JJ earns useful point

Last updated : 12 January 2003 By Martyn Elliott

Sir Bobby

"With all the expectation and hullaballoo surrounding Bowyer's debut and the surprising fact that West Ham had not won at home in the Premiership this season, it looked as though we might be the fall guys.

"But I told my players that today was not about Lee Bowyer and West Ham; it was about our team, and I am delighted with the way they responded.

"In the end it was a diplomatic result because neither side deserved to lose, and it was a useful point for Newcastle and for West Ham.

"In Bowyer, Jermain Defoe, Trevor Sinclair and Joe Cole they have players who can score goals - and of all the teams at the bottom I see them as the ones who can survive, because if you are scoring goals then you have a chance.

"I told my players at half-time that West Ham would be as nervous as hell in the second half because they had not won at home all season.

"Jenas saved us. But he should have won it for us in the last minute too, so I am sure Glenn Roeder is relieved with a point."

Glenn Roeder

"We dropped two points today, and the lads are very disappointed in the dressing room - which is a good sign. We needed a third goal because we knew Newcastle were good going forward.

"I heard that a few people demonstrated before the game, but the majority of people got behind Lee.

"I just hope in the course of time that those people are able to come back into the ground and watch us play with Lee Bowyer in the team.

"Lee got stronger and stronger today - and when he gets to know West Ham and we get to know him he will be a great asset to us.

"I had no doubt about his mental strength because when he was at Leeds there were midweek games when he spent all day in court before going out to play and was man of the match."