Robson studies Euro opponents

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson was tonight getting the low-down on the teams which stand between his side and a second successive Champions League campaign.

The 70-year-old was due to meet chief scout Charlie Woods and his assistant David Mills, who were in Serbia last night to see Partizan Belgrade and Swedish champions Djurgarden fight out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their second qualifying round clash.

Both men will be in Stockholm next Wednesday evening for the return leg with Robson leaving nothing to chance.

And while he knows they will face a stern test whichever side comes through, he admits he was pleasantly surprised to see the Scandinavian outfit take a slight advantage into the second leg.

“When I heard the result from Belgrade, I was more than a trifle surprised and I suppose deep down it actually pleased me,” Robson said.

“Before last night, I thought Partizan would be favourites and that’s who we would be meeting.

“But now that Djurgarden have picked up a draw in Belgrade, they will be fancying their chances of finishing the job off in Sweden.

“Perhaps that would be best for us, bearing in mind the technical ability teams from the former Yugoslavia have always had.

“But if we do have to go to Stockholm, we know that it will be just as tough against the Swedish side, for if Partizan Belgrade have the technical ability, then the Swedes have really improved their football in recent seasons.

“And, as we saw in the World Cup against England in Japan last year, the Swedish national team is a difficult one to beat and I am sure that is also the case with their club sides.

“For as long as I can remember, the Swedes have been good athletes and they are strong and very fit.”

Robson will also be able to add the thoughts of West Ham boss Glenn Roeder, whose side drew 0-0 with Djurgarden in a friendly last week, to his dossier.

Former Newcastle defender Roeder has already warned that the Swedes would be no push-over, although he is confident United will prevail.

Meanwhile, Robson will demonstrate the growing strength in depth of his squad tomorrow night when he sends out two different teams in friendly games.

Shola Ameobi, Lee Bowyer, Titus Bramble, Carl Cort, Kieron Dyer, Robbie Elliott, Steve Harper, Aaron Hughes, Lomana LuaLua, Andy O’Brien and Hugo Viana are included in a 17-man squad for a game at Sheffield Wednesday.

Skipper Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy, Olivier Bernard, Steve Caldwell, Shay Given, Michael Chopra, Andy Griffin, Jermaine Jenas, Brian Kerr, Laurent Robert, Nolberto Solano, Gary Speed and Jonathan Woodgate are among a party of 19 making the short trip to Hartlepool.