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Gosling Looking To Avoid Greek Tragedy
Written by Newcastle Utd
Dan Gosling says Newcastle have worked too hard over the last year to throw away their chance of European football now
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Dan Gosling concedes Newcastle will be slight favourites ahead of Thursday's Europa League fourth qualifying round second leg tie at home to Atromitos - but insists United will simply be focused on getting through to the group stages.
The midfielder played in the first leg out in Greece and is expected to be involved again at the Sports Direct Arena as the Magpies look to build on the 1-1 draw at the Peristeri Stadium and progress to the competition proper.
Ryan Taylor's free-kick in Athens means United have a small advantage to take into the match, with away goals coming into play if the scores are still level at the end of the second leg.
And, with a repeat of the 30-plus degree temperatures which Alan Pardew's side had to cope with last week unlikely, Gosling knows that most people will now expect them to prevail on Tyneside.
"Yeah probably," he admitted. "Obviously the away goal helps and in front of a packed stadium, hopefully we can put on a good show and win the game.
"I'm sure it won't be hot in Newcastle, that's for sure - maybe people should bring their waterproofs instead!
"But the fans have been great. They travel all over the world to come and watch us and I'm sure it'll be no different tomorrow."
Should Gosling be given another chance to impress in Europe, it's one he plans to take with both hands.
But, having helped Newcastle finish fifth in the Barclays Premier League last season to set up the play-off against Atromotios, he is more concerned with making sure his side are in Friday's draw for the main tournament.
"Every game you play, you want to do well so it's no different really," he told nufc.co.uk. "It's just another game and hopefully I'll put in a good performance and we win the game.
"I'm hoping to start and hopefully we can progress through to the group stages.
"It'd be be very disappointing after the season we had last year to bow out in this qualifier so hopefully we can get the job done and then who knows what can happen."
To buy tickets for the Europa League game against Atromitos on Thursday, click here