Roeder Likes The Pressure

Last updated : 04 April 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

The fans have seen another season end in bitter disappointment. As well as throwing away that 4-1 half-time lead in the UEFA Cup and being dumped out by little known AZ Allmaar, the supporters have seen a run of four Premiership games without a victory or a goal, And the mood is very deflated on Tyneside these days.

Newcastle are seven points from safety with seven games remaining

next up is a difficult match at Bramall Lane on Saturday against relegation-threatened Sheffield United.

While Roeder accepts he has to take the flak, but he says he enjoys the pressure. But he will not see some of his big earners coasting through matches the way they have of late, and two of them have been his signings - Damien Duff and Oba Martins.

Roeder: "Some of our players need to finish the season strongly. There is still a heck of a lot to play for and we are aiming to finish in the top half of the table.

"Criticism goes with the job. I know that the expectations are so high here at St James' Park, and not only do I understand this, I don't mind it.

"And I do know that this season we have found it hard to reach those expectations, and that some of the players have not done as well as I thought they would."