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Opinion

Laurent Robert talks about his days at Newcastle United

9 years ago
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One of my very favourite players, Laurent Robert, has been interviewed over in France.

Reflecting on his playing career, the charismatic winger talked a lot about his time at Newcastle United.

Laurent Robert talked to L’equipe about Shearer, Sir Bobby, cheeky Craig Bellamy and Nobby on the trumpet.

What I would give to see players like him again in our current team, excitement!

Any fan who didn’t love Laurent didn’t/doesn’t have a clue.

(To feature like Dean, send in your articles for our website to contribute@themag.co.uk)

Whether you are too young to have seen him play, or you just would like a reminder of his quality, watch the goals compilation at the end of these quotes from the L’equipe interview.

The best player you played with?

Alan Shearer. He was a fantastic goalscorer, a complete and consistent player, who scored close to 300 goals in the Premier League. I had a great time with him at Newcastle. I also knew Ronaldinho, the technical things he could do were extraordinary. We had some great free-kick competitions!

The funniest?

Craig Bellamy and Nobby Solano at Newcastle. The Welshman was a real joker and the Peruvian played the trumpet for us every morning in the changing room. With him it was barbecue and music.

The maddest?

There are only madmen in football!

The hardest player you played against?

John Terry was particularly hard – he is a pure central defender who comes to hurt you. Rio Ferdinand was also tough but I liked coming up against those players with character, it gave me extra motivation.

Which current player most resembles you?

A mixture of Gareth Bale and Anthony Mounier (at Montpellier). Like me, they’re both unpredictable left-footed players, always coming up with moves that surprise and wrong foot their opponents, both have a great attitude on the pitch.

The coach you liked the best?

Bobby Robson at Newcastle (2001-2004). He was a second father to us. He gave me so much confidence, I could have done anything for him, I felt like I had wings. He always had the right thing to say to make me feel good, while as a person he was beyond reproach. I will never forget the week when he let me leave to look after my son Matthieu, who had a health problem. I only trained once (before the next game) but I played and produced a great performance. He did everything to make sure we felt comfortable because, like all great coaches, he knew it is only then that a player can truly perform on the pitch.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/mfyty0_9Iyo&w=600]

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