Has The Tide Turned For Bramble

Titus Bramble knows the tie against AZ Alkmaar is not over yet, and he says United must keep their concentration in the early period to stop the Dutch getting the early goal they need.

Bramble has been in tremendous form at the heart of the United back line in recent weeks and produced a superb saving tackle to deny Alkmaar a vital third goal at St James's Park last week. A tackle that had Alan Shearer cheering from his executive box at the back of the Milburn Stand.

Bramble: "It's not over but we had enough chances to kill the tie in the first leg and we have to be confident that we can score out there. They have shown that their game is all about attack and, to be fair, at times they look a really dangerous side.

"But they didn't really get in behind us and they didn't penetrate us in the second half. The defence played really well and we're going to have to produce that sort of performance again in the second leg because they are going to come out all guns blazing.

"It's going to be a tough time for us defenders out there but we will be ready. They're going to throw everything at us and it's going to be an onslaught because they are at their best when they are going forward. They've got to come at us, it's the only way they're going to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

"They kept the ball well in the first leg but when they attacked we hit them on the break with Oba and Kieron and they couldn't cope. They will be scared of those two and we can pick them off when they are throwing everything at us.

"I've always said that Martins is a top player. I know some people doubted him but from the first day he trained with us you could see he has something special. He took a little time to settle, which was only natural, but he is proving what a player he is. You can't argue with the number of goals he has scored this season.

"I still don't know if he is left or right-footed because he is equally comfortable with both. He's really difficult to mark and with his pace he is a nightmare, especially when you're leaving yourself open for counter attacks like Alkmaar do.

"The most annoying thing is that the referee gave them a stupid penalty and that has given them some hope. It wasn't a penalty, I can't believe he gave it because Steve's hands were down by his side.

"I feel really sorry for Steve because he was obviously hurt about it after the game. But it wasn't his fault because nine times out of 10 the referee would have laughed at their appeals. Tayls shouldn't be blamed, it shouldn't have been a penalty and there was nothing he could have done about it."