Robson wants a happy return to old employers

Robson returns to Craven Cottage today for the first time in a professional capacity since he learned of his dismissal from a newspaper billboard as he drove home over Putney Bridge.

"I remember vowing that I'd never return to the bloody place again,'' said Robson. "It was painful, harsh and disturbing at the time, but I got on with my life. I went to Ipswich soon after that and it's gone well for me since then.

"But I've got warm feelings about Fulham overall. I had two six-year periods there as a player and they brought me back from Canada (with Vancouver Whitecaps) to give me my first managerial job.

"I lasted eight months, so I wasn't that clever - I didn't lose any matches in the summer! This season we've seen 22 managers go by October and I went in November in '68, so does it ever change? We were eighth at the time in the old Second Division.

"The only other time I've been sacked was at Sporting Lisbon - and we were top of the league.

"They hadn't been top for 15 years and I think the shock was too great for the chairman. I think he thought to himself: 'There's something wrong here. We should be eighth, so I'd better sack the manager!

"I haven't been back to Fulham many times and it's the first time I've been back with a team.

"But I walked away determined that I wouldn't let the experience make me feel bitter about football. It just hardened me and made me more determined not to fail, and Ipswich provided me with another chance.''

A hugely successful stint at Portman Road gave Robson the springboard to land the England manager's job before spells with PSV Eindhoven (twice) Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, Barcelona and, finally, his beloved Newcastle.

He recalled: "I could have signed for Newcastle, but I chose Fulham - can you believe that? At Fulham I played with Johnny Haynes and Bedford Jezzard. We all played for England and Stan Seymour senior, Newcastle's chairman at the time, offered £60,000 for the three of us, which was a massive amount of money then, but Fulham turned it down.''

The drive and ambition of the remarkable Robson remain undiminished, three months short of his 69th birthday.

"I can't give up football now,'' he said. "I have no desire to spend every Saturday afternoon in Tesco. I have a 12-month, roll-on contract. Every day I've got 12 months to go and that suits me nicely.''

A long-overdue victory in London would also suit Robson nicely. Newcastle have failed to win in the capital on their last 26 visits, but Robson stressed: "I don't believe in hoodoos and jinxes.''

The Newcastle boss was in bullish mood yesterday as he drew a line under the 'Gang of Four' controversy which saw Kieron Dyer, Carl Cort, Craig Bellamy and Andy Griffin sent home in disgrace from last week's club trip to Spain for failing to show up at a dinner in honour of former chairman Sir John Hall.

"It's history,'' said Robson. "We've seen the players individually and we've said to them: 'You've got massive careers ahead of you, so get on with them.''

Robson revealed that midfielder Dyer has edged in front of striker Cort in their race to return from long-term injuries.

Dyer hasn't played for nearly nine months because of shin problems, while Cort is still recovering from the knee injury which wrecked his hopes of an early-season comeback following ankle trouble.

Robson said: "Dyer has forged ahead. He'll start training with the rest of the team on Monday and in about two weeks he'll be fit. Cort is probably two weeks behind him.''

Full-back Griffin misses this weekend's trip because his wife and child are ill.

Robson expects a positive response from leading ten-goal scorer Bellamy, who is proving a shrewd signing.

The Wales striker moved from Coventry in the summer for £6m, and Robson is predicting a bright future for the speedy 22-year-old.

"He's such a precocious boy that nothing will bother him,'' said Robson. "He's done very well for us and he's always a threat with his pace and penetration. I think he'll have a wonderful career here.

"What happened last week won't affect any of the players concerned. We just want the supporters to get behind them as well.''

One of Newcastle's most ardent fans will be in the opposing camp today - former United midfielder Lee Clark, who is persistently linked with a return to St. James' Park.

Clark is back in the Fulham squad and itching to play after recovering from a three-week lay-off with a mystery knee injury.

Robson said: "Lee bleeds black and white like I do and I know what Newcastle means to him. He's done very well at Fulham and he did well at Sunderland. He's a very fine footballer.''

Robson, meanwhile, will run a check on goalkeeper Shay Given and centre-back Andy O'Brien following their gruelling journey to Iran with the Republic of Ireland, who arrived back in the early hours yesterday after booking their place at next year's World Cup finals.

While O'Brien didn't play in Tehran, Given produced another heroic display and Robson will be anxious to see whether he has suffered any reaction to two play-off games in six days.

Steve Harper is standing by to step in and Robson stressed: "He's a top keeper and I wouldn't have any qualms about putting him in.''

* Fulham forward Louis Saha insists he has nothing to prove to his old club Newcastle today - but he admits he owes it to boss Jean Tigana to end his three-month league goals drought.

The 23-year-old French ace set Division One alight last season, hitting the net 32 times as the Cottagers romped to the Football League title. However, the goals have dried up this term with his only notch on the scoresheet since August 22 being the Worthington Cup strike in the 5-2 rout of Derby on October 10.

And Saha was a flop in his six-month loan from Metz to Newcastle in 1999, making just 11 appearances and scoring only once. But asked if he has anything to prove to the army of United fans that will invade Craven Cottage tomorrow, he said: ''Nothing at all to Newcastle but to my manager, yes.

''When I was on loan at Newcastle, I was hoping to get a permanent move there. It was a pleasure to play alongside Alan Shearer and he gave me good advice and showed me how to gain confidence.

''My experience with Newcastle was definitely valuable and put me in good stead for this season. I haven't stayed in touch with any Newcastle players, but they were my friends when I was there."

Saha has warned his team-mates not to fool themselves into thinking they have discovered the recipe for season-long top-flight success.

''Their fans are always determined to do their best for the team and always encourage the players no matter what. But Fulham have gained much confidence recently although now we must be careful to remain focused.

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