THE temptations of gambling the city of Monte Carlo; the Newcastle United manager, Kenny Dalglish. As "spot the odd one out" competitions go, this one would probably not flummox Paul Gascoigne, never mind Bamber. Kenny Dalglish may have arrived in Monte Carlo yesterday lunchtime, and it may be a place crammed with casinos, but the safest bet is, that when Newcastle take to the Stade Louis II stadium tonight (BBC 1, 7.30), Dalglish will have obeyed his natural instinct - reserved calculation.
Before setting off for Monaco, 1-0 down, from the first leg, he was as tight lipped as ever at Newcastle airport, but Dalglish gave one clue as to the possible formation that will chase Monaco's single goal lead from the first leg. His mood, he said, was "a little bit apprehensive" and the cautious nature of his tone suggested that Dalglish will not gamble on Less Ferdinand as he did at Anfield last Monday.
He did add that: "We've got to be positive" although it was only after calling Monaco "easily the best team in France and the results they have had in this tournament would justify that statement".
It was hardly a rallying call to the troops and maybe Dalglish is preparing an itchy Tyneside public for the worst. Should Newcastle exit this competition - barring a miraculous set of results in the Premiership - it would be another season of unfulfilled expectation at St James' Park.
However, even considering this - it appears Ferdinand will be a substitute at best after his disastrous 11 minute showing against Liverpool. The player himself conceded this, but said: "I wouldn't be here if I didn't have a chance of playing, although I'm mindful of what happened at Anfield.
"But, bearing in mind what is on the line as far as winning something this season is concerned, I think it is a gamble worth taking. It's not up to me though, I can only say I want to play and then leave it up to the management.
Ferdinand limped out of the action with an injured hamstring flour games ago in the 1-0 defeat by Southampton and while he says he has done some running and kicked a ball since, there is still a problem with jumping. You do not need to be Jean Tigana, the Monaco manager, to realise this seriously reduces Ferdinand's threat.
At least, in the absence of Ferdinand and Alan Shearer, who also travelled, Dalglish will be able to turn to Faustino Asprilla. The Colombian missed the first leg through suspension and will cause Monaca's imposing back trio of Djetou and Grimandi more problems than Robert Lee managed, especially if Asprilla can continue to connect with Peter Beardsley as he did against Coventry on Saturday.
Asprilla has five goals in four appearances in this UEFA Cup run and was the inspiration in the home victory over Metz in the previous round. Then, as at St James' a fortnight ago, Newcastle were largely out played by a quick, inventive French team and Asprilla is Newcastle's best hope of nicking an away goal. He has even broken his public silence, albeit briefly, saying: "It is a difficult game but I believe Newcastle will win."
Nor is that an impossible task as even though Monaco have not conceded a goal at home in the French League since November 2nd, they did lose at home 1-0 to Borussia Moenchengladbach in the second round. Tigana's main selection worry revolves around whether to persevere with John Collins or bring in the more defensive Emmanual Petit. Like Dalglish, the Monaco coach looks like refraining from the gamble.
Inter Milan, unsettled by a row involving Dutchman Aron Winter and departing coach Roy Hodgson, meet Anderlecht of Belgium in a second leg which could kill off their season.
That is the worst case scenario for the Milan club and, their task eased by the cushion of an away goal in the first leg 1-1 draw, it probably will not turn out that way against an unchanged Anderlecht suffering scoring problems.
Valencia will feel they still have a chance of reaching the semifinals when they face an injury hit Schalke. The German club, bidding to make a European semifinal for first time in 27 years, won the home leg 2-0. But Valencia have hit form with consecutive league wins, while Schalke fell 3-0 to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Brondby are bidding to become the first Danish club to reach the final of a European club competition. After a 1-0 win in the first leg, they will adopt a defensive, safety first approach against Tenerife in the second leg tonight.
