If Sunday’s 4-1 defeat marked one milestone in that it was Graeme Souness’ first home defeat as Toon boss then it also marked another. For the embarrassing defeat marked the game when the O’Brien/Elliot partnership finally fell to pieces.
Having been able to keep their place in the starting line up over the last few weeks despite some shaky moments, the pair must now surely find themselves relieved of first team duty after they were finally exposed as the below average Premier League centre backs that they evidently are.
Average strikers have continued to cause problems, look no further than Lisbie and Yorke. Elliot’s resurgence may have a little time yet, but his partner O’Brien must be replaced. O’Brien plays as an individual in that he is too poor to organise anybody else because he is so worried about his own performance and making mistakes. He has no authority, average ability and must surely install zero confidence in his colleagues.
Titus Bramble must return with a possible partnership being developed with either Johnsen, Elliot or even Aaron Hughes.
The latter looked awful on Sunday, but then again he has always been better when reverted to centre back.
January beckons, the addition of two quality centre backs must surely be our top priority.