Magpies ready to ruffle Juve’s feathers

NEWCASTLE boss Bobby Robson has promised Juventus a red hot welcome to Tyneside as he prepares to unleash a barrage in an attempt to stave off Champions League elimination.

United go into the clash with Marcello Lippi’s Group E leaders without a single point or goal to their name after successive defeats by Dynamo Kiev, Feyenoord and the Italians.

Juve are within touching distance of qualification for the second round with seven points.

With the Dutchmen and their Ukrainian opponents having collected five and four respectively from their opening three games, anything other than victory tonight would effectively end Newcastle’s involvement in the competition.

The fact Lippi’s men have not won a Champions League game on their travels in 17 attempts does not disguise the size of the task the Magpies face at St James’ Park, but Robson says they will come out with all guns blazing.

“If we lose, then the chances are that we would have to say goodbye to playing on into the next round, so it’s all or nothing, muck and nettles, and the players realise that,’’ he said.

“We’re going to give it all we can. We’ve done very well against all the three teams and never looked inferior.

“We just feel that at home, it’s a big chance for us. It’s our last chance, but it’s a chance. It’s crucial to us that we win it. If we finish up with one point from four games, one point isn’t enough or wouldn’t be enough. It’s three points or we don’t proceed.

‘‘But if we lose, I don’t think we’ve failed, we’ve lost. There’s a difference between losing and failing, and if that happens, we’ll just have to concentrate on doing a great job this season so we can have another crack at it next year.”

The 2-0 defeat in Turin three weeks ago was harsh on Robson’s side, who were eventually shot down by two superb strikes from Alessandro del Piero either side of a wrongly disallowed Alan Shearer strike.

But the 69-year-old may yet have to do without Kieron Dyer, the man who partnered Shearer in attack at the Stadio delle Alpi, because of a back injury. He will have a late fitness test.

With Craig Bellamy serving the second game of his three-match ban for head-butting Kiev defender Tiberiu Ghioane, England Under-21 international Shola Ameobi and fellow youngster Lomana LuaLua are on stand-by.

But United’s recent problems, which became even more glaringly obvious in the 5-2 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, have been in defence.

With Nikos Dabizas suspended after picking up his third yellow card in Turin, the spotlight once again falls on £4.5million summer signing Titus Bramble.

The former Ipswich Town player, 21, has had a shaky start to his career. But Robson said: “I think he’s ready for it. I have no problems with him.”