If any positives are to be drawn from yesterday’s defeat against Man Utd then they can be found in that Craig Bellamy was so ineffective Graeme Souness can no longer persist in playing the Welsh ‘striker’ in midfield.
When first switched to a midfield role upon Souness’ arrival, Bellamy played OK. He battled well and added a degree of resilience to our left hand side. But now it appears that frustration has gotten the better of Bellamy and who can blame him. How frustrating it must be to witness the lack of mobility we currently possess up front.
Bellamy used to be the main man, our heartbeat, the man who made us tick and epitomised everything good about our game. Now, he is a mere pawn in a team that lacks tempo and develops most of its attacking moves in chess like fashion.
It has to Bellamy plus one in attack from next week. We are wasting arguably our best player, memories of his performances against Boro,
Unable to break free from the constraints that a wide role enforces upon such a fiery, pacey player, we have not witnessed for a long time Bellamy penetrating those gaps between full back and centre back he used to with welcoming regularity.
His goal threat is reduced and the distraction that he created that freed space for Big Al has also been removed.
Bellamy has been quoted on many an occasion, ‘It’s not what is best for Craig Bellamy but what is best for Newcastle United’.
Now I feel that the time has come whereby what is best for Craig Bellamy is what is indeed best for Newcastle United also – our in your face Welshman back up front terrorising referees, linesman and opposition fans and players alike.