Newcastle manager Bobby Robson was in defiant mood last night despite his club failing to qualify for the UEFA Cup after an eight-goal bonanza at St James' Park in the second leg of their Intertoto Cup final. Newcastle, who managed to hold on for a 0-0 draw away to Troyes a fortnight ago, looked down and out when the French club raced into a 4-1 lead by the hour-mark but the Premiership side fought back, albeit in vain, to level at 4-4 in a thrilling encounter. However, Troyes progress to the UEFA Cup along with Aston Villa and Paris Saint Germain on the away goals rule.
Newcastle got off to the perfect start when Nolberto Solano fired them ahead in the second minute but two goals from Samuel Boutal and one each from Medhi Leroy and Nicolas Gousse left the visitors cruising with just a half-hour remaining in the match. However, this signalled the start of Newcastle's remarkable fightback that almost saw them snatch an unbelievable win. Shola Ameobi and a Gary Speed penalty reduced the deficit for the home side and when defender Robbie Elliott levelled deep into injury time, Troyes looked troubled. But they held out for the draw to take advantage of the away goals rule.
"At least we went out fighting. We got the crowd back on our side and we went out in a blaze of glory," said Robson afterwards. "We actually might have won it 6-4 to be honest - but at 4-1 down, we were well and truly out of it. What's cost us is some very poor defending at various times in the match," he explained.
"But we haven't lost to a poor side. They played quite well. They were very quick over the ground and they counter-attacked very well. There was a spell when they did play better than us. I wouldn't say they were worth 4-1 because some of the goals were poor goals. We had to salvage some pride because at 4-1, it can finish 6-1 if you don't buck yourselves up. But there was a great appetite from the players to bring it back to 4-4," he added with some pride.
Robson was also optimistic that Newcastle's Intertoto Cup adventure was not in vain. "We've had three decent gates at home, so we've made more money from our pre-season fixtures that we would have, and that's a plus. We've given some players European experience, and that's a plus and we've blooded one or two players, so that's a plus as well. European football is not for us this year - a continuation of the club's progress is. It's nothing to be worried about, it's not doom and gloom. We've sent people home both happy and disappointed and it's something to build on," he reasoned.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
