Magpies 'to keep' Bellamy

Souness is involved in a war-of-words with Bellamy after claiming the Welshman feigned an injury when asked to play out of position at the weekend.

Robson said: "I'm not sure these situations should be aired in public."

But he also said: "Players can't decide they don't want to play because of what the manager is asking them to do."

The former St James' Park boss fears neither player nor manager - both of whom have given frank TV interviews - have acted in the best interests of the club after Bellamy is said to have faked an injury during training on Friday.

He's at the biggest club he'll ever be at Chris Waddle on Bellamy

"Graeme is trying to keep everybody happy. Sometimes you just can't do that." Robson, who was axed in August, told The Daily Mail.

Former Newcastle player Chris Waddle believes Bellamy has also handled the situation badly and could hinder his future in football if he moves elsewhere.

"Craig Bellamy is a decent player but he's at the biggest club he'll ever be at," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I don't think if he leaves Newcastle, he's going to get Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, or Liverpool knocking on his door.

"They're the only four clubs bigger than Newcastle, so he's at the biggest club he's going to be at."

But Robson has more sympathy for Bellamy, who has been asked to play a wide midfield role.

"In many ways he is the best striker at the club, and is a real asset.

Thousands of people would kill for the chance to pull on the shirt From Emma Have your say on 606

"It isn't his best position. He isn't scoring goals and so he is becoming frustrated."

But Robson conceded the latest clash between the pair was hardly unexpected.

"What's happened doesn't come as a surprise because he and Graeme had a fall-out almost as soon as Graeme took over.

"At one stage I gather he had Craig by the throat and threw him to the ground, so they didn't exactly start on a good footing."

Meanwhile, fans have inundated the BBC's 606 message boards with their views on the Newcastle feud.

Many feel Bellamy is in the wrong, but also believe Souness should shoulder some of the blame.

Here is a selection of the comments found on the 606 message boards.

More dirty linen washed in public. A good effort by Craig but wrong words, wrong place, wrong time. As an exercise in damage limitation, it was very unconvincing and at times I didn't believe him.
eckingtoon

Ultimately someone is lying... either the manager or one of our best players. In either case... it's a disgrace. If it came down to a public vote, Bellamy or Souness, I'd personally choose Bellamy.
dunga

Bellamy gets paid what over �35,000 a week to play and Souness whatever to manage. If he is asked to play out of position, I'm sure it's a decision made for the best of the club. If tactics go wrong, it's the manager who gets the sack, not the player.

As much as any player hates to play out of position, Bellamy should have just done what he was told. At least, he would have covered his own back, but he has done himself no favours and drawn so much media attention, most of it negative might I add, to the club.
the_general

You lot all blame the player, dont think for one moment that your manager who has wound up everyone he has ever dealt with. This was always going to happen, that's why top players will not play for Souness. He can't handle them.
sharky_316