retired_shaye3303

Great story Sherm keep it up :thup: but I think Milan will be a bit better than Sparta :p

retired_brianrt

Wilbor-good to know its still keeping you interested

Sammy Stokes - thanks for the compliment. As for Milan, we will have to wait and see
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A trip to Eastlands beckoned next, and Stuart Pearce's side were the surprise of the season so far, lying in third with impressive victories over Manchester United, Liverpool and Middlesbrough. I knew it wouldn't be easy, especially when Scott Parker picked up a slight strain in training on the morning of the match. I thought long and hard but in the end I decided to play Petit in the holding role, and David Edgar in central midfield, as he tormented City twice last season. The home team started brightly, having 3 chances in the opening 15 minutes, the two best opportunities falling to ex-Newcastle striker Andy Cole. It was inevitable after all their position and chances that they would take the lead, but Michael Owen had different ideas. He gave us an undeserved lead after 28 minutes, and this really rocked City. Their heads went down and they didn't seem to be able to string two passes together. The second half was a drab affair, neither team being able to break the other down, and defence ran the show. Being 1-0 up, this suited me and it was a relief to hear the final whistle to maintain out unbeaten start to the season.
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"What? When? I could do without that. Any estimate on how long he will be out for? Ok, well get back to me when you know"

That was a big blow. Scott Parker had injured himself in a freak accident in training, and it looked like he had done his ankle ligaments. I was desperately hoping it wasn't his ligaments as that could keep him out for several months, and he was really enjoying his football and was a player on form. With some big games coming up it would mean that Nik Besagno, the young American would need to play against weaker opposition. I wasn't too concerned but losing someone of Scott's calibre is a massive blow

retired_brianrt

The next league game was at home against Tottenham, who had struggled so far this season. I gave Nik a start against Spurs, and he revelled in the atmosphere, and he loved the standing ovation he recieved when I brought him off after 78 minutes. He had set up two of our goals and got on the scoresheet himself, marking his status as a quality youngster. Our first goal was an individual stroke of genius from Andrea Gasbarroni, as he beat 3 men on the right, cut inside and placed the ball past Paul Robinson. We had to wait until the second half for any more goals, although there were 4 in the space of 12 minutes. Tottenham scored first, Robbie Keane slipping in between our two centre halves and slotting away to equalise, but less than 3 minutes later we were back in front, a 30 yard screamer from Besagno. The fans really started to get behind the team after that, and we scored a third goal after a superb ball from Besagno put substitute Kris Boyd clean through and he rounded the keeper to all but secure the game. It was certainly secured 5 minutes later we definitely had all 3 points, another Besagno through ball sending Owen through this time to dink the ball over the on-rushing Robinson and score our 4th, giving us another unbeaten month in the league. Nik deservedly earned Man of the Match, and I took him to one side after the match and congratulated him on his performance.

retired_brianrt

I had spent a good 2 hours talking with the board and Freddy Shepherd the day before the Milan game, just gaining an insight into what they expected in the Champions League. The game against Milan was probably one of the biggest games in the last few years for the club, and it was certainly my biggest test as a manager. I had also been boosted with the news that Scott's injury wasn't as bad as first thought, and he would only be looking at about a month out, which was a really big boost for me and for the team. I was faced with a selection headache too, although it is one that any manager is happy to have, as Nik was on top form, although Petit had European experience. In the end I decided to go with Petit because of that experience, as I felt Milan's top class midfield may prove a little bit too much for Nik. I felt we could actually cause Milan some problems, although we couldn't afford to let the crowd get to us and intimidate us. I sent the boys out with that exact message, and they did exactly what I asked them to, getting amongst the Milan players and passing the ball about. It shocked Milan a little, and I felt we were going to get into half-time level, although I was slightly worried that we hadn't created any notable chances. I was getting ready to give the boys a message of encouragement, and to tell them to keep up the hard work, when Milan's potent strike force combined to give them a half time lead. Shevchenko laid off Iaquinta, and he rifled the ball home past Shay Given. I told the lads not to get disheartened, and we came out in the second half and showed a lot of courage, and even created four good chances. It looked as if it wasn't going to be our day, until Michael Owen popped up in the 87th minute to nick us an equaliser, which in all fairness, we probably deserved for our hard work. What a star that Michael Owen is! I was delighted with the lads yet again, as we had worked hard and shown great resilience to get a result in the San Siro.
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September 2006 results

Newcastle 2-1 Preston North End

Newcastle 5-0 Sparta Prague

Manchester City 0-1 Newcastle

Newcastle 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

A.C Milan 1-1 Newcastle

retired_brianrt

Nik Besagno claimed young player of the month which he fully deserved, and we had another unbeaten month. We were still lying in second place however, thanks to Chelsea's unbelievable 100% start to the campaign. I had also made a decision to play some of the younger lads in the Carling Cup, especially after their superb showing last season. That wasn't until the end of the month though, and we had a really difficult month of League games to contend with, away at Charlton and Liverpool and home to Arsenal, so another unbeaten month would be a good result for the team. There was also a home game against Real Betis. I'm really getting into this European lark, and hopefully the boys will want to try and gain European football every season, especially now they have got a taste for it.

