Robson's Reaction To Man Ciy Defeat


By Matthew Jones
May 2 2004

Magpies' manager Sir Bobby Robson was left extremely disappointed yesterday as his side failed to come back with anything from the City of Manchester Stadium.

Before the game Robson did his best to try and make the players understand that getting something out of the game was vital to try and avoid needing to beat Liverpool on the final day of the season (in order to clinch fourth place in the Premiership).

Three points would have seen Newcastle leapfrog Liverpool into fourth place, although Liverpool play today (Sunday). 

As quoted on the Official Newcastle United website, Robson said:
 
"We do not want to go to Liverpool on the last day of the season needing three points to get into fourth place.

"It is that simple, the players know that, they're not stupid. Ideally we'd like to have a cushion in fourth spot before we go there.

"A win on Saturday was vital for our Champions League hopes, and we wasted that opportunity.

"In the first half I felt we played well. We created chances and caused them problems should have been in command at the break.

"But we didn't take our chances in that first half, and they punished us in the second half. We just didn't play at all in the second half and that disappoints me." 

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