Toon out to avenge Scunthorpe defeat
STEVE Harper is looking for Newcastle United to take a huge step forwards towards the Premier League tonight – and avenge the darkest night of the season.
Harper and his team-mates entertain Scunthorpe United at St James's Park knowing a win would take them 12 points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle, beaten away by Scunthorpe in September, also have two games in hand over Billy Davies's side, who lost at Barnsley last night.
Chris Hughton's players were stung by the criticism that came their way after October's 2-1 defeat at Glanford Park.
They answered their critics in the best way possible - by going on a 15-game unbeaten run in the league.
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Still, the defeat still rankles, and goalkeeper Harper is determined to avenge the loss on home turf.
"It was difficult to take losing there," Harper told the Gazette.
"We didn't play great. It's a difficult place to play – a small stadium with 8,500 fans – and it was very, very disappointing to lose.
"We have to right the wrongs that happened down there."
Harper's sentiments are shared by Andy Carroll, who led the line at Scunthorpe.
"They beat us down there, and we need to sort them out," said the 12-goal striker, who scored a late equaliser in Saturday's Tees-Tyne derby to make it six games unbeaten for Hughton's side.
"We've scored four goals or more in the last three games, so we want more of the same. We had a bad day down there. Now it's our turn."
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
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Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
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