Robson lambasts Hoddle sacking

"Aye, I've been getting a bit of stick," grinned Robson. "First time here so I'm quite calm about it. I've seen it all before. Why should I worry about faxes, text messages and e-mails to newspapers? The game's gone bloody mad if you're telling me that people who send faxes and texts to the club and the papers know more about it than me."

It's unlikely that anyone knows much more about it than Robson, whose knowledge is such that he's often asked by other clubs to recommend managers. He's 71 next February and accepts that the final chapter of a long and richly satisfying career is now coming to a close.

He won't be drawn, but this season, or maybe next, will be his last. "I love it and I'll miss it," he said. "But not yet. I've got things I still want to do." First thing he must do is kick-start Newcastle's season. The first month has been dreadful. Tonight, they meet Arsenal at Highbury still looking for their first Premiership win. But what most upset the locals was the Champions League exit against Partizan Belgrade.

"We missed three big chances, I mean BIG chances," he recalled. "We only had to take one and we're through. Then we had a chance with penalties and we miss four . . . FOUR!"

The first three were missed by £30million worth of talent, Alan Shearer, Kieron Dyer and Jonathan Woodgate, before Aaron Hughes put the fourth over the crossbar.

"I didn't miss any of them but I have to suffer the consequences," he said. "Because we didn't qualify, £10m went down the drain and all hell broke lose.

"So, yes, we're having a blip. But that's all it is. We can win the UEFA Cup can't we? You have to be enthusiastic and believe in the future.

"I've told the players that you don't just lose in one week what you've built in three or four years." If Robson is the latest former England manager to feel the pressure of life in the Premiership there are few outward signs of it.

He's in a buoyant, positive mood and, as always, asks as many questions as he answers. "How's young Hoddle? How's young Roeder?" he wanted to know.

"I thought Hoddle bought some good players in the summer. For me Helder Postiga, Bobby Zamora and Freddie Kanoute are good players. And Stephane Dalmat. I don't know what goes on at other clubs but I'd have thought, having given him that sort of money, Spurs would have allowed him more than six games to bed them in.

"I think clubs should allow a new manager at least two full seasons before making judgements. My first job was at Fulham. They gave me nine months and sacked me. Then I went to Ipswich. It was a rocky road at first. It took at least two seasons to get my feet under the table. Then it took off didn't it?

"What's most important is that the club does their homework before making an appointment. It's like buying a player. I do my homework. I don't buy off a video. I look into a player's character and background as well as his ability.

"If a club get that part right they should give a new manager two seasons minimum.

"I was a very experienced manager when I took the England job but I needed two years to feel right about it.

"The first thing I said to Graham Taylor when he took over was, ' Listen Graham, it'll take you two years just to understand the job.' It's no coincidence that the two most successful managers have spent the longest time with their clubs - Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger."

Tonight, just 48 hours after the win over NAC Breda, Robson pits his tactical wits against Arsenal's Wenger, a coach for whom he has great respect. "He's a very civilised guy," he said. "I like him enormously."

And the fracas at Old Trafford? "Unfortunate," he said. "It was irresponsible, unacceptable behaviour. The players missed an opportunity to show the nation how footballers should behave."

Robson, of course, could have succeeded George Graham as Arsenal manager in 1995. He had to decline their offer when Porto refused to release him. "If they sack me here I might apply," he laughed.

Would that open the door for Shearer to take over at Newcastle? "He doesn't show much inclination," replied Robson. "I think he'll go into the media when he finishes. I don't think he fancies the hassle that goes with my job."