Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: "I played for Middlesbrough in our goalless draw with AZ Alkmaar in a UEFA Cup group game last season. A result like that could be a great one for Newcastle next week, although I have to say on the night we were lucky.Ex-Smog Backs Toon In Europe
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: "I played for Middlesbrough in our goalless draw with AZ Alkmaar in a UEFA Cup group game last season. A result like that could be a great one for Newcastle next week, although I have to say on the night we were lucky."But first all of AZ have to go to Newcastle, and while it is not my job to tell Glenn Roeder what to expect, I am sure Alkmaar will play the same style of football in both legs.
"They are an attacking football side who play a passing game, and for me Newcastle's best chance may be to try and catch them on the break and try and cash in on the pace of Oba Martins and Kieron Dyer.
"AZ play a 4-3-3 game and of the three up front two of them will go out wide, leaving Shota Arveladze to go through the middle, and he is the danger man.
"AZ are now in second place in the Eredivisie after their win over Utrecht at the weekend and this shows how good they are.
"It is obviously going to be tough for Newcastle United, but if you were to ask me if they can win over the two legs I would have to say yes."