Shepherd
Lays Down the Law!
"I'm the last person who wants to
stand up and be counted, but I've had to for the benefit of
Newcastle United and football in general.
"I've been accused of many things in the past - and some of
them rightly so - but I'm not a cheat. "And if every player
did what Craig Bellamy has done then where would football be?
This cannot be allowed to happen.
"If a lad at Swan Hunter's walked off the job, how long would
he last there? Bellamy is no different to a welder at Swan Hunter's
as far as employment is concerned. Nor should he be.
"Too many times these things are swept under the carpet.
"This is a big issue in football. Players cannot be allowed
to get away with this sort of thing otherwise where does it
leave football?
"What happens if other players decide to walk off the pitch?
What does the manager do? Sometimes you have to make a stand.
"It's not acceptable behaviour at Newcastle United or any other
club. A lot of stuff in football clubs is swept under the carpet
and this is about saving the national game.
"It's about the whole philosophy in football. These guys are
paid a huge amount of money, but it doesn't give them the right
to behave so badly.
"Everybody in football has got a responsibility to the game
and I include myself.
"But getting the money Craig's getting, he has an even greater
responsibility. I never wanted to see Craig Bellamy leave Newcastle,
but you can't condone this kind of behaviour from anyone. Our
supporters pay his wages and he has a responsibility to them.
Do they want to see him cheat them in training?
"This whole episode has left a bad taste and the public will
be asking whether this sort of thing happens all the time."
"We are dealing with multi-millionaires - and with money comes
perceived power. What Craig Bellamy has done is totally unprofessional.
And that's the kindest word I can use.
"Despite their wealth, players must have some kind of moral
fibre. But if one of our players doesn't realise that then as
a club we have to act in his stead.
"You cannot be bigger than what Newcastle United stands for.
Some of our supporters will say 'Bellamy's the best player at
this club, so just get on with it'. That's when the whole argument
is lost - when you're prepared to do anything just to keep a
player on side.
"If we'd let the situation lie, then what about the next time
Craig's injured? What would people say then?"
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Shepherd:
Dyer Is An Example To Bellamy!
Freddy Shepherd believes Craig Bellamy
should take a leaf out of Kieron Dyer's book with the Chairman
claiming our No.8 is a perfect role model for the Welshman.
"Kieron's situation is completely different and I've got
to stick up for him here.
"He played, after all. He had his fight with Sir Bobby but to
be fair he never said he was injured and he never made his feelings
public.
"We have to make a distinction here. There is a big difference
between the two cases. I'm supporting Kieron in this instance
- the two incidents are black and white.
"Kieron said he didn't want to play there. He didn't say he
'wouldn't' play there. Craig was fit but he made sure he wasn't
available. That's the difference.
"Kieron is an example to Craig Bellamy.
"Here's a guy who's fought back from a very difficult situation
and I have great admiration for what he's done this season.
You can ask no more from a player.
"Kieron took it on the chin, got his head down and cracked on.
Full marks to him. If only Craig had done the same.
"Sometimes you have to take a step back and realise you've gone
too far. That's what Kieron did. He realised his career was
on the line but that he could still be a good professional here.
"We haven't heard a squeak from him since. He hasn't put a foot
wrong. He's gone and buckled down. In my book he is completely
rehabilitated at this club. If Craig Bellamy wants to know where
he can go next then he only needs to look at Kieron."
God help us...
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Hooray
For Amdy Faye
Amdy Faye become Souness' 3rd January
signing yesterday, completing his £2m move from Portsmouth on
a 4 year contract. The 27 year-old Senegalese international
has been handed the No.15 shirt and is eligible to play in both
the FA and UEFA Cup and should make his debut on Saturday as
Coventry City come to St. James' Park.
The signature of Faye is a welcome one, with Nicky Butt out
injured he will give us some much needed defensive steel in
the centre and bolster a thin squad. Welcome to the Toon Amdy. |
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