Newcastle United’s woes continue

Newcastle United produced a woeful performance in their third pre season friendly. They faced League One side, Leyton Orient and were handed a 6-1 thrashing at Brisbane Road.

Poor marking allowed Orient’s Jimmy Smith to head The O’s into a lead after a mere 4 minutes. Twenty minutes later it was 2-0.

Habib Beye handled the ball inside the Newcastle penalty area. Former Sunderland player Sean Thornton made no mistake in dispatching the spot kick.

The Geordies hopes of avoiding embarrassment were rekindled when Obafemi Martins was felled by Tamika Mkandawire. Joey Barton, who could be key to Newcastle’s fortunes this season in the Championship, converted the penalty.

Scott McLeish put Orient in firm control after tidy control with his back to goal he produced an outrageous over head bicycle kick which flew past Tim Krul. Mkandawire added a fourth, compensating for his earlier defensive lapse.

Ryan Jarvis and Harry Baker heaped the misery on the demoralised United. Leyton Orient made a mockery of the Newcastle side which was packed full of internationals.

Slick play from the League One outfit saw them storm to a remarkable victory. Newcastle produced a display fitting of their vile away jerseys, with the loss dampening the already pessimistic mood in the black and white half of Tyneside.

The loyal Toon fans let their feelings towards the clubs hierarchy be aired, with the 1,700 strong away fans chanting, “stand up if you hate Ashley” and “there’s only one Alan Shearer”.

The club still finds itself very much in limbo and the uncertainty off the pitch is clearly affecting the playing staff when it comes to winning games on it.

Mike Ashley is still searching for a buyer to bring an end to a disastrous term. The Ashley era will forever be etched in the minds of Newcastle fans as a series of poor decision have seen the club fall hard from the heights of Premiership football.

The problem for the reviled owner and the clubs fans is that there seems to be little to no interest when it comes to potential suitors. The asking price is £100 million , and it seems unlikely any buyers would be willing to fork out such a sum for a club in turmoil.

It’s a painful demise for a club that should be prospering in the Premiership. The void left by Shearer, who ultimately failed to avert a shock relegation, is yet to be filled.

The England and Newcastle legend has continued to suggest that he would be willing to take on the role permanently.

Shearer today spoke to the media at charity match to raise funds for the Bobby Robson Foundation. He indicated that he was in the dark over the club’s future but stressed the importance of resolving Newcastle’s ailing fortunes.

“I know as much as you. I would dearly love it to be sorted out one way or the other then the club can move forward”.

He added that he had no inside knowledge of any deal struck to buy the North East outfit but remained optimistic that the silence echoing from the board room at St. James Park might soon be broken.

“Everyone is telling me there are people in to buy the club. If that is the case, then great”

He also renewed his commitment to Newcastle United, dismissing any suggestion he was ready to turn his back on the club he has loved since a child.

“I don’t know where that’s come from, it’s certainly not from myself,”

He added: “I want it sorted out as quickly as everyone else does, I’m a fan like everyone else and I don’t like to see the situation the club is in.”