Goals Needed To Lift Trophy!

Last updated : 03 August 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
Newcastle put in a disappointing performance and went down to a 1-0 defeat, to Hertha Berlin as Maxi Nicu headed a drab game's only goal to leave Keegan's side facing a miracle to win the competition.

Real Mallorca's opening 4-2 win over Hannover 96 coupled with United's 1-0 loss to Hertha Berlin means only a low-scoring Hannover victory and a final night thrashing of the hosts would give Keegan the trophy.

Keegan: "I seem to repeat myself every year — but the problem at this football club has always been getting a team to match the supporters.

"It's a massive challenge for anybody to do that and it's my challenge to do that at the moment.

"That's what I will try to do and I'm doing my very best to do exactly that.

"We didn't create enough chances on Friday.

"It's always good to test yourself against European sides in pre-season.

"Hertha Berlin were a different type of opposition for us and that was a good test and that will be the same against Real Mallorca tonight.

"The main thing for us is to get time on the pitch and get the new players integrated and from that point of view it has been very useful."

"Being away from home has been very good for us too. To come out as a group and be together like this is good.

"The morale in the squad is much better than when I first came in. But it can build up even more as players get into condition for the new season.

"The players were tired on Friday night because it's been so hot over here, as you would expect at this time of year.

"With the game being later on Sunday that will help us too and the players will step their game up because it's against the host club Real Mallorca.

"You cannot really judge anybody on pre-season results though.

"They are nice to get but results are only part of pre-season until the season starts for real."