they wait for United to play Wolves, and perhaps most importantly the mental impact it has on a team that is seen as fragile to begin with.

But what is most noteworthy to me is how both halves of this game, in completely different ways, seems to have validated Newcastle's surprising decision to sell Andy Carroll in the dying moments of last month's transfer market. It seemed to catch people off guard and the fact that they didn't have time to bring in a replacement made it look kind of awkward. But when you think about what a club can do with 35 million pounds in the coming summer market you have to admit the final judgment on this one has to wait.

The first half hinted at how Newcastle should spend the bulk of the bounty: shoring up the defense. Williamson and Coloccini were absolutely awful and as bad as it sounds they were lucky to concede as few goals as they did. In pace, placement, and technique they looked like they didn't belong in the Prem. The fullback positions were spared that kind of embarrassment simply because they weren't targeted as much. And although it is a lesser priority I do think Newcastle would benefit from another man to run down balls in the midfield. Trading a few extra goals that would come from Carroll in order to fortify the defense may well be the way to go.

In the second half the club proved it could score without the departed striker. Yes two of them were penalties but Newcastle's work in the attacking end produced them, along with a few other chances that came close. The squad is not full of glamour names but the midfield with Nolan and Barton can create offense and Jonas provides a great cross and gives them a bit of balance on the wing. I will admit the strike corp is a bit thin but when looking at the big picture; how they can get offensive contributions from other places and how weak they are in the back, summer priorities should be clear.