1997-98 Season - December
A disastrous month in the League with only 2 points to show from 7 games sends United tumbling down the League and ramps the pressure up on Dalglish
Monday 01 Dec 1997 - Bolton 1 Newcastle 0
John Barnes joins the list of injured strikers that already includes Shearer, Asprilla and Rush.
United are beaten by a Nathan Blake goal at struggling Bolton and Dalglish hits out at The Trotters for making his team play three times in six days. Sky and the Premier League had been willing to change it but refused to budge.
Trotters boss Colin Todd accused Dalglish of "sour grapes".
Thursday 04 Dec 1997
New chairman Freddie Shepherd states that the club needs to rebuild relationships with the fans. "We have taken our eye off the ball - and everyone has got to put their hands up. We were all guilty of concentrating on the float, the City side, a bit too much. We haven't communicated enough with our fans - we have got to put that right and we will."
He also claims that: " it is a load of rubbish to say we haven't got money to spend on players".
Sunday 07 Dec 1997 - Newcastle 0 Arsenal 1
Dalglish's gamble on recalling Asprilla's fails as clearly lacking in match fitness he fails to impress against The Gooners. Arsenal are full value for their victory; Ian Wright grabbing the winner
Wednesday 10 Dec 1997 - Newcastle 2 Dynamo Kiev 0
A superb Batty performance and first-half goals from Barnes and Pearce secure victory in the final Champions' League fixture against Group C winners Dynamo Kiev .
United are linked with Everton skipper Gary Speed
Friday 12 Dec 1997
Ian Rush - still struggling with a knee injury - states that he thinks " this could be my last as a Premiership player".
Saturday 13 Dec 1997 - Barnsley 2 Newcastle 2
Two strikes from Keith Gillespie are only enough to earn a point at Oakwell as former player John Hendrie grabs a super strike 15 minutes from time to deny United a win at bottom of the table Barnsley.
Sunday 14 Dec 1997
Shaka Hislop - recalled in mid November - talks of his wish to stay on Tyneside. "I have been offered a new deal and I am in discussions at the moment. My future will not be decided on money. I have made that very clear. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Newcastle and I want that to continue. I hope things can be worked out."
Wednesday 17 Dec 1997 - Newcastle 0 Derby 0
A freezing night of gale force winds and swirling sweet; but United's performance is worse and the team is jeered off at the end. An incensed Dalglish orders the players out in the pouring rain for a post match training session after an "unacceptable" performance.
"We've a lot of hard work ahead. It was a poor performance - there was nothing else to be happy about - and those that blame the weather better realise it was the same for both teams. We'll not hide behind anything like this."
Thursday 18 Dec 1997
Steve Harper is to go on loan to Huddersfield until the end of the season.
Monday 22 Dec 1997
The club unveil a £42million plan to redevelop St James' Park into a 51,000 capacity stadium. The statement claimed that "The proposal to extend St James' Park rather than build a new stadium will provide a quicker, cost effective solution to the need for increasing capacity."
Saturday 20 Dec 1997 - Newcastle 0 Man Utd 1
A much better performance but a header from Andy Cole and a couple of world class saves from Schmeichel is enough to secure a victory for table toppers Man Utd.
Dalglish accuses David Beckham of feigning injury to get Alessandro Pistone booked. Beckham went down clutching his face after apparently being caught by a raised boot, but TV replays show he had caught Beckham on the chest.
Dalglish rages: "You've got to look at the referee - he was the worst man on the pitch. But the players have the opportunity to avoid getting fellow professionals booked. We can lie in our beds and sleep tonight. We didn't try to get anybody in trouble. If somebody does that, it's up to their conscience."
"I don't know why he's upset," replies Alex Ferguson. "The referee was very good for Newcastle. Everybody's entitled to a bad game."
Tuesday 23 Dec 1997
Chairman Freddy Shepherd tries to appease the increasingly disgruntled fans by confirming that funds are available for buying players "There is money but you have got to get the right guy".
Friday 26 Dec 1997 - Derby 1 Newcastle 0
A penalty after only four minutes is enough to give The Rams all three points
Sunday 28 Dec 1997 - Newcastle 1 Liverpool 2
A 2-1 defeat at home to Liverpool leaves United six points above the drop zone but Dalglish is upbeat. "We've had bad run, but we'll be all right if we carry on playing like we did against Liverpool, It was a tremendous performance by my players. You couldn't be anything but complimentary about them."
"All we need is the rub of the green - not in depth analysis on what we are doing wrong. We're not getting much enjoyment in front of goal but it will come, the sooner the better I hope."