Peter's Praise For Buoyant Magpies

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Football development manager Peter Beardsley said Newcastle United Under-23s' dressing room was buoyant after their 3-0 victory over Norwich City on Monday afternoon.

Two goals from Haris Vuckic and one - a penalty - from Gael Bigirimana earned the Magpies all three points from their first Premier League 2 clash of the campaign.

And Beardsley spoke afterwards of his satisfaction with his young team's clinical performance, as they put a Canaries side including the likes of first teamers Michael Turner, Tony Andreu and Louis Thompson to the sword at their Colney training base.

"Almost one to 11 played really well, so it was great. I've said it before and I'll say it again - when you have your best players, you'll have a good team, no doubt about it," he told nufc.co.uk.

"To be fair to the kids, they ran around, they showed a good attitude and the played some good football. The pitch was immaculate, and they probably won't play on a better pitch this season.

"Everything was perfect, and the way they reacted and the way they played, having travelled a long way overnight, was really good.

"It was an all-round good game. Norwich tried to play football, which at times thankfully played into our hands, and if you look at the reaction around the dressing room, everyone is very happy.

"But it's one game, and the great thing is for them that they've got to go and try to win more games, and also play well. Today, we played well and won."

Vuckic's low drive put United in front in East Anglia in the first half as the visitors seized control of a fast-paced encounter.

Bigirimana then slotted home a penalty after Sean Longstaff was felled by goalkeeper Ben Killip, before Vuckic made it three from close range, applying the finishing touch to Longstaff's low cross.

And Beardsley said he was encouraged by the teenager's display.

"To be fair to Sean, he was outstanding today. He earned the right to be in the team, really, because he's the youngest of that group, and all the others are senior," he said.

"There was a place for a younger one, and he earned the right to be there.

"He was very much involved in our forward play. He's a good number ten, he's got the energy to get around the pitch, and I'm sure he'll be pleased with his work."

Next up for the Magpies is a trip to Dagenham and Redbridge's Victoria Road to face West Ham United in a week's time.

While United feet will remain firmly on the ground despite their opening day success, Beardsley admitted that the fixture list - which sees Newcastle head to Aston Villa for their third league outing in a fortnight's time - has served up an "exciting start" to the campaign.

"We're going to West Ham next week, and you just never know what's going to happen. We're playing at Dagenham and Redbridge, which will be a good pitch as it's early season. It'll be good for them to play in a proper stadium, and the week after we go to Villa Park, so it's a good start for them, and an exciting start."

Photograph courtesy of Jason Dawson