Newcastle v Juventus: Three games, three defeats, no goals and no points: Newcastle United's return to the Champions League after an absence of five seasons has hardly been all they wanted, but they are not out, not yet. But tonight offers the "last chance" according to Bobby Robson. "All or nothing," he said.
That it comes against the reigning Italian champions, Juventus, and is St James' Park's showpiece fixture of 2002 simply added to the sense of anticipation at the ground yesterday.
As well as it being the last chance and all or nothing, Robson said it is also a night of "muck and nettles", a night when, "if we can create a bit of wind" there should be a "vibrant crowd". "We're going to go for it," Robson added, a little superfluously.
Going for it would appear to entail Robson embarking on something of a gamble in goal. Shay Given was informed last week that he had been voted north-east footballer of the year for last season, but then proceeded to play a significant part in Newcastle conceding five goals at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon.
The signs yesterday were that Given will be "rested" this evening, a euphemism for being dropped. Steve Harper, Given's 27-year-old deputy, is set to step up.
It would be a stern decision by Robson, especially as Newcastle are already hampered in defence by the absence of the suspended Nikos Dabizas. Bearing in mind Dabizas's form "hampered" might be a description too far, but it is Titus Bramble who will replace him.
Another selection issue for Robson concerns Kieron Dyer, who has not played since injuring his back against Slovakia for England 11 days ago. Dyer sat out training yesterday but having played so impressively in Turin three weeks ago it would be a major boost if he were fit to play.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): Harper; Griffin, O'Brien, Bramble, Hughes; Solano, Dyer, Speed, Robert; Lua Lua, Shearer.
JUVENTUS (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Thuram, Iuliano, Ferrara, Birindelli; Camoranesi, Tacchinardi, Davids; Nedved; Del Piero, Di Vaio.
