Sochaux workers worry Kluivert

By Claire Nash
 
Patrick Kluivert's fondness for the finer things in life is well known. Earlier this week the Newcastle United FC striker parted with €40,000 to win a guitar signed by pop group U2 at a charity auction. A few days before, he spoiled Newcastle supporters with a glimpse of the instinctive skills which led Sir Bobby Robson to take a gamble on the former AFC Ajax and FC Barcelona striker.

Free transfer
The free transfer punt may not have worked out for the former England manager, who was sacked just four games into the season, but it appears to be paying off for his successor Graeme Souness. A backheeled finish in last weekend's Premiership win at Crystal Palace FC suggested Kluivert was approaching the kind of form which had the football world drooling five years ago.

Striker's instinct
"I was very pleased with my goal against Crystal Palace, not just because it was a nice finish, but because it broke the deadlock in a very tight match," he told uefa.com. "The cross came into the area slightly behind me. I don't practise those kind of shots in training, it's just an instinct you are born with as a striker."

Feeling fine
These natural instincts have been coming back to the surface with Newcastle in recent weeks. "I have played seven matches on the trot now and feel in good physical condition," the Dutchman said. "The sharpness is getting better and the games have given me a lot of strength. But I still have room for improvement and I expect to perform to an even better level."

Preferred partnership
With talismanic Newcastle striker Alan Shearer still doubtful through injury, Kluivert is expected to continue up front alongside Craig Bellamy for Thursday's UEFA Cup tie at FC Sochaux-Montbéliard - a game which the striker is certain will test his team-mates.

French examination
"This fixture will be one of the toughest matches we've faced this season because winning games in France is never easy," said Kluivert. "Sochaux are flying high in their own league, in third position, and that is no mean feat. They are ahead of a lot of good teams which shows they are a good side, even though they don't have lots of big-name players."

Pragmatic draw
Newcastle are at the top of Group D after wins against Greek side Panionios GS and Georgia's FC Dinamo Tbilisi. However, Kluivert is not expecting victory to come so easily as they head for Sochaux, and a pragmatic performance and a point may have to be enough.

Point will do
"We will be happy to return from this match with a draw," added the striker. "We will try to win, of course, but having already collected six points from two games so far in the UEFA Cup, a point gained from a difficult away game would not be a disaster. I don't expect us to lose because we have a lot of quality in our team, but Sochaux will make it a difficult evening."

Patrick Kluivert's personal website can be found at www.icons.com