Bobby and Al Sick to Death of the Penalty!

By Martyn Osmond
July 16 2004

Toon manager Sir Bobby Robson and skipper Alan Shearer today spoke on the club's penalty 'jinx'. As everybody knows, Bobby also experience penalty misery with England in 1990, and Alan with England in 96 and 98.

"Losing football matches on penalties happens a large amount at this football club and it is not something we enjoy," said Robson.

"We're very disappointed to lose a game in this manner and I hope it does not happen again. It has happened too many times before.

"1-1 was probably a fair and diplomatic result. They had the better of the first, we came into it in the second and equalised through Lee Bowyer.

"We then had two one-on-one chances with their goalkeeper, but neither Shola or Michael Chopra took them. I also thought we should have been given a penalty when Lewis Guy was clearly fouled in the penalty box.

"But the referee could not give that decision and we ended up losing on penalties in the shoot-out yet again.

"It was a fine match. The Thai players were full of energy, they were a lot fitter than us and they were used to playing in the humid conditions, which was important.

"That helped them and we were unable to play high tempo, quality football because we've only been back training nine days after a six- week break.

"They didn't give us any time on the ball and they made it difficult for us on what was a very difficult surface. But, overall, I'm pleased with the players and how they performed. It was a good workout for us."

Of new boy James Milner, Bobby had the following to say: "This is totally new to him. He only came to the club last week, but he came on in the second-half and did very well. We liked the look of him.

"I don't really want to talk about individuals because this game was about conditioning, but I thought Lee Bowyer did well when he came on as well and deserved his goal."

Shearer, a veteran of England's Euro 1996 penalty shootout defeat to Germany, added: "We lost on penalties again, not for the first time with Newcastle. I certainly hope it is the last because it has happened a few times now. It was disappointing but we're here mainly to get fit and get match practice. We have been able to get that."