PETER REID'S uncharacteristic castigation of his players is, in the eyes of triumphant derby rival Sir Bobby Robson, "a last resort'' to save his job at Sunderland.

Manager Reid, who insists he won't resign despite the deepening crisis on Wearside, discarded the protective shield with which he has staunchly defended his charges throughout a seven-and-a-half year reign, to lay them open to criticism from all and sundry - not least himself.

Sunderland like to go by the monicker of SAFC, but in Reid's own caustic words, they were simply "sad'' in Saturday's 123rd Tyne-Wear League encounter.

By his own admission, Reid broke a personal rule with a stinging public rebuke of his players' anaemic efforts.

The Black Cats' boss even conceded he had thought twice about attending the post-match press conference, such was his disgust with his side's shameful showing.

But it gave him the stage he needed to vent his spleen and warn of sweeping changes to his line-up after a damaging third successive defeat.

Many Sunderland fans feel the biggest change required is at the top, but Reid maintained: "I'm not going to quit, so you can forget about that.

"But I'm sick about this performance. We didn't win a tackle virtually all game, we didn't create enough, there was no desire.

"We were very poor and I'm disappointed with the players and for the supporters. I've had a bit of stick, but our supporters have been fantastic. They don't deserve that performance.

"We need to kick backsides in training this week and come out fighting against Aston Villa on Saturday.

"I'm not having that performance and that attitude. We have to show a bit of fighting spirit. It comes down to me as the main man, and I pride myself on my teams having fight.

"If players aren't doing it, you leave them out. I've done it before and I'll do it again.''

Sir Bobby, at 69 the doyen of European managers, is a huge admirer of Reid, who played under him with England.

Reid spent over £15m in the summer on seven players, and Robson insists they need time to bed in.

But time is not on Reid's side and Robson recognises that his oppo's withering attack on his players is one final, desperate throw of the dice.

"It's the ultimate when you criticise your players - it's the last resort,'' said Robson.

"The question now is whether the players respond to the manager's public remarks.

"Peter had five new players out there (Phil Babb, Stephen Wright, Matt Piper, Marcus Stewart and Tore Andre Flo) and he has his best striker, Kevin Phillips, out injured so you have to give him time.

"I said to Peter after the game, 'I hope you have a marvellous season from now on.' We want Sunderland to do well because we want this fixture every season.

"They're second bottom now and I really hope they get out of the mire.

"I still think they'll pick up sufficient points at home to have a satisfactory season.

"We can gloat about this win, but I have sympathy for Peter. It's usually the man at the top who falls, but I think he's a strong manager and he's done very well at Sunderland.''

Robson stressed that the millionaire status enjoyed by modern-day players makes life harder for managers.

"It was easier to get desire from players in the past,'' said Robson.

"The trick is to not only buy good players, but good people too. That's what we've done with the likes of Hugo Viana and Jermaine Jenas.

"Craig Bellamy does my head in, but on the pitch I can never have any argument with him. He will fight for the cause.

"Peter has to get that from his players and they owe him that. Sunderland are in a wonderland. The players are on good salaries, they have a magnificent stadium and it's one of the big clubs in the country.

"The players have to give them commitment all the way. In Brian Clough's day as a manager, it was a case of, 'If you don't do it, you're out of the team, son.'''

Conversely, Robson revealed he had to use a different approach with Bellamy, the star of Saturday's show.

The striker had to be talked into playing after feeling fatigue following his first full game for seven months.

It was against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in February, that the Welsh international broke down with a knee problem which needed surgery, and last week's Champions' League defeat away to Dynamo Kiev witnessed his first 90 minute run-out since.

And Robson's powers of persuasion were rewarded as Bellamy, who scored Newcastle's equaliser in the 1-1 home draw with Sunderland last season, netted his first goal this term after only 84 seconds.

With customary alacrity, Bellamy sped clear of the Sunderland defence after Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer had linked to release him, and tucked a right-foot shot beyond goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

Sunderland should have been level in the ninth minute, but £8m record signing Flo sent a free header over from around six yards on the end of Claudio Reyna's free-kick.

It was a costly miss and Shearer made Sunderland pay six minutes before half-time.

After being brought down by Jason McAteer on the edge of the 18-yard box, the United skipper smashed home his fourth goal of the season with a raking right-foot drive from Nolberto Solano's rolled free-kick.

Newcastle felt they were denied the chance of a third in the 62nd minute when referee Mike Riley booked Bellamy for diving after he went down under the challenge of Piper, Reid's £3.5m recruit from Leicester City and a player Robson admitted being interested in last season.

United will ask Mr Riley to reconsider his decision, and Robson said: "The last thing Craig Bellamy will want to do is take a dive for a penalty, because he knows he won't take the penalty.

"He wants to put the ball in the net. We're very strong with our players about diving - it's cheating and that's not part of Newcastle United.

"It was a push in the back and a clear penalty and it would have finished the game then, provided Alan Shearer had knocked it in.

"We will ask the referee to look at it again because it was a harsh booking.''

Robson added: "Craig played in Kiev and it was his first 90 minutes for seven months.

"He felt a bit sluggish on Friday and I made him go home early, rest and make sure he didn't take the missus shopping to the Metrocentre. It worked and he felt fresh for the game.''

Bellamy, facing a UEFA investigation into the headbutt he inflicted on Dynamo's Tiberiu Ghioane, this time channelled all his energies into a performance which confirmed him as Newcastle's most potent weapon as they prepare to return to the European arena tomorrow night at home to Feyenoord.

Result: Newcastle United 2 Sunderland 0.

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