KEVIN KEEGAN accepts the need for a more pragmatic approach when his second European campaign as manager begins tonight when Newcastle meet Halmstead of Sweden at St James' Park (8.05, BBC 1).
Two years ago, Newcastle alighted on Europe in a flurry of goals and excitement, a 10-2 aggregate triumph over Antwerp followed by a three goal lead after less than an hour against Athletic Bilbao. But their run stopped as the Spaniards grabbed two goals back in the final 30 minutes before knocking Keegan's men out on the away goals rule.
While many of the personnel have changed Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and David Ginola replacing Scott Sellars, Andy Cole and Ruel Fox Keegan prepared for the UEFA, Cup test against the Swedes agreeing his priorities and expectations have also changed.
Keegan says that Colombian Faustino Asprilla whose Parma side clawed back a 3-0 first leg deficit against the Swedes in the Cup Winners Cup last term was one of "two or three" in contention for a place. Yet it seems unlikely that the South American will feature, with Keegan set to stick with Lee Clark in place of David Batty suspended as the legacy of his on field brawl with Graeme Le Saux in Moscow last season and name the team which won at Tottenham on Saturday.
Arsenal, meanwhile have two big doubts for their UEFA clash with Borussia Moenchengladbach at Highbury. David Seaman and Steve Bould are both sufferings with hamstring problems. A decision on whether they play will be made this morning.
Certainly Arsenal have the experience to do well in Europe though they will have to do something about the very uncharacteristic habit of conceding five goals in their last two league games.
Borussia, also experienced in Europe, finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season but registered only their first win in the first five games of this season on Friday.
But the team is packed with quality players including the former German World Cup star Stefan Effenberg, much admired by Wenger, the striker Andrzej Juskowiak who is Poland's Player of the Year, and two top rated Swedes in the midfielder Stefan Pettersen and the former Blackburn centre back Patrick Andersson.
