CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW
Sir Bobby Robson is confident his team can extend their Champions League adventure into next month but ONLY if they beat Dynamo Kiev at St James' Park tonight. Unfortunately the odds are stacked against the Magpies even without Robson's feeling that Kiev are the best side his team has faced in Europe this season.
Soccer's eldest statesman says: "I will be pleased with a win, full stop. If it comes in the last minute and we get a 1-0 that will be fine."
Robson will go into the game without Craig Bellamy, who has suffered a recurrence of the knee injury that threatened his career. The Welshman has flown to the United States to see the surgeon who operated on him earlier in the year so there will be extra pressure on Alan Shearer to come up with the goods as Newcastle will not want to keep relying on the scoring acumen of Andy Griffin, who scored the only goal in the win over Juventus before following it up with a goal in the weekend win over Charlton.
Kieron Dyer has suffered a recurrence of his back strain although Newcastle are hopeful he will be fit and they also welcome back Nikos Dabizas, after suspension. There is also a doubt over Nolberto Solano, who has an ankle problem. He will undergo a very late fitness test before a decision is made regarding his participation.
The simple fact of the matter is that if Newcastle do not beat Kiev, who won the reverse game 2-0 last month, they are out of the competition. But Robson is buoyed by the way his side played in the win over Juventus.
He said; "Obviously our goal difference needs improving but our priority, first and foremost, is to win the game and we are a match for anyone at home. We created a lot of chances against Juventus and if we do the same against Kiev then I am sure we will take it down to the last match in Rotterdam."
The key factor, to take it down to the last game against Feyenoord, may well be the St James' Park faithful who have shown the patience of Job with their team with some dreadful performances, over the years. It is now down to the team to do the Job against Kiev.
