Magpies hot shots on and off pitch

13 March 2010 09:28
DANNY SIMPSON has revealed the bizarre technique helping to build team spirit in Newcastle United's drive for promotion: killing each other.[LNB] It is not that the Magpies camp have turned to violence on the training ground, it's more a case of a collective affection for gaming, which has improved camaraderie.[LNB] After training or on their days off, Simpson and a number of his team-mates put on their bluetooth headsets, sit down in front of their widescreen TVs and blow each other to bits on the Playstation 3.[LNB] While shooting one another's characters might not sound too clever, Simpson has revealed that uniting to take on rival clubs one being old foes Sunderland actually helps to ease the pressure of staying at the top of the Championship.[LNB] I was having a game against Fraizer Campbell the other night, said Simpson, who was at Manchester United with the Black Cats striker. As footballers we can't go out all the time and do what other lads do, so it is a good way of being at home and bonding, having a laugh.[LNB] At Newcastle we have all come together and that has helped. Off the pitch we have gone for meals and bowling. I know it is a silly thing but we are all online on a Playstation.[LNB] We have our headsets and are on speakerphone. Quite a lot of us do it. We have eight to ten lads to link up from our own homes in our spare time.[LNB] We all come together and shot each other! You come to training and have a laugh about it saying I killed you more'. It is just banter.[LNB] Simspson claims to be the best of the Newcastle bunch at Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, but he insists there is actually more to it than just passing time.[LNB] During his time at Old Trafford, before moving fulltime in January, the 23-yearold learned a lot about the need to be close to his teammates, something which he has been happy to see develop at St James' Park.[LNB] Sir Alex Ferguson wanted everyone to get on with each other off the pitch. You have to speak to each other outside training and apparently last season there was no bond, he said.[LNB] Some lads would come in to train and not speak to each other and go home after training. This season it is the opposite.[LNB] It has helped me settle quickly. Everyone is full of confidence after the 6-1 win over Barnsley last week. We had a rocky patch a few weeks ago but we have to keep winning. Other teams are dropping points.[LNB] Defeating Middlesbrough could push Newcastle 11 points clear of the play-offs and Simpson would love to see the team's online duel with the Sunderland squad repeated in the Premier League next season.[LNB] We beat Boro at home and you could tell it was not an actual derby, he said. To beat your nearest rivals would be a big boost for the fans and us in the league.[LNB] But I would love to have the Sunderland derby next season. I love playing against my mates and I have mates there too. It is funny. To get to smash them on the pitch would be great.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo