Some clubs manage it, others do not. Those that do either thrive or begin a kind of ‘yoyo’ existence. Those that don’t begin more of a Status Quo-esq. performance - you know, ‘down, down, deeper and down’. The North East duo unceremoniously dumped out of the Premier League last season are showing signs of offering examples of both. Let’s take Newcastle United first of all.

On the face of it, the in-fighting and protests last year, the departure of Kevin Keegan and the ‘for sale’ sign outside St James Park had all the signs of relegation marked up well before the final curtain was drawn in 2008/9. Even during the summer, the uncertainty over the managerial role and the stays or no-stays in the squad must have left even the most die-hard Geordie wondering whether they would even make the play-off’s let alone challenge for an immediate return to the promised land that is the Premier League. What price then a ten point lead at Xmas secured by a derby-day win over their local rivals who now languish a further ten behind in mid-table?

 

Newcastle must now be very short odds on holding off all-comers to take the Championship crown and be playing Premier League football again in 2010/11. Whilst the Championship is there for the taking - there is a gulf of quality between the top league and it’s nearest relative - only Newcastle and possibly West Brom have looked to grab it by the scruff of it’s neck. The same cannot be said of their north east rivals and fellow Championship newcomers Middlesbrough.

The Boro started off reasonably but despite sitting fourth, only a matter of a couple of wins behind top spot, they saw fit to dispose with the services of Gareth Southgate whose appointment following Steve McClaren’s departure for England they so valiantly fought to defend and appointed former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan as the man to lead them back to Premier League football. Unfortunately, with a single win since his appointment and that away from home, the omens do not look good at the Riverside. Where 34,000 once watched Premier League games, they are considered lucky to be attracting half of that figure to watch what has been diabolical home form. If it had not been for some good results on the road, heaven only knows where they would be. Far from the swift return they desired, Middlesbrough are in danger of following Manchester City, Southampton and Norwich City in making a quick transition from First to Third in not too good order to come straight back.

Relegation is very costly these days in any league but relegation from the Premier League can be disastrous. Newcastle may survive it intact - Middlesbrough may not. By the end of this season, there could be a full division between them. Suddenly, 17^th position in the Premier League looks like success.