Robert could have talked his way 'Out of Toon'

Quickly disposed of Bellamy after his media outburst

“Are we better this year than last year? No, I don’t think so. We are probably worse. I don’t think we are playing as well as last season.”

Robert went onto talk about his displeasure at being substituted in United’s last seven games and the lack of communication between himself and Graeme Souness.

The Newcastle boss has today responded to the winger’s comments:

“Once again we have had to take our eyes off the ball because of the selfish attitude of one of our players. It is totally unacceptable.

“He always seeks to blame somebody else. Was it my fault he played poorly at Spurs?

“If he’s not playing well he should try harder.”

It appears that Souness is far from happy with Robert’s quotes and the Frenchman will start against Sporting from the bench.

Any notion of a contract extension now looks to have been ruined as Robert could have indeed talked himself ‘out of Toon’.

It was my fear that Robert felt he had done enough during our recent unbeaten run to warrant a contract extension and that by the time next season had arrived the lacklustre displays would reappear. We didn’t have to wait until next season – Robert has been awful in our last four matches.

Graeme Souness swiftly disposed of the last United member to use the media as a tool to vent their frustrations against him.

It now looks increasingly likely that Robert will part company with Newcastle in the summer despite the constant insisting that he wants to stay.