Most Bizarre Competition In Sport!

Last updated : 25 August 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor



... Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder backed the club's decision to enter the Intertoto Cup after seeing the Toon qualify for the UEFA Cup.

A goalless draw against Latvian side Ventspils at St James' Park on Thursday was enough to put the Magpies into the hat for Friday's draw for the first round proper in Monaco after their season started on July 15, 17 days after an early return to training.

Roeder: "There isn't anyone in our dressing room decrying the Intertoto Cup. They decried coming back on June 28 for about one second, but all the players want to play in Europe at this club, they want to play in as many competitions as they can and they want to be successful.

"At some stage in the revolving door, Newcastle will be successful again. It's my job, with the help of the players and their determination, their motivation, to try to create something here in which people will start to see the possibilities of a successful Newcastle United side.

"I think the reaction of the crowd at the end to a 0-0 draw certainly told me that, although we had not won the game, they had enjoyed the game and enjoyed the amount of effort and some of the build-up play we had during the 90 minutes.

"I am a tad disappointed not to have got at least a goal or two, but it was not to be. And also, it is only fair for me to say you have got to give credit to the Ventspils players, particularly the defenders. They blocked so many shots tonight, they blocked so many crosses and the goalkeeper made one or two decent saves, so well played Ventspils."