Eindhoven cooking for Speed

By Alex Eeles

Despite his team's impressive 7-1 aggregate victory against RCD Mallorca in round four, midfield player Gary Speed insists Newcastle United FC must raise their game if they are to overcome PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final.

Comprehensive victory
Against Mallorca, the Magpies followed up a comprehensive 4-1 first-leg victory at Saint James' Park by outclassing the Spanish team at their own Son Moix stadium two weeks later. But the 34-year-old Speed is adamant that a repeat of that display against PSV will not be enough to see them into the last four.

Patchy performance
"We have to improve on our performance against Mallorca," Speed told uefa.com "We may have beaten them 7-1 on aggregate but we only played well in patches. Fortunately we took our chances while we were on top, but I don't expect it to be so straightforward with PSV."

Friends reunited
The tie offers a chance for Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson to return to PSV where he won two league titles during a three-year tenure. Speed believes that the manager's experience in the Netherlands means there is no danger of the wily septuagenarian underestimating Newcastle's Dutch opponents.

Proven pedigree
"The club are renowned for producing good players, as Sir Bobby knows only too well from his time there," Speed acknowledged. "PSV and [AFC] Ajax use systems which are very good at bringing young players through. You only need to look at the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert."

Bad memories
Having suffered heavy defeats in the Philips stadium at both club and international level with Wales, Speed admits he has few fond memories of playing in Eindhoven. Nevertheless, he remains upbeat about his chances of rectifying that on Thursday night.

Great opportunity
"When I was at Leeds [United AFC], we lost 3-0 to PSV in the UEFA Cup in 1995 and then Dennis Bergkamp scored a hat-trick in Wales' 7-1 defeat against Holland a year later in the same stadium," he said. "But we have a great chance in the UEFA Cup if we can come away from Eindhoven with at least a draw."

Historical disadvantage
The impressive success against Mallorca means Newcastle go into the match as favourites. Despite their erratic form in the Premiership, the Magpies remain unbeaten in the UEFA Cup this season. On their only two previous meetings with the Dutch side, however, it was PSV who emerged victorious on both occasions.

Clean bill of health
Newcastle have a full squad to choose from after several players - Speed included - recovered from injuries sustained during Saturday's 4-2 win against Everton FC. And despite a number of crucial Premiership matches waiting just around the corner, Speed insists his side will be totally focused.

Welcome distraction
"Our UEFA Cup campaign has provided us with a pleasant distraction from the league but that doesn't mean we have taken the games more lightly than we have our Premiership matches," said Speed. "It's been a great boost away from the cut and thrust of the domestic campaign. It's a competition we are determined to win."

Stitched up
So much so that seemingly nothing can stop Speed from playing. "I did have six stitches in a head wound [at the weekend] but I am now fully recovered," he continued. "I've also shaken off a virus. I immediately felt better after I heard that the horse I backed had won the Grand National!" Even for a betting man, Thursday's match may be just too close to call.

Gary Speed's personal website is at www.icons.com