FOR someone who insists he remains an admirer of Graeme Souness' managerial qualities, Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder is making a pretty good job of ruining his predecessor's already impoverished reputation.

In the four weeks since Souness' dismissal, Roeder has guided the Magpies to four victories and a draw. Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton - achieved courtesy of a second-half double from Nolberto Solano - took Newcastle to the giddy heights of 11th in the Premiership.

When Roeder was appointed, relegation was a possibility. Five games in and the European spots are looming into view.

The transformation has been total and, while Souness could point to injuries and ill fortune as explanations for his lack of success, the instant improvement under Roeder has painted his 17-month reign in a far less flattering light. Increasingly, the Scot is being seen as ineffective rather than unfortunate.

Newcastle look a different team in every area of the park and, significantly, the change is most marked in defence. Under Souness, playing the error-prone Jean-Alain Boumsong alongside the ageing Robbie Elliott would have been a recipe for disaster. With Roeder at the helm, it was the foundation for a fourth clean sheet in the space of five games.

After months of inexcusable under-achievement, Boumsong is finally beginning to look like an international centre-half. His headstrong charges out of position have disappeared, the 50-yard gaps to fellow defenders have vanished and, most crucially of all, he is now marshalling the rest of his defence with both authority and calm.

Surely such a radical overhaul must have been difficult to achieve? That Roeder insists it stems from nothing more than a bit of specialist coaching is, unintentionally, a particularly damning critique of Souness' managerial methods.

"It's not rocket science," said the caretaker, who is a former Newcastle centre-half of considerable repute himself. "When I took over, I hadn't seen a lot of the players but I knew they had potential. For whatever reason, they weren't fulfilling it.

"One of the first things I noticed was that the defence were playing as individuals. I was surprised the few first times I worked with them because of the complete lack of communication.

"They all speak English - Jean-Alain does, Peter Ramage speaks something approaching it - but they weren't talking to each other at all.

"As a former centre-half, I don't know how you can play without giving your fellow defenders information and covering each other's backs. It really is that simple.

"Now, we have them talking to each other. We're working them on a big pitch, a small pitch and in the goalmouth. We're stopping and starting to show them what they're doing wrong. That's my coaching background and it's pretty basic stuff."

If it really is that basic, of course, it is difficult to see why it was not being adopted in the first place. Rigid organisation is a much-maligned presence in the modern game, but the success of the likes of Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan underline just how a crucial a factor it can be.

Everton have based all of their recent success on a strong defence, an indefatigable work ethic and a tactical system that allows them to flood the midfield and punish opponents by breaking from deep. On Saturday, they were out-Evertoned by Newcastle.

Despite the absence of the likes of Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble, the Magpies were more than a match for a side that began the game unbeaten in the Premiership since the turn of the year.

Under Souness, Newcastle's awful injury record was regularly spouted as a source of sympathy. To Roeder, it is a means of motivation, a situation that creates opportunity and openings for those brave and committed enough to take them.

"I don't mind admitting I was totally fed up of the negativity that led up to this game," he said. "Just because we didn't have Michael, Alan or Kieron, people were telling us the best we could hope for was a draw.

"I told the players that was absolute rubbish. I don't think they're being shown the respect they deserve if they're being told this team isn't good enough to beat Everton.

"It's easy to make excuses but these lads don't want to. I don't like to single people out, but take Emre as an example.

"He came in sick (on Saturday morning) and had been badly ill overnight. He came to talk to me about whether it was advisable for him to play or be on the bench.

"I spoke with him - we have a very good relationship - and he decided the right thing to do was to give it his best shot, give it to half-time and then see if he could carry on.

"At half-time, I asked him if he wanted to come off and he said no way. For me, that showed exactly what kind of spirit we've got."

Roeder was right to single out Emre as, even ignoring his sickness, the Turkey international typified the commitment and self-sacrifice currently characterising Newcastle's play.

Starting in an unorthodox attacking position off Shola Ameobi's shoulder, Emre worked tirelessly to give his side an outlet during a cagey first half. His touch and technique were exemplary, but it was two crucial interventions at the opposite end of the field that ultimately paved the way for United's success.

Everton centre-half David Weir climbed highest to meet successive Mikel Arteta corners before the break but, on each occasion, Emre was on the line to hack his goalbound header clear. The value of those clearances became apparent after the break.

Shortly after the hour mark, Emre fed Charles N'Zogbia as the Frenchman surged into the area. His pace took him around the pedestrian Weir and Solano was able to nip ahead of the dawdling Nuno Valente to turn his driven cross home from close range.

If that was a predatory strike, Solano's second was all about precision. Receiving the ball from Lee Bowyer, the Peruvian skipped inside Valente before bending a picture-book curler with the outside of his right foot.

The goal allowed Newcastle to coast through the final 15 minutes and left Roeder's side anticipating next weekend's home game with Bolton with a thinly-disguised relish.

For a previous regime, the visit of Sam Allardyce's scufflers would have meant tactical torture. In current conditions, it could well prove just how much has changed since Souness' dismissal.

Result: Newcastle United 2, Everton 0.

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