Robson hails his "magnificent" players


"Magnificent"

By Matthew Jones
August 15 2002

Sir Bobby Robson hailed his "magnificent" Newcastle players after their 1-0 win over Zeljeznicar - but warned the tie is far from over. Sir Bobby Robson hailed his "magnificent" Newcastle players after their 1-0 win over Zeljeznicar - but warned the tie is far from over.

England midfielder Kieron Dyer earned the Magpies a vital first-leg lead going into the return tie at St James' Park on 28 August with an early second-half goal amid a partisan atmosphere in Bosnia.

And Robson said: "I thought we were magnificent out there - for a team with an average age of about 22 we were fantastic.

"It was a very hostile atmosphere - their crowd made it difficult and it was very intimidating for our players.

"But for someone like Jermaine Jenas to go out there and perform like he did was great.
"Aaron Hughes was excellent as well and Kieron's goal was magnificent."

Robson added: "I'm delighted we kept a clean sheet and can take a one-goal lead back to St James' Park.

"The tie can't be over at 1-0 but we now know we can afford to draw at home - although that's not what we'll set out to do.

"Hopefully they will find the atmosphere just as hot when they come to our place in a fortnight."

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