Sir Bobby Robson – time to chuck it

Well folks, it must be time for old Sir Bobby to chuck it.

Why? The reasons he gave for withdrawing Alan Shearer during Saturday’s tussle at St James Park.

First off, for a pre-season friendly it was a pretty decent game and played in a hard, but usually fair spirit. Well done to Newcastle United – fully deserving of the victory.

But to the matter in hand, picture the scene………

We have taken 15,000 (I’ll use a true reflection folks, rather than the Scooby-Doo version preferred by other teams) punters to Newcastle for the weekend and they are largely camped in the Gallowgate end. Add a splash of drink and high spirits.

Then take the most potent striker England has produced in the in the past 20 years, Alan Shearer. A striker who has seen it; done it; written the book; and most importantly, a striker that is still doing it – both in terms of goals and looking after himself.

Then put that striker in the position whereby he throws the toys out of the pram; takes a clear kick at our new French fancy and then when questioned by our own version of the Nutty Professor, said superb striker aims a punch at Fernando Ricksen.

The situation calms down, both Shearer and Ricksen are booked – and rightly so.

Predictably the mass Rangers support, having seen the incident close up, strike up a well known song about the striker in question being a bit of a masterbator.

What does old Sir Bob do?

That’s right, instead of knowing that Alan Shearer gets that everywhere (a sign of respect!) and knowing that it would actually spur Shearer on in his desire to score; he takes Alan Shearer off.

In the after match interview Sir Bobby explained why:

'I don't like crowds making filthy chants at him. There were a lot of unclean mouths making filthy chants out there.

'Alan Shearer does not have to play in that kind of environment so I got him out of that muck.

'I wasn't having it, all them screaming unpleasantries at him. There was a fight and some fisticuffs involving Alan just before that and it was getting unpleasant. But I didn't want him being subjected to filthy chants.'

I must admit, and I am sure I am not the only one, that I did not realise that Alan Shearer was such a precious and fragile wee soul and that 15,000 Rangers fans singing a song against him would send him crying to his mother. Worse than that, any fan that utters anything against Shearer is "muck".

Alan Shearer must have been cringing into his Corn Flakes this morning!

Of course, it would be cruel to Sir Bobby to mention that he did not say anything about the round booing of Alex Rae. Not that it bothers Rae, he thrives on it. And that should make this little charade all the more embarrassing for Mr Shearer.

So proof, if any were required after his attempt at commentary at Euro 2004, that old Sir Bobby Robson has lost it completely.

Perhaps just as well it is his final season, even though the Chairman did not even bother telling Sir Bob!

Vanderhogg
The East Enclosure Dutchman