Toon will need to dig Deep in January if they are to succeed

Nov 22 2009 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

Preston too though, after that unwanted exit from Tyneside.

“Jim Smith was the (Newcastle) manager and I don’t think I was his sort of player,” said Bogie.

“Newcastle were struggling and the personnel he went for to try and get them out of it were experienced. Some would say a few of us were forced out, and maybe I was a little bit naive at the time.

“With hindsight, Jim didn’t last much longer, and when Ossie Ardiles replaced him he gave the young players their chance. But you cannot think about what might have been.

“It was disappointing for me at the time, but I went to Preston and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. It’s a smashing club with massive history and a great public, and I loved living in the area. I can’t speak more highly of the club – even the astroturf suited me!

“The club’s improved tenfold since then, with a proper grass pitch now and four new stands. Back when I played there, they were in the Third Division, getting six or seven thousand.

“I’d come from Newcastle in the old First Division, when they were getting 25 or 30 thousand.

“There was a massive difference in resources and, although a lot’s changed for both clubs, there’s still a big difference.

“Preston probably get about 15,000 now, but the Newcastle players will deal with that comfortably enough.”

And deal with promotion too, Bogie adds, providing they can insure against injury and suspension by signing a couple of new players.

“I want to see them get back in the Premier League,” he said.

“The gulf between the top flight and the Championship is massive, which has been proven by how well they’re doing now compared to last season.

“They’re in pole position and going about getting back up the right way. I believe they can maintain that and win promotion, but they might need to strengthen the squad.

“Not even the likes of Manchester United or Liverpool could cope if they lost players like Wayne Rooney or Fernando Torres.

“So if Newcastle pick up one or two injuries and lost key players for a spell it could have a massive knock-on effect and harm their promotion run.

“They’re probably one or two players short of what they need, but if they can get them in January, I can’t see anything stopping them.”