On the bench - - The official of Robbie Elliott

On the bench - 19/02/2004

It was a bit of a surprise to be selected for the squad and to sit on the bench for the Blackburn game. We were short with having injuries to Woody, and Griff, so I’m not under any false illusions. But in football you can seem to out on a limb and then suddenly you’re back in the picture. It’s opportunities such as these that make the hard work in training worthwhile. I know that if required I’ll be available for the team – and given such a chance, I’m also aware that it puts me in the shop window. All things considered it was a bit of a boost! With both Griff definitely out, and Woody unlikely to make it, I could be involved on Saturday against Boro.

It’s been quiet this week with a lot of the lads away on international duty. But we’ve enjoyed training, due to all the absentees we have a varied training schedule - a change is as good as a rest.

If there’s one player to ask about the outcome of games, it’s Stevie Harper, more often than not he gets the right forecast. I tend to agree with him that Boro are going to be tougher than most expect. They went to Man Utd and got an away win last week, they’re very organised and will be tough to break down. We need three points but we’ll have to fight for them and a draw could be the most likely option.

I’ve just put a couple of pieces on the ‘Football Stories’ section of the site, none are as funny as Michael Bridges’ ‘Nil by Mouth’, but I did eventually see the funny side of chasing around Newcastle for Griff’s ‘missing car’.