Kluivert: We Will Have Too Much Dor Olympiakos
The latest diary entry of Patrick Kluivert
on his Icons.com site:
The injury that forced me out of our game with Tottenham
at the weekend is not serious, but as a precaution, I will not
be playing at home to Olympiakos tomorrow night. I got a kick
on the inside of the knee in exactly the same spot that I got
one in the Chelsea match, and so we felt it was best for me
to come off.
But I should be fit and available to play in Newcastle's match
away to Portsmouth at the weekend. Besides we are 3-1 up against
Olympiakos, and there is no point in taking any risks. We have
a squad that is more than capable of protecting and extending
that advantage.
I was surprised that we managed to win so convincingly in Greece.
To beat a team of Olympiakos' stature by that scoreline is some
achievement. They were not helped by the dismissal of two men,
but we still had to press home our advantage.
I now believe that it shouldn't be a problem to qualify for
the last eight. They have to score at least three goals to beat
us, we haven't lost for seven matches in a row - in fact
we've won all those seven - and I can't see our form suddenly
changing overnight.
We mustn't be complacent, but to be honest I can't see where
the threat will come from Olympiakos in the second leg. I didn't
see anything to scare us in Greece, and I can't see how they
will become so dangerous that we won't go through at St James'
Park.
I know that some people are making us among the favourites to
win the UEFA Cup now, but I think it is hard to pick out any
one team as favourites yet. Anyone who gets through to the last
eight will have a good chance of winning the cup, and we're
in with a good chance of winning the trophy.
I certainly believe it will be easier for us to win the UEFA
Cup than the FA Cup, even though we are already into the semi-finals
of the FA Cup. To win the FA Cup we now have to beat Manchester
United, and then probably Arsenal too. They are the number two
and three clubs in the Premiership at the moment, and with all
respect to our competitors in the UEFA Cup, Arsenal and Man
United are stronger than any team left in that competition.
To be honest, we would all have preferred to have drawn Blackburn
in the FA Cup semi-final, but who wouldn't? Once again, no disrespect
to Blackburn, but a look at the league table tells you who the
stronger sides are.
On a personal note, I have now scored three goals in three matches,
but people keep saying I still have to prove myself in the Premiership.
And I agree. As a sportsman I believe that I should tell myself
every match I have to prove myself. The moment I start resting
on my laurels I will have the wrong attitude. It's my own responsibility
to keep proving myself - I don't need anyone else to tell
me. What other people say is interesting, depending on where
it comes from, but it is my own responsibility to set high targets
for myself. I always do my best, regardless of what anyone else
says. Sometimes the luck is with you, and the goals go in, at
other times your luck is out and it goes the wrong side of the
post. That's football.
The whole team is playing better at the moment, and that helps
everybody. I don't know why we're doing so well, but if things
are rolling for you and the team, then a win always comes from
somewhere. We are slowly rising to the level and form that we
should be at. It's not such a surprise we're doing well now,
because we have a squad of very talented players. But what is
obvious is that we underachieved at the beginning of the season
and only now are we starting to play to our true potential.
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Moaning Mancs Threaten To Boycott Cardiff
(Yay cry the locals)
From the BBC Website:
Manchester United fans have been told there is no chance
their side's FA Cup semi-final against Newcastle will be moved
away from the Millennium Stadium. Earlier, the Independent Manchester
United Supporters Association urged fans to boycott the match.
"We announced that Cardiff would host both semi-finals back
in September." said Football Association spokesman Adrian Bevington.
"It will allow about 30,000 fans from each club to attend the
games."
Bevington added that a final announcement over precise dates
and kick-off times would not be made until Newcastle had completed
their Uefa Cup tie with Olympiacos.
If the Magpies secure a place in the quarter-finals of the European
competition then their FA Cup match will be played on Sunday
because their Uefa Cup encounter is scheduled for the previous
Thursday.
"A decision regarding which games will be played on which days,
and at what particular time will be made later this week after
Newcastle's UEFA Cup tie," said Bevington.
"Our first priority in that decision will be the safety and
security of supporters as well as their travelling plans."
Chairman for the IMUSA, Jules Spencer, said his association
would not back down from their stance against the plans, although
he refrained from asking fans to boycott the semi-final. "IMUSA
would never seek to tell United supporters what to do," he said.
"We all have to make a personal choice, as members of our organisation
have done, between the desire to support the team and the hassle,
cost and inconvenience the FA are forcing us into by travelling
to Cardiff.
"We are re-iterating our belief that the game should be switched
to Elland Road and we will be doing everything in our power
to make this happen."
The Independent Manchester United Supporters Association is
urging fans to boycott the FA Cup semi-finals.
The Football Association has scheduled both April matches, United
against Newcastle and Arsenal versus Blackburn, for Cardiff's
Millennium Stadium.
"The fans have never been consulted about this, yet we are the
people who put money into football," IMUSA's Mark Longden told
BBC GMR.
"We can't afford it. The only way to hit the FA is in the pocket."
The semi-finals will take place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17
April but Longden insists that there are better places to play
the matches.
"Nobody wants to turn their back on the team but you've got
to say enough is enough," he added.
"I have not come across one Manchester United supporter who
is happy going to Cardiff. We are getting to the end of our
tether.
"I would urge all Manchester United supporters to boycott the
game. It is a crazy place to play a semi-final.
"Newcastle fans are going to have to drive past Elland Road,
which is 40 miles from us.
"Leeds is ideal for Newcastle and Manchester United. We want
to go to a proper football ground with a proper atmosphere and
have a great game.
"It also devalues the final having the semi-finals at the same
stadium. The final should be a big day out - a once-in-a-lifetime
experience."
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Injury News Ahead Of The Toon's UEFA Cup Clash
Going by various reports, Steven Taylor
has declared himself fit and Graeme Souness has confirmed he
will start in the centre of defence.
Andy O'Brien, Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi are all struggling
with injuries and whether they will play or not will likely
to be decided at the last minute.
Celestine Babayaro is unlikely to play. |
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