Speed infuriated by substitution

BOBBY ROBSON is facing one of his most difficult periods of management, with news that Gary Speed was none too happy with his substitution during Newcastle's 2-0 loss to Leeds United on Wednesday.

Speed faces direct competition for his place from Hugo Viana, with the 19-year-old Portuguese starlet generally accepted as one of the great European talents.

However, Speed's reaction to being taken off has angered Robson, with the Welshman unwilling to shake his manager's hand.

Robson said: "I don't think Gary Speed was too delighted on being taken off but this was no skin off my nose.

"I will make the decisions on who I want to take off.

"As it happens, Speed did not deserve to be taken off and neither did Shola Ameobi.

"Speed played 90 minutes on Saturday and, while I am not saying he cannot play two matches in four days, the game was ebbing away and I had to change things.

"I have no problems with Gary.  After all, I did pick him for last night's match.

"He's a great professional.  He has pride in his own fitness and performances and he is one of my blue chip players.

"But Hugo Viana is a different kind of player.  Just like Craig Bellamy is a different type of player to Shola Ameobi.

"Speed has to learn that it is not just about 11 players these days."

Ameobi had a poor game in front of goal, whilst Lomana LuaLua was suprisingly not even on the bench - despite stating he was fit and raring to go, Robson claimed that the forward was tired having played for the DR Congo against Libya at the weekend.

With Nikos Dabizas injured, the central defensive partnership of Andy O'Brien and Titus Bramble looked somewhat shaky and with Olivier Bernard still learning the left back slot, Robson has plenty of work to do to organise a team that has looked decidedly out of sorts.