Lovenkrands insists Keegan rumpus had no effect

05 October 2009 10:19
PETER Lovenkrands insisted that events off the pitch had no impact on the Newcastle players, despite their struggle to score past inspirational Bristol City keeper Dean Gerken. After partnering Marlon Harewood in attack for the first time this season, the Dane revealed that last Fridays ruling had not been high on the list of topics among the Magpies squad and seemed bemused by instructions from the Newcastle press office to discuss only footballing matters after Saturdays stalemate. The Keegan thing had no effect on us, admitted the striker. I dont think anyone has even mentioned anything about it in the dressing room. I know its been all over the papers up here, but none of the boys are interested in it. We dont sit around talking about it. We have a strong dressing room. There has been so much going on at the club, but we just focus on the things we have to do out on the pitch. We havent thought about it at all. Lovenkrands supported his fellow strikers claims for a penalty but felt the Magpies deserved victory after creating a hatful of scoring opportunities. We have to take it on the chin, he said. It was unbelievably frustrating. We dominated the game and had numerous chances. We just couldnt put them away. It was great to get a start. Ive been playing well in training and I thought me and Marlon linked up well and caused them a lot of problems. We had a few chances. It was a positive for me to get a start and Im getting my fitness back. Marlon is the sort of player who brings out the best in me. Its the same with Andy Carroll. I like playing with these types of guys up front, they definitely help me. Gerken admitted that he hadnt even expected to travel to St James Park and only played because of a groin injury to first-choice keeper Adriano Basso in the warmup. He revealed that Gary Johnsons squad had experienced a bizarre encounter with a James Bond villain in the Robins team hotel last Friday. We saw Jaws from James Bond at our hotel last night. He looks frightening in real life, like he was in the film. Really odd looking. We all had photos taken with him. Lee Johnson, the smallest lad in the team, had a special one done. He is our dwarf and Jaws hand was bigger than his torso! We all had a group photo and he was pretending to choke some of us. He would probably make a good keeper judging by his hands. He is 7ft something, a big old boy and he would fill the goal, although he doesnt look very agile.

Source: Northern_Echo