Defence key for Roeder
01 Dec 2006 - 09:32:56
Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder was full of praise for his side's defenders after they helped secure a goalless draw at Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Cup.
The result means the Magpies will finish top of Group H and Roeder was delighted with the efforts of Nolberto Solano, Titus Bramble, Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage.
Roeder's said after the game: "All I ever ask for is fairness. If the defence is not playing well, then it is acceptable to be criticised.
"But when the defence starts playing well, hopefully people recognise that and give them the praise they deserve.
"Tonight with the help of some good saves by Shay Given, we have kept another clean sheet.
"It was not because of our poor play at times that Frankfurt created a number of chances, I thought it was more their excellent play.
"They had very, very good movement and good quality, particularly from wide areas.
"I take the view that it was the quality play of Frankfurt that caused us the trouble rather than us not doing what we should have.
"To have collected ten points from this particular group with the quality of teams in it, I do not think too many people would have thought we would achieve that. But we have achieved it on merit."