Softly-softly for Souness in Magpie hotseat

NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness will not bombard his players with lectures as he attempts to get their season back on track.

The no-nonsense Scot was handed the task of restoring unity in the St James’ Park dressing room when he succeeded Bobby Robson on Monday, and will lead the club for the first time when they entertain Israeli minnows Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin in the opening game of their UEFA Cup campaign tonight.

Souness announced on his arrival that he would try to talk skipper Alan Shearer out of his planned retirement as long as he keeps scoring goals, and he would wipe the slate clean with the dissenting Kieron Dyer and the so-called Toon brat-pack.