Forget Keegan's Entertainers; Stan Makes Defence Priority

Last updated : 20 July 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Sam Allardyce: "We have got to get more goals from other players in other positions rather than Oba or Michael - obviously, Mark Viduka has a good goalscoring record and Shola is back with us now, who has a decent goalscoring record, and Joey Barton has been leading goalscorer at Manchester City.

"There are more possibilities for goals in the side, we have just got to get the permutations right.

"But the big concern is I want to score one goal and win a game of football. I don't want to have to score three every game.

"That has been the case at Newcastle for the last two years, that is why they have not got to where they should go, because they have conceded far too many.

"That is why I am looking to make sure I sign quality defenders to get those clean sheets which can be very, very important and mean one goal can win us three points.

"Overall, this squad is very, very experienced and very talented. What we need is new players to go with it - and particularly defenders now, and quality defenders at that. We must find some big, strong, experienced, good defenders."

Sir Les Wants To See Keegan-Style Attacking Return To Toon

By Nu Mad Thursday 19th July 2007

signed for Newcastle in July

1995 wheFormer Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand has urged Newcastle to go down the Kevin Keegan road with all-out attack and has told Obafemi Martins he won't find a better stage to show his worth than at St James' Park.

"Sir Les" signed for Newcastle in July 1995 when Keegan went on a spending spree and brought in David Ginola and Warren Barten in the same week. He made 83 appearances for the Toon and scored 50 goals.

Big Les was a big part of the side that lit up the Premiership. Big, strong and a nightmare to mark, he carried on the reputation of superb Newcastle number 9s.

Les Ferdinand: "At times, people said we could not play Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Tino Asprilla, and Kevin Keegan did. Sometimes we would play with four, so it can be done.

"It did not help our defenders much, but it's great for the fans - and Sam will use that attacking system when he sees fit.

"I recommend Oba to stay at Newcastle. He had a great season last year for me and grabbed 17 goals.

"Considering how disappointing Newcastle were last year, he still shone.

"Now (manager) Sam (Allardyce) will be looking to tap into Oba and get more out of him. Oba probably feels at home here and will want to build on it.

"People are saying that the combination will be Owen and Viduka. That has probably put his back up a bit because he was the top scorer last season.

"Nobody is mentioning him, and that will hurt, but it's up to him to come out and make sure he is playing come August 11."