SIR BOBBY ROBSON has revealed the awesome potential of Newcastle's Titus Bramble - by comparing him to a cross between Kevin Beattie and Mike Tyson.

England Under-21 international Bramble finally began to justify the £5m fee Robson paid for him in the summer with a polished performance in Wednesday's Champions' League triumph over Juventus.

The former Ipswich defender helped to quell the threat of the likes of Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved on a memorable night at St. James' Park.

Bramble hopes his display has won over the doubters who have questioned his ability after a torrid start to life on Tyneside.

But Robson, who in Bramble sees much of former Ipswich charge Beattie, insisted: "I don't think Titus was ever in a position where he had to repay us.

"He's a colossus and he reminds me of Kevin Beattie in many respects. Beattie was a phenomenon - he was playing for England at 21 under Don Revie.

"Titus turned 21 in the summer. He's strong and, on the pitch, he's one you want to stay away from.

"He can hit the ball with his left foot or his right foot and he's quite a phenomenon himself.

"He looks overweight, but he isn't. If you see him stripped, he's like Mike Tyson. He doesn't bite like Tyson - except in the tackle!

"If he can play like he did the other night, he will be a very good player. He was up against the likes of Del Piero and Nedved and I thought the kid did very well. I can't say it's an easy decision leaving him out of the team.''

Former England manager Robson has staked his reputation on Bramble making the grade.

"He wasn't in the team much at Ipswich last season because he had an injury, but I saw quite a bit of him the year before,'' said Robson, who was in charge at Portman Road for 13 years and still has close connections with the club.

"I think Titus had to get out of Ipswich. They had been relegated to the First Division and were looking to sell because they needed the money. We had to get in quickly because there were other clubs interested. I told our chairman: 'Get him here and we'll make him a player'.''

Bramble, who was making his first start for six weeks, only played against Juve because Nikos Dabizas was suspended.

And Robson believes central defensive partner Andy O'Brien - set to make his 50th Premiership appearance for United - gave Bramble vital support on the big occasion. The United boss said: "I think Andy, knowing the pressure the lad was under, said to him: 'You can trust me, I'll be around you.' The crowd warmed to Titus as well and that was pleasing. Boo boys can kill a player's performance and we don't want that.''

Robson, whose side host Charlton Athletic today, said: "The Juventus result is a tonic. Now we have to do what Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal do - come back to the Premiership from a tough European game and win on a Saturday.

"Charlton is a big game for us. We're 11th in the table which is not acceptable to us. We shouldn't be loitering in that position.

"Charlton are fighting for their lives. When they beat Middlesbrough on Sunday, it was their first home win this season.

"But they've picked up points away from home. They compete and they are dangerous away from home. Their strength is their work ethic. They make teams struggle through sheer hard work and running capacity.

"Jason Euell got their goal against Boro and I like him. When I was watching Carl Cort playing for Wimbledon, Euell also caught my eye. He's a tasty customer.''

Robson is likely to recall goalkeeper Shay Given, who was dropped for the Juventus game in favour of Steve Harper.

But Robson faces a dilemma over whether to stick with Bramble, and hand him his 50th career Premiership appearance, or restore Dabizas to the heart of defence.

Given took the blame for three of the goals in the 5-2 defeat at Blackburn a week ago when Dabizas was sent off for deliberate handball, which led to Rovers' opener from the penalty spot.

* Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer, who last week scored his 300th goal at club level, is one short of another milestone - his 100th for United in the Premiership.

Last season, when he reached 200 career Premiership goals, the opponents at St. James' Park were. . .Charlton

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