The Barcelona Bar, a hostelry dedicated to the reigning European champions, stands in the shadow of Riga's Skonto Stadium. Newcastle have got a long way to go in their bid to emulate the achievements of the Nou Camp favourites by winning Continental silverware. But across the street from a shrine to the footballing kings of Catalonia, Glenn Roeder's men moved a step closer last night. The narrowest of victories over a team of little-known Latvians was as far removed from Barca's dramatic defeat of Arsenal in last season's Champions League final as it is possible to get. It mattered little to Roeder, his players and the club's intrepid band of travelling supporters. It was never attractive but Newcastle prevailed and, with the benefit of an away goal, should now have no trouble securing a place in the first round of the Uefa Cup when they host FK Ventspils at St James's Park in two weeks' time. Given the importance of Continental competition to the Magpies, this was a night on which the result was all that mattered. United toiled against opponents they were expected to dominate but Titus Bramble's 71st-minute header meant they returned to Tyneside in the early hours of this morning with what should prove to be a decisive first-leg lead. The performance did give cause for concern and there is no doubt that improvements must be made ahead of next weekend's Premiership kick-off if this is not to be a season of struggle. Signings must also be made and, with an important result secured, United's manager will step up his efforts in the transfer market as he seeks to address problems at both ends of the pitch. Roeder is hoping to complete the signing of Thomas Gravesen before Ventspils travel to St James's Park on August 24. How his resilient qualities are required. It will be a transfer that casts renewed doubt on Nicky Butt's future in the North-East but, in last night's first-leg meeting, the former England midfielder was given a chance to prove he should be retained. He did not shine, although he was not alone in that. Starting a first-team fixture for the first time in almost 13 months, the 31-year-old lined up in front of United's back-four as Roeder attempted to address the defensive deficiencies so evident in recent performances. Yet a familiar weakness showed itself within five minutes as the little-fancied Latvians carved a path through the visitors with alarming ease. As Sergejs Zagarejevs and Andrejs Butriks progressed with menace down Newcastle's left flank, both Bramble and Stephen Carr were too easily beaten. The ball fell to Igor Slesarcuks who, having slalomed through a defence in disarray, was denied by the ever-alert Shay Given. Newcastle's most-experienced campaigner in Continental competition, the accomplished Irishman had prevented the club's latest Uefa Cup challenge from starting on a sour note. It was a sobering opening for Roeder's men, who were the overwhelming favourites in a game expected to be a mismatch. Having been fortunate to survive, Newcastle set about attempting to justify their star billing. They were aided by Jean-Paul Ndeki, the home team's Cameroonian defender, who almost put through his own net twice in 60 unsettling seconds. A seventh-minute shot from Scott Parker struck Ndeki's leg and, with Andris Vanins wrong-footed, drifted just wide. Emre tried his luck soon after. This time, Ndeki was grateful to see his keeper recover his position to claim an effort that had taken a wild deflection off his forehead. The African's benevolence was welcome; Newcastle needed all the help they could get. Shola Ameobi should have done better with a 13th-minute header that cleared the crossbar. But, although United had finally settled, they were not the superior force many had expected them to be. Content to soak up pressure, Ventspils posed a constant threat on the break. Given their side's propensity to gift goals to opponents in recent times, it was a concern for the Newcastle supporters who had managed to travel to Riga. United created the better chances but they were not converted, Ameobi unable to make a proper contact with Nolberto Solano's cross in the 27th minute following some fine football from Emre. With Damien Duff still finding his feet, Newcastle's threat was negligible. Although his side had not convinced, Roeder departed for the interval content that Newcastle had not conceded. They almost did within five minutes of the restart, although Kaspars Gorkss steered his header just wide of Given's right-hand post. There was a major scare soon after when Ameobi, United's sole striking specialist, was felled by a robust challenge from Ndeki. The 24-year-old was eventually helped to his feet but, by that stage, it was not only Newcastle's number 23 who was looking fragile. As they mounted wave after wave of attacks, it was obvious that Ventspils sensed the match was there for the taking, and United began to look increasingly uncertain at the back. With just eight days to go until the start of the new Premiership campaign, it seems United require defensive reinforcements almost as much as they need new strikers. Without either, the chances of success appear minimal. Toothless at one end, troubled at the other, Roeder has still to find the right blend. That Newcastle's problems in one penalty area were solved by a player who had struggled in the other was ironic. With 19 minutes remaining and home belief building, Bramble silenced an enthusiastic crowd in decisive fashion, powering a header past Vanins from Emre's accurate corner. The 25-year-old doesn't score often but, when he does find the target, his goals tend to be important. It was Bramble's strike against Chelsea on the final day of last season that ensured that Newcastle secured European football this season. With his latest effort, the defender could well have ensured that his side remain engaged in Continental competition for a little longer. | 
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