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Alan Smith is fine as he is – Keegan

 

by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle

 

KEVIN KEEGAN today revealed he will not ask Alan Smith to reinvent himself as he prepares to take on the club he quit in the summer to join Newcastle United.

 

Smith has endured a tough season for the Magpies but has never shirked a challenge while wearing a black-and-white shirt.

 

The former Leeds star was shifted around the team under Sam Allardyce and awarded the captain’s armband as the form of Geremi faltered before the turn of the year.

 

However, the arrival of KK coincided with Smith’s suspension – ironically for a red card against Manchester United – with the returning boss opting for Michael Owen to take over as skipper.

 

Owen has responded with two goals in as many games but going into the clash with Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops, who take on Lyon in France tonight, Smith is still waiting for his first Toon goal.

 

The England international is also one yellow card away from a third ban of the season, with a caution between now and April triggering a two-game suspension.

 

Keegan told the Chronicle: “Alan Smith plays the way he has played all of his life.

 

“He is tough and he has always got in where it hurts.

 

“Those sort of players do pick up yellow cards these days – more than they used to.

 

“It does not help, but we have to get on with it.”

 

Smith, however, has been relieved of his midfield duties under Keegan, who only sees him as a centre-forward. The Toon No 17 hasn’t netted in four games in attack, but KK says he won’t judge him purely on goals.

 

And he also recognises the player’s liveliness, enthusiasm – and the fact he cares about the club.

 

But he did admit that Smith may be slightly more fired up against his former side.

 

He added: “For some people, it’s special when they play against their former clubs, and it means a bit more.

 

“But it would be nice for anybody to get a goal.”

 

So far, only skipper Owen has managed to score for Keegan, bagging two goals in his five games in charge.

 

Yet KK’s arrival has clearly revitalised Owen, with the England ace now having scored three times in six games since the night it was announced that Special K was coming home.

 

And Keegan added: “There is only Michael who has scored since I’ve come in.

 

“But if it’s Michael again then great, as long as we can get somebody on the end of something.

 

“I don’t care, and I’m sure the fans don’t care who it is.”

 

There is hope.

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Sir Bobby To Mark 75th Birthday @ SJP

 

SIR Bobby Robson will be presented to the St.James' Park crowd before Saturday's clash with Manchester United having this week celebrated his 75th birthday.

 

So make sure you get down to the stadium a little bit earlier with the former Magpie manager due onto the pitch ten minutes before the 5.15pm kick-off.

 

Robson took over the Toon reins in 1999 and during a five-year stay on Tyneside took the club to an FA Cup semi-final, UEFA Cup semi-final, back into the Champions League and 3rd place in the Premiership.

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Sir Bobby To Mark 75th Birthday @ SJP

 

SIR Bobby Robson will be presented to the St.James' Park crowd before Saturday's clash with Manchester United having this week celebrated his 75th birthday.

 

So make sure you get down to the stadium a little bit earlier with the former Magpie manager due onto the pitch ten minutes before the 5.15pm kick-off.

 

Robson took over the Toon reins in 1999 and during a five-year stay on Tyneside took the club to an FA Cup semi-final, UEFA Cup semi-final, back into the Champions League and 3rd place in the Premiership.

 

Can he do the prematch team talk too ?

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