Newcastle legend calls for Magpies 'Fast Show' for huge Champions League clash
Chris Waddle is hoping to watch Newcastle's ‘Fast Show’ when he returns to St. James’ Park as the Champions League ‘Group of Death’ reaches its conclusion.
The former Toon and England star will be on co-commentary duty on Wednesday night in the knowledge that Eddie Howe’s side need to beat AC Milan and pray that Paris Saint-Germain don’t win at Borussia Dortmund to continue their Champions League journey. “It’s about Eddie getting them pumped up to play at 100mph, upping the tempo knowing Milan wouldn’t like that. It’s up to Newcastle to set the pace,” Waddle insisted.
“Newcastle could play for a draw and take third place which guarantees them a Europa League spot. You don’t want that, you want to stay in the Champions League. All you can do on the night is win the game. If somebody had said to Newcastle when the draw was made you’ve got to beat Milan and cross your fingers that PSG don’t win in Dortmund they would have taken that.”
Waddle believes the Geordies are at their best when they are fired up, ready to turn on the turbo jets right from the kick off with the raucous Toon Army behind them in full voice. “Nowadays it takes a good team to beat Newcastle at St. James’ Park,” he added. “Playing there gives them an extra 20 per cent. The away form hasn’t been that good but at home they are a different team.
“Since the Saudis have taken over Newcastle the place has gone up into another level. I sampled this myself when Kevin Keegan arrived as a player. That was like ‘wow this is unbelievable’ but now it’s gone to yet another higher level than my time.
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“It’s in their hands. They will have 50,000 fanatical Geordies right behind them. The atmosphere will be electric. Get in Milan’s faces in the first 20 minutes and get the crowd right up.
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Chris Waddle wants Newcastle to take the game to AC Milan“You have to show respect for Milan because they are a fantastic club with an unbelievable history but Newcastle beat PSG 4-1 and there’s not a lot between PSG and Milan. Milan will be looking to try and take the sting out of the game as soon as they can but they will be daft if they don’t realise they are going to get an incredible first 20 minutes blasting tempo wise.
“If they think the keeper will be able to roll out the ball followed by short little casual passes between the defenders forget about that. They will be in for a battle. They are though very beatable, they are not the Milan of Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.”
Waddle believes the biggest danger lies in Portuguese striker Rafael Leao. “He might appear very lazy at times but never mind Kylian Mbappe, Leao can be as good as anyone around in world football today. If he is fit then he is a big plus for Milan.”
But, he adds, there are other players who are simply not in Leao’s class. “You look at Olivier Giroud. He left the Premier League with people thinking he was too old. Christian Pulisic, a decent player but not a world beater. Rufus Loftus-Cheek couldn’t get a regular game in the Premier League, the same with another ex Chelsea player Fikayo Tomori. There’s not a lot to frighten you,” Waddle stated.
“I think Eddie Howe said in Paris for Newcastle to play with an edge. For me it’s go again like that and play with an edge. If you go for it and lose the fans aren’t going to slag you off because they know it’s been a hard group to get out of.”
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