GRAEME SOUNESS insists his young son has helped mellow his hot-temper, which could spell good news for the members of Newcastle United's squad with reputations for wayward behaviour.

The so-called 'rat pack' may well escape a trademark diatribe from their boss with Souness, now 51, believing five-year-old James has helped curb much of his feisty temperament, along with his regular dose of blood pressure tablets.

When the former Liverpool and Middlesbrough midfielder left Blackburn to take over at Newcastle two weeks ago, he arrived with a reputation for using the hard-line approach to management.

But, having had a little time to settle into his new role, Souness says he is adapting well to being in charge of a new pool of players, dubbed as being difficult to manage.

James, already a fan of skipper Alan Shearer, has played his part in making sure Souness Snr adjusts to life on Tyneside, where he is preparing for the visit of West Bromwich Albion today.

"I have calmed down for very obvious reasons over the years and I'm also on very good medication for the blood pressure," said Souness, who had a life-saving heart bypass operation in 1992.

"I am 51 now with a five-year-old son and that's made a massive change to my life. I really appreciate that and know how lucky I am. That's changed me and football has also changed.

"I am priviliged to have older kids as well. I'm the lucky one. I'm more willing to take in things now. But you still have to be disciplined.

"I'm working with top players here and all I can say is that's a manger's dream. If they are all focused on their jobs, and I know they're young, then it's as simple as that. You have to have discipline in anything you do. It's all about educating these players and I'm here to give them subtle reminders. It's not a case of being really hard on them."

Eyebrows were raised by many Newcastle supporters when Souness was installed as manager with chairman Freddy Shepherd choosing the ex-Rangers manager instead of paying out a hefty compensation bill for Birmingham's Steve Bruce.

Celtic's Martin O'Neill, Aston Villa's David O'Leary, Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren and former England coach Terry Venables were among those tipped to succeed Sir Bobby Robson at St James' Park.

But Souness, ahead of his first Premiership home match in charge today, claims he has received a promising reception from the fanatical Geordie supporters.

"I have been made to feel welcome by the man on the street," he said. "They're not interested in seeing me wave on the pitch. They are only interested in three points and seeing their team have a real go. That's what I'm here to try to provide.

"I don't want to criticise Blackburn, I'm not here to do that and Blackburn are a great club, but this is a far larger city and they're more passionate about the football. It seems there's a larger proportion of the big city here who are passionate about the game."

Souness could not have wished for a better Premiership start to his time in the North-East when Newcastle won at Southampton last Sunday - for the first time in the league in 32 years - and ended a winless away run that stretched back to October.

But, after the visit of the struggling Baggies this afternoon, Newcastle must travel to Israeli Cup winners Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin on Thursday - aiming to complete the UEFA Cup victory - with a few selection worries.

Midfielder Nicky Butt was handed a three match suspension by UEFA on Thursday for his clash with Sakhnin skipper Abas Suan during the first leg. Newcastle are considering an appeal but are unlikely to have the ban reduced.

Staying with Butt in the North-East in midweek will be Kieron Dyer and striker Shola Ameobi.

Souness admits Ameobi's problem is worrying. He said: "Shola has got something we have to be careful with. It's a hip injury, which he has banged or twisted."

And the Newcastle boss confirmed that Dyer will be missing for up to four weeks with another hamstring problem. The England star's fitness is something Souness is aiming to get to the bottom of over the next few months.

"There are a lot of players out there like Dyer. The explosive type and injuries like that can happen," said Souness. "Michael Owen is a sprinter and he keeps getting the same hamstring problem. Kieron will be learning about his own body and we are as well."

The Newcastle manager wants to build on the success at St Mary's last week by picking up the Magpies' third successive victory today. But Souness no longer wants to talk about his side's win on the south coast, he is already focused on the future.

"I don't want to talk about yesterdays it's about what we are going to do now," he said. "West Brom are hurting as they went out in the Carling Cup in midweek. We have to be prepared top face a wounded animal.

"We have to start right and it's important that we are ready for the challenge. There's no easy three points."

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