Substitute not used: Walters
Substitute not used: Walters.Referee: K Lynch (Kirk Hammerton).. “Maybe we are being a bit crafty and throwing people off the scent.”Watford: Chamberlain, Bazeley, Kennedy (Daley, h-t), Page, Palmer, Robinson, Wright, Smith (Hazen, h-t), Smart, Johnson, Easton (Mooney, 69).Swindon Town: Talia, Robinson (Kerslake, h-t), Reeves, Leitch, Taylor, Borrows, Howe (Collins, 90), Ndah; Onuora, Hay, Gooden. It might be a different ball game this summer but that’s the last thing on my mind at the moment.”What is on his mind is Manchester United. It’s where I was brought up and where I’ll always go back to They’re my roots. “I played against Newcastle in the qualification for the Champions’ League two years ago so I know some of the players.”I need some time but I’m looking forward to playing in the Premiership.”Ruud Gullit was enthusiastic about his new signing.
He will have the Fergusons and the Beckhams as near neighbours.”Sometimes the occasion will hit you full in the face when you walk out for a match, but I won’t be shaking in my boots It’s a game of football and that’s why we’re here I can switch off easily. AS JOHN GREGORY reflected on the first anniversary of his appointment as Aston Villa manager this week, a tantalising prospect opened. If his players can only repeat what they did last season, then a championship could be theirs. Gregory arrived as Mr Who? on 25 February 1998 but his identity was forged by a run-in that yielded 27 from a possible 33 points. Twelve months on, a similar ratio from the last 12 games would have Villa there or thereabouts at the top of the Premiership in May. At the very least, it would earn them qualification for the Champions’ League.
On the basis of what you have done before you can do again, the prospect is not daunting and, on paper, the task looks easier.
Gregory was confronted by a demoralised squad that had lost successive games and were in 15th place when he arrived from Wycombe with his resuscitation kit. Fifteen points better off this time around from one game fewer, the patient is positively sprightly in comparison.And yet, paradoxically, he is facing possibly the most difficult time at Villa Park as confidence ebbs away. Young players, such as Gareth Barry and Lee Hendrie, have looked jaded, more experienced bodies have either been off form or injured, while Stan Collymore is depressed. Midfielder Stephen Glass will also have to prove he is ready to return from a knee injury, while new signing Silvio Maric is short of match fitness after his move from Croatia Zagreb.
“I’m very happy to come to Newcastle because it’s a big club and I come from a small country,” he said.
Domi is expected to recover but Shearer remains a doubt and if the England captain fails a late fitness test Louis Saha, who scored the only goal in the FA Cup replay against Blackburn on Wednesday, will deputise once again. NEWCASTLE WILL give fitness tests to the flu-stricken Alan Shearer and Didier Domi ahead of tomorrow’s game with the champions Arsenal at St James’ Park. James Beattie, however, is optimistic of a return despite a groin injury, while Stuart Ripley is battling to recover from a calf problem. Francis Benali and Scott Marshall are both back in contention following long-term injuries.
MANCHESTER UNITED (from): Schmeichel, G Neville, Johnsen, Berg, Stam, Irwin, P Neville, Beckham, Keane, Butt, Scholes, Blomqvist, Giggs, Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, Brown, van der Gouw.SOUTHAMPTON: (from): Jones, Dodd, Monkou, Lundekvam, Colleter, Le Tissier, Marsden, Oakley, Bridge, Ostenstad, Beattie, Benali, Hiley, Marshall, D Hughes, Howells, Bradley, Monk, Moss.Suspensions: Southampton: Hughes.Referee: P Jones.. Mark Hughes misses the game against his former club because of suspension. Le Tissier has been out for four weeks with a torn hamstring but made an untroubled comeback for the reserves in midweek. The Channel Islander is likely to replace Hassan Kachloul, the Moroccan international, who is away on international duty.