Sir Bobby and Al' Blast Newcastle Fixture Schedule


By Matthew Jones
December 1 2003

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson and striker Alan Shearer have warned that Newcastle's recent fixture congestion could have damaged their chances of success this season.

FIXTURE BLAST


Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson and striker Alan Shearer have warned that Newcastle's recent fixture congestion could have damaged their chances of success this season.

The pair were both furious that Magpies staff had agreed to a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Wolves, barely 40 hours after their Uefa Cup tie against FC Basle - the game could easily have been moved to Sunday.

Shearer blasted: "It's been a tiring few days and it was a ridiculous decision to play at lunchtime on Saturday.

"I hope it doesn't come back to haunt us because it was a game we should have won.

"But we ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes, when they hit the wookwork twice, and it could have been much worse."

Robson added: "This is the second time this season we've been asked to play two games in quick succession and it's an issue I've taken up with the powers that be.

"If we miss out of fourth spot at the end of the season by two points, who knows whether this decision will have cost us?"

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