Source:NUFC Premium TV

Things were looking so poor for Newcastle United at the start of the season, then brightened with the arrival of Michael Owen on a £17 million flight from Madrid, then started sliding again recently with injuries to newly arrived Luque, a torn hamstring for Owen, and now injuries and suspensions pretty much across the back line.

To top it all off, a Wigan second XI robbed the Magpies in the Carling Cup tonite. So, what will happen with Souey et al? Sitting a lucky 12th in the table at the moment, they face Arsenal and Liverpool in December, along with a sometimes tricky West Ham and Charlton. The only bright spot is next up at Aston Villa, where Newcastle will be staring down an doppleganger of an underachieving club.

Souness is still not near the head of the line for the sack race, with names like McCarthy and O'Leary even closer to the door. Still, with Freddie Shepard putting as much money into transfers as he has this season, something better turn around fast or once again Middlesbrough will look like the form side in the North East.