Sir Bobby On Shearer And Bellamy

Last updated : 23 March 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

The ex-Newcastle manager got the best out of both players, and he believes Craig Bellamy's fiery character adds an important dimension to his game.

Bellamy's tempestuous nature has dogged him throughout his turbulent career. From Carrow Road, where he started his career, to Anfield where he currenly plays.

Bellamy was involved in a bust-up with Liverpool team-mate John Arne Riise during a training camp in Portugal, when allegedly the Welshman threatened Riise with a golf club.

Robson: "I got on with him. He was a fiery character, and I had my little spats with him, but nothing too serious.

"I tried to speak to him man to man, telling him 'come on Craig, you can't do that' or 'you can't say that', and he responded.

"I dealt with him - manager to player - and he didn't get under my skin at all. But because he is fiery, that sparks his ability into life.

"I loved him at three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon, as did Alan Shearer and everybody else. He was a great player for us, and he was very popular.

But then he was popular at Celtic and at Blackburn, and I think he has done okay at Liverpool.

"He is a marvelous player. You have to be careful how high you play up the pitch because if you push too much and give him space then he will exploit it.

"If anybody switches off for a couple of seconds, and with the the right ball, you cannot contain him."