Newcastle Boss Baffled By Bizarre Carling Cup Game
By Matthew Jones
October 30 2003
Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson is baffled by The Magpies' 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to West Brom at St James' Park. His side dominated the entire match and had tonnes of chances. Lee Hughes struck the winning goal from a rare Baggies attack, following a night of 'bizarre' event.
Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson is baffled by The Magpies' 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to West Brom at St James' Park.
His side dominated the entire match and had tonnes of chances. Lee Hughes struck the winning goal from a rare Baggies attack, following a night of 'bizarre' events.
Robson said: "Football does have a habit sometimes of kicking you in the teeth, and it's been one of those nights for us.
"It was an unfortunate result. It's been a bizarre night, really bizarre.
"Somebody tells me that we've had 30 shots at goal, we've had 23 corners - that's a corner every three minutes, basically, of a game, so which half of the field has the game been played in?
"We missed big chances. They've had two chances, two shots at goal all night; we've had 30 shots.
"One shot, Steve Harper saved with his body and his legs, the next one, Hughes has rolled it past him. We had bigger and better chances than that and didn't take them.
"But the players were terrific. Some of our football was outstanding. You've just seen a team who have got a major result through courage and defending heroically, it's as simple as that."