"Charlie Boy" Sits It Out

Last updated : 08 September 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor


...  Glenn Roeder says the 20-year-old Frenchman has to remain patient this season.

Already a firm favourite of the fans, but again Charlie will take up a seat on the bench again on Saturday against Fulham.

Roeder: "Charles is 20 years old and he has had over 50 starts.

"We have a disease in this country. We turn out good young players - in fact, he is better than good, he is an excellent young player - and we demand that they play week in, week out.

"They get to 23, 24 and suddenly they have all sorts of injuries because they have played too many games and they suffer burn out. It is my job to look after young players. I did it with quite a few players, but the most obvious one I did it with was Jermain Defoe at West Ham.

"I protected Jermain in the first couple of seasons. He would often come off the bench and play a big part in a winning performance and score some goals, and he had plenty of starts.

"Charles N'Zogbia will play lots and lots of games, he will start lots of games this year for Newcastle. We are in four competitions. I think the world of him and he would be one player who certainly would never be for sale as far as I am concerned.

"He has a big future in front of him, but I will protect him. Damien Duff coming to the club has actually raised his level of perfomance anything up to 15, 20%. Damien Duff arriving at the club has actually helped Charles, not hindered him at all. He is a wonderful player."