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February 21, 2003
(Friday)
Bobby bans Woody
JONATHAN Woodgate
will not be returning to Elland Road with Newcastle
tomorrow - because Sir Bobby Robson fears a backlash from Leeds fans.
The Magpies' boss has told his £8million new recruit to stay at home
and walk the dog or have a game of golf rather than turn up in
Yorkshire to support his new club and inflame angry Leeds fans still
disgusted by his move to St James's Park.
The central defender is fit again after a thigh injury but can not
play because of a clause in the deal which forbids Newcastle to pick
him for tomorrow's game.
However, Robson has prevented him joining Newcastle's back up players
in supporting his new team because of the possible reaction.
Chairman Peter Ridsdale received death threats from some lunatic fans
as the fall-out from the Woodgate and Robbie Fowler sales sent fans
into revolt last month.
And having their former star defender back at Elland Road, even as a
spectator, could contribute to a fierce atmosphere that could benefit
the home side. Robson said last night: "Jonathan wanted to come to
Leeds and support us, but we have decided he'll stay away. If he is
there it will only serve to get people really irate. We are only a
few weeks down the line and it would set off the whole situation
again.
"There is nothing more supportive than a Leeds crowd and also nothing
more hostile. We want to take that hostility away by not even having
him there. It is a case of out of sight, out of mind."
Robson added: "He is training with us as a group and he has been
looking very, very good. We are very happy with him."
Robson reckons United got Woodgate at a bargain price and has
defended Ridsdale for having to sell him. "He has taken a lot of
stick and all he was trying to do is provide his club with some
money."
Robson has called on his side to make no slip-ups in the last 12
matches as they bid for another top-four finish. Newcastle visit
Leeds, and entertain Chelsea and Manchester United in the next
fortnight.
Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy will return up front despite the
midweek scoring heroics of stand-in strikers Shola Ameobi and Lomana
LuaLua.
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