Robson employs age-old formula

Bobby Robson knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level and the experienced campaigner insisted today that the controversial characters he has brought to St James’ Park over the last 12 months will fit perfectly into his winning formula.

Robson has reunited Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate, who found themselves in trouble together while at Leeds, in a squad that includes the likes of Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer.

Both have been on the front pages of the newspapers for the wrong reasons in recent times, but Robson’s formula, which worked at PSV, Porto and Barcelona, is simple ‘Ability plus determination equals results’.

In once again explaining his decision to bring such characters together at Newcastle – one Malaysian journalist today described them as the “so-called bad boys of English football” – Robson pointed to the qualities required during last year’s Champions League campaign.

They are qualities, he believes, that these footballers have in abundance and that is why he wanted them all at St James’ Park.

“We lost our first three matches, didn’t score a goal and you would think that we were out,” recalled Robson.

“You can talk about ability, but what we did have at the club – which is very important – is that will to persevere, that resolve, that tenacity, that character.

“That brought us back. Newcastle had that resolve. We didn’t lose our confidence, were very strong-minded, beat Juventus and actually won the next three games.

“The simple formula is ability plus determination. If you have got both, you’ll win. If you have one without the other, you will go halfway.

“At the end of the day it is about quality.”

Hence the reason for combining the Bowyers and Woodgates with the Alan Shearers, Laurent Roberts and Hugo Vianas – determination plus ability.

During the toughest period of his career, when he faced two trials for charges related to an attack on a student, Bowyer played the best football of his career as Leeds reached the Champions League semi-finals.

“With our young side, we have a good balance. We have Alan’s segment of players in the team – Alan, Speed, Solano, Shay Given, Bowyer is 25,” said Robson.

“We’ve got that experience and then we have the young players who are 21 and 22 and will learn from last season.

“I am happy that we have got the right discipline within the club. I am happy we have got the right personalities and players, and I don’t foresee any problems at all.

“People just know how and when to behave. That is what we demand and the players understand that.

“One or two of our younger players have made a slight error of judgement.

“They have learnt from that. All we do is look to the future.

“Some people need a second chance and we are doing that as well and we have some terrific leading examples in the club.”

Woodgate will not start the Asia Cup clash against Birmingham after suffering a slight thigh strain that has ruled him out of training for the last week.

He returned to full-time training in the sweltering heat and humidity of Kuala Lumpur today and will be on the bench while Andy O’Brien has recovered from shin soreness.

“Jonathan Woodgate is fit, returned to training full-time today. He is not in the starting lineup but will be available to come on if we need him,” said Robson.

“I have pencilled Jonathan into the second game because he has missed almost a week of training back home.

“I don’t want to play him too early. We want to protect him and make sure that by the second game he will be that much better for the rest and better for the extra time.

“Andy was suffering from shin soreness on both legs towards the end of last week.

“He had the weekend off and that seems to have done the trick. He has not missed a session here in Kuala Lumpur and he is fine.”

Robson remained tight-lipped as to whether Bowyer will start, saying little more than: “He has a good chance. We have brought our best 22 players and he is part of that. He is here.”