RONNY Johnsen has told his Newcastle team-mates "It's good to talk" - although the veteran centre-half would like Alan Shearer to keep quiet about a certain five-goal drubbing.

Johnsen was part of the Manchester United side that suffered a 5-0 thrashing at St James' Park in October 1996, a result that remains one of the most impressive in Newcastle's recent history.

Shearer is the only survivor from Newcastle's line-up that day and, after Johnsen joined the Magpies in September, the United skipper was quick to recall a five-star display.

Away from the pitch, the Norwegian centre-half would like to draw a line under one of the most humiliating days of his career.

But, on the field, the 35-year-old would like to hear a lot more from his vocally-challenged team-mates.

Last weekend's 4-0 defeat at Chelsea was effectively Newcastle's season in microcosm.

Plenty of attractive football, a handful of decent chances, and then complete collapse in the final quarter as a hitherto watertight defence suffers total meltdown.

Point after point has been squandered in the second half of matches United never looked like losing before the interval, posing questions over both concentration and fitness levels in the latter stages of a game.

Johnsen is adamant that his team-mates are as fit as they can be, and instead points the finger of blame at their lack of communication when the going gets tough.

The Tremeloes told us that 'Silence is Golden' but, for one United centre-half, a little more noise could go an awfully long way.

"Sometimes, I think this team is too quiet on the pitch," said Johnsen, who cites teenager Steven Taylor as one of the few Newcastle players to keep his mouth going for a full 90 minutes. "Everybody needs to talk to keep themselves alert.

"When you do that, it's much easier to keep your concentration levels high.

"Sometimes we're too quiet, and that's not just a criticism of the defence - it's the whole team.

"That's something we have to improve and I think talking is one of the best ways to keep your concentration up.

"Everybody must talk and help each other. You don't even have to say the right thing - it's just important that everybody talks about where they are."

Newcastle's defenders certainly didn't seem to know where they were in the final few minutes at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea's strikers ran riot.

Graeme Souness' side paid a heavy penalty for switching off but, after containing the league leaders for an hour, they also fell into the trap of pushing too hard for a goal of their own.

That left them susceptible at the opposite end of the field, and there are times when United might be better served sitting on what they have in an attempt to make their opponents over-commit.

"Last Saturday, we were really good for an hour but, in the last part of the game, we lost it," admitted Johnsen.

"Maybe we tried to open ourselves up too much and paid the penalty.

"Sometimes you just have to defend. The whole team has to defend and let the other team open up a little bit first. That can be the best way for you to attack.

"Playing well is one thing, but the whole team has to be a bit smarter.

"When you play away, you don't have to entertain the fans. We need to be a little bit more defensive. That's the not the case every time - but sometimes it is."

Souness has been aware of his side's defensive shortcomings from the moment he replaced Sir Bobby Robson in September, and bringing Johnsen out of semi-retirement was his first move in an attempt to stem the flow of goals pouring into the Newcastle net.

The former Champions League winner was in limbo after Aston Villa refused to renew his contract at the end of last season, and jumped at the chance of a final fling on Tyneside.

His current short-term deal is up in January but, with Souness still desperately short of defenders, it would be a massive surprise if he was not offered an extension to May.

"I had a few offers during the summer, which I didn't take on," explained Johnsen. "I was back in Norway and then Graeme Souness called.

"I wasn't really contemplating retirement, because I was always confident that the right offer would come in.

"Then, when Newcastle came, I knew it was a big chance for me. I couldn't say no.

"I'm really enjoying things. I like playing up here and I like the fact that I'm back at full fitness.

"There was no doubt in my mind about joining Newcastle. I don't feel any difference between here and Manchester United. You've got everything here that you have down there.

"But when I moved, I said to my family, 'This is my last club'. Anything beyond the end of the season has to be between them and me."

Whatever happens in the future, Johnsen will eventually retire with a host of happy memories after helping Manchester United win an unprecedented treble in 1999.

Three years earlier, though, he suffered a more chastening experience on Tyneside as Newcastle put the reigning champions to the sword.

Darren Peacock and David Ginola gave United a 2-0 lead at half-time, before Les Ferdinand and Shearer joined in the fun after the break.

Philippe Albert then put the icing on the cake with an extravagant chip over Peter Schmeichel - something Johnsen admitted was out of the question for many months to come.

"I played in midfield in that game," he said. "And I've got to admit that I've tried to forget as much about it as I can

"It's a long time ago and Alan is the only person still at the club who played that day. He's certainly been keen to make sure I don't forget, although I have things that I can get him back with as well!

"It wasn't a great game for me, although it was an incredible result for Newcastle at the time.

"I suppose the most famous memory is Phillipe Albert's chip. Let's just say that nobody was wanting to do the same thing to Peter Schmeichel in training after that!"

And even though Johnsen is an advocate of opening his mouth, presumably he didn't dare talk about it either.