Keegan Wants Commitment!

Last updated : 22 August 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
Keegan: "It is very, very important we build on last weekend's result.

"What happened at Old Trafford was fantastic, getting a point in our first game away from home.

"Now we are back in front of our own fans, and if we are to have a really good season and get this club back to where it belongs then we need to make St. James's Park a place where teams fear to come and play.

"The only way you can do that is by getting results and then teams respect you if you're a really good side.

"There's a really good atmosphere and a buzz around the place, but the players and the staff know that in football you are only as good as your last game, so we need the same performance again. And we'll be telling the players that.

"When the whistle blows it is up to the players, and they did not let us down last weekend.

"It is a different type of game tomorrow, but as always in the Premier League it is a difficult match.

"Last Sunday I just told the players the things that I honestly believe when you go to places like Old Trafford.

"I said that if they thought they could come here and get away with things by hiding or letting them have the ball and hope they don't score, then if they have 60 or 70% of the ball over 90 minutes they will beat you.

"But if you compete and have the courage to pass the ball well when you have it, then I believe we have the players at this club who can hurt anybody, and that includes Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"I think both Bolton and ourselves will be looking to step forward this season.

"We both made a statement last week.

"They won 3-1 against Stoke and played very well, and we we've gone to Old Trafford and got something, which not many teams will do this season.

"So both teams will be full of confidence.

"But we are at home and we will have 50,000 here supporting us, and the vast majority wearing black-and-white shirts, so we've got a lot going for us.

"The main thing we need tomorrow is all 11 players totally committed and focused again - like they were last weekend.

"If we can get that then we would take our chance against anyone in this division in front of our own fans and on our own pitch".