By Matthew Jones
July 22 2005

Craig Bellamy signed for Newcastle United under Sir Bobby Robson in 2001 from Coventry for £6m but was then sold to Blackburn Rovers following a fall-out with current manager Graeme Souness. Robson has criticised this decisions, and the way Souness dealt with the situation. SIR BOBBY ROBSON: "Yes he was a little irritant, but part of management is man-managing - handling the player and handling the different character.

"I handled Bellamy. He was a difficult, spiky character but had good qualities so I jumped the waves with him.

"He was worth it to the club because he was one of the quickest players in the Premiership.

"I'm talking about (Michael) Owen's pace and (Thierry) Henry's pace - he had that pace. How many players are there available that you can get like that? Not too many. Blackburn have got a very good player."

Bellamy played a major role in the Newcastle squad which finished 3rd, 4th and 5th in the Premiership, but failed to get along with new boss Graeme Souness and was loaned out to Celtic last season.

Robson added: "I liked Bellamy on the training ground because he was a great trainer.

"And on Saturday afternoons from 3pm until 5pm I liked him very much because he won you matches.

"He was a great player so I recognised that. If he's not worth it on the Saturday afternoon then that player has to go.

"But I felt he was worth it and the players liked him in the side as well.

"Not only did I like him but the players liked him, the fans liked him - 52,000 supporters every Saturday liked him - so I handled Bellamy.

"I tried to understand him and tried to get him to understand me and what I needed from him.

"Overall Craig and I had a pretty good relationship."

Finially, on his dismissal just 4 games into the season, Robson added: "I'll never recover from that. I'll never forget it. And I have to say that.

"I thought at the time it was outrageous to be honest and disappointing but I've had to get over it and I've had to get on with my life.

"Look forward don't look back and that's the secret of life and so I'm doing that."