Robert victim of three striker policy

With Patrick Kluivert fit again following his run-out in the Carling Cup win over Norwich after a hamstring strain, the United boss included the talented Dutchman in his starting XI alongside Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy.

Shola Ameobi had to settle for a place on the bench as Souness accommodated three strikers for the fifth time since he took over from Sir Bobby Robson.

Before Sunday's defeat it had proved relatively successful. In three of those fixtures Souness used Bellamy in a wide position with Shearer and Kluivert spearheading the attack in a traditional 4-4-2 formation.

Against Bolton, however, Bellamy and Kluivert were employed as roving strikers, alternatively playing in the hole, with three narrow central midfield players behind them, in a 4-3-1-2 formation in a bid to combat Wanderers' route-one style of play.

The former Blackburn manager previously used this ploy against relegation favourites West Brom at St James' Park five weeks ago.

But the tactic of using three strikers means United have dispensed with any width and the fall guy in all this is Laurent Robert. The Frenchman may have his critics on Tyneside but he is still the Magpies' most creative player and the likeliest candidate to carve a chance out of nothing.

Against the Baggies, Newcastle created very little until Souness changed the system and introduced Robert on the left.

Alan Shearer thrives on the service from the flanks and Robert is the one player left who can serve the type of cross Shearer feeds on.

The 34-year-old striker has found the net eight times this season but has not scored from open play in six games.

The lack of opportunities in United's last few games seems to suggest Shearer is suffering from Robert's absence.

The United captain, however, dismissed this observation.

"You can't really say that because the team is more important than the individual," said Shearer. "We have only lost against Bolton.

"We came to Bolton with a system to get something out of the game, where Patrick and Craig were inter-changing. Craig then went out wide right, where he got a little joy and used his pace to good effect.

"It worked in the first half because we matched them and we played narrow like they did. The first half was a bit of a non-event and neither side created a decent chance. The second half opened up, but again, there weren't really any great chances for either side.

"There possibly was a lack of fluency but that was because we set up to nullify them and play a similar system to what they do. The first half it worked, but the second half was a different story.

"Our unbeaten run is gone now. It's disappointing, but there is nothing we can do about it. We have another game on Thursday and we have to start another run. This is where we will see our true test of character and we have to get back to winning ways and start all over again."

Disappointed Newcastle defender Robbie Elliott echoed his skipper's sentiments and says he is determined to get the United train back on track, starting with their UEFA Cup tie against Dinamo Tbilisi at St James' Park.

"The run has come to an end and it's disappointing as we felt we could have got something at Bolton.

"We knew they played a percentage game from set pieces and they had about 19 throw-ins, which for them is like having 19 corners.

"We defended them very well throughout, but the law of averages determines some might go their way.

"For the first goal we had three players around the ball but it still dropped to their player on the line.

"We battled back well and Darren scored a fantastic goal and it was just a shame we could not hold on to that.

"Bolton made it very difficult for us to play, that's what their game is about.

"They get about the opposition, stop them from playing and picking up things from set pieces.

"It was just one of those games for us but we have another big one on Thursday and we'll be up for that as it is a massive game for the club."

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