GRAEME Souness last night hailed the "all for one" mentality that finally saw Newcastle end their away day hoodoo with a 2-1 win at Southampton.

The Magpies had gone almost 11 months without a Premiership away win before David Prutton's own goal, and a magnificent match-winner from Stephen Carr, saw Souness kick off his United career with a second success in the space of four days.

The Scotsman sprang something of a selection surprise prior to kick-off, with striker Craig Bellamy asked to play on the right of midfield and Jermaine Jenas preferred to Laurent Robert on the opposite flank.

But the duo responded with committed displays as Newcastle withstood a second-half bombardment to claim maximum points.

There have been times this season when Newcastle's squad has looked anything but united, with Kieron Dyer falling out with previous boss Sir Bobby Robson because of his refusal to fill the right midfield berth.

But, after Bellamy and Jenas sacrificed personal ambition for the team cause at St Mary's, Souness spelt out his determination to cultivate a sense of shared responsibility at St James'.

"We have to get at Newcastle United what Arsenal and Manchester United have had for a few years now," said Souness, who has already tasted defeat at Southampton this season in his previous role as Blackburn boss. "That's the mentality that it's the cause that's important.

"Some players have played in positions that aren't their ideal positions, but it's about the points we have come the middle of May next year, not what happens with individual players.

"Craig's preferred position is through the middle, but we had a chat last week and he fully understands.

"He's fully committed to this football club and he understands where we're going. He understands when I ask him to play in not his preferred position, and I've not had a single objection from him.

"Nobody will write about Jermaine, but we asked him to do a specific job on Fabrice Fernandes and he did it.

"Fernandes likes to drag the ball down the line, switch back on to his left foot, and sling the it over for James Beattie. He didn't do that once in the whole 90 minutes, and Jermaine deserves credit for that."

After twice taking the lead against the Saints, Newcastle displayed a doggedness that has eluded them on countless occasions in the past.

Nicky Butt and Lee Bowyer battled feverishly at the heart of midfield, while Andy O'Brien and Robbie Elliott dealt with a succession of long balls hurled in the general direction of Beattie and second-half substitute Peter Crouch.

Souness ended his gardening leave only last Monday but, after spending most of his time looking to improve his defence, the impact of his appointment is already being felt.

"That's the priority for me at Newcastle at this time," said the Scotsman. "I have to get the players defending properly because there's nothing to coach going forward.

"We have to be solid away from home, because we have really gifted players who will get goals.

"We can't be a soft touch at the other end, and we've worked all week on trying to be a wee bit more difficult to play against.

"Our backs were against the wall a bit in the second half, but my back four deserve a lot of credit for the way they dealt with that."

New signing Ronny Johnsen will come into contention for Saturday's home game against West Brom but, after leaving Aaron Hughes on the bench yesterday, Souness has insisted that 30-year-old Robbie Elliott remains central to his plans.

The veteran centre-half had gone more than 70 Premiership games without a start before he lined up at the Riverside on the opening game of the season.

But with Souness wiping the slate clean upon his arrival on Tyneside, Elliott finds himself enjoying an unexpected renaissance.

"Robbie's vastly experienced and both him and Andy O'Brien did very well. They were both solid against difficult opposition.

"Southampton offered direct, in-your-face football - but I thought Robbie stood up to that well."

Read more about Newcastle United FC here.