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Journalism of Courage
Frustrated Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd has warned manager Bobby Robson and his players that they must start to perform or face the consequences.
The club are a disappointing seventh in the Premier League, 20 points adrift of leaders Manchester United after 19 matches, despite having spent around 68 million pounds ($120.7 million) on players since Robson was appointed in 1999.
They lost a Champions League qualifier on penalties to Partizan Belgrade in August, a defeat that cost them millions in lost revenues, and were knocked out of the League Cup by first division West Bromwich Albion. ‘‘What has happened since the start of the season is just not on’’, Shepherd was quoted as saying in Wednesday’s British newspapers.
‘‘It’s not acceptable to the directors and board of Newcastle United or to our supporters and we’re not going to put up with it. I’m Talking about everyone here from the manager downwards’’, he added. ‘‘The management and players of this football club are given Rolls-Royce treatment but we’re not getting Rolls-Royce performances from them in return.’’
‘‘The comments will put added pressure on former England manager Robson, 70, who takes Newcastle to Southampton on Saturday for an FA Cup third round match.
Both Robson and captain Alan Shearer said they agreed with the chairman, however. ‘‘He is the chairman of this club and has the right to say what he feels’’, said Robson. ‘‘We are all frustrated as well and nobody is more disappointed about recent results than the players and myself.’’
