The veritable ‘game of two halves’. We were utter sh*te in the 1st half; much better in a second-half, we actually dominated.

The reason for the improvement wasn’t entirely obvious - at least to Screach & me in the pub. We certainly defended better in the 2nd half - but that wasn’t too difficult, given how dreadful we had been in the 1st. We also created a lot more going forward, and but for a good reaction save by Taylor to deny Owen - who perhaps should have scored - we could have taken all three points.

The only things we noticed different in the 2nd half were that Geremi stayed on the right more, and Butt restricted his forward runs to finally gave the back four a little more protection. There is also the possibility that there may have been a conscious switch to 4-3-3 at half time, with Martins playing closer to Viduka and Owen, with a midfield of Geremi - Butt - Barton.

Whatever subtle changes were made they worked, although there was also a noticeable increase in the physical effort in the 2nd half.

Many of our 1st half problems stemmed from Faye being beaten time and again by McFadden, ultimately culminating in an embarrassing goal when the wee Scot far too easily turned his physically-superior marker in the penalty area, and slotted the ball past Harper.

With Steven Taylor looking a nervous wreck, Barton giving the ball away in midfield with gay abandon, and Faye having a torrid time with McFadden, our defensive work was shocking in the 1st half; much, much better in the 2nd.

Not the ideal result, but a better point for us than Brum in my opinion. It breaks a really bad run, and gives us some genuine positives to take into the weekend, where another 3 points would make a massive difference to our overall position.

The only thing that I want from the lads this morning when they wake up was nothing but a smell of victory against Birmingham City tonight. Today is the most biggest challenge for their Toon commitment, today is their future as well as the pride of Newcastle United.

I hope everyone will have the same high spirited passion as what Harper has said, “If anybody is under-estimating what relegation would do for this club, he shouldn’t be here. We know we are in a battle.”

To be honest, I also have a little bit of fear to see that most of our regular first team squad this year has the experience of relegation and it will have some bad effects to their mentality regarding to the situation we’re in these days.

Mark Viduka, Alan Smith and James Milner all have been went down once with Leeds, while Damien Duff was relegated with Blackburn. When being out for loan, Nicky Butt suffered the drop with Birmingham. Our new signing Habib Beye was also experienced the dropped with Strasbourg.

So now, they’re supposed to do all their best to avoid the same experience to happened with Newcastle United. Sad to admit that some of them were actually the weakness part of United squad through a season long.

“We have five tough away games, and this one is the biggest game in the club’s recent history,” Harper continued, “It’s the biggest game we’ve had for a long, long time. There’s always pressure at this place and everybody knows it’s a pressure cooker - more than at any other club. Every game is a big game at this club, but the Birmingham match is absolutely massive.”

Howay the Lads!!! Up the Toon!!!

It is all up to you now my dear Newcastle United squad, show us some respect for all the supports that we have given this year. Fulham is winning today if you guys are too busy to training and never look at the Premier League results and table, we’re in critical condition!

For God’s sake, we need something good at St. Andrews and we really mean it this time. No more sloppy defending, no more lazy midfield action and please do start to scoring EMO, or you have forgotten how to kick the ball into the net? Andy Carrol surely knows how to do it.

Without James Milner as he is still suffering the foot injury from the Anfield game, Shay Given still out too with his best friend names groin, Emre still dating with the calf and Stephen ‘When we see him leave?’ Carr keep playing with hamstring, the King must be having a very bad headache at the moment.

On the other side, Birmingham defender Martin Taylor will not be able to play as he will served the third of a three-match ban for his sending off against Arsenal, while their striker Cameron Jerome, may be able to play after swallowed some pain killer pills.

But, Lamine Diatta (if he actually played) must aware of Sebastian Larsson who has scores two goals in their last two matches.

TOON STATS at ST.ANDREW’S - PREMIERSHIP YEARS:
2006/07: 2-2 Taylor, Dyer (FA Cup)
2005/06: 0-0
2004/05: 2-2 Jenas, Butt
2003/04: 1-1 Speed
2002/03: 2-0 Solano, Ameobi
2000/01: 1-2 Dyer (League Cup)
1999/00: 0-2 (League Cup)