NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson believes he has been vindicated in his hardline approach to errant wingers Laurent Robert and Nolberto Solano.

A rejuvenated Robert was the Magpies' man of the match in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool at St. James' Park after a performance which Robson acclaimed as the most committed he has seen from the enigmatic Frenchman since his arrival on Tyneside two-and-a-half years ago.

Robson has admitted that Robert has given him more trouble than any other player in over 35 years in management.

Robert's poor early-season form and petulance prompted Robson to drop him to the bench and the former Paris St. Germain star, who cost almost £10m, was hauled in and issued with a final written warning by the club after publicly ridiculing the manager's tactics.

Stung by Robert's constant sniping - he regularly posted articles on his personal website that were critical of Newcastle - Robson decided enough was enough.

Robert infuriated him again when he was sent off for a second bookable offence on his recall at Everton in September.

But the transformation in 28-year-old Robert since then has been startling. He struck a rich vein where he scored six goals in seven starts, and against Liverpool won the penalty that Alan Shearer converted to salvage a point.

Robson said: "Early season, the penny finally dropped with Laurent when he was talking better than he was playing. We put him right.

"We had him in and wrote him a letter. We told him to let his boots do the talking.

"I've had so many discussions with him in his time here.

"But I don't think I've seen him work as hard, fight and scrap and be the first to react when he lost the ball, as he did on Saturday. He had a fine match.''

Solano has similarly repeatedly found himself in Robson's bad books, largely because of his long-haul treks to play for Peru.

Matters came to a head when he walked out on the squad after he was left out of the game at Middlesbrough. The summer signing of Lee Bowyer and intense competition for places in midfield, have combined to marginalise Solano.

But he came off the bench and to his side's rescue at the weekend when he stood in at right-back - where he has often played for his country - after Aaron Hughes succumbed to flu.

Solano's interval entrance gave the Magpies more width and penetration as he linked to good effect with Kieron Dyer. Robson said: "Nobby has always played well with Dyer.

"When Dyer has played right midfield with Nobby wide of him, they've had this telepathy.

"I think the performance from Nobby when he came on was the sort he needs to get back into the team. He'll fight for his place. It was ideal for him because he is comfortable at right-back.''

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas, like Dyer attracting the watchful gaze of England's Tord Grip, said: "Nobby is an attacking player. He helped pin Liverpool back and provided a lot of crosses, and it added to our pressure in the second half.''

Jenas, hoping to squeeze into England's Euro 2004 squad, enjoyed pitting his wits against Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

He said: "I'm still young and learning, and coming up against an experienced international like him is a great challenge.

"My only real thought is playing for Newcastle. Steven is brilliant for England and I think he has one of the four midfield spots if he is fit.

"The only way I'm going to get in and challenge him is through my performances here. I thought I did all right. I missed a good chance but it was one of those things, the ball was bobbling.

"As long as I do well for Newcastle, I'll hopefully get a little slot for Euro 2004.''

Jenas, 20, insists his side shouldn't give up on another top-three Premiership finish, despite the lead established by Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

"I think it's still early days,'' he said.

"People look at us because we have finished in the top three and four, and then look at Chelsea who have had a good start and they can't see them slipping up.

"But we're still a threat and we have to keep it going throughout the season.''

Meanwhile, Robson had reassuring words for Jonathan Woodgate after his mix-up with centre-back partner Titus Bramble led to Liverpool's goal.

Woodgate, who recently returned after two months out with a double hernia, was also partly at fault with Wolves' goal at Molineux a week earlier.

But Robson stressed: "I said to him after Saturday's match, you'll need four games at least before you're right.

"He looked a little rusty. He regretted what he did at Wolves. I think he's done well to be where he is now, but he needs a couple more games.''

Bramble picked up his fifth domestic booking this season and is banned for the game at Charlton a week on Saturday.

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