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We must overcome hurdles to end drought
Sep 23 2007
by Dan Sheridan, Sunday Sun
CHAIRMAN Chris Mort insists Newcastle will never end their trophy drought until they learn how to overcome hurdles such as that facing them at Arsenal on Tuesday.
United face the Gunners in the third round of the Carling Cup – a competition that represents the Magpies’ best chance of a first domestic trophy since 1955.
And despite a tricky-looking draw against buoyant opposition, Mort believes United now have players capable of pulling them through.
But the chairman’s boldest promise is to scour the world – from January onwards – for top-class youngsters and seasoned professionals capable of matching Arsenal in the long term.
“Frankly, if we’re going to win anything, Arsenal away is the sort of game we have to play in, and try to get a result that will put them out of the competition,” says Mort.
“If we accept a position where we aren’t going to be capable of beating the likes of Arsenal in a cup game, we’re never going to win a cup.
“If you look at the signings we’ve made, there are strikers and midfielders, but the real focus has been on strengthening the defence, and I think that’s is going to be crucial if we’re going to compete in any competition.
“We have to be a tougher side to beat and we have to be capable of going away from home and getting victories.
“The Premier League is a very physical league and the players we brought in – players like Joey Barton and Alan Smith – are very capable of holding their own against any side.
“We’ve also had a real focus on players who have real heart on the pitch because we want the right balance of skill and athleticism, but we also want players who have the right sort of spirit to compete for the club.”
But Mort’s long-term sights are set far beyond Tuesday night – and a player hunt that will span the globe.
“Our minds are already turned to who we might bring in and, in an ideal world, we’d like the focus to be on bringing in players that we can develop over the long term,” he adds.
“We’ve half an eye, not specifically on January, but on how we take the club forward over the years to come.
“Whilst our first major priority was to make sure we sorted out the first-team squad and had a squad capable of competing in the Premiership, we want to bring in some younger players of all kinds of age groups.
“We haven’t set Sam a target of what position we want to end up in or what we want out of this season, but Sam and myself are working hard to get the squad into good shape and get a sense that we are moving in the right direction.”
:: A full, exclusive interview with Chris Mort can be found in the October edition of North East Times magazine, on sale from October 1.
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