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On Thursday Newcastle put in one of their best performances in Europe when they beat Palermo, joint top of Serie A, 1-0 with six of their starters rested for the more important game against Sheffield United on Saturday.

On Saturday Newcastle bring back Harper, Carr, Babayaro, Parker, Duff and Rossi, a much better side at least on paper, then lose 1-0 to a side, not only bottom of the Premier league, but also one that hadn’t scored an away goal all season.

How do you explain this?

Well, that’s a difficult one and a tongue in cheek answer could be that’s Newcastle for you.

The very worst thing from a Newcastle viewpoint, is that the players on Saturday lacked conviction and spirit, and Sheffield, though limited in skill, showed courage and the willingness to run in abundance, and deserved their win.

Danny Webber scored with a header after 68 minutes and they could have had another when Quinn hit the post. As it turns out, if Quinn had scored, Newcastle would now be bottom of the league on goal difference.

The Palermo game had taken place less that 48 hours previously but Roeder had more than half a team that didn’t participate in that game so it can hardly be used as an excuse. It also begs the question which players should be first choice - given the youngsters performed so well against Palermo.

Passsion is a huge factor in football and Newcastle lacked it on Saturday. Newcastle supporters will not accept players who do not give their all for the club. 100% effort is a simple requirement and that combined with skill and organization can make a formidable team.

Sheffield had all the above (although as mentioned earlier lacking in the skill department) and turned in what for them was a great performance that deserved the win. Good for them.

Alarm bells however are now ringing at Newcastle with only 2 points taken from their last 7 league games and it’s difficult to know what to do.

To sack Roeder would leave the team and club in even more disarray than they are now. It’s hard to put too much blame on chairman Shepherd even though he failed to bring in defensive and attacking players that were required in the summer.

Roeder, being the honest man he is, has accepted full responsibility. The manager is totally responsible for the results. Newcastle however have shown this season they can be a decent team and certainly the squad has enough class to finish at least mid-table.

The next couple of league games will be crucial and the league cup match at Watford on Tuesday will also be important. Manchester City and Arsenal away are the league games upcoming - and if Newcastle do not pick up at least 3 points from these games then Shepherd will be forced to do something - particularly when fans are targetting him for the mess.

Unless we bring in an outstanding manager (who’s available?) then it will be a mistake to have a third manager in just over two years.

Roeder still has the backing of the fans because he is so honest and likeable but his history in management shows he does well with a team in his first season and then everything falls apart after that (West Ham is just one example of this).

What happens of course - as always - will be determined by results.

I believe Roeder has at most three games to turn this thing around.