• Europa League

Ameobi inspired by Sir Bobby Robson

ESPN staff
February 19, 2013
Sir Bobby Robson would have celebrated his 80th birthday this week © PA Photos
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Shola Ameobi believes that Newcastle United can take strength from the spirit of Sir Bobby Robson as they prepare for their Europa League tie at Metalist Kharkiv on Thursday.

Newcastle face an uphill battle to progress after a controversial 0-0 draw in the first leg at St James' Park, but Ameobi feels they can take inspiration from their former manager.

"Listen, I take him everywhere with me," Ameobi told the Evening Chronicle of the man who afforded him both his Premier League and Champions League debuts with the club. "He is what made me who I am today. He encapsulates everything football means to me. His enthusiasm for the game was imparted on me, and he would have loved that, going over there and proving a point, so hopefully we can do that as a team."

Ameobi, who was speaking at a fundraiser for the Bobby Robson Foundation in the week the former England boss would have celebrated his 80th birthday, feels Newcastle have experience to secure a positive result.

"We have got a lot of experienced international players who will have played around the globe, and hopefully that will stand us in good stead," he said.

He spoke of the "frustration" of seeing two legitimate goals chalked off in the first leg and added: "At this level, you need to have a bit of luck. We had a hatful of chances as well. On another day, we could've been 3-0 up and the tie effectively over. As it is, we have to go over there and play a very good side on their own patch. It's not going to be easy."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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