| |
Newcastle Utd vs. Huddersfield Town - Old boy Clark returns to St. James Park
As is the wont of knock out tournaments, the Carling Cup threw up a ‘football fate’ moment, by drawing Newcastle United against Huddersfield town in the third round. Town are managed by Lee Clark, product of the famous Wallsend Boys’ Club that also produced Peter Beardsley, Steve Bruce and Michael Carrick. He managed 265 appearances for United in two spells at the St James’ Park club. But it was another Tyneside legend - Paul Gascoigne - who Clark was compared to for the early part of his career, as Magpies followers sought another home grown phenomenon to lift them out of what was then the Second Division. Yet anyone who knew the player personally, could have told them that Lee Clark would only ever be himself.
Prior to Kevin Keegan’s arrival at Newcastle, the highpoint of the Clark’s career had been a hat-trick for England Schoolboys at Wembley in 1988. Drafted into the former’s new revolution at the club, Clark established himself as a key part of the side that achieved promotion to the Premier League in 1993, as well as the one which rocked the established order in the top flight with four seasons of the rapid, attacking brand of football which saw United labelled ‘the Entertainers’. While team-mate Andy Cole feasted on chances conjured by Beardsley, Clark was happy to play a less glamorous role behind their tandem, tidying up, starting attacks and crucially, for a team packed with match winners, sticking his foot in. Not that he was a simple ‘hod carrier’ as Eric Cantona famously dubbed Didier Deschamps. Clark impressed observers, not just through his determination but also through his insightful use of possession and keen sense of space. Yet despite his obvious football brain there was one major flaw in Clarkie’s game, which over time became a bit of an embarrassment to the manager, fans and even Lee himself. He was known in the dressing room as ‘jigsaw’ - because he went to pieces in the box. Town fans will be heartened to see that Clark’s new charges haven’t inherited their gaffer’s fear of the goalmouth. Huddersfield will arrive at St James’ as the highest scoring side in League one having registered 11 goals in their last 3 games, including a 7-1 thrashing of Brighton - reminiscent of some of Newcastle’s most decadent victories under King Kev.
It could be because they’ve hired Clark’s one time club colleague and best mate Cole as a Striker’s Coach. Yet the Terriers’ boss is happy for the ex-Newcastle references to stop there. And while there will be a sufficient number of Geordies savouring the sentiment of such an occasion, Clark is dry eyed and full of focus heading into the tie:
"It's not me stepping over the white line - it's the new generation," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "It'll only be a good evening if we put on a good performance and get a positive result."
Then when asked how the Toon Army, who revered him as one of a handful of local lads sprinkled in amongst Keegan’s mid 90’s continentals, might receive him, Clark was similarly unperturbed.
“Hopefully they'll be a bit upset with me by 10 o'clock because that will mean we've knocked their team out of the Carling Cup and we've progressed. I had a good relationship with the supporters but I'm here with Huddersfield Town now so we'll be going there to win the football match, without a doubt.”
Clark has so far reaped the benefits of a strong relationship with Chairman Dean Hoyle, and investment has been more than forthcoming this summer. In fact, the Terriers are the envy of the League One, having bolstered their squad by bringing in strikers Danny Drinkwater, on loan from Manchester United, and Jordan Rhodes from Ipswich, while also signing a quality central midfielder very much in the Lee Clark mould - Antony Kay, from Tranmere Rovers. All a far cry from the situation in North East’s football capital, where despite a bright start to the season on the pitch, the Toon remain a rudderless selling club, their owner Mike Ashley continuing to stall on Barry Moat’s latest takeover bid. However, wheels are reportedly turning quicker than they were last week, and the rumour mill suggests that a takeover could be completed by Wednesday. That situation would most probably see another local hero, Alan Shearer, take the reigns for the game following the tie with Huddersfield. Clark will be plotting with all his might to ensure his former team-mate begins life as boss with one less cup competition to worry about. To put it in the infamous words of their former manager, he would ‘love it’ if he beat them.
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
Related Articles
| |