Inconsistent Toon makes for up and down attendances
FORMER UNITED STAR MARTIN SAYS NO SURPRISE FANS STAYING AWAY
FORMER Newcastle United star Mick Martin believes there should be no surprises about the way gates have dwindled at St James’ Park this season.
But the former club captain feels Steve Bruce and his players are capable of fending off the threat of relegation.
Martin feels United’s inconsistencies are there for all to see at the moment and shudders to think of where the Magpies would be without those shock victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
Martin told the Chronicle: “They still find themselves at the moment in a relegation battle.
“When you look at it closely, and I was at the Brighton and Watford games where we drew, had we not beaten Man United or Spurs we’d be in grave danger now.
“I don’t want to harp on too much, because I got great comfort out of the Man United game and the way it was won.
“Wolves are next and Newcastle will need to be as intensive as they were against Man United.
“They’ll need to be as mobile and aggressive as that game. That is the standard now. You can decide your own future by your home results. I am just hoping that things can go our way.
“You don’t know what Wolves will be like after Europe this week, they could be spot on still, or they could be tired.”
Newcastle attracted a gate of 51,198 against the Red Devils earlier this month, but the previous attendance against
Brighton for the goal-less stalemate was just 43,316.
This Sunday’s encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers may not whet the appetite for many stay-away supporters.
Martin said: “I thought the crowds dropping would be inevitable.
“There’s a percentage of fans still wondering why Rafa Benitez didn’t stay.
“Some have a question mark over the appointment of Steve Bruce. So some are staying away on both counts.
“They wanted Rafa to stay and the way results have gone haven’t really lifted some of them. “Mike Ashley has to come into this as well.
“Steve’s late appointment at the end of July didn’t help anybody.
“The money Newcastle spent and the fact that Mike Ashley hasn’t sold it, is maybe annoying a good few. “They’re not going to the games. It’s about 6,000 staying away.
“Don’t get me wrong, the crowd figures are still quite good compared to other clubs.
“The Man United gate was pretty good but the Brighton and Watford games the atmosphere wasn’t what I wanted it to be.”
But the black-and-whites at least delivered on the field.
Martin added: “Man United was a big and important result for Brucey and the players.
“The only shame was it was followed by an international break rather than another home game.
“Instead, they had to wait and go to Stamford Bridge and that has always been a tough place to go.”
Newcastle go into the weekend in the bottom three after a tough start to the season, but when asked if United will stave off the drop this term, Martin said: “I do think the current crop are capable of getting out of this.
“But they need to start sharpening their pencils a bit!
“The final third has been a problem. Joelinton needs to start doing more.
“We all know Miguel Almiron’s problems, he gets to the final third but then fluffs things.
“He has had some great opportunities to score.
“Allan Saint-Maximin is exciting but I am not sure what’s in his head. Yes, he attacks people which I enjoy, but his final product is never the greatest.
“Sometimes he is overdoing it.”
The money Newcastle spent and the fact that Mike Ashley hasn’t sold it, is maybe annoying a few
Mick Martin