I've received a couple of emails lately questioning my choice of the "Last of the Greats" i.e. the indominable English center forward, Alan Shearer. People don't understand how i could hold in such regard a player who is 32 years old, and practically ancient history in footballing terms. Especially when there were many more exciting young forwards in the game today such as Henry, and van Nistelrooy. When i wrote my admiration for Shearer, Newcastle was still languishing in mid-table of the league. Look at the league table now: it justifies my claim that Captain Fantastic is one of the very best out there.
Its really no problem for teams like Arsenal and ManU to be good: they've got a breed of massively capable and proven players at the peak of their powers. For Newcastle to be doing so well with a team where no fewer than 7 regular first-team players are below the age of 23 is testimony of Alan Shearer's leadership and charisma, something that no other player is his equal, besides, perhaps, the Irish Lion, Roy Keane or the French Master, Patrick Viera.
Shearer is as good a reason as any to support this team. The second reason is best said by Ron Atkinson:
"Newcastle, who go to the sound of trumpets at every home game"
Even when Shearer doesn't play, the team plays like a bunch of kamikaze pilots, screaming "Banzai!" the moment the ref's whistle blows to start the game. I thought that this madness was brought on by the managers Newcastle has had over the years, but i was wrong:
Kevin Keegan: knew how to attack but was hopeless in defense
Kenny Daglish: didn't know to attack, had some idea about defence (couldn't effectively control the madness)
Ruud Gullit: thought he knew how to play "sexy" football, but didn't, really (probably couldn't spell the word "madness")
Bobby Robson: has put some method into the madness
A Knight of the Realm: Sir Bobby Robson
The unpredictability, the ups-and-downs, the charge of the players to the opposition goal - its a culture at Newcastle, almost certainly brought on by the passion instilled in the players from the wild support the team receives from the good people of Tyneside.
Jonathan Woodgate, the latest Magpie
And now, with the purchase of another outstanding young talent, Jonathan Woodgate, there could just be another reason to love this wonderful football team.
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