Leon aims to do his very Best

Feb 5 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

Leon Best feared his move to Newcastle would never happen before a last-minute transfer window dash. He told Chief sports writer Luke Edwards why it is the perfect move at the perfect time

THE last time a Nottingham-born striker moved to Newcastle United in a promotion-chasing campaign he scored on his home debut and never stopped scoring until the controversial day he was sold. His name was Andy Cole.

To compare Leon Best to one of the greatest strikers to have pulled on the famous number nine shirt in the modern era is either extremely flattering or unhelpfully cruel, and only Newcastle United’s new centre forward will decide which.

There is already enough pressure surrounding Best following his deadline-day move from Coventry City.

Nevertheless, if he is going to be a success on Tyneside, he will have to become accustomed to performing with such a weight of expectation on his shoulders.

The comparisons are clear. Both arrived at St James’ Park with the season well under way and both are young strikers with vast potential whose signing still represents something of a gamble by the manager who wanted them.

When Cole arrived in March 1993 for a then club record £1.75m from Bristol City, he scored 12 goals in as many games for the league leaders as the Magpies returned to the top flight with a bang.

In a little over two years in the black-and-white stripes he scored an incredible 68 goals in 84 games and, while a move to Manchester United soured his name as the Red Devils extended their dominant reign over English football, he remains an iconic figure in Newcastle’s restoration.

To expect Best, who is just a year older than Cole was when he came to North East, to achieve anything like that is perhaps harsh, or at least unrealistic.