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MIDDLESBROUGH v NEWCASTLE - INTERVIEW WITH NEWCASTLE-ONLINE
We sat down with Jonny Hall of Newcastle-Online.com to talk about Sunday's big match and get the thoughts of our Geordie cousins on all things black and white.
COB: What's been the highlight and the lowlight of your season so far?
JH: The main highlight has to be the sacking of Graeme Souness in February.
It felt great when it happened. Other highlights include Shearer breaking
the record against Pompey, our unbeaten run under Glenn Roeder and the
signing of Michael Owen.
COB: What positives can be taken from this season?
We have developed a great player in Scott Parker. He is a fantastic
tackler of the ball and is amazing captain material. We really have
found
a star in him. Another positive is Michael Owen. When he comes back to
full fitness he should be an amazing asset for us to have.
COB: Any players you'd like to take from either us or the Mackems?
JH: I sat watching the Boro-Basel game on Thursday night and I really liked
the look of George Boateng. He was at the start of all of Boro's attacks
and
looked like a great player in the centre of midfield. I am also fond of
Stewart Downing on the flanks. For Sunderland the only player I would
really consider would be Julio Arca. Apart from him, I see no good
players
in their side.
COB: Who would you like in your team from yester-year?
JH: From Newcastle? I would love Gary Speed and Rob Lee of ten years ago in
my
team. It isn't a long time ago but they would be great players. I would
also love Jackie Milburn to be alive and young today. Shearer and
Milburn
would be a fantastic partnership. In General? Well it is pretty
obvious,
the players from yester-year that everyone wants in their side. The
likes
of George Best.
COB: What's going to happen next season when Shearer retires?
JH: Newcastle are finally going to have a new start. The team will no
longer
be revolved and centred around Alan Shearer. Newcastle can finally move
on
and start to look forward. He is too old, we can no longer rely on him.
We
need pace upfront and in midfield to make us great attackers.
COB: How would you like to see Alan Shearer's role with the club develop in
the
coming years, would you like to see him coach somewhere else with a
view
to coming back as manager some day or learn at the club?
JH: I think he should start at the bottom and work his up, coaching and
eventually managing at clubs. He needs eperience before he comes to
Newcastle. I also fear for when he does come here because he is
currently
a legend and if he fails at this level, he could lose this status
rather
like Bobby Robson did when he was sacked.
COB: Does the prospect of a manager like Martin O'Neil taking over at the
club
make you feel optimistic about next season?
JH: Yes. But every year we have had a good manager and every year it hasn't
worked. Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Ruud Gullit. Newcastle just simply
have a curse over them and cannot get it right. Bobby came close
but not close enough. We need to be playing Champions League football
every
year and we need trophies. Most of all we need a good defence. Maybe
O'Neill can do it, maybe he can't. Only time will tell.
COB: How do you see Sunday's game going?
JH: It has to go our way over Boro's. I look at Middlesbrough and I think
that
you are safe from relegation so you are going out to win something. The
FA
Cup and UEFA Cup games are more important to you and you have a big
game
next week against Charlton. That will be on the mind of everyone come
Sunday. 2-1 Newcastle with Shearer and Solano getting the goals.
COB: Thanks Jonny. Good luck for the rest of your season, after tomorrow.
JH: Thanks and enjoy the match, but not the result.
You can read more of Jonny Hall on Newcastle-Online.com.
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