Marcus Hall column: How I was dropped right in it!

I HOPE the fans will appreciate what a difficult job I faced on Tuesday when Newcastle were playing triangles round me at times, writes Coventry City defender Marcus Hall.

I didn't know until an hour or so before the game that I was going to be playing at right-back. I walked in to see the manager and he asked me where I wanted to play, and then started laughing.

I laughed, too, and said 'not at right-back!' But it was clear that I was going to have to and I fully accepted that because I have always been ready to help the team out in any way I can.

I was just coming back from injury and it was live on telly but no one else put their hands up and offered to play there.

I obviously knew it was going to be difficult because all your angles change when you switch from your natural position, and with the class of their players it was unbelievable trying to defend against them.

But it improved after the break when Jay Tabb was switched across to help give me a bit of cover - at least he was able to pick up the full-back and leave me to mark their impressive winger, Charles N'Zogbia.

James Milner was a threat throughout and I was interested to hear that he put in a transfer request after the game.

He has undoubted talent and years ahead of him as far as the England set-up is concerned.

He's very strong, good on the ball and keeps it close to his feet, and he is certainly hot property at the moment with a few clubs interested in him.

The player that inflicted the killer blow, however, was Michael Owen whom I have played against a few times over the years and played with when I was with the England under-21s.

I can't say we are mates or anything, but I do know him and it is great to see a striker of his calibre back fit and looking the part.

He looks to have bulked up a bit with a bit of muscle and hopefully his return will be good news for England as they start their World Cup qualifying campaign.