LAURENT ROBERT got his customary European start last night when he lined up against Dinamo Tbilisi.

The 29-year-old Newcastle United winger may not be the manager's first choice when the Magpies play in the Premiership but he has started every UEFA Cup game this season.

The former Paris Saint Germain star has been left out of the United line up because Graeme Souness has tried to accommodate Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert in a three-pronged attack.

Of course, Robert's unwillingness to get involved with the ugly side of football, basics such as tackling and tracking back, is another factor to why the Newcastle boss has left him out; especially as he urges on the side of caution when the Magpies travel away from home.

But if the former France international is to win back a permanent place in Scot's line up then the UEFA Cup is an ideal opportunity to prove his boss is wrong to leave him out.

And if that means putting his foot in where it hurts like he did when he ran 20 yards to crunch Tbilisi midfielder Kakhaber Aladashvili after 27 minutes, then so be it.

But let's not kid ourselves, Robert is United's most creative player and Sir Bobby Robson did not pay PSG £10m for him to do the job of Nicky Butt.

His job description is to provide the strikers with ammunition and chip in with the odd goal. To be fair, in his three-and-half seasons on Tyneside, he has done just that.

He is a lazy so-and-so at times, but without Robert, Newcastle have struggled to create any real chances recently and Shearer has suffered more than most.

But such is his dynamic, it came as no surprise when the United winger was involved in his skipper's opening goal.

It was his header inside to Kluivert which began the move that Shearer rifled home. Robert had a hand in the second goal too. His corner had Tbilisi keeper Mamaladze flapping like a salmon before Bellamy volleyed home the rebound.

Many fans name David Ginola as the finest player to grace St James's Park in the modern era. But for all his silky, sublime skills the swashbuckling Frenchman did not score as many goals or supply as many assists as his French counterpart.

And when did United fans ever see Ginola track back?

On last night's evidence there is a strong case for Robert despite the opposition being so poor.

He had a hand in two goals; tracked back and tackled and was United's most creative player.

It was a pity his powerful run which culminated with Mamaladze punching clear two minutes from time was not rewarded with a goal.

Unfortunately,the Frenchman will not play for Newcastle as long as Souness persists with his three-pronged attack because he believes the Magpies can not afford to have two luxuries on the pitch at the same time - Kluivert being the other.

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