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Travelling to London was never a trip I enjoyed, as it was a good 3 hours or so, but the lads always tended to be a good crack on the team bus. Charlton had yet to win this season, and had conceded 22 goals in their 7 games, which I was hoping to make worse for them. I actually like their manager Alan Curbishley, as he plays the game in the proper way, and never moans in public, and always makes the effort to talk to other managers during the warm-up. It made me laugh hearing some of the Charlton fans on his back, especially after all he had done for them. I had a quick word with him just before kick-off, telling him not to worry and his team will get out of the relegation dogfight. We actually started the game slowly, which wasn't our normal way, and Darren Bent almost gave Charlton a lead after 12 minutes, which woke us up after that. We started to play better, and we took the lead after 21 minutes through a superb free-kick by Andrea Gasbarroni. We doubled that advantage right on half-time, Javier Portillo setting up Kris Boyd and he rifled a shot past Thomas Myhre. Charlton came back briefly in the second half, although we caught them off guard and managed to score a third on the break, Michael Owen beating Hermann Hreidarsson for pace and slotting the ball home. Substitute Albert Luque scored the 4th from the penalty spot 5 minutes from time, after Owen was fouled by Chris Perry. I felt 4-0 was a little harsh on Charlton, but I wasn't going to complain agbout the 3 points and the good add to our goal difference.

retired_brianrt

The first time we had travelled to Anfield under my management was for the League Cup early last season, in a game we had totally dominated, winning 4-0. I didn't expect the same result, as Liverpool were really off colour that night, and after a poor start to the season they would be determined to get their season back on track. As the teams ran out onto the pitch I could hear the jeers and boos coming from the Kop end. The Liverpool players obviously let it get to them, as they made a terrible start and were sloppy in their play. We took advantage, Albert Luque crossing for the onrushing Javier Portillo at the back post who duly slotted home to give us the lead. We should have had at least one, if not two more before the break, Michael Owen and Portillo both missing good chances. After half-time, Liverpool came and played with a lot more purpose, and started to show why they were still a force to be reckoned with. They were pushing up quite high, so we had a good chance to catch them on the break, so I brought Kris Boyd on for Portillo. 7 minutes later this tactic paid off, as Boyd burst clear and finished the ball past Jose Reina. Liverpool still kept coming, and managed to pull one back 4 minutes from the end, but it wasn't enough and we walked away with 3 points.
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A home game against Real Betis was next on our agenda, and I was confident we could get another 3 points. I was boosted by the news that Betis' most influential player, Joaquin, was out with a groin injury picked up in La Liga at the weekend. The Spaniards were on good form in the league, having won their last 5 games and lost just once, and they were lying in second in La Liga. I knew they would come and attack, but I didn't tempt fate by changing to go defensive, sticking with the formation that has worked so well for us. Betis started the better side though, and I was shocked by their intent to come and just attack, and they could have been 3 goals to the good by half-time. As it was our defence held strong, and we went in at half-time level. Their endeavours in the first half had seemed to leave the players tired, and they were easy pickings in the second half, as goals from Owen and Ameobi wrapped up another win in the Champions League.

retired_brianrt

After the Betis game there had been a phone-in on local radio, and I had listened to it whilst having a few relaxing beers. It had been Newcastle fans (the majority anyway) coming on and praising the team, saying we were playing really well, and that I could keep the job for life. Although these comments were very flattering, I knew that there would be a bad time to come at my time at the club. It was also interesting to hear Sunderland fans coming on to say well done to Newcastle. They were flying in the Championship, and had a 7 point lead at the top, and looked odds-on to return to the top-flight. I had also spoken to the chairman, who was talking about upgrading the stadium after this season, as we needed a stadium to compete with the top European clubs. I had mentioned this last season, and he had gone away to think about it, and had given me his answer after the European game. I think this club is really going places now, and I'm delighted to be a part of it.

retired_brianrt

A couple of the teams younger players had expressed some concerns over the amount of football they were going to get, and I had reassured them that the Carling Cup would be the competition where I played a weaker team and put youngsters out, no matter the opponent. They seemed happy by his, and with a cup game against Arsenal they would have to be on the top of their game. I decided to play Portillo and Gordon as the only really established squad players, with youngsters making up the rest of the team. Arsenal started with a young team too, obviously showing that their priorities lay elsewhere. We started the better, Portillo and Kris Boyd having 3 chances between them, and we should have been one or two to the good. As it was, Arsenal took the lead in the 23rd minute through young German Nicklas Bentdner, when he broke clear past Peter Ramage and slid the ball home. After this we couldn't find a cutting edge, so at half time I replaced Boyd with Ishmael Miller, who was signed for a nominal fee from Manchester City in the summer. He made a difference straightaway, his pace and power proving too much for the young Arsenal defence, and he got us back level on the hour, firing home from Portillo's through ball. Once I brought Nolberto Solano on, there was no doubt about who was going to win the game, and Solano it was who crossed the ball for Miller to score his and our second, and send us into the 4th round.

October 2006 results

Charlton 0-4 Newcastle

Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle

Newcastle 2-0 Real Betis

Newcastle 2-1 Arsenal