NEWCASTLE United are hell-bent on revenge as they prepare to go in against Bradford City at St James's Park on Saturday.

The West Yorkshire outfit are bidding to become only the second team - FA Cup semi-final opponents Chelsea are the other - to do the double over United after winning 2-0 at Valley Parade just before Christmas.

And Warren Barton, who is emerging as United's most consistent performer this season told me today: "That defeat at Bradford hurt us.

"In fact I would say that before Saturday at Liverpool that was the most disappointed we have been after a match this season, and it's up to us to put it right.

"We played well in the first half down there but we missed a lot of chances. In the end came away with a bit of a drubbing and we did not like it.

"Now we want to go for it on Saturday and put ourselves in the right frame of mind for the semi-final with Chelsea a week on Sunday."

Barton revealed that it took United "a couple of days" to get over Saturday's last-minute defeat by Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

The United right-back added: "We were all down, but Liverpool celebrated their winner as if they had won the title.

"But this made us realise just how far we have come under Bobby Robson."

Barton left Anfield wondering if he should have handled Jamie Redknapp's shot on the line and accepted the inevitable red card which would have followed.

"It did go through my mind but so too did the fact that Mick Wadsworth had warned us before the game that anyone picking up a red card would automatically have missed the semi-final," says the defender.

"But I don't think I would have got to it anyway. And Steve Harper made me feel better by pointing out that nine out of 10 penalties are usually put away in the Premiership."

United are clear favourites to beat Bradford and if anything the pressure is on them for a good result before the trip to Wembley.

Barton pointing out: "The expectations are high but it's down to the players to get a result."

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2000

Answers

Harper may very well have been understanding about it, however, it was Given in goal at the time.

Interestingly enough, Warren was on Look North last night being featured with Harper as they coached a group of youngsters. He was talking about his coaching certificate and how important it is to him and the youngsters were clearly star-struck and most impressed at how he kept talking to them all the time. He was very forthright about how good it would be to get some more Geordies coming through the ranks and underlined how important it is on the Gaffer's list of priorities.

Some might argue that it is a clear indication of how far we have slipped that one of our favourite and most respected players is at best an honest journeyman, when previous idols were Asprilla, Beardsley and Ginola, but I am delighted that YBR has Barton and Harper putting their coaching qualifications to good use. Someone raised the matter of enigmatic Mr Shearer's potential as a future manager, but I look no further than the man who has knuckled down and bothered to do something about becoming one. More power to the centre parting; 31, at least 2 more years under YBR's tutelage, he'll be the finished article before his contract expires.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2000

Agree re manager point. HATE it when Barton talks about a forthcomimg match. We always lose them. Furthermore, Bradford have gone to a secret retreat to train for the game. I ain't confident re Saturday AT ALL.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2000

I'm not going to even discuss Dougal's paranoia about Bradford's secret garden. But I would like to talk about that goal against 'pool. I don't think Barton should have handled it, and I don't think he was in a position to get it over the line with his heed.

However, looking at it on TV, I'm beginning to think that Given could have mae a better effort to get to the ball. OK - thi is probably a bit harsh on Shay, but I think he had a better opportunity to stop it that Barton did.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2000

Sorry Screacher....I have to agree and disagree with you at the same time.

I agree that WB should not have handled on the line......that kind of tactic is stooping to the gutter level of Newton Heath a couple of season's back (OGS on The General)at OT.

I didn't like the fact that we conceeded so late in the game, but at the same time rules is rules....if we start breaking them to further our own end, then we can't complain when people do it to us.

At the same time, I don't see that Shay had anymore chance of getting to the ball than WB did. I have expressed my feelings, right or wrong, on defending corners elsewhere on the board so I'm not going to repeat it, but I still think that while WB was not TOTALLY to blame, his positioning and speed of movement (not) were not as alert or as honed as they should have been at such a crucial point in the game...especialy as, if memory serves, he played in both 4-3's - so he know's well the 'reputation' we have at Anfield.

Best thing now.....forget all about that game, it's gone.....tomorrow....or Saturday to be pedantic....is another day and there is another 3 points to played for and be won.

-- Anonymous, March 30, 2000