Bramble The Man For Roeder

Last updated : 29 September 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor

Under-fire defender Titus Bramble, who scored the goal in Latvia which got the Magpies through the last round of the Intertoto Cup, was sent off for two bookable offences on Sunday against Everton and was booed from the pitch by a section of the fans.

Roeder will keep faith with the 25-year-old, although, with Steven Taylor now fit again, he has warned Bramble he faces a fight to keep his place.

Roeder: "The easy thing for any manager when one of your players is not having a good time is to go with the swell of opinion. There comes a time when a player is entitled to look at his manager and say: 'Are you going to show some faith in me?'

"I will tell you now, Titus Bramble will play tomorrow, and so will Steven Taylor.

"I will remain working with him. You must not forget in the last year, he has had some very good games and scored some important goals. In fact, it is Titus' goal which has landed us in this position now.

"He has had a difficult time - he will be the first to admit that - but I think it is time that a manager shows faith in a player who has not had the best of times and, hopefully, he will come through it.

"But he certainly knows, with Steven fit again, he must make sure he comes through the storm quickly.

"But he will get my support, and that is why he is playing tomorrow."