Batten down the hatches

[Skirge]

Batten down the hatches

Mar 12 2007

By Luke Edwards, The Journal

 

Titus Bramble is steeling himself for an offensive onslaught against UEFA Cup rivals AZ Alkmaar next week.

 

But the Newcastle defender believes the Dutch will pay for their attacking adventure as they look to turn the tie around after United's 4-2 first leg victory.

 

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.

 

But the big centre-back knows the real challenge for Newcastle's defence will come in Alkmaar when an attack-minded side throw everything at them in a bid to save their Uefa Cup challenge.

 

Louis van Gaal's side are the top scorers in this year's Uefa Cup but, as Newcastle highlighted in the first leg, they appear to sacrifice a solid defence for their free-flowing attack .

 

"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," said Bramble, whose advisors will have another round of contract talks with United next week. "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."

 

Nevertheless, while Bramble is wary of what Alkmaar's attackers are capable of, he feels they will be living in fear of what Obafemi Martins and Kieron Dyer can do to them on the counter attack.

 

Martins scored twice in the first leg, while Kieron Dyer notched his sixth goal of the season. Bramble believes they will be the key players in the second leg.

 

He explained: "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."

 

Bramble, though, knows there is still work to be done after Alkmaar were awarded a dubious second half penalty when Steven Taylor was harshly penalised for handball.

 

Bramble added: "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."

 

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AZ Alkmaar's slim league title aspirations suffered a setback after they were held to a goalless draw by fellow high-flyers Feyenoord at the DSB Stadion on Saturday.

 

AZ came closest to securing all three points when Maarten Martens' curling effort struck the woodwork in the second half.

 

But in truth, both sides lacked a cutting edge and will need to improve if they are to secure Champions League qualification berths.

 

The home side started brightest and Moussa Dembele missed a chance to give AZ an early lead when he fired wide from the edge of the penalty area.

 

AZ continued to push forward and Feyenoord goalkeeper Henk Timmer needed to produce an excellent save to prevent Julian Jenner's 12-yard drive from breaking the deadlock.

 

But Feyenoord then missed a glorious chance to take the lead when Angelos Charisteas headed straight at AZ goalkeeper Boy Waterman following Roysten Drenthe's free-kick.

 

The away side were now looking the more likely to score and Gretar Steinsson needed to clear Danny Buys' chip off the line after Romeo Castelen's precise pass.

 

And from the resulting corner, former Nottingham Forest forward Pierre van Hooijdonk headed wide when it seemed easier to score.

 

AZ started strongest after the interval but couldn't find the cutting edge needed to get the vital goal - despite Martens striking the post.

[Crumpy Gunt]

I can't understand why any talks about a new contract are taking place. The guy is a baffoon.

[UV]

I can't understand why any talks about a new contract are taking place. The guy is a baffoon.

 

[junkhead]

a baboon?

[Tooj]

a baboon?