SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night slammed the critics who condemned him for controversially resting Alan Shearer during Newcastle United's Carling Cup exit.

Robson responded to a Toon Army backlash by insisting he "did the right thing" - despite the damaging defeat to West Brom. Shearer was left on the bench for 98 minutes of Wednesday's tie and, as Robson conceded, found it difficult to stamp his mark on the game.

But as fans hit out at the venerable Newcastle manager's decision, Robson claimed he was correct to protect Shearer from burn-out.

He said: "We did the right thing. Alan's 33 years old, and if he'd played for two hours against West Brom how do you think he would feel ahead of Saturday?

"He's very important to us, but because we lost we get criticised by the experts; the people who've never put their elbow in the water.

"The idea was to save Alan. We are now playing Saturday-Thursday-Sunday next week, and Alan cannot play every game.

"We wanted to keep him fresh for the game against Aston Villa at the weekend. I did what I had to do, and rested Alan and Gary Speed.

"I tried to play the match without Alan, and if we'd taken our chances we would have done it.

"It's not easy coming on in the late stages and trying to pick up the pace of the game."

Andy Griffin could be out for up to three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during Wednesday's defeat.

Hugo Viana is doubtful for tomorrow's visit of Villa with a foot problem that forced his withdrawal at half-time against West Brom.

Steve Harper, Newcastle's captain on Wednesday, reckons they must redouble their efforts to end the 34-year trophy famine on Tyneside. He said: "The players now have to bounce back and work doubly hard to bring success to this football club.

"We've already bounced back well in the League and gone on a fantastic run, and we have to make sure we keep it going. We have to push on in the League.

"The UEFA Cup is a prestigious competition and the FA Cup has a lot of tradition, and they offer us a good chance to finally give the fans some silverware.

"The first trophy is going to be the hardest to win. Look at Manchester United: it took them a while to win the big one.

"Once we win the first trophy, the rest will follow.

"But the longer the wait goes on, the harder it will be.

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