By Matthew Jones
September 20 2004

New Magpies' manager Graeme Souness took charge of his first league game at the club on Sunday, and was delighted with his sides defending - keeping out the "two big lumps" who play up front for Southampton

On the Magpies' defending, Souness said:

"With James Beattie and Peter Crouch they have two big lumps up front, two very big boys who can give you problems.

"But I thought we handled it very well. Our two centre-backs were outstanding. Robbie Elliott showed he has a great deal of experience and Andy O'Brien was very good as well.

"The Newcastle record is not good here but records are there to be broken. What we need at Newcastle is what Arsenal and Manchester United have had for a few years, people who are prepared to play their best out of position at times.

"I need people in wide positions and played Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Jenas there. I had a word with Bellamy telling him that's what I would do and he's committed to the club. There was not one objection from him.

"We also need to defend properly and be solid away from home. There's still lots of work to be done but we know we have to dig in and try to give nothing away."

On the result, he added:

"We have to be happy with that result, not just because it ended a bad run at Southampton but because it is a while since this club has picked up maximum points away from home.

"It was a resilient performance, particularly in the second half. They had us on the back foot in the second 45 minutes but we held firm, defended well as a team, and kept them out.

"It was a well deserved victory, we worked hard for it and got the reward. To have won three games in the space of the last week is a good little run, and hopefully we can keep that going.

"I wanted to give Alan and Craig a rest in midweek so they were fresh for Southampton, then obviously on Wednesday Patrick put in a great performance and made it hard for me to leave him out.

"I felt it worked well in the first half, but after half time we had to change it a bit when they threw the big substitutes on and put us under the cosh. Overall it was a satisfying performance and we make the long journey home happy to take the three points."