Clock Ticks Down On Bernard
Last updated : 13 March 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
He came in after the transfer window closed back in August, and it seemed a panic signing at the time. No money changed hands, as he was out of contract with Rangers, but there was a serious doubt over his fitness.
Glenn Roeder gave the French defender the chance to return to Premiership action, but something was wrong when he wasn't match fit four months into the season. Then he was hit by injury, and his second spell on Tyneside may have been a bumper pay-day for Bernard, but Roeder is not happy he has seen no reward.
The Toon manager said back in January that he would release the player as soon as his contract ends, and Bernard did nothing in the Reserve side on Monday to suggest he is ready to give the manager a re-think.
United's second string took an early lead at the home of Conference side Morecambe FC last night, in front within four minutes of kick-off. 15-year-old Ryan Donaldson steamed in to dispossess a Blackburn defender 30 yards from goal before bursting into the Rovers penalty area and firing left-footed past Frank Fielding.
Blackburn levelled eight minutes into the second period, Paul Gallagher finishing left-footed past Forster from 10 yards. Gallagher got his and Blackburn's second 15 minutes from time with a tap-in from Swedish full-back Martin Olsson's left-wing centre.
BLACKBURN: Fielding, Olsson, Gray, Stopforth, Winnard, Nolan, Griffths, Judge, De Vita, Gallagher, Treacy. Subs (not used): O'Keefe, Arestidou, Bateson, Thomson, Barker.
NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Forster, Shanks, Bernard, Edgar, Francis, Godsmark (Doninger 54) Pattison, Gate, O'Brien, Troisi, Donaldson (Cave 23). Subs (not used): Marwood, Morris, Bertram.
Attendance: 343.
2001/05 O.Bernard 91/23 6
Signed from Lyon on a free transfer. Frenchman who believed he wasn't given a fair crack of thewhip during 2001/2 and tried to get himself a transfer to West Ham. United blocked the move, and in an amazing U-Turn (after going to an appeal and losing) he signed a three year contract. Class defender, no doubt about it, never seemed settled. Joined Southampton for £500,000 in January 2005 when Graeme Souness lost patience with him.