Mackems. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. But in a playing perspective, could it be worthwhile to make a Mackem player live even closer? Furthermore, would such a player really be welcome at Newcastle United?

There have been a few players who have crossed the divide from Geordie to Mackem. Lee Clark made the move ten years ago, but seemed to play the role of an infiltrating saboteur, and was promptly sold by those Sad Mackem Bastards of which his t-shirt proclaimed. Robbie Elliott made a similar move last summer, but the move clearly had a damaging effect, causing the two-time Geordie to fall down the divisions via Leeds United. Perhaps Michael Chopra learned from these examples, by wisely rejecting a move to Wearside in favour of football league mainstays Cardiff City. Or perhaps not.

Clearly Chopra made the right career move in leaving Newcastle. Had he still been here today, he’d be behind Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi, Alan Smith, Andy Carroll and Albert Luque in the pecking order. Since leaving however, he has shown great character in proving that he can at the very least be an excellent goalscorer in the Championship. In fact, his goal return persuaded Roy Keane to pay ten times the fee Newcastle sold Chopra for. Such a move was a risk for player, club and manager, but it appears to have been worked out thus far. Whenever Geordies see Chopra at the Stadium of Light, they will remember his legendary first touch equaliser in our 1-4 derby victory, but Chopra may yet see his time at Sunderland as being the pinnacle of his career.

Crossing the divide may then work it would seem, although perhaps travelling via Cardiff is the best possible route. Less Sunderland players have gone on to play for Newcastle, although it is often forgotten that one of the best Newcastle players of the past twenty years, Mr. Shay Given, is an ex-Mackem. As the Geordies were perfectly happy to accept Given, it is clear that it is possible for a player to cross the divide if they are good enough.

But are there any players good enough to play for Newcastle? No disrespect to Chopra, but if he was to return to St. James’ Park today, he’d still find himself way down the pecking order. Given that he is the best striker Sunderland have on offer, we shouldn’t be looking at Sunderland strikers.

In midfield, Carlos Edwards and Ross Wallace are effective players that will score a very decent return of points at a low price for a Fantasy Football team. However, once more, they struggle to make the Newcastle bench.

In defence, Paul McShane looks excellent. Strong, composed and uncompromising, the ex-Baggie could be one of those underrated gems often found at smaller Premier League clubs. However as a recent Mackem signing, there would be almost no chance of him signing for Newcastle this year.

In fact, Roy Keane, a perfect match for Sunderland given his rivalry with Shearer, has signed players to create a side that has a fighting chance of surviving this season, showing no loyalty to the previous batch of players who wouldn’t have had the quality to keep the Mackems from going straight back down. Thus the majority of talented Mackems are in the same unsignable group as Paul McShane.

Thus, it must be recommended that Newcastle don’t sign any Mackems before August 31st. Quinn and Keane are trying to build a squad to stay up, and the early signs indicate that they have a good chance of success. Such players cannot help a team hoping to challenge for Europe. The only Mackems coming to st. James’ Park will be coming as part of the opposition team.

Will the Mackems survive? Would you welcome a Mackem at St. James’ Park? Have your say.