Habib Beye Watch - Chelsea

Habib Beye had a great game in the centre of defence but still couldn't prevent 2 goals in Shearer's first game in charge. The former champions proved too strong for yet another patched together Newcastle United but at least the home team put up a fight.... not that you would expect anything less from a team managed by Big Al.

It is perhaps a sign of the times that no Beyewatch correspondents made it to the game as a result of holidays, weddings and perhaps a dose of apathy. Forgive us for thinking that we've seen this all before Team in trouble --> board reacts too late --> Messiah comes home --> nothing really changes.

Shearer's effect has no doubt been positive but this should have happened 8 games ago. Quite what has been offered to tempt Al into drinking from the poisoned chalice

now, that wasn't available then is not clear.

So a decent performance, but a warning that as the games slip by, our position becomes consolidated as one of a perilous few waiting for the drop.

Stoke is a must win game... but then we've said that before...