In an interview with a Spanish magazine he revealed that he would put an end to the problem on the left side of England’s midfield by switching to a 3-5-2 formation, without Beckham or Steven Gerrard.
"I would play 3-5-2," Sir Bobby told Don Balon.
"Gary Neville and Ashley Cole would play as attacking full backs with Scholes, Dyer and Butt in the middle and with that you have resolved the problem.
"Up front I would have Michael Owen, but not Heskey, maybe alongside a forward like Alan Smith for example.
"I do not want to advise Sven-Goran Eriksson but I feel it is necessary to adapt to the limitations and that you have to be flexible."
So do Sir Bobby’s views mean anything for Newcastle’s tactics and transfer targets?
Probably not.