The Gods and the Fates

Alright, is anybody out there superstitious in any way?

I’m not totally but I do have a trait or two that I have clung and adhered to for many a year.

The first is “Sod’s Law”, or briefly translated, “What CAN go wrong WILL go wrong.”

The second is more a psychological and/or godlike state of play. And this is coming from someone who isn’t remotely spiritual, or religious.

With Newcastle United, Sod’s Law was at play two seasons ago when, in a late Saturday afternoon kick-off at St James’ Park, we were playing Liverpool.

Newcastle lost the match BUT, we lost our number one goalkeeper Nick Pope to suspension. missing only one match BUT crucially, that one game ban was for the upcoming Carabao Cup Final against Manchester United.

I still remember the audible realisation around the ground that this would be the case.

Many also instantly realising that back up ‘keeper Martin Dubravka was already cup-tied, due to very ironically having already played that season in the competition that season for…Manchester United.

That situation you’d struggle to script.

That other well known phrase “You couldn’t write this” is also very true.

I have though always had that feeling when it comes to Newcastle United. Of course we’ll lose our first choice goalkeeper and not have our back up for some reason. Should have expected it really. This is Newcastle United and “What CAN go wrong WILL go wrong” no matter how strange a scenario or regardless of the odds.

The other thing I fear is the premise that IF we had got a result down at Anfield on Wednesday night, that would have had a bearing on the cup final result. Naturally, most of you are saying “Well, of course it doesn’t” and in the scheme of things you’d be right.

But I’d venture that if we’d got a draw or heaven forbid all three points last night, the Gods would be saying “THAT’S your result against Liverpool, there’s no chance you’re now getting one in the cup final.”

Once again that’s coming from someone who isn’t even remotely religious.

Another thing to take from last night was the absence of Alexander Isak.

I wouldn’t have played him regardless, as it would be Sod’s Law he’d get injured. I’m mixed as to if I should believe he has a slight groin problem, as Eddie Howe says. He may have, but like I’ve said, why risk him.

You’re probably wondering if I would play him between now and Wembley at all?

The answer to that is, barring giving him some minutes to get him match sharp, no, no I wouldn’t.

Brighton in the cup on Sunday should be William Osula and Callum Wilson’s gig. Isak shouldn’t even be considered. Then we face West Ham after a good week’s rest. Once again, Callum Wilson should tackle that one. The risk on Isak is too great, for I’m also of the school of thought that we’d do well to beat Liverpool next month WITH him, but the task of doing so WITHOUT him?

Since the takeover I’ve converted from being a natural born pessimist with regards to Newcastle United.

I’m far more positive when approaching matches these days, which is always dangerous.

Beware me saying the words “We’ll win this one no problem.” I was confident going into all of the West Ham, Brighton, Fulham and Bournemouth home games and look how that turned out.

If you’d told me we’d lose the lot of them? And then go to Old Trafford, Spurs and Arsenal and win all three?

A brief cameo down at the London Stadium is all I’d risk. To be honest, my starting line up against the Hammers would indeed be interesting.

So that’s it in a nutshell. I’m not too down about losing at Anfield, we’ve gone there down the years with aspirations of winning the league and come up short, sometimes well short. We may do so again next month but psychologically and superstitiously I’m feeling all the better that the fates and the Gods can now step up and play their part.

In my, some might say, strange little mind, I’m happy we are (seemingly) preserving our talisman and haven’t “wasted” a result against Liverpool that some higher force could use on March 16th to say “You’ve had your moment against Liverpool, that’s your lot, you can lose now and go home.”

Here’s hoping that our “moment” is going to be at Wembley.